Sunday-schools.--Sunday-schools were originated in the Church of
England by one of its clergy, the Rev. Thomas Steck, who afterwards,
in 1780, called in Mr. Robert Raikes, a layman, to assist him. Such
schools gradually spread and increased, until to-day it {248} is
said that the Sunday-schools of the world number three millions
of teachers and over thirty millions of scholars. Of late years
especially the Sunday-school has become a most important factor in
our Church life, and yet notwithstanding its very manifest purpose
it is ever presenting problems very difficult to solve. These
perplexing problems no doubt arise from two main causes, (1)
a practical, though oftentimes unconscious, ignoring of the Church's
own order and method and (2) from the mixed conditions of the
religious world of to-day "by reason of our unhappy divisions." As
far as can be seen, all that has been written, published and preached
on this subject seems to resolve itself into simply this--Try to do
the best you can with the material you have, the short time allotted
to this work, usually one hour a week, and the absolute voluntaryism
of the whole undertaking. And yet in spite of this discouraging
outlook, there can be no doubt that the Sunday-school offers one
of the very best fields for genuine Church work and is "worth
while," as has been fully demonstrated in many places of earnest
toil for God. This work is far-reaching in its influence and no
estimate can be given of the possible good it may do in moulding
lives. The Rev. G. W. Shinn, D.D., speaking of the Sunday-school
sets forth its object as follows: "It offers to aid parents,
sponsors and pastors in developing the religious life of the young,
in filling their minds with the Truths of our most holy Faith,
and in training them to serve God faithfully in their day and
generation. Whatever its defects of administration, this is its aim."
Super-Altar.--A small portable slab of stone used {249} to consecrate
upon and placed on an unconsecrated Altar or a wooden Altar.
Super-Frontal.--A covering on the top of the Altar which hangs down
eight or ten inches in front, varying in color according to the
Church Season.