meets in the main room, which is provided with a small table for each
class; chairs are used; books and papers are kept in the class table,
the teacher carrying the key, the superintendent and his assistants
having master-keys. Scholars are promoted from the Intermediate Class
to this department when ten years old, or when, in the public schools,
they are in the "Third Reader" grade. As nearly as possible scholars of
the same standing in the public schools are put in classes together, and
this distinction is made with scholars of the same age. In this
department boys and girls are put in separate classes numbering not to
exceed eight, six being the standard. Each scholar is expected to have a
Bible and read the story of the lesson. Much attention is given to have
the scholar understand and comprehend the simple story as told in the
Bible. The regular International Berean Lesson is taught: the lesson
book or Berean Leaf is given to each scholar to aid in preparing the
lesson. The memorization of the names of the books of the Bible, names
of the prominent Bible characters, and sections of the Catechism are
required as supplemental lessons. For these supplemental lessons a
series of pocket memory lessons is prepared by the school; it is a neat
little book, suited for a boy's vest pocket. An examination is made at
the end of each year, and the names of scholars having the proper
standing are placed on the Roll of Honor. Scholars remain in this
department about four years. The younger classes are put nearest the
superintendent's stand and, as they are promoted, are moved back each
year, the teacher remaining with the same class during the four years.
Each one of these classes is a separate missionary band and makes its
separate report of missionary contributions.