There must be entire unanimity among the officers and teachers in order
to successfully start and carry out a graded plan.
First. It must meet with the approval of the pastor.
Second. The superintendent must with the whole heart be in the effort.
In fact, he should be, and I believe must be, the prime mover in every
step. The superintendent and assistant superintendents in our school
during all these years have every year done all of the work of
classifying and arranging of classes, made their own "roll," etc. In
this way, and in this way only, can they be properly strengthened for
the work. They may, if they so choose, call other officers to their aid;
the pastor should, of course, at all times be consulted. The secretary
might, in some cases, be of service.
Third. The officers other than the superintendent, are expected to give
their full approval and do all in their power, by encouragement and
talk, to aid the work, and, where this cannot be had, secure at least
no direct opposition.
Fourth. The teachers have much to give up. The scholars in whom they
have taken special interest may be taken away from them. They may not be
assigned to have charge of such a class of scholars as they desire; they
may be asked to take a place or room which to them for some reason is
not agreeable. Fears will be entertained by some that scholars will be
lost from the school, etc. All these various objections should be
overcome. The aggressive members should have much patience until the
teachers are, as a body, at least willing to forego their fears and
misgivings and will give the scheme a fair trial. Harmony will nearly
always produce enthusiastic workers.