LESSON PLAN
AND
SUPPLEMENTARY
LESSONS
FOR
GRADED SUNDAY SCHOOLS
IN THE
A. M. E. CHURCH
By Hannah E. Frey, 424 Girard Avenue
Baltimore, Md.
Printed By
THE A. M.' E. BOOK CONCERN
631 Pine Street,
Fhila.. Pa.
LESSON PLAN
AN D
SUPPLEMENTARY
LESSONS
FOR
GRADED SUNDAY SCHOOLS
IN THE
A. M. E. CHURCH
By Hannah E. Frey, 424 Girard Avenue
Baltimore, Md.
Printed By
THE A. M. E. BOOK CONCERN
631 Pine Street,
Fhila.. Pa.
Copyrighted 1896
By Hannah E. Frey.
To My Mother,
MRS. SARAH E. CRANE,
Is this Little Book
LOVINGLY DEDICATED.
In writing this work it has been the Author's
aim to indoctrinate the Sunday-school children
into the faith and usages of the great African
Methodist Episcopal Church, that they may
become strong and earnest Christians in the
Church of God. To them, especially, it is
hoped, it may prove of use.
H. E. FREY.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
MORNING SESSION—9.45 o'Clock.
Opening Hymn.
(School Standing.)
Prayer.
Reading the Lesson in Concert.
Study of the Lesson.
Singing.
Lesson Review.
Hymn. Collection. Notices. Dismission.
AFTERNOON SESSION—2.45 o'Clock.
Voluntary.
Opening Hymn.
(School Standing.)
Prayer, Closing with the Lord's Prayer.
Singing.
Decalogue.
Short Voluntary.
Lesson Announcements.
Study of the Lesson. Hymn.
Special Lesson. Lesson Hymn.
Lesson Review. Blackboard Review.
Hymn. Collection. Notices. Dismission.
LESSON PLAN.
INFANT DEPARTMENT.
Kindergarten.—Sand Map. Blackboard.
Flowers. Cradle Roll. Motion Songs.
The Lord's Prayer.
The First Eight Questions in Catechism.
Child's Creed. Commandments in Rhyme.
Golden Rule. Temperance.
Benevolence.
Who were our first parents?—Adam and Eve.
Where did they live?—In the Garden of Eden.
Who is Jesus?—God's only Son.
Who is our best friend?—Jesus.
What did Jesus say about little children?—Suf¬
fer little children to come unto Me.
What promise is there for little children?—
Those that seek Me early shall find Me.
How shall we treat each other?—Kindly. Lit¬
tle children, love one another.
Whom does God love?—God loveth a cheerful
giver.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
Lesson Picture Cards. The Title.
Golden Text. Questions on the Lesson.
Apostle's Creed. Ten Commandments.
/
5
1st and 23d Psalms. A. M. E. Catechism, 1st
four Chapters. Baptismal Covenant.
Church Catechism, Questions 1 to 10.
Golden Rule. Missionary.
Temperance Lessons and Songs.
Questions.
Who made you?—God.
For what were you made?—To glorify God and
enjoy Him forever.
What kind of a Spirit is God?—He is infinite,
eternal and unchangeable.
How many Gods are there?—One.
Did God ever have a beginning?—No.
Had everything beside God a beginning?—Yes.
Will all things have an end?—Angels "and our
souls will never die. ,
What book has God given as a rule of life?—
The Holy Bible.
When should we begin to think about God?—
Remember now thy Creator in the days of
thy youth.
What commandment is given with promise?—
The Fifth Commandment.
If we early learn to reverence, our parents,
what will be likely to follow?—We shall rev¬
erence others, too.
What is it that can give to anyone a .claim to
respect and so make him respected?—Purity
of character.
Who are they who are most likely to treat oth*
6
ers with respect?—Those who have learned
to be respectful at home.
Who died to save us?—Jesus.
Who is Jesus?—God's only Son.
If we are all of us God's children, why is Jesus
called His only Son?—Because He alone has
been God's Son from all eternity.
What did God send His Son to this earth for?
—To suffer and die, that all who believe and
trust in Him might be £aved.
Why did God send His Son to suffer and
die?—Because He loved us and wanted to
save us.
Who is it that teaches us to love God?—The
Holy Spirit.
What is the only way of reaching Heaven?—
By believing, trusting and obeying Jesus.
What does the Lord say about the poor?—He
that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto
the Lord.—Proverbs xix:17.
What does the Bible say about strong drink?—
Look not thou upon the wine-when it is red.
—Prov. xxiii:31. Touch not, taste not, etc.
ORIGIN OF METHODISM.
State the Origin of Methodism.—The first rise
of Methodism was at Oxford University in
1729, where a few students, including John
and Charles Wesley, devoted themselves to
lives of purity and usefulness. They were
7
nicknamed "The Holy Club*' and "Metho¬
dists." • .
Who was the founder of Methodism?—John
Wesley.
What denomination or branch of the Christian
Church are we connected with?—The Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Church.
Why were we called the African Methodist
Episcopal Church?—To designate us from
the white Methodists or to be known as an
independent church.
When was it organized?—In the year 1816.
Where?—Philadelphia, Pa.
By whom?—Richard Allen and fifteen others.
Why were they led to organize a separate de¬
nomination?—Because they were denied
equal privileges in worship and communion
with white Christians.
Who was their first Bishop?—Rev. Richard
Allen.
How many Bishops have we had since the or¬
ganization of the church?—Thirty-two.
Name them.—Richard Allen, Morris Brown,
Edward Waters, William Paul Quinn, D. A.
Payne, William Nazery, A. W. Wayman, J.
P. Campbell, Alexander Shorter, Thomas M.
D. Ward, John M. Brown, H. M. Turner,
William F. Dickeson, Richard Cain, Richard
Disney, Wesley J. Gaines. B. W. Arnett, B. T.
Tanner, Abram Grant, B. F. Lee, Moses B.
Salter, James Anderson Handy, Evans Ty-
8
ree, M. M. Moore, C. S. Smith, C. T. Shaffer,
Levi J. Coppin, E. W. Lampton, H. B. Parks,
J. S. Flipper, J. Albert Johnson, William H.
Heard.
Through what organization are the affairs of
the A. M. E. Church conducted?—The Gen¬
eral, Annual, District and Quarterly Confer¬
ences.
In what book may the doctrines and usages of
the A. M. E. Church be found ?-+The Disci¬
pline.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.
Juvenile Lesson Paper. Ten Commandments.
Beatitudes. Memory Verses of Lesson.
A. M. E. Catechism, 5th to 9th Chapters.
Page 41, Questions 10 to 22.
The Greatest Commandment. Golden Rule.
Bible Drill. Missionary and Temperance
Lessons.. Commit to memory Psalms
xix, li and xxvii; also I Cor., xiii Chapter.
Questions on the Life of Christ.
Questions.
Where was Jesus born?—In Bethlehem of
Judea.
Where was His home?—Nazareth in Galilee.
What was the first recorded word that Jesus
spoke?—I must be about my Father's busi¬
ness.
What was the greatest lesson He taught in
life?—Obedience.
9
Who baptized Jesus?—John the Baptist.
In what garden did Jesus spend His last night
on earth in great sorrow?—The Garden of
Gethsemane.
How was Jesus put to death?—He was cru¬
cified.
What was the inscription on the cross?—Jesus
of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
At what hour was Christ nailed to the cross?—
On Friday, at nine o'clock in the morning.
Who were crucified with Him?—Two thieves.
What were the seven utterances from the
cross?—
1. Father, forgive them, for they know not
what they do.—Luke xxiii:34.
2. Woman, behold thy Son.—John xix:
26-27.
3. Verily, I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou
be with Me in Paradise.—Luke xxiii:
34.
4. My God, My God, why hast Thou for¬
saken me?—Mark xv:34.
5. I thirst.—John xix:28.
6. It is finished.—John xix:30.
7. Father, into Thy hands I commend My
spirit.—Luke xxiii :46.
What portents followed His death?—The veil
of the Temple was rent in twain from the
top to the bottom, and the earth did quake
and the rocks rent and the graves were
opened and the dead came forth.
zo
How long did He lie in the grave?—A part of
three days.
On what day did He rise?—On Sunday morn¬
ing, called Easter.
To whom did He first appear?—Mary Magda¬
lene.—Mark xvi:9.
How many days between the resurrection and
the ascension?—Forty days.
Where did Jesus ascend to Heaven?—At Beth¬
any.
How did He ascend?—He lifted up His hands
and blessed His disciples, and it came to pass
while He blessed them He was taken up and
a cloud received Him out of their sight.—
Luke xxiv:50, 51; Acts 1:9.
What took place ten days after?—Sounding as
a mighty rushing wind, the Holy Spirit de¬
scended on the apostles in the shape of fiery
tongues.
What day do we call it?—Day of Pentecost, or
Whit Sunday.
Why is the wind a fitting sign or emblem of the
Holy Ghost?—Because it works without being
seen.
Why is fire a fitting emblem of the Holy
Ghost?—Because it enlightens and warms
the body as the Holy Ghost enlightens and
warms the soul.
What happy belief have we a right to hold about
the Holy Ghost?—That He dwelleth in us.
And what should be our greatest care?—Not to
grieve Him away.
ii
APOSTLES.
What is the meaning of an Apostle?—
How many Apostles had Jesus?—There were
twelve.
What were their names?—Simon Peter, An¬
drew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alpheus,
Thaddeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas
Iscariot.
Which one denied the Saviour?—Peter.
Which one betrayed Him?—Judas.
Which three were at the Transfiguration?—
Peter, James and John.
Which one was called the doubting Disciple?—
Thomas.
Who was the Apostle to the Gentiles?—Paul.
THE ORIGIN OF THE ISRAELITES AND
MORAL LAW.
How many sons had Jacob?—Twelve.
Name them.—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Zebulon, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naph-
thali, Joseph, Benjamin.
From whom did the twelve tribes of Israel
come?—From these twelve sons.
To whom were they slaves?—The Egyptians.
Whom did God select to lead the Israelites
out of bondage?—Moses and Aaron.
Where was the first meeting of God and Mo¬
ses?—On Mt. Horeb.
12
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
Who wrote the Commandments?—God, Who
gave them to Moses on Mt. Sinai.
How many are there?—Ten.
What do the first four teach?—Our duty to
God.
What do the other six teach?—Our duty to
man.
In what book are the Ten Commandments
foundry-Exodus, 20th chapter.
What is our duty to God and man?—Love.
What do we mean by the spirit of a law?—The
purpose of it.
Which is the more important, the letter or the
spirit?—The spirit.
When Jesus came into the world what did he
do for the law of Moses?—He brought out
the spirit of it.
How many Commandments did Jesus Him¬
self set forth?—Two.
What were they?—Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and. with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength. The second is like mainly this:
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.—
Mark xii: 30.
Did He mean these two Commandments to be
added to the ten to make twelve?—No.
What did He mean?—He meant that these two
Commandments contained the spirit of the
ten.
13
When we say after each Commandment, Lord,
have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts
to keep this law, what do we^ mean?—We
ask God to help us keep the spirit of each.
What is an official board?—It is the weekly
meeting of the spiritual officers of the church.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
Of whom is the board composed?—All the
class leaders, stewards, exhorters and local
preachers, with the pastor in charge, who
is the chairman.
What are the duties of the board?—To meet
the^minister once a week to inform him of
any who are sick; for the leaders to pay
over to the stewards what they have re¬
ceived from their several classes the week
preceding toward the relief of the preacher,
church or poor, etc.
What are the trustees in the A. M. E. Church?
—They are church officers elected by the
respective church congregations throughout
the connection for the purpose of holding
the legal title to the respective church lots,
church edifices, parsonages and all other
church property which belongs to the mem¬
bers of said connection, and to manage the
temporal concerns of the church.
What number of trustees are elected for the
14
respective churches?—Three, five, seven or
nine. Not less than three nor more than
nine.
What mode do the members elect?—The min¬
ister appoints the trustees, and at the meet¬
ing of the election nominates twice the
number to be elected, and every member of
the church twenty-one years of age, in full
communion, has a right to vote.
To what extent are the trustees of the church
liable?—They are responsible for every debt
contracted by each department of the church
excepting the stewards.
How are the stewards appointed?—They are
nominated by the pastor in charge and con¬
firmed by the Quarterly Conference.
What are the stewards of the A. M. E.
Church?—They are the spiritual officers of
the church charged in part with temporal re¬
sponsibilities. They serve three tables—the
table of the Lord, the table of the minister
and the table of the poor. They constitute
the pastor's cabinet.
What are the class leaders in the A. M. E.
Church?—They are sub-pastors and,as such
are appointed by the preacher "in charge.
The minister is bound to take heed of all
the flock over which the Holy Ghost has
made him overseer, and to enable him to
discharge this duty more effectively, the
leader is a proxy pastor.
IS
SENIOR DEPARTMENT.
Scholar's Quarterly. Books of the Bible in
order. Prophets, Judges and Kings of
Israel and Judah in order.
Bible Drill.
Temperance and Missionary Lessons.
A. M. E. Catechism, Lessons 10, 11 and 12.
The Recorders. Church Organization.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
What is a Quarterly Conference?—It is a stat¬
ed meeting of the church officials of a cir¬
cuit, station or mission, to attend to the
business'of the church.
Who compose the Quarterly Conference?—
The traveling minister on a circuit, station
or mission, the local preachers, all the ex-
horters. stewards, class leaders and the sup¬
erintendent of the Sunday-school, provided
he be a member of the church where the
Sunday-school is located.
What is the business of this body?—It takes
cognizance of all the temporal and spiritual
affairs of the church or churches for which
it is held; hears written reports from the
stewards and trustees concerning their af¬
fairs for the three months past, including all
moneys raised, and when, all moneys paid
out, and what for; also hears reports from
16
the Sunday-school superintendent, choir
leaders and other church organizations.
What is a Church Conference?—A meeting of
the members and ministers residing and wor¬
shipping at a given place, for the transac¬
tion of local church business.
.What is the object of Church Conferences?—
To encourage church love and patriotism
and unity; give all the members information
of what is being done in church work; seek
co-operation in all its enterprises of benevo¬
lence and mercy, the sick, the poor and
needy,%in efforts to build up the Sunday-
school, etc.
ministerial.
What is a Bishop in the A. M. E. Church?—
One who has. the oversight of the connec¬
tion, presides over General and Annual Con¬
ferences, may preside over District and
Quarterly Conferences, make out the ap¬
pointments of all ministers annually, with
the assistance of the Presiding Elders. Or¬
dains deacons, elders and bishops, with the
assistance of the other ministers.
What is Episcopacy?—Government of the
church by bishops or prelates.
What does the word Bishop mean?—It an¬
swers to the Greek word "Episcopatus," and
means overseer or superintendent.
17
What is a collective body of Bishops called?—'
When in official session the body of Bishops
is called the Bishops' Council.
How often, and for what purpose, do they
meet?—Semi-annually, at which time they
review the administration of each other,
hear reports from each other's districts, in¬
quire into the spiritual, financial, educational
and material growth of each other's work,
etc.
What is a Presiding Elder ?^He is a high min¬
isterial functionary, charged with weighty
responsibilities. He is, in fact, an assistant
bishop or superintendent—a sub-episcopate.
How are Itinerant Ministers classified?—In
three classes—effective, supernumerary and
superannuated.
What is an Effective Minister?—One who is
always ready to do any work or go any¬
where he may be assigned by the appoint¬
ing power.
What is a Supernumerary Minister?—One who
is disabled by affliction as to be unable to
take regular work, but will do as far as he
is able, or one who is above the number for
which the Bishop has work.
What is a Superannuated Minister?—One who
is worn out in the itinerant service, and to
whom ho work is assigned.
What is a Local Preacher?—One who has been
granted license to preach by the District
Conference, said license to be signed by the
Presiding Elder and secretary of District
Conference. A Local Preacher is eligible to
the office of a Deacon after he has preached
four years from the time he was licensed
and has obtained a recommendation from the
18
Quarterly Conference by the request of the
church of which he is a member.
Should he be known as a Rev. until then?—
By no means. A preacher is not a minister,
and cannot carry before his name Rev. until
he becomes one, which follows ordination
only.
How should we address ministers of the Gos¬
pel?—Always respectfully as Brother, Rev¬
erend, Pastor, Elder, or, if he is a Doctor of
Divinity, as Doctor.
ADVANCED DEPARTMENT.
A. M.Js. Catechism, Lessons 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
and second part of Catechism. Teacher's
Quarterly. Disciplinary Questions. Sunday-
school Times. Farier's Life of Christ and
Geike's Life of Christ.
The A. M. E. Quarterly Review. Twenty-
five Articles of Religion.
History of A. M. E. Church. Voice of Mis¬
sions.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
What is an Annual Conference?—An annual
meeting of all the traveling ministers, local
elders and deacons in a certain prescribed
district.
Who composes an Annual Conference?—All
traveling ministers and preachers within its
limits, and such local preachers as have con¬
formed to the rules of granting them admis¬
sion.
How often does the Annual Conference meet?
—Once a year.
19
tlow is an Annual Conference subdivided?—
Into District Conferences, according to the
number of Presiding Elders.
What is the principal business of an Annual
Conference while in session?—To admit
candidates for the pastoral work on trial;
to receive reports of the pastors for the
year's work; receive ministers into full con¬
nection who have served an acceptable pro*
bation,' etc.; also to promote the work of
Sunday-schools, missions, education and tem¬
perance within its bounds, and to gather and
distribute funds for the relief of worn-out
preachers, etc., and finally, for the Bishops to
appoint the ministers to their fields of labor
for another year.
What is a District?—It is a portion of the ter¬
ritory of an Annual Conference, a dozen or
more circuits, stations or missions.
What Church Officer has the oversight of a
District?—The Presiding Elder.
Who compose the District Conference?—All
the traveling.ministers, local preachers and
one steward from each Quarterly Confer¬
ence within every Presiding Elder's District.
SUB-DISTRICTS.
1. Each Annual Conference is to provide for
a division of the Sunday-schools within its
limits into one or more Sunday-school dis¬
tricts.
2. Each pastor shall send or cause to be sent a
quarterly report to the district superin¬
tendent, giving the statistics and describ¬
ing the methods of instruction pursued by
the schools in his work.
3. It shall be the duty of the district superin-
20
tendent to make a quarterly report to the
corresponding secretary of the connection
Sunday-school Union.
4. The officers of each district meeting may
provide for the holding of teachers' insti¬
tutes, normal classes, etc.
OUTLINE DIVISION OF THE OLD
TESTAMENT.
Into how many parts is the Bible divided?—
Into two parts, the Old and New Testa¬
ments.
How many books are in the Old Testament?
—Thirty-nine.
How many books are in the New Testament?
—'Twenty-seven.
How many books are in the whole Bible?—
» Sixty-six.
Into how many parts is the Old Testament di¬
vided?—I. Pentateuch, five books of Mo¬
ses. 2. Historical, twelve books. 3. Poeti¬
cal, five books. 4. Major prophets, five
books. 5. Minor prophets, twelve books.
What is the meaning of Pentateuch?—Five
volumes or five-fold books.
Name them in their order.—Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
Historical books in their order.—Joshua,
Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel.
What is meant by poetical books?—The He¬
brew devotional or hymn books, viz.: Job,
Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solo¬
mon.
What is the meaning of the prophetical books?
—Books that are written by inspired men of
God foretelling events.
21
Name them.—Major prophets, Isaiah, Jere¬
miah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Minor
prophets, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jo¬
nah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi.
What does the Old Testament tell us about?—
It tells us about all the time before Christ.
DIVISION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Into how many classes is the New Testament
divided?—Into three classes, viz.: 1. The
constitutional and historical. 2. Didactic. 3.
Prophetic.
How many historical books in the New Testa¬
ment?—Five.
Name them.—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John,
Acts of the Apostles.
What books come under the head didactic?—t
All the Pauline and catholic epistles:
What is the meaning of didactic?—Arranged
in form suitable for instruction.
How many epistles were written by St. Paul?
—Fourteen.
Name them.—Romans, I and II Corinthians,
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossi-
ans, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Tim¬
othy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews. <
How many catholic epistles are there?—Seven.
Why are they called catholic?—Because they
are addressed to the church at large (uni¬
versal).
Name them.—James, I and II Peter, I, II andi
III John, Jude.
What book is called prophetic?—Revelation*
Repeat the first verse of the Bible..
The last verse.
The least verse.
aa
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
Of Free Will.—The condition of man after the
fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn
and prepare himself by his own natural
strength and works to faith and calling upon
God; wherefore we have no power to do
good works, pleasant and acceptable to God,
without the Grace of God, by Christ assist¬
ing us, that we may have a good will and
working with us, when we have that good
will.
What is Faith?—Faith in general is a divine,
supernatural evidence or conviction of things
not seen, not discoverable by our bodily
senses as being either past, present, future
or spiritual.
What is it to be justified?—To be pardoned
and received into God's favor into such a
state that, if we continue therein, we shall be
finally saved.
IX. Of the Justification of Man.—We are ac¬
counted righteous before God only for the
merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
by faith, and not of our own works of de¬
serving. Wherefore, that we are justified
by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine,
and very full of comfort.
X. Of Good Works.—Although good works,
which are the fruits of faith, and follow af¬
ter justification, cannot put away our sins,
25
and endure severity of God's judgments, yet
they are pleasing and acceptable to God in
Christ, and spring out of a true and lively
faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith
may be as evidently known as a tree is dis¬
cerned by its fruit.
XIV. Of Purgatory.—The Romish doctrine
concerning purgatory, pardon, worshipping
and adoration, as well of images as of relics,
and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing,
vainly invented and grounded upon no war¬
rant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word
of God.
THE SACRAMENTS.
What is a sacrament?—An outward sign of
an inward and spiritual grace.
How many sacraments are there?—Two.
What are they?—Baptism and the Lord's Sup¬
per.
Who appointed these sacraments?—The Lord
Jesus Christ. Luke xxii: 19; Matt, xxvi: 36,
xxviii: 19.
Why did Jesus Christ appoint these sacra¬
ments?—To show who are His disciples and
to strengthen them.
In whose name are we to be baptized?—In
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. Matt, xxviii: 19.
Who are to be baptized?—Believers in Christ
26
and their children. Acts viii: 37; xvi: 33, I
Cor. 1: 16.
To what does your baptism bind you?—To
be a true follower of Christ. Gal. iii:27;
Rom. vi: 4.
What is baptism?—A covenant.
What is a covenant?—An agreement.
What do you promise in baptism?—To re¬
nounce all evil works.
What do you promise to believe?—The Chris¬
tian faith.
What do you promise to keep?—God's holy
will and commandments.
How long are you to do this?—Unto my life's
end.
What is the Lord's Supper?—The eating of
bread and drinking of wine in remembrance
of the death of Christ for us. I Cor. xi:26.
When did Christ institute the Lord's Supper?
—The night He was betrayed. Matt, xxvi:
26, 28; I Cor. xi:23.
What does the broken bread represent?—The
body of Christ broken for our sins. I Cor.
xi: 24; Matt, xxvi: 26.
What does the wine represent?—The blood of
Christ shed for our salvation. Eph. i:7;
I Cor. xi: 25.
27
SUPPLEMENTARY LESSONS.
MISSIONARY.
What is the great inspiration of all Mission¬
ary work?—God so loved the world that He
gave, etc. (John iii: 16.)
What is the purpose of Missionary work?—
To seek and to save that which was lost.
(Luke xix:10.) To open their eyes and to
turn them from darkness. (Acts xxvi:18.)
What is the great Missionary prayer?—Thy
kingdom come.
Who are Missionaries?—We are ambassadors
for Christ, as though God did beseech you
by us. (II Cor. v: 20.)
What is the great commission?—Go ye, there¬
fore, and teach all nations. (Matt, xxviii:
19.)
Where are the Missions of the church?—All
over the world. Within the United States
they are called Home Missions. Outside of
the United States they are called Foreign
Missions.
How is the Missionary work cared for?—By
the Board of Missions, which is a society
composed of the Bishops of the church, min¬
isters and laymen.
On what day are collections generally taken
for this work?—On Easter Sunday.
For what purpose is this money generally
used?—For the Mission work in foreign
fields, such as Africa and the West Indies.
28
What is the P. H. F. or Woman's Mite Mis¬
sionary Society?—An auxiliary association
of women which assists the Board of Mis¬
sions in its work.
Is every church required to have a Mite Mis¬
sionary Society?—Yes.
How many people are still outside of the
Christian church?—Two-thirds of the popu¬
lation of the whole: world.
Are there enough Missionaries?—The harvest
truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.
(Matt, ix: 37.)
Who are wanted to help in the Missionary
work?—Men, women and children.
Why the children?—Because they should form
right habits of giving while young; they
should learn to give their prayers, their
time, their talents, their money, to help
spread the Gospel.
Who wants the ehildren?—God wants them,
the church wants them, the cause of Mis¬
sions wants them.
What is the Divine command concerning it?—■
Go ye into all the world and preach. (Mark
xvi: 15.)
What is the impelling power?—The love of
Christ constraineth us. (II Cor. vrl4.)
What is the necessity* for Missionary work?—
All have sinned and come short of the glory
of God. (Rom. iii:23.)
What is the state of the Heathen , world?—
29
The dark places of the earth are full of
habitations of cruelty. (Ps. lxiv:20.)
What can take away the darkness?—The love
of Jesus. Thus spake Jesus, saying: "I am
the light of the world." (John viii:12.)
What do the heathens worship?—Idols. (Ps.
xcvi: 5.)
Why do they not worship the true God?—
How shall they believe in Him of whom
they have not heard, etc. (Rom. x: 14.)
Do Heathens want the Gospel?—There stood
a man of Macedonia and prayed him, say¬
ing: "Come over in Macedonia and help us."
(Acts xvi. 9.)
What do Missionaries ask of the Church?—
Prayer and support.
What should be the attitude of every Christian
to the work?—Lord, what wilt thou have me
to do?
What is the personal command?—Go work in
My vineyard.
What is the reward?—In due season we shall
reap if we faint not. (Gal. vi:9.) Be thou
faithful unto death, etc. (Rev. ii: 10.)
What help has Jesus promised?—Fear thou
not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed,
for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee,
etc. (Isaiah xli: 10.) '
30
Temperance.
What are the three great evils?—Intemper¬
ance, tobacco, profanity.
What is the meaning of Temperance?—Tem¬
perance means moderation.
What is Abstinence?—Refraining from.
Why do we sign the Total Abstinence pledge?
—For our own sake, for our brothers' sake,
and for the sake of the Lord Jesus.
Why for our own sake?—Because total ab¬
stinence is the only safe rule; total absti¬
nence never makes drunkards; moderate
drinking has made many.
Why for our brothers' sake?—Because if we
do not need safeguards, we may help those
who do by our example and our influence.
Why for Jesus' sake?—Because it is His wish
that we keep our bodies from all that can
injure them.
What are the intoxicating drinks?—All drinks
containing alcohol.
Why should we deny ourselves alcohol?—Be¬
cause it is a poison; to intoxicate means to
poison.
Are wine, beer and cider intoxicating?—They
are, because they all contain alcohol.
Does alcohol cause disease of the brain?—
Alcohol is a brain poison from first to last.
Alcohol sometimes destroys man's mind,
makes him an idiot, and sometimes it gives
3i
him the terrible drunkard's madness, deli¬
rium tremens.
How many are killed by the use of alcohol in
this country?—Sixty thousand every year.
What is tobacco?—It is a native American
plant containing a very subtle poison called
nicotine.
Does tobacco, of itself, lead on to drink?—It
causes thirst and depression that only too
often lead to the use of liquor.
What, then, may we call it?—The ally of the
saloon.
How does the tobacco habit affect young^boys?
—It stunts the growth of their bodies, shat¬
ters their nerves and hinders the develop¬
ment of their minds.
What other evil is connected with the tobacco
habit?—Evil associations. Tobacco userfe
herd together, and as the worst boys use it,
those who are not yet classed with them
easily become so, because they are found in
bad company, and by these evil associations
are often led to gamble, swear and drink.
What is the most injurious kind of tobacco
smoking?—Cigarette smoking, because the
smoke of the paper covering is so irritating
to the lungs.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
What is a Church?—The collective body of
Christians or a house consecrated to the
worship of God among Christians.
32
How should we behave while in church?—
With highest degree of respect and rever¬
ence with regard to the place by its conse¬
cration to sacred service.
What is it to be Confirmed?—Made more firm;
strengthened; admitted to the full privileges
of the Church.
When we are Confirmed we make Vows and
Obligations. What is a Vow?—A solemn
promise made to God or by a pagan to his
deity. A vow is a promise of something to
be given or done hereafter.
What is an Obligation?—The binding power
of a vow, etc. The laws of God impose on
us an obligation to love Him supremely and
our neighbors as ourselves. Name some of
the questions asked when we are confirmed.
What is a Conference in Methodist govern¬
ment?—A formal meeting of ministers and
members to do church business.
What are the assemblies called in other
churches?—Synods, conventions, associa¬
tions, councils, presbyteries, etc.
How many kinds of conferences does our
church hold?—Five—the General, Annual,
District, Quarterly and Church Conference.
Which of these conferences possesses the high¬
est powers?—The General, which meets
* every four years.
Who compose the General Conference?—All
the bishops, general officers, ministerial and
33
lay delegates elected by the several annual
conferences and electoral colleges.
Who presides over the General Conference?—
The bishops from day to day, as their seni¬
ority entitles them to the chair. Each takes
his turn, grading his right to the chair by
the date of election.
ON GIVING.
What is God's best gift to man?—His only
Son, Jesus Christ.
What should be the measure of our giving?—
"Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matt,
x: 8.)
What did our Lord say about giving?—"It is
more blessed to give than to receive."
From whom does God accept offerings?—Of
everyone that giveth willingly with his heart.
What shall we give?—Prayers, money, work,
and of all our talents.
How much should we give?—According as the
Lord thy God hath blessed thee.
What promise is given to those who consider
the poor?—"Blessed is he that considereth
the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time
of trouble." (Ps. xli: 1.)
What command does God give about the
poor?—"Thou shalt open thine hand wide
unto thy brother, to the poor and needy in
thy land." (Deut. xv: 11.)
Is the law of giving the same in the New as
in the Old Testament?—Yes, the principle is
the same.
34
What does God say about giving in the Old
Testament?—"None shall appear before Me
empty." (Ex. xxiii: 15.)
What does He say in the New?—Upon the
first day of the week let every one of you
lay by in store, as God has prospered him,
that there be no gathering when I come. (I
Cor. xvi:2.) Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth
a cheerful giver.
Upon what principle do we found our plan of
Sunday offering?—Upon the first day of the
week let every one of you lay by in store as
God has prospered him. (I Cor. xvi:2.)
Why do we take up collections in church?—
Because it is the channel the church has
marked out through which our gifts unto
the Lord's treasury are to pass.
Why should we give?—From gratitude. Be¬
cause of what God has done for us.
What promise to those who honor God by
giving?—Prov. iii: 9, 10.
Then it is our duty to give to the support of
the Gospel Missions and the poor?—It is.
What kind of money is Sunday-school and
Missionary Money?—Consecrated money.
Should the child spend this money for any
other purpose than for which it was given?
—No; it is consecrated money, and should be
used for sacred purposes.
Since giving is an essential part of Christian¬
ity, how may it be defined?—Giving may be
defined as the manifestation of love—love
in action.
What great example did our Heavenly Father
set as an evidence of His love for us?—
John iii: 16.
35
What should we say to this ?—'Thanks be to
God for His unspeakable gift.
RELATIONS OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL TO
CHURCH.
What is the relation of the Sunday-school to
the Church?—The relation of the Sunday-
school to the Church is as the relation ot
the child to the parent.
What is the analogy between them?—As par¬
ents are governors of the household, whose
duty it is to rule their children in righteous¬
ness, so also the visible church of God is
bound under inalienable obligations to sug¬
gest in love and direct with discretion the
children of each local church Sunday-school.
Why should the Church so direct?—To the
end that by Divine Grace the great scheme
of redemption operating in the church might
bring the little ones as well as adults back
to God in their regeneration.
When is Children's Day?—The second Sunday
in June of each year.
For what purpose is the money collected?—
For the Sunday-school Union and the
Church Extension Society.
How is it divided?—Equally.
For what purpose was the Sunday-school
Union organized?—To furnish literature for
the Sunday-schools; to enlarge and extend
the work and influence of the Sunday-school
throughout the connection.
When was the Sunday-school Union organized?
—August ii, 1882, at Cape May, N. J.
Who was its first president?—Bishop Payne.
Who was the first secretary?—Rev. C. S.
Smith.
36
For what purpose was the Church Extension
Society organized?—To furnish means to
help the needy churches with their debts.
When is Endowment Day?—The third Sunday
in September.
What is its purpose?—To collect money to en¬
dow the various educational interests of the
A. M. E. Church.
When do we celebrate Bishop Allen's birth¬
day?^—14th of February, called Allen's Day.
THERE SHOULD BE IN EVERY SUN¬
DAY-SCHOOL A CRADLE ROLL.
The Cradle Roll Department is the first di¬
vision or class of the Sunday:school. It is
composed of babies whose names have been
secured and enrolled, babies three years and
under within reach of the church. A list of
these names should be placed on roll or large
sheet of cardboard, with date of birth, etc., and
hung upon the wall of the Primary Depart¬
ment. Appoint some one who is especially
fitted for the work as Superintendent of the
Cradle Roll Department. The work accom¬
plished by a properly conducted Cradle Roll
Department is of inestimable value; first of all
to the child himself. He is a lamb gathered
into the fold and safely guarded before he has
•had a chance to wander. When the child is
three years old or begins to attend Sunday-
school, place a gilt star to his name; if he dies
before three years, a picture of an angel is
placed beside his name. Keep in touch with
the babes, visit their homes, remember them
at birthday with cards, etc.
(See H. E. Frey's Cradle Roll)
37
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT WORK.
There ought to be in every well-regulated
Primary Department two grades, viz., Kinder¬
garten, or Infant Department, consisting of
the smallest children of the school, and Pri¬
mary Department proper, which should be
graded according to the ability of the child,
the children to be transferred to each depart¬
ment semi-annually or annually, as occasion
may require, and given certificates of promo¬
tion.
THE HOME DEPARTMENT.
The Home Department may be organized by
the pastor or superintendent in your Sunday-
school, the object of which is systematic Bible
study in the home. Select some one as Super¬
intendent of the Home Department to secure
members; visit the homes and place the les¬
son in their hand's, etc.; it includes those who
do not attend Sunday-school, but will unite
with it in the regular study of the current Sun¬
day-school lesson. The only requirement is
that those who join will promise to study the
Sunday-school lesson for at least one-half hour
each week in their homes, unless providentially
hindered, and report to the visitor at the end
of each quarter the number of lessons stu¬
died. Thus we will have all the church in the
Sunday-school. A good strong Home Depart¬
ment attached to the Sunday-school is a
strength and a real help not to the Sundav-
school alone, but indeed to the whole church.
Does any Christian question the good influ¬
ence of the Bible study in the home?
38
A FEW QUESTIONS AND FACTS ABOUT
OUR FOREIGN WORK.
Who were the first missionaries to Hayti?—
Scipio Bean and Richard Robinson, in 1824?
First Annual Conference organized, San Do¬
mingo, 1884, by Right Rev. J. P. Campbell
and Rev. J. M. Townsend.
In 1820 Rev. Daniel Coker formed on board
the ship Elizabeth an A. M. E. society, and
thus they landed, pastor and people, at She-
bio, Liberia.
Who was the first A. M. E. Bishop to visit
Africa?—Right Rev. H. M. Turner.
Who was the first resident Bishop in Africa?
—Right Rev. L. J. Coppin.
The Sarah Gorham Mission School, the first
on the West Coast of Africa, founded 1891.
In 1898 Bishop Turner organized the A. M.
E. Church in South Africa, formed two Con¬
ferences, the Transvaal, and South African,
at Queenstown.
March 12, 1901, Bethel Institute was estab¬
lished in South Africa by Bishop L. J. Cop-
pin.
May, 1908, Bishop J. A. Johnson was sent, as
resident Bishop to South Africa.
May, 1908. Bishop W. H. Heard as resident
Bishop of West Coast, Africa.
THE GIRLS' SCHOOL OF THE A. M. E.
CHURCH.
Where was the Girls' School or Deaconess
Home -of the A. M. E. Church located?—At
Roanoke, Va.
Who the founder?—Right Rev. B. F. Lee, in
1901.
39
What branches were taught there?—Domestic
science and the duty and work of a deacon¬
ess.
What is a Deaconess?—A Deaconess is a
woman of sober mind, modest, and possessed
with large charity, withdrawn from worldly
careS and vocation, giving herself up entirely
to ministrations of the church and suffering
humanity.
What is the work of a Deaconess?—To do all
in her power to comfort and serve the suf¬
fering; to visit sick, also asylums, hospitals
and prisons; to raise those* who are fallen,
and care for those who are neglected; give
especial attention to neglected children and
unfortunate homes.
Who is the Senior Bishop?
Who is the Junior Bishop?
Who is the Bishop over this District?
Who is our Presiding Elder?
Who is our pastor?
Name the President of the Missionary Board
of the A. M. E. Church.
Name the Secretary of the Missionary Board.
Name the President of the Church Extension.
Name the Secretary of the Church Extension.
Name the President of the Sunday-school
Union.
Name the Secretary of the Sunday-school
Union.
Name the Editors of the Christian and South¬
ern Recorders.
Name the Business Manager of Book Concern.
Name the Editor of the Review.
Name the Secretary of Education.
Name the Secretary oi the Financial Depart¬
ment.
40
Name the Secretary of the Connectional
Preachers' Aid Society.
Name the President, Treasurer and Secretary
of the W. M. M. Society of the A. M. E.
Church.
Name the General Secretary of Allen C. E.
Name the Trustees of your church.
Name the Stewards of your church.
Name the Class Leaders, etc.
FORM OF CERTIFICATE
DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE OF PRO¬
MOTION
This is to certify that
a member of Class
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT,
Of A. M. E.
Sunday-school, is hereby transferred into the
Junior Department and commended to your
watchful care and earnest prayer.
Sec.
.... Supt.
APPENDIX.
Who was the first man?—Adam.
Who was the first woman?—Eve.
Who was the first murderer?—Cain.
Who was the oldest man?—Methuseleh.
Whp was the strongest man?—Samson.
Who was the meekest man?—Moses.
Who was the wisest man?—Solomon.
4i
Who was the most patient man?—Job.
Who was put into the den of lions?—Daniel.
Who was fed by ravens?—Elijah.
Who was sold by his brethren?—Joseph.
Who smote the rock for water?—Moses.
Who went to Heaven without dying?—Enoch
and Elijah.
Who was swallowed by a great fish?—Jonah.
Who was turned into a pillar of salt?—Lot's
wife.
Who was the man after God's own heart?—
David.
Who bade the sun to stand still?—Joshua.
Who sold his birthright?—Esau.
To whom did he sell it?—To Jacob.
Who built the Ark?—Noah. '
Who raised the widow's son from the dead?—
The prophet Elijah.
Who raised the son of the lady of Shunem to
life?—The prophet Elisha.
Who was the first king of Israel?—Saul.
Who came from a great distance to hear the
wisdom of Solomon?—The Queen of Sheba.
Who was hanged on the same gallows he
erected for another?—Haman.
Who washed in Jordan River and was healed?
—Naaman the leper.
Who were put into a fiery furnace by a wicked
king?—Shadroch. Meshach and Abednego.
Who was lent unto the Lord by his mother?—
Samuel.
To whose life did God add fifteen years?—
The good king Hezekiah.
Whom did David kill with a sling and a stone?
—Goliath.
Who parted the waters of the Red Sea at the
command of God?—Moses.
42
Who parted the river Jordan by striking it
with his mantle?—Elijah.
Who is called the weeping prophet?—Jeremiah.
Who ate grass like an ox?—Nebuchadnezzar.
Who wrote most of the Psalms?—David.
Who were God's chosen people?—The Jews.
Who was the apostle to the Gentiles?—Paul.
Who was crucified with his head downward?—
Peter.
Who was put into boiling oil?—St. John.
Who knew the Scriptures from a child?—Tim¬
othy.
Who made clothes for the poor?—Dorcas.
Who was struck dead for lying?—Ananias.
And who else?—Sapphira.
Who was the first Christian martyr?—Stephen.
How long was it from Adam to Christ?—
4000 years.
Who was the forerunner of Christ?—John the
Baptist.
Who first revealed the Gospel?—God Himself
. first revealed it in Paradise. Gen. iii: 15.
How did He afterward proclaim it?—God af¬
terward proclaimed it by the holy Patri¬
archs and Prophets. Gal. iii: 8.
How finally was it fulfilled?—God finally ful¬
filled it by His well-beloved Son. Heb.
1:1-2.
Who are saved by Christ?—Those only who
are engrafted into Christ, and receive all
His benefits. I John v: 12.
How do we receive His benefits?—By true
faith. John iii: 16.
What is true faith?—A hearty trust in Jesus
Christ my Saviour. John vi: 68-69.
Whence comes this faith?—The Holy Ghost
works faith in me by the Gospel. Rom.
x: 17.
43
Why is Jesus Christ called the only begotten
Son?—Because Christ alone is the eternal,
natural Son of God.
Why are we called God's children?—We are
children of God by adoption through grace
for* Christ's sake. Rom. viii: 15, 16.
How did the Son of God become man?—He
was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of
the virgin Mary. Luke i:35.
What is the meaning of these words?—The
eternal Son of God took upon Him the true
nature of man, from the flesh and blood of
the virgin Mary. Gal. iv: 4-5.
To what end was He born?—That He might
be like his brethren in all things, sin ex¬
cepted. Heb. ii: 17.
What benefit do you receive from His con¬
ception and birth?—That He is my mediator.
Heb. xii: 24.
Of what are you reminded and assured in bap¬
tism?—That the one sacrifice of Christ on
the Cross avails for my benefit. Rom. 6:3.
Is the washing with water itself the washing
away of sins?—No, for only the blood of
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us
from all sin. Heb. x: 19-22.
Are infants also to be baptized?—Yes. Luke
18:16.
Why?—Because the children of believers be¬
long to the covenant and the people of God.
Gen. xvii:7.
Of what are you reminded and assured in the
Lord's Supper?—That I have part in the one
sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. John vi:5.
How are you reminded and assured of this?—
That Christ has commanded me and all be¬
lievers to eat of this broken bread, and to
44
drink of this cup, and has joined therewith
His promise. John vi:56.
What has He promised?—That His body was
offered, and His blood shed for me, as cer¬
tainly as I see the bread of the Lord broken
for me and the cup communicated to me.
Matt. xxvi:28; John vi:54.
Who are to come unto the table of the Lord?
—Those who are displeased with them¬
selves for their sins, yet trust that these are
forgiven them. I Cor. xi: 28-29. And that
they also desire more and more to strength¬
en their faith and amend their life. Ps. li: 10.
What are good works?—Works done from
true faith according to the law of God, for
His glory. John xv:4.
Why must we do good works?—Because
Christ renews us by His Holy Spirit after
His own image. Col. iii: 9-10.
To what end does He renew us?—That with
our whole life we may show ourselves thank¬
ful to God for His blessing and that He may
be glorified through us. Matt, v: 16.
CONVERSION.
Can any one be saved who does not turn to
Christ by faith?—By no means. John viii:
24.
In how many things does true conversion con¬
sist?—In two things, the dying of the old
man, and the quickening of the new. Eph.
iv: 22-24.
What is the dying of the old man?—That we
have sorrow of heart for sin, and ever hate
it more and more. Luke v: 18-19.
Wliat is the quickening of the new man?—
45
That we have heartfelt joy in God, and take
delight in living according to God's will in all
good works. Matt. xiii:44.
What is the meaning of the word amen?—
Amen means so shall it truly and surely be, for
my prayer is much more certainly heard of
God that I feel in my heart that I desire
these things of Him.
SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE EN¬
DORSED THIS WORK, AND WHO
RECOMMENDED IT.
Bishop James A. Handy, D.D., Bishop L. J.
Coppin, D.D., Bishop B. F. Lee, D.D.,
Bishop B. W. Arnett, D.D., Bishop Charles
Spencer Smith, M.D., D.D., Rev. D. G. Hill,
D.D., J. H. Collett, D.D., I. S. Lee, D.D.,
J. Hurst, D.D., W. H. Heard, D.D., Charles
Harris, M.D., S. T. Crawford, J. W. Norris,
William M. Alexander, T. W. Henderson,
D.D., W. H. Conner, M.D., J. F. Wagoner,
W. C. Goens, N. Brown, Joseph Robinson,
Prof. C. H. Boone, Rev. J. W. Beckett, D.D.,
G. W. Nicholson, D.D., Rev. J. H. Christ¬
mas, Rev J. H. A. Martin, W. R. Arnold,
J. T. Jenifer, D.D., D. P. Seaton, D.D.
COMMENTS.
Mrs. H. E. Frey's .Lesson Plan and Supple¬
mentary Lessons for Sunday Schools in the
A. M. E. Church the first of its kind, a long
need supplied, should be used in every
Sunday School in the A. M. E. Church.
Yours truly,
Rt. Rev. James A. Handy, D.D.
46
Mrs. Hannah E. Frey.
Dear Sister:—
I think the Lesson Plan" for graded Sunday
Schools in the A. M. E. Church written by
you an excellent work and will serve to in¬
still our boys and girls in the principles of
religion and the Doctrine and usages of our
Church. I recommend its use in every Sun¬
day School. We are using it in Cape Town,
South Africa.
Yours for God and the Church,
Rt. Rev. Levi J. Coppin, D.D.
Dear Sister Frey:—
I have carefully examined your book, viz.:
Lesson Plan for graded Sunday Schools in
the A. M. E. Church and highly commend
its use in every Sunday School throughout
the connection.
Sincerely yours,
Rt. Rev. B. F. Lee, D.D.
Sister Frey:—
Your book received. You are about a great
work, go on.
H. M. Turner, LL.D., Sr. Bishop
A. M. E. Church.
Mrs. Hannah E. Frey:—
Yours an excellent article—Lesson Plan for
graded Sunday Schools. Every school should
use it.
Rt. Rev. B. W. Arnett, D.D.
Mrs. H. E. Frey:—
Dear Madam, allow me to say that your work
is fine, it will serve to indoctrinate the chil¬
dren of our Church. We are using it in our
school.
W. H. Connor, M.D.,
Supt. Met. S. S. Washington, D. C.
47
Mrs. Hannah E. Frey:—
The Sunday School Lesson Plan for graded
Sunday Schools in the A. M. E. Church is
the thing and should be in every African
Methodist home.
Yours for the Church,
J. T. Jennifer, D.D.,
P. E. of the Balto. District.
The Lesson Plan for Graded Sunday Schools
in the A. M. E. Church adopted at the Bal¬
timore District Sunday School Convention
to be used in every Sunday School is a fine
thing.
Dr. George W. Nicholson, P. E.
Sister Frey:—
The Lesson Plan for graded Sunday Schools in
the A. M. E. Church is the very thing need¬
ed. We are using it in our school.
J. W. Norris,
Pastor Allen A. M. E. Church, Balto., Md.
48