MANNER OF CONDUCTING THE ELECTION OF S. S. OFFICERS.
By C. C. L.
In response to a number of inquiries concerning the manner in which the election of officers is conducted in the Battle Creek Sabbath-school, the following plan is presented, which has been in use for several years, and has given good satisfaction:— At our teachers’ meeting, upon the second Tuesday evening before the time for the election of officers, a committee of five is chosen by the teachers present. During the week this committee holds a meeting, and makes out a list of nominations for officers. Their report is presented at the next teachers’ meeting, where it is ratified by the teachers after being amended if they so desire. Upon the next Sabbath the election is held. This is conducted as follows: The list of nominations having been printed upon a sufficient number of ballots to supply the entire school, these are distributed by the secretaries among the teachers, who give one to each member of their classes. The scholar signifies his approval of the ticket, or makes such changes as he may desire; the vote in each class is recorded by the teacher; and the secretaries, again passing through the school, collect these results. While the general exercises are going on, the secretaries canvass the entire vote; and at the close of the school they are ready to announce the result of the election. Thus in a large school of over four hundred members, the election of officers is conducted without interfering at all with the regular work of the school. Of course this plan would have to be modified for use in schools where no teachers’ meetings are held; neither would it be possible or desirable to have ballots printed for use in small schools. Let us see, then, how this plan may be adapted to the circumstances of the average Sabbath-school. Two Sabbaths before the time of election, a committee of three might be appointed by the school at the close of the exercises. This committee should take time to consider the wants of the school, and to talk with the leading members of the church. On the day of election, at the close of the exercises, let the committee make a report, both orally and by writing the nominations upon the blackboard. Blank slips of paper may then be passed, and the members may signify their approval of the entire nomination by writing simply the word “yes” upon the ballots; or if they wish to make any changes, they may do so by writing the names of those whom they prefer for the respective offices. If the committee work has been done faithfully, there will seldom be an occasion for a change of this kind. The ballots may then be collected and the result ascertained in a few minutes. The above is merely a suggestion; but it does not seem necessary each quarter to use a large share of the time allotted to the exercises of the Sabbath-school, in the election of officers, as is done in some schools. C. C. L.