be left optional, and that the requirements for promotion should
be those of age, general ability, and fitness of character. Some reward
might be given in the form of a certificate, but it should not be
necessary to obtain the certificate in order to receive promotion.

THE AKRON PLAN.

BY HON. LEWIS MILLER.

AFTER an experience of more than twenty-five years with the graded
system as carried on in our Akron Sunday school it can with confidence
be recommended to others. It embraces the entire school for all this
time, but more especially a course of sixteen years which I will try to
explain.

Our rooms are a great convenience, and aid much in perfecting the
classification; the system, however, can be carried on in any of the
present Sunday school rooms; in fact, for a number of years this system
was a success in a church at Canton, O., also in the old Akron Church.
In each case there was one larger room and but a few separate small
rooms.

The classification is based on the age of the scholar; if, however, a
scholar seems from some cause to have advanced beyond his age in his
general studies, which in most cases is determined by his standing in
the public schools, such scholar is put in a class suited to his
advancement.

The following analysis will show more definitely the system.

THE INFANT DEPARTMENT

meets in a separate room, fitted for the purpose with elevated seats.
Children of about four years of age are received into this department,
and remain until they are between eight and nine. Boys and girls are
kept together in the same room or class. The class can be of any number;
we sometimes reach one hundred and fifty. The class is put in charge of
one teacher, with as many assistants as desired. The regular
International Berean Lessons are taught, and much time is given to song.
In our Missionary Society this department becomes a separate band, with
name and motto, making separate contributions, of which proper records
are kept.

THE INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT

meets in a separate room, fitted similarly to the one described for the
Infant Department. Scholars from the Infant Class are promoted into
this department when eight years old, or sooner if, in the public
schools, they are in the "Second Reader" grade. This class may be of any
number; ours sometimes reaches one hundred. Girls and boys are kept in
the same class. This department is also put in charge of one teacher,
who has such numb