What the de

partment of

can do.

service is devotional—a meeting for worship— and its supreme end is spiritual results. III. WHAT EACH DEPARTMENT CAN DO IN THIS MEETING.-The department of Christian work should have the responsiChristian work bility of furnishing leaders. The plan may call for an experienced chief, who shall have a general charge of every meeting, and who will share the responsibility with his less experienced assistant announced to lead the meeting. As far as practicable the members should take their turn in conducting the meetings. Co-operation of leaders is also helpful. Suppose twelve persons are chosen to lead twelve successive meetings, with topics or plans assigned. These twelve may sit together facing the audience, and while the one appointed directs the meeting the remaining eleven may hold themselves ready to co-operate by remarks or prayers, and so prevent any of those painful pauses so distressing to both leader and audience.

The department of literary work may prepare the programme, choosing and arranging topics, planning for the varied character of the

meetings, adjusting themes and leaders, bringing their best skill to bear in Department of securing variety, attractiveness, and literary work. helpfulness. They should also prepare the notices of the meeting to be read from the pulpit.

mercy and

The department of mercy and help will find enough to do in the twofold work of invitation and welcome. Active in Department of spreading printed invitations and help. in addressing a personal word, or making a personal visit, they are to compel attendance by the persuasive power of kindness. But they must also systematically plan for a cordial welcome to every body. They must furnish a committee who will greet all who enter and hand them over to the ushers, who will in turn escort them to seats and provide them with books. They are to make strangers feel glad they have come.

The department of entertainment have great responsibily in that they furnish the chorister and organist or pianist, and provide for solos or any special music when desired by the leader.

Department of entertainment.

They can

do much also toward giving a warmth and

cheer to this meeting by attention to the appearance and furnishings of the prayer-meeting room. If the walls are stained or forbidding they can cover them with paper or calcimine them at small expense. If they are in good condition, but gloomy, they may be brightened by hanging a few pictures upon them. A modest bouquet of flowers on the table besides · the leader will give a touch of homelikeness. This department must somehow create an atmosphere of warmth and geniality which all will feel the moment they enter the room.

The department of correspondence will carefully scan the meetings, noting any abDepartment of sences of regular members and visiting these to urge their attend

correspond

ence.

ance. They must try to bring into this service the last man whose name is on the rolls of the league. They should also keep a record of attendance, make notes on the programme and character of the services, and report the same to the business meetings of the league. The department of finance should attend to the printing of the programmes and invitations, using their best skill to make the same varied, striking, neat, and

Department of finance.

attractive. They should provide for the payment of bills thus incurred as well as for other expenses in the conduct of the meeting.

Thus each department will find work that is vital to the interests of this devotional service -work that must be done faithfully if this meeting is to be of the highest efficiency.

In concluding this brief treatment of a great theme the reader will permit a few general suggestions.

Inviting official board.

Occasionally, say once in three months, formally invite the entire official board to be present, and have one of their number to address the meeting briefly, either on the topic of the evening or something more general.

Sometimes, not often, have a crisp, live tract given to all at the door at close of meeting. Make every body welcome at the service, but impress all with the fact that this is a meeting distinctively for young people. Forgetfulness of this has stranded

many a young people's meeting.

A meeting for young people.

If there are on hand specimens of that welldefined genus, the "prayer-meeting killer," whether he does his work most effectively.by

long prayers or by protracted remarks, better kill him off rather than have the meeting die. Be patient and forbear for a time, then make him the subject of missionary effort. If this fail heroic treatment must be applied. Long prayers are the best prescriptions for killing a meeting. The prayers of the Bible are all brief, most of them notably so. Peter omitted a lengthy introduction, else he would have been several feet below the surface before he reached the point of his prayer, "Lord, save, or I perish!"

Young people should attend the regular public prayer-meeting of the church. Better close the young people's meeting altogether than have it rob the more general service of their presence and co-operation.

Responsive readings.

Responsive readings may be used occasionally, those in the first part of the Epworth Hymnal serving well the purpose. Chautauqua Vesper Services, used sparingly, may be helpful in opening the meeting. We commend especially the Praise and Promise Service in this series published by the Methodist Book Concern.

Finally, whatever the programme or plan