17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Sunday, November 3, 1912:  Went to Sunday School this afternoon. Besse and Curt were out. Wasn’t here when they came.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Grandma seldom missed Sunday School. What was it like? She attended a small church—probably a Baptist one—in the small village of McEwensville. Most weeks there probably were only a few other students in her class.

A book published in 1911 called Practical Pedagogy in the Sunday School described what an engaging class looked like:

The class was seated in three double pews at the rear of the auditorium of the church. Standing in front of the rows of well-dressed young women was a teacher not much older than her pupils.

She had her Bible open in her hand and proceeded to ask questions therefrom and give explanations. Although she frequently looked at the Bible, it seemed as if her eyes were continuously on her class, taking them all in as she glanced along row after row.

When she noticed the least tendency to inattention, she quietly leaned over the pew in front of her and lifted up something in such a way that on one could tell just what it was.

Her very action was intended to appeal to the curiosity of the young ladies. It did not take many seconds for every eye to be riveted upon her. The she showed what was in her hand—a picture illustrating that part of the lesson text on which she was engaged.

When the picture was laid down the teacher proceeded with her conversational instruction.

In conversation with this instructor it was ascertained that she never makes an appeal twice in exactly the same way.

Every Sunday she has something to excite the curiosity of her pupils, which she satisfies in such a way as to leave an impression of the truth she has to teach.

No formula can be given nor rules laid down. The alert, intelligent instructor, who is fully conscious of the power that lies in the appeal to curiosity, will devise her own methods in accordance with the age of her pupils and the circumstances under which she labors.

 Besse and Curt

Besse and Curt refer to Grandma’s married sister Besse and her husband Curt Hester. They lived near Watsontown, about a mile from the Muffly farm.

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Wednesday, October 30, 1912:  Wish I could write something that would really be something, but as for this I call it nothing.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Since Grandma didn’t write much a hundred years ago today, I’ll tell you what I found out about several previous posts.

Several days ago Grandma mentioned a “convention” that she attended in McEwensville, but she never provided any details.

She also wrote that she’d resolved to do something that would be beneficial to herself.

I was in the McEwensville area last week-end and found a little time to dig through the old Milton Evening Standard microfilms at the  Milton Public Library. I scrolled through the film–hoping to find a temperance society convention. . . or a lively political rally.

Instead I found a dull newspaper article (with lots names) about a Christian Endeavors convention.  Christian Endeavors was a youth ministry. Here’s what the October 23, 1912 Milton Evening Standard had to say:

Endeavorers in Annual Session at McEwensville

Open Twenty-Third Convention with Services of Song

Rev. I.P.Zimmerman Chief Speaker Today

The twenty-third annual convention of the Northumberland County Christian Endeavor Union begun a two days session today at McEwensville with a large attendance.

Delegates from all parts of the county are in attendance. The convention was opened this afternoon with a service of song. Miss Ida McWilliams of McEwensville led the devotional service and Carl Watson delivered the address of welcome to which Miss Leah Lark on Shamokin responded on behalf of the delegates.

Rev. I.P. Zimmerman, of this place, was the principal speaker at the service this afternoon. He spoke on the pastor’s relation to C.E, and pointing out how the minister’s aid can be a great benefit to the work of the C.E. and gave instances of how a great deal had been accomplished through the instrument of progressive pastors.

Practical Plans and Methods was an illuminating address delivered by C.W. Winery of Bellefonte who is the president of the Centre County C.E. Union. An open discussion following several members taking part in telling how the society does things. The women will adjourn at 4:30 this afternoon.

Milton Evening Standard (October 23, 1912)