1. =His Importance.= Several years ago, the president of the New York Central Railway was called upon by a legislative committee to explain the system of signals employed upon the railroad for the protection of passengers. He gave a detailed statement, answered every question, and then made this remark: "However perfect the system may seem to be, there must always be a man to work it; and in the final analysis more depends on the man than on the plan." That which is true in every human organization is especially true in the Sunday school: its success depends not on a constitution, whether written or unwritten, but upon a man. In the Sunday school that man is the superintendent, who not only works the plan, but also generally plans the work. Given an efficient superintendent, an efficient school will usually be developed; for the able man will call forth or will train up able workers. Hence the first and greatest requisite for a successful Sunday school is that the right man be chosen as superintendent. 2. =His Appointment.= The selection of the superintendent should be the task not only of the officers and teachers in the Sunday school, but of the entire church, for every family in the congregation has an interest in his appointment. The pastor should be consulted, and should give diligent attention and time to the search for a superintendent, not merely because he may be presumed to know his constituency, but more especially because out of all the church the superintendent is to be his most important helper. The election of the superintendent should be made by the workers in the school, its board of teachers and officers, and its action should be formally confirmed by the ruling board of the local church. No man should hold the office of a superintendent who fails to receive the approval of the church of which the school is a part. He should know that in his appointment the school, the church, and the pastor all unite. 3. =His Term of Office.= He should be chosen for a term of one year; but may be reëlected for as many terms as appear expedient. Frequent changes in the management of the school will tend to destroy the efficiency of its work. But whenever the great interests involved in the religious education of an entire church or community require a new superintendent the change should be made, even though sympathy be felt for the one set aside. The institution must not be sacrificed to save the feelings of the man. 4. =His Qualifications.= It is important to consider the qualifications of an ideal superintendent, remembering, however, that all these qualities are rarely to be found in one man. We must set before us high ideals, not expecting that they will always be fully realized, yet ever seeking to attain them as far as may be possible in this imperfect world. The following are the most important qualifications for a superintendent; some of them are essential, all are desirable: