RELIGIOUS TRAINING

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31763, 21 August 1968, Page 5

RELIGIOUS TRAINING

Discussion At

Wigram

Many young people suffered badly from not having religious and moral values instilled in them from an early age, Major F. Reeves, commanding officer of the Linwood Corps of the Salvation Army, said at a public meeting held by the Wigram branch of the Christian Family Movement to discuss ways of improving religious training of children. Sunday schools gave children a correct attitude to life, enabling them to establish an attitude of honesty, self restraint and self control, he said.

Parents too often did not consciously realise that they were responsible for their children's religious and moral upbringing, said Mr R. Smith, of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. The reinforcement and application of the teaching during the week must be done deliberately as in a family devotional period. Sister Josephine, a Roman Catholic children’s teacher, said there were many ways in which children learned: as the Church assisted parents it was up to the parents to carry on the work in the home.

Children must, at an early age, be led towards a definite commitment to Christ, said Mr R. Penning, of the Child Evangelism Fellowship. It was also vital to establish habits of worship, stewardship and prayer. Discussion was held after the lectures. The chairman of the meeting was the Rev E. B. Clarke, a Methodist minister.