SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 77, 30 March 1912, Page 9

SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.

WELLINGTON UNION'S ANNUAL REPORT. The thirty-first annual report of the Wellington Sunday School Union states, inter alia, that during the year the Ngahauranga Methodist School became affiliated, but as the Alicctown Congregational School resigned, our numbers vill stand at 86, with 1054 teachers, and 10.395 scholais. Notwithstanding four applications to each school for returns, we are still without ttatistics from quite a large number. Wo regret having to report a falling-off in numbeis, both in the city and suburban section, and in those schools outside Wellington. Thirteen schools in the first section gained 220 scholars, while fifteen lest 506, leaving a net loss of 286. Seventeen schools outside Wellington gained 196 eeholais, and eighteen schools lost 439. making a loss in this section of 243. This shows over all the schools who have gent leturns a loss of 529 scholars, or 5 per cent. Will the officials of these schools showing losses go very seriously into the matter, and see if there is a proper explanation of the leakage? Surely our schools should be gaining in efficiency and in power to recruit and hold the scholars. We have not lost in those over fifteen years old. so the explanation must be looked for in some other way than the old one, that it is hard to keep the boys and girls after they reach 14. The number of scholars who are Church members and who have. joined the Church during the year does not give one the idea that our schools are actively feeding the Church. Surely 86 schools should show more tangible results for a year's work than 66 scholars joining the Church during the year. Is there a proper system of oversight of young converts and active co-operation between minister and officials in your school? The number of Christian Endeavour Societies—27, with" 930 members—is about the same as last year. Eleven schools have Bands of Hope, with 345 members. The 6ecr*tary of the International Bible Reading Association reports an increase of one branch and of 293 members, maldng a total of 65 branches with 3163 members. Unfortunately, adds the report, our financial statement does not make very bright reading, as we have quite a formidable balance on the wrong side. We have decided to ask the Churches to have "A Sunday School Union Sunday," and to have either a retiring collection in aid of our funds, or else to ask for special support for us, and give us all above the average collection. This method is in vogue in England, and works very well. We ask our sympathisers to give the union their hearty support in Church Councils, when this proposal iB brought before them. Our prize fund and tne cost of the examination are the main causes of our financial trouble, but as the committee think that good value is obtained for this expenditude, they feel justified in incurring it year after year, and relying on the friends of boys and girls to find the needful funds. The chief event of 1912 will be the visit of Mr. and Miss Archibald in September. If superintendents and teachers will give this the importance it deserves, we believe that a new era for Sunday Schools will date from that time. Mr. Archibald ie without doubt one of the highest authorities on Sunday School work. The Sunday School Teachers' Easter convention is to be held at Blenheim.