SUNDAY SCHOOL EXTENSION MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 98, 28 April 1919, Page 4

SUNDAY SCHOOL EXTENSION MOVEMENT

As is well known, boys and girls of our primary schools receive no religious teaching in their school hours; this^has to be supplied by their parents -or a Sunday school. In places where there are a fair number of people there is almost certain to be someone who is prepared to carry on a Sunday school, but where the number of settlers is few, religious training is left entirely to the parents. Recognising the great claims of the children of our pioneers, the Sunday School Union some time ago initiated a scheme to send an organise*' into the out-districts to arrange with local sympathisers to open schools. Fortunately Mr. W. E. Howe, who is specially .qualified by training, temperament, and enthusiasm for tho work, was willing to undertake the task, and he made a commencement in February. At the Easter Convention of the union, Mr. Howe explained the progress made in the short time (eight weeks) he had been at work. He had actually visited 19 places and had been in touch with seven others. In 'addition to 255 miles travelled by train he had walked, cycled, or been conveyed by friends in car or buggy 377 miles. The homes visited numbered 121 and 260 children were spoken to on the wayside. Six schools had been started and were now working. Free distribution was made of 1521 books, pictures, and cards. His help had been freely accepted by the churches for services and help in other ways, and he was instrumental in reviving' the interest in worship of some who had been neglecting it. Family worship had been conducted and the sick visited. All the people without exception were eager for schools to be started in their neighbourhood. Some teachers and scholars will have to travel three and four miles to attend, and as the roads will be unfit in winter it has been arranged to hold branch schools. Some of the children had never attended a service, and did not know there were such things as Sunday schools. Cases were met with where "boys 12 to 14 years old had not heard the name of Jesus. Under present conditions Mr. Howe only stays a week in each place, but to start the work properly a longer stay is -very desirable, in order to give the teachers, who in most cases are new to the work, instructions in the best methods, and to help them to overcome difficulties that crop up as they go along. It is hoped that the organiser will be able to revisit schools a few months after starting them, as the first few months are the critical ones. The "experiences of the organiser were pleasant, and the conditions met with clearly indicated the urgent need of some such service. The union's district is a large one, extending from Marton and Dannevirke in the north to Nelson and Marlborough in the. south. In-many districts old Sunday school teachers from the larger towns will take up the work, "and their services will be available to train the ones who are entirely new to teaching. A feature of Mr. Howe's work will be the visiting of small schools already established and the encouragement and instruction of those who are carrying on the work, often under trying conditions. The union is quite- satisfied that in Mr. Howe they have secured an excellent organiser, and one who is well able to grip-the attention of any boy or girl with whom he comes in contact. It il intended to continue on until bad weather prevents further travel. It is.hoped that sympathisers will provide sufficient funds to Suable the work to commence early nest summer, and to continue well into 1920.