SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

Evening Star, Issue 14225, 26 November 1909, Page 1

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

The Otago Sunday School Union and the Presbyterian Sunday School Association held a combined meeting in Stuart Hall last night. Mr J. W. Todd (president of tho P.S.S. Association) was in the chair, and the attendance included several teachers from country Sunday schools. Mr Duncan Wright opened the meeting with prayer, after which the chairman apologised for the absence of the Rev. E. O. Blamires and Mr M‘Donald (of the Tabernacle), who were absent owing to illness. Mr Reid, of Trinity Church, spoke on the home department of the Sunday school. At the present time there was a great lack of Bible study in the home, and it was to remedy this that the department was called into being. It was started for the purpose of enrolling those who-were unable to attend the Sunday school for different reasons. It originated, he thought, in 1881, and for some years progress was slow, but last year over half a million were reported as members in America and Canad. He detailed the work that had been done to form a- homo department. The only condition laid down in connection with membership was that members should study tho Sunday school lessons for at least- half an hour each week. An important thing was to give the members some facilities to study. He was sure the home department was going to extend largely in connection with the Sunday school in New Zealand, and that it would be a great factor in extending the kingdom of Jesus Christ.— (Applause.) Mr David Todd (superintendent of Knox Church Sunday School) read a paper on ‘Devotional Exercises.’ He considered that these exercises were of as much importance as the lesson, as they created an atmosphere and tone in the school. The hymns should be carefully chosen, bright, and not too highly pitched. Prayers required a great deal -of thought and study, and should be simple and in keeping with the seasons, the lesson, and with anything special connected with the school. Ae the conclusion of the addresses some of the points raised were discussed by other speakers. Refreshments were handed round during the evening.