SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 18093, 7 October 1922, Page 10

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

[By Forward.] [ltems of interest—abort, bright paragraphs of news, comments on these Notes, inquiries about difficulties —will be welcomed by ‘‘Forward.”] “ The end of education is not to teach pupils to know and use books, hut to know and make right uee of themselves.” —Baldwin.

UNWAVERING BELIEF IN BOYS

AND GIRLS,

“ A school can ho measured by the strength of its teachers. Machinery and materials, valuable as they are, can never take E2io place of teachers : they are but tools for skilled worker's. Oh, for teachers who have deep religious conviction, unwavering belief in boys and girls, and ability to teach effectively the truths that are- indispensable to the development of Christian character.” —Alberta Munkros.

This may strike the eye of some man or woman of strong character and true Christian experience. Perhaps _ you have never realised the vital significance of work among hoys and girls. You arc needed with all your powers. Do jyou play? Do you sing? Can you_organise 1 Our modem graded schools offer unique opportunities to those of every type of character and ability. REVERENCE. All our teaching is a failure if we do not erect an atmosphere of reverence in our Sunday schools. How shall wo secure reverence in the school? For reverence is a delicate, sensitive thing, which cannot be compelled:- No military dragooning will create it. Often the bostintentioned teachers do most harm. Suggestion must bo largely used. Let mo give some hints. 1. Bo reverent yourself. During worship you are not to act as policeman. The superintendent can make or mar the atmosphere. A loud tone, a fault-finding spirit, a constant ringing of bells and shouting of commands are fatal to a time spirit of worship. The reverent leader will diffuse a reverent atmosphere. 2. Start right; but to do so you must think far ahead. When school opens there should not be a single thing out of place. That means a thoughtfullyprepared programme, a thoroughly-pre-pared pianist, a well-ordered room, every officer and teacher keenly awake and deeply interested in producing tho desired atmosphere. Eternal vigilance is needed. It is the unexpected that throws you off your guard. 3. The superintendent and each teacher mast have a lofty ideal of what should bo and can be. What is the worship session for? To fill in time? To quieten the children? Worship is the response of the heart to the conscious presence of God. The subject of worship and reverence is a real problem in most schools. ‘ Children’s Worship and How to Conduct It ’ is an indispensable guide to all who are interested in this vital subject, Ernest H. Hayes is the author, and as ho is an expert in Sunday school work it is not mere theory, but full of practical suggestions. EDUCATING FOR WORLD CITIZENSHIP. Tho Sunday school teacher must have no narrow vision in his work. Bendon has said that one can be optimistic only by limiting one’s horizon. But this is falsa and fatal for any teacher. Not the individual school, not the donoiSnationj not the Empire must bo the limit of our view, hart tho world. Wo must sco our work in tho light of world citizenship. All that we have passed through since 1914, tho world, with its bleeding, lacerated heart, the race hatred that has been aroused’—these must impress us as teachers to lift our eyes and see what God’s purpose really Is. Not sin, but ignorance may he our greatest hindrance. Basil Mathews says: "Fundamentally tho coming of tho Kingdom of God is a problem in education.” As teachers, let us see our part in the world-wide plan.