SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 18256, 21 April 1923, Page 11

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

[By Forward.]

[ltems of interest —short, bright paragraphs of news, comments on these Notes, inquiries about difficulties—will bo welcomed by “Forward.”] 11 Tho only way to conserve our manhood and womanhood is lo conserve the childhood. The only thing ofsupierao importance in any nation is that they leave behind them the right type of cuildren.”—Theodore Roosevelt. MOVEMENT OF MOMENT; A SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR DUNEDIN. No reform can really be successful unless there is a central lire frem which it is fed and stimulated. Mere work on the circumference will count for little. We may got a few surface alterations here and there, but to achieve permanent and pervasive results much more is needed. Our Funday school work has reached a crisis. For years we have been receiving ise’ated ideas of reform from America and I* .fain, and in many a school these new id; ms have meant much. But the question arises; Do wo really see where we are going? Or rather: Do wo really understand the great fundamental modern principles which have given birth to these reforms? Wo have accepted tho outward, but we must get down deep to bedrock principles and see tho “ why ” of all our changes. What changes? you ask. The old centralised school is dead and gone. The decentralised school, with its graded rooms and furniture, graded lessons, graded teachers, graded worship—all these are the outworkmgs of tho new spirit that has come to us from many a source. It is like the Renaissance; it is like the new birth of tho soul; it is like the wind—“ thou cannot toll whence it cometh.” But we are glad it is here, and, though tho results are partial and imperfect, yet they are heralds of a brighter day.

How can wo get our reforms correlated to principle? How can we so establish and diffuse our principles that the results will be abiding in the highest sense? There is a clamant demand for a school of religious education that will do for our Sunday school movement what has been indicated above. Such a school, wo hear, is to be the pivotal point of Miss F. ft. Warner's work in Dunedin during 1923. It is, of course, under tho control of the Dunedin Council of Sunday School Unions, and if the council can crystallise such a scheme it will have fully justified its existence. Criticism there will bo in abundance; pessimism is waiting to do its deadly work; but I believe there are men and women in our city big enough in heart, head, and purse to make this scheme tho outstanding feature of children’s year. So that my readers may grasp tho conception of such a school, let mo tabulate a few of tho ideas to bo embodied: 1. There will be a central school, where Mies Warner will permanently place her plant and equipment, and where the lessons will be held.

2. Trainees will bo received from all the denominations—young people who can give tho required time for attendance and study, above all tho young people whose hearts are willing to prompt them to sacrifice to equip themselves for this great cause. 3. There will be a Sunday afternoon session which will ho attended by these recruits. There is the golden opportunity for the Bible classes to send forward some of their members for definite training. 4. There will be a weekly session on some night fixed upon. Outside teachers who aro already in work will be able to attend these classes, and all trainees are expected to bo present, as it is part of the course. Once a month there will bo an open night, which will take the place of tho syllabus submitted by the council last winter; but these nights will also he an integral part of tho course. 5. The subjects are as follow:—‘The Bible, ‘ Child Psychology,’ ‘ The Science and Aid of Teaching,’ ‘Art,’ ‘Literature,’ ‘Music,’ ‘Hand Work.’ The Drama,’ ‘ Contents of Curriculum.’ and all the other varied subjects associated with modern .Sunday school work. 6. The class will be thoroughly organised, with secretary, pianist, etc. It is hoped that a diploma of proficiency will be given to tho students who complete tho course. 7. A committee of loading educationists in tho city will be associated with Miss Warner. 8. Practical work will be furnished in associated city schools, to which trainees from time io time will go for observation and practice. Tims theory and practice will go hand in hand. Cannot one see the possibilities of such a school Specialists in hand work, trained leaders of departments, young people who have a grasp of modern principles and who aro capable of carrying them into practice will be forthcoming to create a demand for new buildings on modern lines, and to man tho.se schools. But, better than all, our Sunday schools will bo so raised in status that the work will be dignified, tho best talent of the Church will gladly come forth for service, and the growing and young people will realise that their Sunday school is not like a, disused back room "of a house, drab, dingy, and dreary, but they will look back cm it as a (ilacs of happy and hallowed associations. “ The best is yet to be.”