SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19274, 12 June 1926, Page 19

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

[By Forwabd.]

Items o( Interest—short, bright _ paragraphs of news, comments on these Notes, inquiries about difficulties—will be welcomed by “ Forward.” “No personality is complete if religious development is defective.” “Forward” takes this opportunity of again inviting all interested in Sunday School Notes to call attention of youth workers to the column, to make it live by contributing suggestions, personal experiences that will help someone, problems, and advance stops that are proving constructive. BIBLE CLASS RALLY. About 240 sat down to the Bible class rally tea on Juno 8 in the Assembly Hall, Knox School rooms. Rev. A. 0. W. Standage, presiding, announced tho doxology, and after a sociable halfhour introduced the after tea speaker. Mr Robert Blair, who, having explained tlio necessity and purpose of the Young People’s Association,' invited all over seventeen years of ago to attend the opening meeting, to do held in First Church Bible class rooms on Monday, 14th, at 7.80 p.m. An adjournment was made to Stuart Hall, whore several camp items wore fully enjoyed. Those contribuuting were Mr Lennon, sen., and Kaikorai, South Dunedin, and Macandrew’s Bay classes. Roll call was then taken by the secretary of the Bible Class Union (Mr Harry S. Manson) at the request of the president (Mr John Denford). The very large class response included a strong representation' from Balclutha. A singsong composed of favorite hymns created the atmosphere for a most inspiring address from Rev._ Frank Wilkinson, who introduced his subject as one which not only included China, but the whole world "as mission field. THE ASSOCIATIONS. An endeavor is being made by tho committees of tho Young People’s Association and tho Children’s Division Association to reach by circular every Bible class leader, superintendent, and teacher in Dunedin and adjacent communities. Where possible, tho personal touch is being added. Everyone is desirous of putting this most important work of tho church (as a city minister stated on Sunday evening) on an ascending scale. _ The Y’oung People’s Division Association meets in First Church B.C. rooms, and the Children’s Division Association in View Street. Flail, Moray place, at 7.80 p.m. Loaders, superintendents, and teachers might get together on Sunday after session and prayerfully weigh pros and cons so that a worthy representation will be the result on Monday evening. The meetings are to ho held on the second Monday of each month. OTAGO COUNCIL OF SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS. Mr Harry S, Manson has accepted tho position of secretary-treasurer of the Otago Council of Sunday School Unions, which meets on tho last Thursday of each month at 83 Jetty street. THE TEACHER OF JUNIORS. “Tho constant thought of God ns companion in tho moral struggle _is the kind of faith which the junior needs.” What is the aim of the teacher of thu. boys and girls whom we call juniors? To develop Christian character? Religious education is “the introduction of control into conduct in terms of Jesus Christ. Just what does that mean at the junior stage? Are our boys and girls to understand that Christan experience means going to church, singing praise to God, praying, attending Sunday school? Is there not more than that? Is there not some relationship between the inner thought life, tho outward ceremony, and everyday conduct? Tho translation of our Christian aspirations into daily life indicates the growing, developing Christian. Let us, ns teachers, try to define our aim for our boys and girls. What is our aim? What exactly are we trying to give them that will bo expressed after they leave us on Sunday or when we have had a week-day period together? Tho dominating influence in their livas is people, mates in the school and on the street, the gang, teacher, parents, other grown ups. Have we not to give them that which will bo given expression to in their daily contact with all these? What was there in last Sunday’s lesson so fired that it would rise above the undesirable information that is inevitable? Is not our opportunity in preparing their worship, instruction, and expression to develop such attitudes as trust in God. oedience, loyalty, gratitude, and courage? Shall we place attendance at Sunday school, punctuality, accuracy, homework, reaction to the heroic as incentives to self-control, chivalry, generosity, helpfulness, responsibility, team spirit and citizenship?