SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19298, 10 July 1926, Page 19

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

[By Forward.] Items of Interest—short, bright paragraphs of news, comments on these Notes, inquiries about difficulties—will be welcomed by w Forward.” “ For us, however, God has drawn aside the veil through the teaching of the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, including the depths of the divine nature.” WORSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT. The value of worship in the varying stages of childhood and its appreciation is one of the determining factors in providing separate rooms for each period of life in the church school. It is truly pathetic in visiting a school to find a proportion of the boys and girls taking little or no part in the worship, singing, and prayer. Observe the scholars; in nine cases out of ten, lack of understanding on the teachers’ part is the cause. To worship is instinctive, and it is for the teacher to know how to develop the attitude of worship given in the adnlt service to apply the principle to the children’s service of worship. Teaching a new hymn in the worship period Ls not conducive to worship. The pre-sessional period or some other opportunity must De found for the practice. To be real worship should come from within, and reality is all-important in meeting the, need at any stage. Reality beginning with the teacher never fails to receive the response of the class. _ This applies not only in worship, but in every phase of the work of the religious educator.— J.L.B. THE GREATEST GIFT. “ The greatest gift a teacher can give to his pupils is himself, and this gift ho cannot, to a certain degree, avoid giving, since all men are made—as well' as known—by the company they keep. The teacher must reproduce himself in the lives of his pupils. How terrifying the privilege! What if the world should become peopled with men just like yourself? Would it bo a pleasant place to live in or a bit horrible? The most imperial demand made of a teacher is for a virile Christian personality, and it is being able to_ impart this that he finds his joy.”—Written of day school teachers by Douglas Horton, in ‘ Out Into Life.’ SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. All interested are reminded of the special lecture entitled ‘ Vocations Within the Church,’ to ho delivered by the Rev. E. F. Bhunircs on July 13, at 7.30 p.m., in Knox Church Bible Class Room. The first term for 1926 closes that evening. YOUNG PEOPLE’S DIVISION ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the executive of the above association the following subjects were approved for this year:— First period.—7.3o to 8.10 p.m.: ‘ The Young People’s Division in the Local Church,’ ‘ The Organisation and Administration of the Young People’s Division,’ ‘The Characteristics and Needs of Young People,’ ‘ Necessity for Leadership.’ Devotional, 8.10 to 8.30 p.m. General service of worship and praise, an intermediate worship service, _ a junior Bible class service, a senior Bible class worship service. Second Period.—B.3o to 9.15 p.m. (sectional) : ‘The Intermediate Scholar,’ ‘The Intermediate Teacher,’ ‘The intermediate Class and Department,’ ‘When Wo Join the Church.’ The Bible class subjects will be similar in their application to their own departments. These are the subjects for the four successive months from July til! October. All workers in this division (12 to 24) and all young people are cordially invited to attend. CHILDREN’S DIVISION ASSOCIATION. The following letter has been circulated to teachers this week;— Ann arc no doubt aware that a Children’s Division Association has been formed in connection with the Otago School of Religions Education. The aims of the association have already been stated through the Sunday school notes in the Press. They are consideration of the life of the child to be nurtured, and how to meet the fourfold needs of the developing life. The association is open for membership to all connected with the teaching of children under twelve years of age, or with Cradle Roil work, or all interested and eager to prepare themselves to teach. You are therefore cordially invited to join. The second meeting will bo held on Monday, July 12, at 7.30 p.m., in View Street Hall, Moray place, and future meetings on the second Monday of the month till October. The syllabus carefully planned by the committee is as follows: — Text book, ‘The Unfolding Life’ (A. A. Lamoreanx). T . r July 12.—First period, Child Lifc ; devotional period, junior worship service ; sectional ‘ The child.’ August 9.—First period, _ The Teacher ’; devotional period, primary worship service; sectional, worship. September 13.—i* irst jicriod, Atmosphere’; devotional period, beginners worship service; sectional, story-tcll-of Teaching ’; devotional period, special day worship service; sectional, expression. . „ „, A registration fee of 2s 6d per annum will be charged to defray working expenses. 4 in. iiiM.imm i mi in in ■■"■■■■■■»