PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 20252, 13 August 1929, Page 14

PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOLS

DUNEDIN UNION'S ANNUAL MEETING About seventy-five teachers, youth workers, and members attended the annual meeting of the Dunedin Presbyterian Sunday School Union held last evening in St. Andrew’s Bible School, Carroll street. Mr D. S. Death occupied the chair. The meeting opened with a hymn, followed by a prayer by the Rev. 11. G. M'Dowall, and then the president read a short Bible lesson front Romans vih. The treasurer (Mr D. Craigie) presented the financial statement for the year, and it showed a debit balance ol £l3. Although the year had commenced with a debit balance of £54, until recently this amount was decreased .'cry little. The proient position was considered satisfactory, but they would have to endeavour to clear the books. It had been suggested to hold a concert, in which each school would bo responsible for an item, but tho treasurer thought it would be wiser to semi notices to tho various schools in the Presbytery asking tho teachers io subscribe Is to help to wipe out tho debit. Ho moved iu this direction, and tho motion was carried. Tho secretary (Mr H. Booth) presented tho annual report. In moving rho adoption of tho repot t tho Chairman said that tho secretary had faithfully compressed the events of the year into a small space, and he was to be complimented on his work, the speaker was sure those present would arrreo with him that during the year they had had to face many difficulties, but' now they would notice they had really made some headway. The report stated that on an average twelve schools bad been represented at the executive meetings. There were thirty-two schools iu tho Presbytery, some being outside the city, and these were ofc always able to send a delegate. A number of schools in tho city were never represented, their reason probably being that they did not consider it necessary tb join the union. He could only say that they were unaware of what they were missing through not being connected with the union. The body was gratefu' to those who had helped m the work during the year, and especially to the stall of tho Otago School of Religious Education. The report was adopted without discussion. , . , , ft was agreed to send letters ot appreciation tor past services to Mr \ H Reed and the director of the School of Religious Education. On the motion of Mr S. Wilson it was unanimously decided to adopt the new constitution iu use throughout the dominion. It was not perfect, but it was considered well worth trying. The election of office-bearers resulted President, Mr D. S Beatlii reelec tod) • vice-presidents —Messrs -Magnus J. ‘ Johnson and \V. Anderson; secretary, Mr H Booth (re-elected); treasurer. Mr I>. Craigio He-clccted) ; committee —Miss Calder. Mrs In., 10, and Messrs J. Sinclair and Id. D. Watt. . . . The business portion of the meeting being concluded, Dr S. 1' Hunter, M.A., D.D , was called upon to address the gathering, and he commenced- his talk by telling of some of Iris journeys through Canada and America, where ho Found that the methods of bunclav ■school teaching were much in advance of those in Scotland, Australia, ana \ew Zealand. Ho dealt with the Canalian and American systems at length, and then went on to say that the teachers’ work was very much to bo praised. They were fundamental workers, and what they were doing was exceedingly difficult. He had had the experience ol Sunday school teaching, and was sure that many teachers bad asked themselves if they were doing their duties thoroughly. They were, as ho said, sowing their seed, and their conscience must learn lo tell tnem that they were to do what they could, and leave tho rest to God. Their work was not just to put in an hour. They would bo wasting their time unless something was done, and this was to bo performed in a manner to have the children concentrating on the subject being taught. Ho would not say children" were inattenive. They were capable of interest, and the teachers would have to adapt themselves, understand the children, and gather their interest. Hie work was ready' to try to make God real —to reveal the God they knew to tho mind, conscience, and heart of the child they were teaching in some natural way. They had to go to the Bible, which was their mind, and gave them their lessons. And yet when they took up the Bible they were up against verv great difficulties The speaker then ful]v illustrated what he meant by these difficulties, which (he said) needed a Trent deal of stndv to overcome and to prepare so that the lessons taught to tho children would be easy to understimul. A vote of thanks was passed to Dr Hunter, and the Benediction terminated the meeting. Supper was served, and a social gathering was held.