RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 23

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

[By Forward.]

OTAGO SCHOOL. CLOSING FUNCTIONS. Tho annual thanksgiving service was hold this year in tho beautiful Presbyterian Church at Maori Hill, tho Rev. A. C. W. Standage, president of the Branch Council of Religious Education (under whose auspices the school is conducted), being the preacher. He was assisted by Mr_ A. T. M'Naughton, M.A., director. There'was a tair attendance of students, who listened with keen interest and attention to the very appropriate sermon, in which the speaker dealt with the outstanding characteristics of these changing days, especially as they affected children and young people, and how these difficult days of transition called; for the fullest consecration of those engaged in the work of religious education, that the Gospel of “Christ and Him crucified” might be revealed in its fullness and power to all. The beautifully decorated church, the music of the choir, led by tho fine pipe organ, all helped to make tho thanksgiving' service of 1929 a memorable one.

On October 1 the closing function of the school year ' was held, and, as in previous years, this took the form of a banquet. Stuart Hall had been carefully prepared by the students of tho school, and the cool green of tho hanging mosses and the lovely spring flowers made a beautiful setting for the function. Ministers of the various denominations, principals of training institute and colleges, tutors, students, and ex-

students and friend's gathered together round the well-laden tallies. Principal A. L. Haddon, M.A., acted as-toast-master, and short seeches were given by members of the school on the t.vmc ‘ The Students’ Progress.’ Miss L. Buchanan spoke on ‘ Burdens,’ Mr J. L. Gregory on ‘Lions in the Path,’ Miss A. Kirkwood ‘Joys of the Road, and Rev. R, G. M'Dowall summed up the whole series in his concluding speech on ‘The Hill of Vision.’ Songs were given by Miss R. Begg and Mr N, Lennon, and a recitation by Miss M‘Neur.

The second portion of the evening took the form of a social. Games and competitions were enjoyed by all, and a song by Miss I), Moss was much appreciated. Mr J, Farquharson, in a short speech, thanked all those who had made the evening the success it was, and this enjoyable function closed by the Rev. U. G. M'Dowall conducting appropriate worship. ! WHEN THE STAR SHONE.’ The pageantry class completed its year’s work with the presentation ol the Christmas pageant ‘ When the Stai Shone ’in Burns Hall last Tuesday, A fair number of people wero present, and the students and friends assisting gave a most reverent and beautiful rendering of then respective parts. The entire work entailed had been done by various sub-committees of the class, the stage and stage setting being singu larly appropriate, while tho costumes of the various players were not only historically correct, but very boautir-.il and harmonious in hue. The students wero fortunate ip ha. • ing some members of the North-east Valley Choir, with their choirmaster, for tho musical portion of the pageant. Their very beautiful singing, accompanied and unaccompanied, was indeed a feature of a most arresting and in spiring service, tho action of tho pageant and the music moving forward with perfect unity and harmony. The lighting was in the capable hands of Mr Simpson, the sunset and twilight, effects adding considerably to the “ atmosphere ” and helping to deepen tho spirit of reverence and worship which was so noticeable a feature of this gathering. After the opening voluntary all joined in singing ‘Jesus, Stand Among O's m Thy Risen Power.’ A prayer by Mr M'Nanghton followed, and then . came the solo ‘ Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye, My People,’ while Prophecy walked on to the stage, to be joined shortly by her sister History, who together wore to watch in Bethlehem the great event of all history—the Birth of our Lord. Through the Bethlehem gate came two women with water pots, to draw water from the well that is by the gate at Bethlehem, while two Roman soldiers met and conversed about tho strange expectation among both Jews and Greek about tho coming of ono, “either God or a God-inspired man, who was to lead the nations to better things.” Rabbi Nathan, returning home from Jerusalem, where he had gone to visit his old friend Simeon, had wonderful nows to tell of the visit of three wise men, who came to Herod at Jerusalem, inquiring of him where the King of tho Jews had been born, for they had been guided to tho Holy City by a star. His study again of the groat words of tho prophets concerning the promised Messiah was interrupted by the clamour of tho Bethlehem children for a story, a Bethlehem story. Stories of David and Ruth claimed the attention not only of the children, but of the pass ers-by. until tho shepherds appeared, who told of their great and wonderful experience while watching tho flocks for tho temple sacrifice. As nil marvelled at tho wondrous things that had come to pass the star flashed out in wondrous beauty, and to tho accompaniment of singing ‘ Where, Where is He?’ the three kings camo to tho little town of Bethlehem. Her© all recounted again the great events that had befallen themj and high and lowly, rich and poor, shepherds and wise men all joined in a procession to the cradle of the new-born King, to lay at His feet their treasures and their love. Tho singing of tho hymn ‘ As With Gladness ’ and the pronouncing of the Benediction closed a wonderful and in spiring service, and all left the build ing feeling that it was good to have been there.

Dramatisation when properly used is becoming to be recognised as a tremendous asset for tho religious educator in his great task of training Christian character, and this pioneer effort has clearly shown some of these great possibilities.

The performers and choir were the guests of the Diploma Students’ Club nt supper, and during a suitable interval Mr M'Naughton thanked Mr Macho and the members of the choir for their services, the various friends who had helped in completing the largo casco of thirty-seven performers, and also the ession of First Church for the use of heir building not only for the night’s ervico, but for practices. Not only had the performance been a unique and successful one, but there had also been a fine display of “ team ” work, where all worked for one com mon task. Miss Macfie added her thanks, paying tribute to the magnificent spirit of co-oneration manifested through the practices, and to the whole-hearted way in which all, at some cost to themselves, had loyally attended the necessary rehearsals, and so made possible that night’s performance. It was, indeed, a most gratifying thing that all the work necessary had been

done by the members themselves, and the.school was to bo congratulated in having in its ranks such fine talent. An opportunity was taken to bid farewell to one of tho diploma stu-' dents, Miss L, Buchanan, who had completed her third and final year at the Presbyterian Women’s Training Institute, and-who was leaving shortly for her homo in tho north. The singing of ‘ Anld Lang Syne ’ brought to a close a happy time of fellowship.