RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 22631, 24 April 1937, Page 6

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

[By Forward.]

URKSBYTKIUAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. Tho first meeting for the ,year of the Presbyterian Sunday School Union was held in Chalmers Hall, South Dunedin, when visiting teachers were enabled to seo tho line new hall which has recently been erected there. Tho president, Rev. H, T. Dodds, conducted tho opening worship, and introduced the speaker for the evening, Mr Ncdon, an exchange teacher from London, who is at present teaching in Dunedin. This was a fine opportunity of hearing of youth work overseas, and from the address given by Mr Neden it would seem that the problems, apart from those of a city like London, arc very similar to our own, and that in general, the work proceeds along similar linos. One great difference is that there is in London no organisation for young men and women to correspond with our Bible class movement.

Mr Ncdcii spoke of the facilities for religious instruction in the day schools, where devotional exercises are conducted at the opening ceremony daily, and where two hours a week are given to Scripture teaching, the head masters being largely free to arrange the syllabus. In this matter there are certain problems, such as those of right of entry to the different denominations, which the authorities have so far not managed to solve. The Sunday schools in the city, like those in our own central areas, have tended to decrease in recent years, owing partly to tho decreased birth rate, partly to the fact that people are moving out to the suburbs, and partly to the growing habit of week-ending. In tho newer suburbs, however, the Sunday schools are overcrowded and short of teachers. In general the grading of the Sunday schools is similar to our with the addition of a senior department, which includes those who with us form the Bible classes.

One point on which we might learn from our friends overseas is the matter of teacher supply. There the senior department scholars move on to the primary department as teachers, with the result that as a rule the supply is greater «than tho demand. The type of service in the S.S. follows that which is the custom here, with opening worship, followed by classes for lesson study and expression work. The primary children express themselves in drawing, modelling, and sand-tray work, the juniors along similar lines, though with more activity on the part of the children. With the older scholars an attempt is made to give expression to the lessons in practical ways through social service work. The lessons iiv elude Biblical lessons, missionary and pioneer stories, and Nature stories for the younger children, and examinations are given.

Weekly activities are a feature of the work, Scouts, and Cubs, Guides, Boys’ Brigade and Life Boys, clubs for games, acting, and so on, being organised. The problem of tho anniversary is one that is fell; in New Zealand, many leaders and teachers being of the opinion that it is nob the best way to have the children “on show” as a choir on that occasion, Mr Neden said that they had felt the same difficulty and whereas they used to put the children in front to_ sing, they had recently, changed their method, and placed the; children throughout the congregation among tho adults, in order to help them to realise that they are part of the church. They sing solos, read the 'lesson, and sing specially prepared music.

For the young people there are guilds—stnior and junior, which include in their programmes devotional exercises, literary and musical studies, social service, and recreation. The lives of great reformers, and the lives of groat musicians are studied, play readings are given, and social problems, such as housing and peace, are discussed. In the social service work connected with the senior department of the school parcels of food and clothing are distributed, and the children, many of whom come from very poor types of homes, are entertained. Mr Neden described the district in which he works, and some of thei homes and types of people to be found there, these offering a great sphere of service to the young people. A feature of the entertainment provided is a cinematograph evening held weekly, where instructive pictures are shown to the children at the small charge of one penny, and where a short talk is given by the minister of the church. Some of the films shown were supplied free by the producers, and of hers were hired. Christmas parties and summer outings for the children were also held, for these children lived at least 20 miles from the country. In all these ways the young people are g.iven an opportunity of putting into practical expression tlie Christian teaching that is given in the church.

Mr Dodds thanked Mr Neden for the interesting addres that he had given, and invited discussion and questions. Mr Magnus Johnson, vice-president, then took the chair, and led the discussion, several teachers taking part, and asking questions, which Mr Neden answered. These showed, in the main, that the difficulties and the means taken to overcome them were much the same in London as they are here. At the conclusion of the discussion a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Neden

for his address, and the hope was expressed that he might meet the teachers again at some future date. After the roll call had been taken a few items of business were dealt with, and the meting closed with'a hymn and the Benediction, following which supper was served by the South Dunedin staff, to whom the thanks of the visiting teachers was expressed by Mr W.' J. Bennett. The whole evening was a very successful beginning to the new year’s work, and, while there were about 50 teachers present, representing 11 schools, it is hoped that an even greater number will avail themselves of the opportunity of meeting in fellowship next month

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION. The Oslo convention marks a high point in the fellowship and service fostered by the W.S.S.A. The patronage and the attendance at the opening and closing sessions of His Majesty the King of Norway, and the gracious hospitality extended to the officers of the convention by the King and Queen at their summer palace were memorable. The kindness of the Municipality of Oslo and the courtesy and interest of the ‘Norwegian people made us all want to return to Norway for a longer visit. The organisation of the convention under the direction of Dr Kelly and Dr Norborg was most efficient, and the problem of interpretation was handled with extraordinary facility by Mr Ohm and his assistants. , . , The programme fulfilled our high hopes. Tho departmental conferences gave ample opportunity for discussion and exchange of experience. The addresses at the general sessions were thought provoking, evangelical, and moving. The culminating point tor one hearer at least was the really great address hy the Rev, Professor Daniel Lamont on ‘ The Resources of Gpd. The best result of the convention is the fellowship it engendered and the co-operation in service which this fellowship furthers. Nono of us can ever forget the blessed personality of Bishop Lunde It is a great thing that he and the Archbishop of Upsala. with four other bishops of the Lutheran State Churches of various European countries, should have co-operated as they did in this convention; it is a great thing that preachers and people from the diverse Protestant churches and from all the countries of Europe should join as they do in this movement for Christian religions education. Christ is the hope of the world; and Christ laid it upon nur hearts to bring to Him onr children.— Rev. Dean Luther A. Wcigle, D.IL