DUTY OF PARENTS AND SUNDAYSCHOOL TEACHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8585, 5 June 1891, Page 3

DUTY OF PARENTS AND SUNDAYSCHOOL TEACHERS.

TO .THE EDITOK. - Sm,—Those having the. welfare of the rising generation, or the work of Sundayschools m relation thereto, at heart must compliment the acting-superintendent of the t ree Union Church Sunday-school, upon the clear and forcible way in which he brought the question of Sunday-school teaching before his co-workers, and through the medium of your widely-circulated paper to the notice of the general public. Ic must; be admitted that it is humiliating to find that the v,ork hitherto has been a comparative failure; bufc to my mind the fault should not be cil cast on the teachers, many of whom in tieir zeal for the work deny themselves die recreation others might more fairly be expected to forego. The real cause, at all events to a great extent, should rather bo sought for in the lack of home influence, and of proper parental control. As an instance, and as the address in question very properly states, is it not lamentable to see such a large number of youths roaming about the streets of our city and suburbs to a late, if not an early, hour in the morning, without apparent control? Need it, then, be any wonder if, after nights spent in this way, and with their minds fully absorbed by various exploits, not to speak of the Saturday af cernoon amusements,, that they come quite unprepared ia a great many instanees, to take any interest whatever in the Sunday-school lessons ? It must also be remembered that the short time that can be devoted to this work on the Sunday is very much overweighted by the five days a-week secular instruction in which | the name of God is not mentioned, and anything in the shape of religious teaching strictly prohibited. Already we see the fruits of this, when mere boys have the hardihood to say, " What's the use of the Bible," and if others do not exactly say so they show it by their indifference for its teaching. Now.if this and other difficulties and impediments to the work in question are to be overcome, there raust be not only renewed earnestness, which will lead to better preparation on the part of teachers already engaged in the work, but in addition ;to this . we want, and it is not too much to ask. parents to exercise due and proper control over their offspring, combined with good home influence, and to cooperate heartily with the teachers in giving religious instruction. We also want the help of those who by their training and opportunities might render valuable assistance, but who at present stand aloof. Trusting that these few suggestions and remarks may be received in the spirit in which they are given, and that they may be the means, in however small a. degree, of awakening parents and others to ( a sense of their duty in obeying the Saviours injunction, " Feed my lambs. —I am, &c, s . ATeachee. ,»