SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14698, 4 December 1909, Page 14

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

ANNIVERSARY MEETING. The annual gathering in connection with the Ohgo Sunday School Union was held last evening in Knox Church Hall, and was very numerously attended, children nahirally being largely in the majority. Ml' Duncan Wright (presKiint of tho union) occupied the chair, and there were on the platform with him. the Kevs. 1!. E. Da vies, W. M. Grant (Port Chalmers), G. Heighway, Messrs F. W. Wright, James AYright, D. T. Pearson, and W. L. Logie, The President said it. was 35 years this month sincc he first a Kuox Church congregation and a Kuox Church Sunday school, and he had been identified with and in sympathy with the Sunday school workers everywhere .all tlies.; years. This Sunday School Union, as far us'was known to him, was the oldest union in Otngo, and the oldest- Sunday • School Union in Duiiedin. They had some 50 schools connected with the union, representing the following churches:—Baptist, Methodist, Primitive Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Brethren of the Church of Christ. They had liadi a very good year, and, with tho blessing of God, they would have a better one next year if all we.ro united and in earnest. The Rev. Mr Davies, in tho course of a brief address, spoke of the -importance, of tho l'-e-ligio-.tfi education ami' spiritual training of children. Though they had done much in the matter there was much tlwy might still do. There had been a tendency to look upon tho Sabbath school as a mere appendage of church work as a wJiolc, and as yet the superintendent and the teacher had not won tlio place that was their due owing to the importance of their work. The work should bo tho very centre cf their church life, and the very best that tho ciiurcb cou-kl give should he given in tho interests of the child. Thoy believed 1 the child was coming to its own.

During the evening a recitation was given by Miss Forrester (Ca-vershnm Baptist Church), a dialogue bv four children belonging to the Hanover Street- Baptist Sunday School, a song bv some of the solictors of the King Street Congregational Sunday School, and hymns by members of tho Moray Place Congregational Sunday School. Miss E. M. Logie presided at the liarmon'ium. and Iwfore those '-resent dispersed votes of thanks were awarded to the examiners, tho Rev. Mr Davies for his afjislancc, and the officers of Knox Church for the use of the hall.

Tlio secretary's report was read by 3lr Sutherland, and was as fellows:—

' The annual examination of Ihe Otago Sunday School Union was held on Friday, October 1, and the 'essay competition on October 8. The subject of examination was, a.s usual, the international j lessons for the third quarter of the year, and the theme of the essay was '* The "Life and Character of Paul." Of the 47. schools affiliated with tho union 23 conipct.-vl. and entered 357 scholars fur the examination and 23 for tho essay, of whom 280 sat, as I against 311 for last year. The executive is greatly indebted to Mr \V. C. Allnult, who again sot the questions for the various grades, and to the examiners, who were as follow-.- —Essay, Mr C. It. li. Richardson, 8.A.; Grado 1, Rev. C. P.oynll; Grade 2, Rev. T. Parkins; Grade 3, Rev. W. M. Grant; and Grade 4, Miss M. M'Millan. After the examination the attention'of the executive was drawn to the fact thaUoveroi of the questions asked were outside of the work actually set down in. the quarter's scheme of lessons, and the examiners wero accordingly instructed to leave these questions out of consideration when allotting marks. Of the 13 essays sent in eight gainod prizes, four first class certificate, and one third class certificate. The examiner re!>ort.s that ' tho essays showed that tho candidates had made a careful siudv of tho life of Paul, and the style adopted was in general an easy, natural, somewhat chatty, narration of the facts, due attention being paid to sequence of time and place. Litt!<! original criticism was indulged in. referonce passages wero seldom given, and there was less quotation than 1 have found "in former years. If all tho work done at tho examination tomes up to the level of tliat marked by me, those carrying on tho tuition arc performing the duties they havo undertaken faithfully and well.' On the First Grade 59 entered and 41 sat, of whom nine gained prizes. 14 first class, nine second | class, and nine third ela>s f-erliiicaies.' In reporting en the reSults in this scctiun. I he | examiner states: 'The papers on the whole arc slightly better than last year, for while there are none of great outstanding merit, the average of excellence is higher. The tirst two papers (Lucy Millington and Fred. Horner) are very good. The memorised verses showed up well again. Most got hivli marks and many full marks for the memorised passages. Quite a number could not answer question 3. while several failed with Nos. 5 and 7. Plenty told of instances of Paul's faith, but did not show wherein it was tested—in fact, seemed to miss the iwint as regards the testing. Question 6 did not. produce high marking. Some of the scholars got. the riot raised by Demetrius going at Athens instead of at Ephcsus.' In tho Second Grade 100 entered and 80 sat, of whom 15 gained prises, 10 first class, live second class, 20 third class certificates, and 30 failed. In his report, the examiner slates that the papers were much below tlie mark from the examination |x>int of view. The papers under 40 per cent, were very scrappy. Most of tho scholars showed that they had an idea of tho lessons, but did not seein to know how lo discuss a subject. The papers marked to 75 per cent, gavo ample proof that their lessons had boon got up, but the impression they gave wati that they had not had sufficient practice in answering questions. A word or phrase in tho question would remind them of a storv. and down went the story without any'spccial regard for the particular (mint, of the question. Several of the scholars who obtained only half marks know their lessons well enough, but failed in the examination for the simple reason that their answers vera far too general. Tho same is partly true of the papers marked 40 to 50 per cont.. Tho answers were general, and often vague. I was very pleased with the first four prize-winners. Tho paper marked 100 per cent. (Oliver Begs) is an exceedingly good one, and deserves high praise. 'Might I suggest that the teachers give the fieholars a few test questions say. onoe a fortnight, or onoo a. month,—and when correcting the papers give the scholars an idea as to how to answer questions, howto fix upon the point of the question, and how to give tho definite information asked. At the head of tho examination paper tho scholars arc told that quality counts, and not quantity. This should bo impressed upon scholars months before they enter tho examination room.' In tho Third Grade 103 scholars entered and 75 sat, of whom 35 gained prizes, 12 first class, 15 seoond class, 10 third class certificates, and three failed. In his report, tho examiner says: "The lessons as a whole evidently proved most difficult to those in this grade, and onlv two of them appear to havo appealed at all strongly to the memory and imagination ot most of tho scholars, and those wero tho Phillipir.il jailer and Paul on Christian love. Tho question, "Writo out any five versos from your examination lfcssona that you have committed to memory" seemed to confuse many of the | candidates. Several did not attempt to I answer it, others quoted texts from any part of tho Bibb indiscriminately, while many found tho .short passages quoted in questions 4 and 7 a very present help in trouble, and used them frequently. Xn question 3, lit scterat places visitod by Paul he was unfair]} treated by tho Jews. Why';" very few realised tho distinction botwoon Jews and Gentiles, and repeatedly tho answer was: • "Because Paul interfered with thoir trade ,of malting and selling images of their idols," or "tried to get tho people not to worship idols. Question 5, "Namo any six instructions that Paul gavo the I consider to bo the most, difficult of the questions, and several did not attempt it, others gave their own idea of what Taul ought to havo said, as, for instance, one who gave as three of the instructions from the apostlo to that church; "Do not drink," "Do not smoke," "Do not swar," but a very fair number gave correct replies. Question 7 was not dealt with by t.hc examiner as it did not conto within tho range oi lessons for examination. The question on Eutychus, which was also outside cf the quarters' lessons, brought forth many correct. answers. It also produced others that, were strange and wonderful. In one he fell from the top of a high building, in another from the rafters, in another down tho stairs, while many had most eonfusod ideas as to who he was. Ho was spoken of as a young man who performed 'a miracle, as tho town clerk of Ephesus, as a young man who had died -when fairly young, whom Paul laised from the coffin as ho was going. to_ the grave. In roplj to question 10, " Which lesson did you like bc.st. Why';" 26 gave tho Phillipian jailer and 15 Paul on Christian love, the next highest being Athens, with six, one giving as a reason for liking this best., "for they had a statue to the unknown God," and another, " because it tells us about idols." Undoubtedly good and careful work wa.s dono by many, for which teachers and scholars deserve tho highest credit, but I leave the examination of these papers, as I left the teaehiiv; cf tin te-'ons themselves, with the distinct feeding that they were a most, difficult cctirc-o to tcach younger scholars, ami that they failed in many oasts to leave any very clear and attractive impress on Christian trust upon their minds, I .' In the Fourth Grade S5 scholars

entered and 71 sat, of whom 30 sained prizes, 17 firet class, 10 second class, 5 third class certificates, and 9 failed. In her report Miss M'Millan states: 'The work in (It's grado was very satisfactorily done, reReeling- irrcat. credit, on the little ones and their teachers Some, who write excellent, paper*, and would have otherwise coined the maximum number of marks, missed the point in proving that Plaul was, a groat missionary. Not a few, after intelligently answering the first part of question 5, missed the second, and consequently lost marks. The difference between Saul jind Paul proved a stumbling block to many. Same answered beautifully, while others, rather ambiguously stated, that one was a bad man tind the other a good man. However. marks were given, for all attempts, us Saul was not. mentioned in tho quarter's lessens. Great praise is due to the 10-year-old children, who probably experienced a wril'.an examination, for the first time, while tiio'e a year older had a better idea how to briefly answer the duestions. A few were very much below the average, and seemed to have on idea of what, was expeeled in the way of answers. Next year the;.? little ones mav reach the top of'(ho list.'" 'the prizes wore presented by several gentlemen present, tlio following- being: the list of prize-lakers: — ESSAY EXAMINATION. Exa-minor: Mr C. It. D. Richardson, B.A. (ir;ub A,—Ethel Irene Story (Caversham Baptist Sunday School) 82 per cent., Ada Jliilocn Maskorav (Tabernaclo) 74. Grade I',.—Fred Horner (Sotiih Duiiedin Ihiptisl) 95 per cent.. Ella Mason (NorthKist Valley Jirptist) 93, Ellie Terry (First Church) _ 91. Fred G. Austin (Tabernacle) 16, Aniiio Dawson (Cargill Road Methodist) •34, Muriel Christeiisen (Tabernacle) 83, Olive Wilson (Trinity) 79, Maud Wilson (South Dmiedin ll'iptist) 73, Krnc.st Johnsoil (South Dtinctlin Eanlist) 73, Joaimie Gaylor (Tabernacle) 63,' Ivy Yates (St. Clair Conjrreigation.il) 45. Examined': Kcv, C. Boyall. Firet Grade, ages 16 years and o y«.-Lu-ey Millington (King Street Congregational) £4 per cent.. Fred Horner (South Dnnedin Baptist) 84, Mabel lluekle (Ki.v.g Sti-eet Congregational) 31. May IknMl (King Street Congregational)

GO, Emily i'c.stor (Moray Place Congregational) /8. l'.-nnfSf Jchnr.ton (South Dunodiii liipti.") if-,, I-.31: o Tom' (First. Church) 75, (icorema lWd (Kin- St-reet Congregational 75, Dorrs ITnJa (Moray Placo ilo n a!) 15, Wjilfrod I'owcll (Morniirgton Church of Christ) 71, Hudson Step-hens (haikerai Baptist) 71. At'n Wilde (King Street Congrega.ticml) 63, Myrtlo Thomas (South Dtiuediji Baptist) bf, Lily Band (Hont li Dnncdiii Baptist) 65, Walter Berry (South Dunodin fln.pti.il.) 6-3, Reuben Richardson (Soiit.li Duncdin Baptist) 63, M«r Pond (South Duncdin Baptist) 62, Olive \\ ''-on (Trinity) 61, Mui-i:'! Christ? nsou (Tubarnaole) 61, Stella, llillikr Baptict) 60, TOUii Riflnvoi-lli (North-East \ alley Baptist) 69, Kni.ic Gamble (Uiecarton Presbyterian) 60, Ethel Rnssoll (Hanover Street Baptist.) 60, Millio Barrett (South Dunodin Baptist) 57. ,lan.pt Henderson (Caverfjiiim Pmsbjl«ri'aii) 54, Albert Goatlum (King Street CongregationaJ) 52, Ma.ry Str-ilnirvn (.Morning-ton Ohuroh of Christ) 52. Jessie Lowo (Iknovcr Street Baptist) 50, Arnold Gilray (Moray l'laco Congregation;) I) 50, Sarah Stephenson (South Dunodin Baptist) 50, Maud Wilson (South Duncdin Baptist) 50. Robert. M'Liutoclc (Oavei'sham Baptist) 50, Ethel Dovidson (PoT-t Civnsrogational) 47, Maggie Rishworth (N T ortli-Eust Valley Baptist) 46, Hilda Meredith (Itanovor Street Baptist) 43, Alice Buckley (South Duncdin Baptist) 42. Walter M'Calhtm (Morav Placc Congregational 41, Arnio Wieck (Kin.g Street Congregational) 40, llarth?. Collett (Port Oon- ! r rc!;'a i !iona!) <10, Archibald Whito (Morav Place Congregational) ft, HoracesPnyton (ITanovc- titrrot Baptist) 40.' Second Grade, ages 14 lo 15 years. Examiner, Rev. T. Poririns.—Oliver Begg INoi'tli-l'.ast \alley Baptist) ICO per ee.nt., Lily CVk (Cnnrsham Baptist) 16. Albert Dryden (Kinar Street. Congregational) 85, ?irnwt Kcmnil:; (Tabernacle) 85. Bessie id'Hutcl'.oon (Cavorslvam Bnptisl) 76, Kenneth Saunders (Moray Placo Congregational) 75, Mabel Smith (Oaversham Baptist.) 75, Ucda Paine (Cjve.rshaim l 1 rcobyteria.Ji) 75, Maygio Kennedy (ICaikorai Baptist) 75, dea.nnie Ot'nnefie.!d (Ravonshourcio -Congre(r'tional) 75, Kwcn (4. Pilling (Trinity) 75, Thos. J. T. Morrow (Maori Hill Baptist) (5. AVilliini Brown (Kin? Street Congregational) 75. Lydta Oliver (Knikorai ]V|i)tist) 75, F.innv Pickett (Hanover Street Baptist) 75, Emma Roy (Kaikorai Baptist) 73, Emnia Hillikcr (Cavcrr-ham Baptist) 73, Edward Orchard (Cavordiam Baptist) 73, J.irws P.omerill (Choral Hall) 71, Elsio ("'carlo (Moi'av Place Congregational) 69, Agnes Johnston (King Street Congregational) 67, Mary Eagles'on (First Church) 67, Goargo Pniilipps (King Street. Con?r« Rational) 66, Win. 'IVeal (Lovoll's l'kit) 64, •lack M'Grcgor (Choral Hall) 62, lassie Connor (Ravensbourni- t'ongregational) 58, May Hilt (Roslyn Methodist) 53, Mclva CaS'l lehow (South Dniiediu Baptist) 58, Harry Tonkin (Moray Placo Congregational) 56, Harold Abernethy (King Street Congregational) 50, Ernest RoKson (Lovoll's Flat Presbyterian) _49. Ate. Aitken (Hanover, Stroot Bapti.-i) ?9, Roy Domigari (t!oro, Methodist) 49, Spencer Shriirntcn (Maori Ilill Baptist) 46, Lillian Sbriiriptcn (Maori Hill Baptist.) 45,• Eya Blunden (Moray Placo Congregational) 41, Nellie Lamb (Moray Pkce Congregational) 41, Florence Taylor (Rosvn Methodist) 41, May Grounds (Tabernacle) 41, Annie Sehu-len-liurg (Tabernacle) 41. Jessie Kraon (Tabernacle) 41, Wilfred Quennel'l (Mornington Church of Christ) 40, Fanny Gore (Moray I'laeo Congregational) 40, Lizzie Campbell (Riecarton Presbyterian) 40, Bernico Workman (South Duncdin Bant.ist) 40, Harold Keninitz (Talxirnaclc) 40, Isabel Cameron (Soufh Duncdin liriptist) 40. Freda Haucook (St. Clair Congregational) 40, Florence Kernolvin (South DuikkUii Baptist) 40. Lila Croft (Moray Placo Congregational) 40. Third Grade, uges 12-13 years. Examiner, Rev. W. M. Grant—Algernon Horner (Soutli Duncdin Baptist) 97. per ceiit., Isabel Bremner (Tabernacle), 94, Amy Stevens (Tabornaolo), 94, Gladys Boyall (Caversham Baptist) 34, Vera Milburn (Kcw P, Methodist) 93, John It. Jardine (Choral Ilall), 91, Herbert Driver (Kaikorai Baptist), 90, Maggie Sinclair (Roslyn Melliodist), 09, Ruth Ashton (Soutli Duncdin Baptist), 89, Doris Slater (Mornington Methodist) 89, Muriel May (Moray Place Congregational) 88, Olive Oliver (Kaikorni Baptist) 87, Clnrloa Allan (lticcarton Presbyterian) 87, Jean Hay (Moray Place Congregational) 86, Bella. Ness "(Roslyn Methodist) 86, Aitstey Roberts (St. Clair Congregational) 85, Mary Batchelor (Tabernacle), 85. Allan Roy (Kaikorai Baptist) 85, William M'Phorson (Hanovir Street Baptist)' 84, William Churchill (Hanover Street. Baptist) 83, Jessie Phillips (King Street Congregational) 82, Arthur M'Ewan (Gore Methodist) 31, John C-urlo (King Street Congregational) 80, Louis Jardine (Choral Hall) 80, Nellie Fraser (Dundas Street P. Methodist) 79, Max Holgate (Mornington Methodist) 79, Leslie Ritchie (Kaikorai Baptist,) 77, Isa. Waite (Mornington Methodist) 77, Thomas Glen (Maori Hill Baptist) 77, Lizzie Nirnmo (Riccarton Presbyterian) 76, Hamish Howard (St. Clair Congregational) 76. James Allan (Hanover Street Baptist) 75, Vera Brebmer (St. Clair Congregational) 75. Rcta Allan (lticcarton Presbyterian) 75, May Gamble (Riecarton Presbyterian) 74, Reginald White (N.E.V. Baptist) 74, David Mason (N.E.V. Baptist) 74, William C'larl; (Lovoll's Flat Presbyterian) 74, Peta Harris (Moray Placo Congregational) 74, Mervyn barr (Choral Hell) 73, Alfred Davis (Roslvu Methodist) 73, Clill'ovd Jaino 3 (Cargill 'Road Methodist) 72, William Garden (Roslyn Methodist) 71, Pearl Aitken (Hanover Street Baptist) 71, Ralph Millar (South Duncdin Baptist) 70, Leslie Stone (Gore Methodist) 70, Charles Mur». (King Street. Congregational) 69, James Welsh (South Duncdin Baptist) 68, John Wrcgglesworih (Lovell's Flat Presbyterian) 67, Gertie Larnaeh (Ravensbourna Congregational) 66, Douglas Paterson (Hanover Street Baptist) 65, Fanny Wildoy (Ca-.ershani Baptist) 65, Norman Bjown (Hanover Street. Baotisi) 65, Ilarry Drees (Mornington Methodist) 64, Olive Wieck (King Street Cong relational) 64. Vera Gray (Gore Methodist) 63. Josiah Love (I-lanover Street Baptist) 62, Lizzie Finnic (Riecarton Presbyterian) 62, Annie Campbell (Riecarton Presbvtenan) 61, Walter Joyce (Gore Methodist) 61, Bet-sic Millinffton (King Street Congregational) 59, 'Evelyn Tay- ' R S SI .Vi Methodist) 57, John (Povt Presbyterian) Eliza Elliott (Love , s Flat Prcohvtfirinn) *4, Cccil \?hitc (Moray Congregationa!) 47, Sidney Wilson (Tabernacle) r.i! . Daniells (Mornington Church of Christ) 45, Allan Richardson (South Duncdin Baptist) <4, Ernest Mason (Maori Hill Methodist) 42, Egbert Dredge Maori Hill Methodist) 41.

Fourth Gmh a;os 10 and 11. Examiner, •Miss 11. M'Millan.— Kenneth May (Moray ltS Co 99 per rout., Greta Hilhkor (Cavcrsham Baptist) 99, Raymond Un istonsen (Tabcrnaclc) 97. Marion Nelson Ix>vell' s Flat Presbyterian) 97, Ethel Foley .vorninjton Methodist.) 97, Mnttic Powell (Mormngton Church of Christ) 95, Herbert Holmes (Cavcrsham Baptist) 95. Douirlas Saunders (Moray Place Congregational) "95, Frank Hilliker (Cavorsham Baptist) 95. Charles P.urnard (Trinity) 95, Ivy Sounnoss (Oavereham Baptist) 94, Doreen Todd (Cavcrsham Baptist.) 94, Reginald Brebnor (St. Clair Congreeatioas!) 84, Irene Swirle (Moray Place 94. Bella 91 Francis I'ryo

(St. Clair Congregational) 91, Mary Wallaeo (Hanover Street. Baptist) 90, Carolio Kernohan (South Duncdin Baptist) 89, Agnes Davidson (Kew Primitive Methodist) 39, Mabel Grossman (Momington Methodist) 88. Winnie Story (Cavorsham Baptist) 87, Ruth Rutledgo (St. Clair Congregational) 86, Arthty (King Rt-rcot Coiigvegational) 85, Hope Bromncr (Tabernacle) 85, Dora Hancock tSt. Clair Congregational) 84, Elsie Holmes (Cavcrsham Baptist) 84. Ralph Stone (Gore Methodist) &3, Hilda Gunton (Mosgiel Baptist) 83, Lily Laird (Mosgiel Cnptist) 82, Matthew Elliott (Lovell's Flat Presbyterian) 76, Alice Bcckingsalo (N.E.V. Baptist) 15, Gladys Taylor (Knox Church) 73, Vera Allan (Riccarton Presbyterian) 70, Ada Rishworth (N.E.V. Baptist) 68J, Gladys Stewart (Dundas Street Primitive Methodist) 68, Ada Hamel (Maori Hill Baptist) 68, Janies Bell (South Duncdin Baptist) 67, Bessie Paine (Caversliam Presbyterian) 65, Winnie Snell (Mosgiel Baptist) 66, Valentine Maxwell (Choral Hall) 65, Ernest Pennington (Maori Hill Baptist) 64J. Alma. Barton (Maori Hill Baptist) 64, Donald M'Pherson (Hanover Street Baptist) 64, Winnie Coupai (lloslyn Methodist) 63, Rita Jafl'ray (Ijovcll's Flat Presbyterian) 63, Maggie Mair (St. Clair Congregational) 62,' Allan Bremnei (Mosgiel Baptist) 62. Harry M'Gregor (Choral Hall) 57, Aliec Booby (Maori Ilill Methodist). 56, Rita M'Leod (Dundas Street. Primitive Methodist) 56, Muriel Cttrrie (King Street Congregational) 55, Mina M'Lcod (Dundas Street Primitive Methodist) 55. Bessie Clark (Lovell's Flat Presbyterian) 53, P.onald Ings (Riccarton Presbyterian) Mabel Goodall (Mornington Church of Christ) 52, May Taylor (Mosgiel Baptist) 50, 11. K. Smith (Dundas Street Primitive Methodist) 50, Ivy Ashford (St. Clair Con"■relational) 49. Maggie Mitchell (Hanover Street Baptist), 49, James T. Morrow (Maori Ilill Baptist) 49, Victor Mooro (Maori Ilill Baptist) 42, Gordon Mason (Trinity) 41.