RELIGIOUS TRAINING OF THE YOUNG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16666, 11 April 1916, Page 3

RELIGIOUS TRAINING OF THE YOUNG.

A special service was held in the NorthEast Valley Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening in connection with the apEroaching Sundav School Conference to bo eld in Dunedin at Easter time. There was a largo attendance of children, .parents, and friends, the children occupying the centre seats. The Rev. H. B. Gray presided, Mr E. .. Slyfield xead the Scripture lessons, and Mr D. S. Beath (the superintendent of the Sunday school) gave the address, takine as his text Exodus li, 9: " Take this child away and nurse it for Me, and' I will give thce thy wages." The speaker held the attention of the congregation right from the start. Hie address was a clear and forcible appeal for the co-operation of th« parents, the Church, and tho Sunday school in the religious training of the children Parents were appealed to to assist the children with their Sunday school lessons and to encourage and) help them in every possible way. Stress was laid on the importance of a knowledge of the Scriptures., ancl it was stated that many of the children could repeat from memory entire chapters of tile, Old and New Testaments. Tho Sunday school children were just at the ago for memorising Scripture, and what tnoy learned now, while their minds were plastic, they would probably never forget. It was emphasised that it was not possible to over-estimate tho importance of the work of the Sunday schools, as there the children were trained in the nurture and admonition of tho Lord, and wero taught to love all that made for righteousness and true citizenship. The singing, led by a large choir, un-Jm - the able leadership of Mr R. K. Maclie, was inspiring and helpful, and tiho singing of tho children's hymns was heartily, entered into by the congregation. It has been arranged by The Commercial Bank of Australia (Limited) to establish another branch in the dominion by opening at Timaru. Promises havo been secured in Stafford, street by Mr H. G. Maokay, inspector, and it is hoped that tho brunch will be opened about Bth May under tho management of Mr C. S. Boveridje, formerly of Broken Hill. This will mnko the sixth branch, tlv others being Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunodin, and Wanganui.-— ll/4/16.