PRESBYTERIAN SABBATH SCHOOLS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17375, 24 July 1918, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN SABBATH SCHOOLS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of tho Duncdin Presbyterian Sabbath School Association was held on Monday night in the Y.M C.A board room. Mr Magnus Johnson presided over a good attendance.

Iho annual report stated that monthly meetings wcro hold regularly throughout the year, but had not been attended as well as they should have been. No doubt the war had had an effect on Sunday school life and work, but this could hardly bo said to be the reason for the very small attendances which marked some meetings. Ino altered tram services prevented some ot the suburban teachers from attending the meetings. The- syllabus embraced subjects OI to Sunday school life and work, lhrec of thorn—social service, homo missions and foreign missions—proved of great educative value, and as they represented three out-standing ways in which the practical side of our Christian life might bo manifested, it was to bo hoped that the interest created would grow. The other subjects on the syllabus were "The Service of Praise" and "Ways of Winning the Scholar lor Christ." Both were of vital importance in their work, and the two papers were listened to with marked attention, ine number of prizes presented durm? ™/ oar wero: General Assembly prizes, 224; Scripture memorising, 237 The bcriphire memorising examination conducted by tha association was becoming more and more popular, and quite a large sum °£ r ?" oue y was expended each year in prizes. Ihe incoming executive would require to consider the question of ways and means of providing a special fund for these prizes. There were 59 schools in the Presbytery—a decrease of two from last year l'he number of teachers was 639—an increase of two from last year; and tho number of scholars 5450—an increase of 220 from last year. The average attendance was 41/0.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr R. Duncan stated that it should be the duty of the incoming e-c----ocutive to revive the interest of teachers m tho monthly meetings. Tho Assembly was doing all it could to get associations such as this started throughout the dominion, and it would bo unfortunate if they let this association fall away. The balance sheet showed that they started with a balance of £15 Is 2d, and they would go forward into tho next year with a balance of only £4 6s 2d. While their income had been reduced, their expenditure was increasing. If they were to pay their way the executive would have to give this matter very serious consideration, and put the funds right, as well as auicken the association.

Tho Rev. H. H. Barton seconded the motion. Ho said it would be a great pity if tho association, which had done so much for Sunday school work, not only in Dunedin but throughout the dominion, was not to go further than merely hold its own. He asked if the Youth Workers' Training Classes had met with the success this year that they had experienced in the past. Kesppctm.Gr the. finances, he said there had) one time been a nest egg j n connection w ! association. The question was whether the congregations as a whole contributed from tho Youth Day collection to the nnze fund as had been recommended by \> Presbytery. The Chairman stated that the trainin" classes were not conducted under the auspices of the association, but under the Presbytery's Youth Committee. The classes this year had been almost as successful as last year. Tho attendance had been very satisfactory. Mr Caldow (hon. treasurer) said the association had received less from congregations this year than the average of previous years had been. Tho average for the last eight years from this source had been £30 10s 2d per year, and this year it was £24 19s sd. What affected the balance sheet was the great increase in the number of prizes distributed. There were several congregations which did not contribute one-third of the special collection mentioned. One Sunday school received iii prizes at a cost of Is 6d each, and the contribution from the church was 10s Another received 48 prizes, and the church to which it belonged contributed 20s to the association's funds.—The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected: .President, Mr Magnus Johnson; vice-presi-dents—Miss M'Konzie and Mr A. M Rosshon. secretary, Mr A. Kaye; assistant secretary, Miss Dawson; treasurer, Mr K Caldow. '

At the conclusion of the general business a very interesting address was delivered by tho Rev. R. E. Davies on " Tie Sabbath School: Its Place and Opp*tumties. He said that the Sunday schiol was a product of tho Reformation pferhans not an immediate product, but certainly a product. In countries where the Jiib e was an open book in tho time sense ot the term tho Sunday schools were strong Ihere were those -who held that tho religious instruction of the children was the ainction of the parents in the homee While this was true in the case of the ideal home, we were not dealing with ideal conditions. They should not lose sight of the fact notwithstanding that the home must have its place m every scheme the church had under consideration. While they undertook to do their utmost for the children they should try. as far as possible, to enlist tne sympathy and support of parents in bunday school work. Where they had' a strong home department in a Sunday sohoo they had one of the finest f ? r . th e instruction and education of the child. The Sunday school should be the verv heart of the church, a part of tho organic whole, and there should be no line of demarcation between tho Sunday school and the church.

At tho conclusion of his .address a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Davies n* Xt r^ Ta L r ?? o, y. od t? forward greetings to Mr G. F. Inghs, who is now on duty at the Awapuni camp.