SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18320, 10 August 1921, Page 2

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

INTER-DENOMINATIONAL COUNCIL TO BE FORMED. A united interdenominational meeting of Sunday scffool workers was held in tne Hanover street Baptist Sunday School Hall last night. The object ot the meeting was to consider the formation of an interdenominational Sunday School Union and the question of linking up with an Association of Sunday School Unions that has recently been formed in Auckland. Ihe aims of the association were put before Dunedin Sunday school workers by a deputation from Auckland about a month ago, and the various Protestant denominations were asked to consider their attitude to the proposal and report to last night’s meeting. Mr J. Abernethy was voted to the chair, and Mr G. W. Carrington appointed secretary pro tem. There were some 40 Sunday school workers present, over three-fourths of these being men. Mr J. J. Purdie said the Baptists, had considered the proposals very fully the previous evening, and they felt the greatest good could only be served in Sunday school work by an interdenominational effort. Though some of them were loth to give up the idea of their own union they had decided to recommend the re-formation of the old Otago Sunday School Union. They could then consider linking up with the New Zealand Association. _ There was no idea of interfering with internal arrangements of each denomination.

Mr J. H. Wilkinson, speaking on behalf of the Congregational Union, said they were heartily in sympathy with the proposals submitted from the north up to a certain ex tent. They made the proviso, however, that their own denominational union should not be interfered with. They had received greater benefit from their own union than through the larger organisation. He pointed out the disadvantages of the multiplication of organisations. Mr G. W. Carrington reported the decisions come to at a joint meeting of Methodists and Presbyterians in Christchurch, expressing an opinion unfavourable to handing over the training of their teachers to an interdenominational body. Mr D. W. Kaye, president of the Presbyterian Sunday School Union, said he did not think there was any possibility of his Church dropping its own local union, which had been increasing in interest and usefulness He reported the. motion in favour of co-operation pasted it the annual meeting of his union. Mr Hemer reported that the Methodists felt there could De no question of abandoning their own unions, but _ they favoured some form of federal council. Mr J. W. Stokes, on behalf of the Church of Christ, said their teachers had come to much the same conclusion as that set out by Mr Wilkinson. He thought that joining another Sunday School Union would simply be duplicating matters. Mr G. W. Carrington moved—“ That this meeting is prepared to form a council to be called the Dunedin Council of Sunday Schools Unions.” This council would have no control, but would bo for interchange of ideas, for mutual inspiration, and for joint action where that was considered necessary. Mr G. F. Inglis seconded the motion, pointing out that all the speakers seemed to desire a measure of co-operation while retaining full control of their own affairs. Mr J. Farquharson supported the motion, suggesting that the name should be “Otago” Council. The council could ao much in reaching children outside of all Sunday schools.

Mr H. Chapman expressed disappointment that there was so much denominational feeling in their Sunday school work. However, this motion was a step _in what he believed to be the right direction of unity. Mr Hemer also supported the motion.

Mr A. E. Adams, on behalf of the Churcff of Christ Sunday School Teachers’ Executive. expressed approval of the motion. Mr G. W. Gibson moved that “Otago” be substituted for “Dunedin”_sn the motion, and the motion was carried with this amendment.

A Provisional Committee was set up, consisting of: Messrs H. Chapman (Methoclist). D. W. Kaye (Presbyterian), C. J. Moody (Congregational), W. B. Quennell (Baptist), and T. Arnold (Church of Christ). Mr Carrington agreed to act as interim secretary and to convene the first meeting.