OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19009, 3 November 1923, Page 5

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

By Amplius. “ See to it now, I beg you, that you make free men of your pupils by habitual* ing them to art, whenever possible, under the notion of a good,”— William James. NEWS AND NOTES. Tho Rev. R. M. Ryburn, director of the youth work of the Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand, came from Christchurch to visit the Children’s Exhibition. During his stay hero ho hod an important conference with the Dunedin Presbytery’s Youth Committee. At tho Kaikorai Presbyterian Church last Sunday morning young people’s day was observed, where there was a large attendance. The Rev. W. R. Hutchinson spoke in “God’s Care For Us,” and the superintendent (Mr J. H. Matheson) led in the young people’s special hymns. At the close of the service the minister presented two long service diplomas from the Assembly to Mrs James Robertson and Mr J. W. Todd for over 30 years’ continuous service, each of whom had been in the school from childhood. A diploma was recently_ presented to Miss M. Gardiner for a similar period. A now part of the service was the presentation of 53 certificates to boys and girls of the Young Worshippers’ League who had each attended divine service 40 or more times during tho year. Each of the members wore coloured ribbons corresponding with tho colours of tho seals attached to the certificates. Some of tho members had, already attended for three consecutive years. In tho afternoon a lantern service on “How We Got Our Bible ” was given by Mr J. W. Todd to the combined* Sunday schools. Mr and Airs Robert Blair, who have just taken their degress in Religious Education at Boston University, expect to return to New Zealand by the Maunganui which is duo in Wellington on November 10. Next Monday evening ; will be the last open night of the Religious Education Training School. The directress. Miss Warner, will have charge and will speak on tho subject of “Music and Art.” Monday week, November 12, will bo the break-up night of the school, and at tho same time the annual meeting of tho Otago Council of Sunday School Unions will be held. More than one wholly New Zealand book for Sunday School teachers has recently appeared. Now there comes one for the children. It is entitled “Tho Splendid Quest,” and is by the Rev. J. E. Parsons, Methodist minister at Dcvonport. It is a simple and suggestive little allegory specially written for members of the League of Young Methodists, but with an equally clear appeal to all young people who feel the desire to do and to be the best. The booklet has been attractively got up and has an appropriate cover design and an illustration by G. Meadows. I am indebted to Mr A. H. Reed for a copy. THE CHILDREN’S EXHIBITION. At, tho time of writing it is not too early to call the big Children’s Exhibition in the Brydone Hall a triumphant success. When this appears in print it will bo almost over, but its influence —so its promoters trust — will be only just beginning. Tho exhibition has been well conceived and most efficiently and zealously carried out. It affords another striking proof of how widely anything affecting the welfare of children appeals to the community, and how many there are willing to give lavishly of their time, their skill, and their money asking no other return than the thought that it L “for the children.” Those who planned the exhibition had to meet the difficulties and discouragements that fall to the lot ol all pioneers. They were breaking absolutey now ground and had no records of similar enterprises in tho past to assist them. The experience they have gained will, however, be of the greatest value to others who will be inspired to similar ventures in the future. The exhibition has been exceedingly well advertised and has undoubtedly attracted very widespread attention and interest. Those responsible have had many laborious and anxious hours, but they should find their reward now in the knowledge that they have achieved' a display entirely worthy of tho high cause for which they have been working, and have done much to raise the dignity and status of tho work of religious education. A VALUED LEADER MOVING NORTH. The appointment of Air John Reid to tho headrnastership of tho Miramar School, in Wellington, deals a shrewd blow to the cause of religious education in this city. Whatever he may be able to accomplish in Wellington, his departure will be very widely regretted hero. It is sometimes said that no one ifl indispensable and that everyone’s work can bo carried on by someone else. There may be-some general truth in the saying, but anyone who knowb Mr Reid’s work knows perfectly well that it will not be carried on by anyone else. He combines in a unique way an almost fierce devotion to the highest welfare of the young, and amaz.ing physical, mental, and spiritual energy and capacity for getting things done, and a very wide and sound knowledge of all aspects of tho science of religions education. To him more to any other in Dunedin —not to say New Zealand—belongs the credit of having shaken Sunday schools out of many of the old and pernicious ways that destroyed their influence for good and made them a theme for jest rather than for reverent gratitude. Not only have his ideals been high, but his practical methods have proved sound. If those who opposed and misunderstood his plans and methods 12 or 15 years ago should happen to be in touch with thought to-day in the world of religious education they will know that, broadly speaking, what he fought for is now accepted everywhere in tho Britishspeaking world as fundamentally necessary. Air Reid is a true pioneer, and his pioneering days are far from over. He is the last one to rest content with past attainments: and a great part of his value as an educational louder is that he is always discarding the old and pressing forward to new anrt better methods. His violent revolt in the presence of irreparable wrongs inflicted on the delicate, exquisitely sensitive spiritua. natures of children, and his defence of children from “ the bane of adultism ” has been a powerful moral force for good in the community, and shows an attitude that is all trio rare. Mr Reid has undoubtedly been feeling recently the strain of his intense activities, and his friends hope that the change to another citv will bring him some resoito ami freedom from clamouring calls. They feel also that it is not too much to hope that in years to come he and his family may be found once more in Dunedin in the van of those who are contending to win for the child his rightful place “in the midst ” of the thought and life and love of the community."* A CRADLE ROLL SUNSHINE FUND. A pretty custom followed in one cradle department whore regular monthly meetings of tho mothers are held is this: A Sunshine Penny Offering is always taken, and this money is used by tho superintendent to.purchase flowers which are sent to tho mother of every new baby. The flowers go to the new mother in the name of the other mothers of the Cradle Roll. THE TROUBLESOME SCHOLAR: SHOULD HE BE SENT HOME?—OR THE TEACHER! ■ Question: ”Is it advisable to send disturbing pupils home from the school sessions as a means of discipline?” Answer: It is not advisable—not one time in a thousand. It would bo better to send the teacher homo, for usually the teacher is to blame whenever any such situation develops. If the teacher knows really how to teach, there will ho order and ’attention in tho class. If the teacher knows how to teach, she will tell stories. All pupils are interested in stories. She will not toll stories merely to be telling stories. Every story will bo a sermon, a lesson. She will present the lesson itself as a story whenever that is possible, and will supplement thisp lesson story with stories out. of her life and the lives of others. The teacher* who knows how to tench uses a blackboard, maps, pictures, objects. She enlists the activities of the. pupils and secures self-expression. She has the nnnils to co-operate in the dvamntisinir of stories. Sho assigns particular duties, and trains the pupils in useful service. The teacher v : bo knows bow to tench looks happy, smiles frequently, speaks gently, treats (he nnnils with courtesy and respect and appreciation. She expects co-operation on tho art of the pupils. and gets it because she understands them, loves them, praises them, and enters into their lives svmnathcticnlly. The Sunday School Worker.