OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19258, 23 August 1924, Page 5

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Bl AMPLITJB, “If ynu would reform the world you must start with the child.”—-Robert Riiikcs. Tlie ol’servanco of International Golden Rule Sunday, December 7, 1924, in the interests of tho lens of thousands ot orphan children and refugees ot Lands” has been endorsed by tho Glasgow World's Sunday School Convention.

In tho absence of the Rev. lulloch Y’uillo on September 1 and 8, the Bible work in the central school will be in the capable hands of Canon Nevill, who v. ill deliver two of his four lectures on the archaiology of the New Testament.

“Creed and Character,” will be the title of Dr E. N. Merringtun’s lecture in the Central School on September 10, at 7.60 p.m. Does it matter what a man believes? The effect of creed upon character will doubtless be ably discussed oy tho lectuier. His topic is perennial in its interest and appeal, and should attract the ministers and lay workers of the city. The lecture will bo delivered in Trinity Methodist Church. Dr Lawson’s lecture on “Christian Education in the Twentieth Century ’ has now been published and is available in pam phlet form. PROFESSOR JOHN ADAMS’ VISIT. All Sunday School workers will i> pleased to know that it has been found possible to extend by a day tho visit of Professor John Adams to this city, and ho will not now leave till Wednesday. A very crowded programme Las been arranged for him during his brief stay. Ho will arrive from the north by the express to-night, and speak at 8 p.m. in the Burns Hall on “Tendencies in Modern Education.” To-morrow afternoon at a quarter to four he will speak in L irst Church on “The Self.” On Monday evening, when his subject is “Education and the Newer Psychology,” members of the three schools of religious education and friends will meet at Bums Hall at 7.40. It has been arranged to have seats reserved, and all should be there punctually to claim them. Professor Adams’ programme for Tuesday includes an address hi Knox bunday School at 9.30 a.m. on “Teaching as a Line Art,” and a lecture at night on “Personality in Public Life.” GROUP CONFERENCES. Here is tho list of the questions submitted at the group conference held in' the Mornington Presbyterian Church; Beginners: Can you give any aid in storytelling? (Miss Warner.) Primary: How may music be made most helpful ! (Mrs Blair.) Junior: What is the function of expression work? (Mr MacFarlane.) Intermediate: What are tho advantages of grading according to age? (Mr ALan M’Naughton.) Taken in all sections: How may children’s Christianity _be brought to show itself practically? What are the best ways of bringing before the children the use of their missionary money? Bible Class; How increase, hold, and develop the Bible Class membership? What organisation do you consider adequate for the successful carrying of a B.C. programme? How correlate the worship service (opening exercise) with the lesson subject? How deal with a missionary subject? (Mr Blair.) This was declared to be one of the best yet. The arrangements left nothing to be desired, and keen interest was manifested by the almost 80 present. The Rev. Wm. Trotter presided and opened the conference with praise and prayer. In the platform address, Why Grade? Mr R. Blair endeavoured to give a bird’s-eye view of tho growing, developing and progressing life. We should grade our materials and methods because of tho graded and constantly changing experience of the child. It will be noted that these questions are fundamental to our work, arid the time for discussing them was all too brief. At the close of tho sectionaJ meetings a lavish tea was provided in the Young Women’s Bible Class roams. Mr James Farquharson expressed tho best thanks of the visitors and referred to tho forthcoming visit of Dr John Adams. The Rev. Wm Trotter replied, and the social time following brought to a close a most pleasant and profitable period. The following schools were invited to the Group Conference held in the Mosgiel Presbyterian Church on 'Wednesday, August 13;—West Taicri, North Taieri, East Taieri, Silverside, Mosgiel Anglican. Methodist, Church of Christ, Baptist, Presbvterian. The attendance was about s°. The following questions were dealt with:—We uso the Australian Graded Lessons, and young teachers sometimes find it difficult to bring home the application to the child of every day life—that is, the point of contact not reached by the printed lessons. How deal with unruly scholars? The platform address: Why Grade? was given by Mr Blair. Numbers of counter attractions interfered with the attendance, but intense interest made up for any lack in numerical strength. The Rov. David Calder presided. After the platform address those present went to their various sections: Beginners, Miss I. Turnbull, M.A. ; Primary, Miss F. S. Warner; Junior, Mr S. G. MacFarlane, M.A. ; Intermediate, Mrs R. Blair, M.R.E.; Bible Class, Mr R. Blair, B.R.E. The best thanks of the Otago Council are accorded to those ministers, students of the schools, and others who worked loyally to make this first midweek conference a success. A real oldtime supper was provided by the Mosgiel friends. The next Group Conference will bo held in the Kensington Presbyterian S.S. on August 31, at 4 p.m., and will include tho following schools: Cargil Road Methodist, St. Matthew’s, St. Andrew’s, and Kensington Presbyterian.