OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19270, 6 September 1924, Page 5

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Er Auplius. “ Determine wiiat children shall become in personal characteristics and in social disposition and abilities and educate for the accomplishment of these things.”— Arthur C. M’Giffert. The next, group conference will be held in the Congregational Church, Port Chalmers, on Wednesday, September 10, at 7.30. The group includes Congregational, Presbyterian. Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, and Salvation Army. At the quadrennial reunion of World’s Convention Pilgrims at tho Glasgow Convention —those who had attended previous conventions—247 responded, representing every convention from London, 1889, to Tokio, 1820. There is every appearance of another large increase in the number of schools using British lessons (writes a well-known Sunday school supply agent). In this connection it is interesting to notice that, as a result of the recent World’s Sunday School Convention at Glasgow, the British and American Lesson Committees aro conferring with a.view to onoe more joining forces in the issue of a world-wide series of lessons graded by departments like the “All British.” It is possible, therefore, that tho time is again coming when the majority of schools throughout'the Englishspeaking world will once more be studying tho same lessons. Evidences of tho growing emphasis being placed on Sunday school work by churches in Dunedin may be found in many quarters. Tho superintendent of the South Dunedin Presbyterian School mentioned at tho annual meeting of the congregation this week that it is intended to have the school buildings extended shortly. With a roll number of 480 it will be understood that very extensive accommodation is required. Knox Church has just appointed a trained deaconess. Miss Mary Ewart, to devote her afternoons to the visitation of absentee scholars. Such facts are of interest as showing the tendencies of the times, and doubtless they could bo multiplied indefinitely if our youth workers were awake to the value of publicity. Any advance planned or made in youth work should bo made widely known through this column, not for the advertisement of those concerned, hut for the information and the encouragement of all engaged on the same great tasks. Surely this point needs no labouring. Monday evening, Soptemb'er 8, will be observed as visitors’ night in the Central School. Each student has the privilege of bringing one friend to school, and it is hoped that, owing to pressure of space in some of the classes, those attending will distribute themselves as evenly as possible Over tho whole. The Rev. Tulloch Yuille will conduct tho devotional service. It is hoped that all who can will keep Monday evening, September 15, free for Dr Merrington’s lecture, “Creed and Character,” to be delivered in Trinity Methodist Church. Moray place, under the auspices of the Otago School of Religious Education. THE GROUP CONFERENCE. Subjoined is the significant list of questions dealt with at last conference. Needless to say the time was all too short, ajid consequently discussion had to bo largely dispensed with and the answers thereby suggested. In this work there is little room for dogmatism, and if those attending are “stirred up" to think the problems through for themselves tho ends of the confbronco will be largely met. This group consisted of the Kensington, Cargill Road, St. Matthew’s, and St. Andrew’s Schools, and classes to the number of about 60. A special vote of congratulation is due to the Kensington workers for the masterful and wholehearted way in which they threw themselves into the project for tho general good. Tho platform address was given by tho Rev. George Budd, superintendent of Home Missions, Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Taking as his topic “The Soil, the Seed, and the Sower,” Mr Budd demonstrated that he was conversant with an anxious about the whole religious education problem as it affects our young and increasingly significant land. The Rev A. Kinmont, 8.A., presided throughout, and his gracious personality contributed greatly to tho success of the gathering. Almost tho whole of those attending the conference remained to tea as the guests of the Kensington teachers. THE NEW PRESIDENT. Dr William O. Poole, the new president of the World’s Sunday School Association, is an American by naturalisation. He was bom in Australia 44 years ago. In 1904 ho wont to America, and in 1908 was admitted to tho California. Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ho served several Methodist churches in California until 1914, when ho went to Boston as pastor of the Parkham Street Church, Dorchester. During the war he went overseas as a representative of tho Y.M.C.A.. and at its close lectured in the British Empire on Tcrnpcranve In 1920 lie was called to the pastorate of Christ Church, London (of which Dr F. B. Meyer had been pastor many years), and is recognised as one of the leading pulpit orators of the great city. Ho was chairman of the British section of tho World’s Committee several years, and is an acknowledged leader. Ho expects to spend a portion of the summer of 1925 in America. When asked to give a message to the Sunday school forces of the world. President Poole said: “The whitest part of tho white harvest is the childhood ol me world. We pray the Lord, of the Harvest that Ho send forth reapers.” A STUDENT’S IDEA OF ORIENTATION. For some weeks recently the term “Orientation” was attracting considerable attention in the Otago School of Religious Education. The subjoined is a SCO-word paper, done as a class exercise:— Orientation may be defined as knowing tho truth as clearly as intellect and training will permit, and at all times to radiate or Communicate that truth to others. Tno word is derived from “Orient” —the East, where tho sun rises and sheds his light upon the darkness. It is also connected with “Origin”—the source, tho beginning. Hence orientation is a turning back to tho first principles, to the great fundamental truths. Tho question naturally arises, where are wp to sock that truth ? The five groat rivers of knowledge—science, art, history, philosophy and revelation (or religion)—all have their contribution to make, and wo will learn to take from each the great essentials, the important mattter. Our, studios will bo characterised by accuracy and thoroughness: by bringing to them an open mind, unbiased by preconceived ideas or prejudices; and bv following the truth courageously and sincerely. Our aim in studying is to orientate ourselves so that wo might givo out to others the truth that we have learned. In the realm of religion this means a very great deal, for, first, wo must have an exact and accurate knowledge of tho Scriptures and a definite and clear-cut vision of tho great aims we have in view. Then we must know the proper method of presenting tho truer-, entailing more and more knowledge of our materials and hpw to skilfully use them, coupled with a deep, sincere appreciation of and regard for the people with whom wo have to deal. In other words, wo must think, know, live tho tmth. If thou the truth wouid’st teach; “Thou must ho true thyself Thy soul must overflow, if thou Another’s soul wouid’st reach. It needs the overflow of heart To givo tho lips full speech.” Philip Brookes bas rightly said that “preaching (or teaching) is truth through personality,” so wo must try and make our character tho most perfect one wo can, radiating, and living truth. “Bo yo perfect, even as I am perfect,” said our great Teacher and Master, and when wo study Ilis person we find blended together into one perfect whole, contrasting qualities such as gentleness and strength, breadth and depth, earnestness and tolerance, humility and dignity, zeal hut no fanaticism, making a beautiful symmetry of character. As wo cultivate His friendship so will we, too, develop that poise of character which gives balance and fulness. Our aim is to train ourselves to teach and to help to load others into the Kingdom of God, and this is tho mast difficult and delicate of tasks, for we are dealing with tho immortal soul, with tho issues of eternal life and death, so wo must know, love, and appreciate at their right values tho people with whom ws work; wo must cultivate their friendship mid love wliilo wo ourselves will lio that truth which comes only to thoso who have found tho friendship of Jomia the first thing in life, and have learned to “abide in Him” Who promised, “Ye shall know tho truth., and the truth shall make you free.’’