OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19529, 11 July 1925, Page 5

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

By Amplius.

The religiaus education of the young ought chiefly to be an endeavour to inspire Christian ideals rather than to im> part knowledge.— Professor Corkey. “Let it bo burned into the minds of our church leaders that a church which cannot save its own Children cun never save'the world.” “We are to-day asking millions of our children to come from a well-organised, carefully-graded public school curriculum over into a church school curriculum devoid of all organisation and adaptation, and hence unsuited to their use. Can wo wonder that they do not come with enthusiasm, nor continue when they have passed the age of compulsion.”—G. H. Betts. The following is a very brief list of books that have been found practically useful as gifts to scholars about the age of leaving the intermediate department. The New Testament, “The Complete Life” (Henry Drummond), Baxter's “Second Innings” (Henry Drummond, for boys), “Letters to Girls” (Arthur Mee), “Letters to Boys” (Arthur Mee), “Sesame and Lilies” (John Ruskin for girls), daily text books. Perhaps some readers would care to add other suggestions to this list.

During their visit to Dunedin this week the Rev. R. M. Ryburn, director 6f the Youth Work of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and Mr W. H. Rose, convener of the Assembly’s Youth Committee, held a conference with the Presbytery’s Youth Committee. The chief subject of discussion was the production of a New Zealand scheme of lessons. Mr Ryburn agreed to have the proposals in that direction recently formulated by a Dunedin committee submitted to Youths’ Committee and Sunday School Associations throughout the dominion for discusssion and comment.

The last issue of the Outlook contains a thoughtful and valuable paper ou “Professional Spirit Among Religious Educators,” which sets out many high Ideals in clear and orderly fashion. It was prepared by Miss E. K. Macfie as a student In the School of Religious Education. It constitutes a strong plea for raising the wont of teaching in church schools to all the dignity of a profession, and presents the professional spirit as a thing to be cultivated and manifested at all costs by those who would put their hands to the high tasks of religious education. The paper is shortly to he published in pamphlet form.

For several Sundays past Mr Robert Duncan, president of the Dunedin Presbyterian Sabbath Schools’ Association, and Mr and Mrs Robert Blair, has been visiting a number of the local schools in tho interests of the Community Institute of Religious Education. Those so far visited are: The* Salvation Army Headquarters, and Kaikorai, South Dunedin, Cavcrsham, and Mornlngton Presbyterian. In all cases keen Interest was manifest, and in most spirited discussion indicated that our workers are thinking their way to reality In this field. Next Sunday, tho last before the Institute, this work will bo continued, and it is hoped that all ministers, superintendents, and class leaders will bring the matter strongly under the notice of their congregations, schools, and classes. The Institute syllabus is available from the followingMr A. H. Reed, New Zealand, Bible and Book Society; Messrs Duncan and Simpson; Mr H. U. Driver, the Y.W.C.A., Y.M.C.A, and Mr Robert Blair. THE COMMUNITY INSTITUTE Tho Community Institute of Religious Education, July 15 to 16, planned and carried out by tho Otago Council of Sunday School Unions raises such questions as: (1) Is it true that tho religious teacher requires loss training for his task than the teacher of, say, arithmetic? (2) Do wo know how to teach both the lesson and tho boy? (3) Which is the greater menace to the community—an irreligious teacher of science or an unprepared or unscientific teacher of religion? (4) Are tho scholars being really taught so that their highest possibilities are developed l ; or are they being merely sprayed vJith ideas? (5) Is it fully appreciated that an ill-prepared teacher can spoil both a good lesson and a good boy? (6) Do all our workers' realise that in teaching Christianity, religious motives and zeal are not substitutes for technical insight and skill,—but that both are urgently needed? (7) How many subscribe to tho principle that no person has a moral right to teach if ignorant of the subject matter or tho life to be nurtured or unappreciative of the true worth 1 of either? Tho Community Institute is designed to eliminate the unfit by helping them to efficiency in tho service; and to offer all possible assistance to present and prospective teachers, superintendents, executive officers, parents, and loaders. Its invitation is, “By co-operative effort let us build hero a Holy City.”

CHILD ACCOUNTING. To-day, all progressive businesses are built upon scientific principles and sound methods. Proper systems of records and reports, regular times and methods for stocktaking, balancing, etc., are an absolute necessity, and most of these are enforced by law. General education has wisely followed the lead of industry, and must do so increasingly. Even the Church has made spasmodic efforts to follow; but as yet no satisfactory system of records and reports has been so far evolved and worked as to form tho basis for a universal system in New Zealand. There are signs of better things. The Otago School of Religious Education through its course on child accounting, is endeavouring to fix standards. This course is of interest to all who are charged with administrative responsibility in day school, church, or church school. Most methods of the past have been of the “hit or miss” variety and so wasteful in tho extreme. Hero is one of the keys to a better future for our work. The course will probably be given in Knox Church School at an early hour on Friday evenings, starting from Friday, July 2A. Detailed information concerning the course will be gladly given by Mr John A. Moore, or members of the school staff. MISSIONARY EDUCATION. Tho Christian Church is essentially; missionary in spirit and message. It is tho greatest integrating force in the world to-day. So-called “foreign” missions provide opportunity for sinking petty differences and uniting Protestantism upon the basic truths on which most Protestant Christians are agreed. It seems quite unfair to carry over our more than 200 brands of Western Protestantism into the great Eastern churches. They should be allowed, and will doubtless insist upon and bo given a great deal of self-determination. Tho great background concepts of fatherhood, brotherhood, and sons,hip are accepted by all, and these should issue in stress upon “The basic virtues on which all purity of life depends.” Then a young and virile church will concern itself “with a delineation of the incomparable character of its founder, with His wondrously clear and simple teachings,” and with His spirit. Tho course on principles and methods of missionary education to bo given in tho Otago School of Religious Education, commencing at Knox Church School on Friday, July 24, will consider tho whole modern approach to this vital subject. Those interested should confer with tho Rev. H. H. Barton. M.A., Presbyterian Foreign Missions Office, Express Company’s Building, or with members of tho school staff.

THE PARTNERSHIP PLAN IN TEACHING. To-day, if you needed a church-school teacher," just how would you broach the subject? What is tho strongest appeal that yon could make? One woman of our acquaintance wont at it in this way, as she approached a young man just out of college: “We need a teacher for a class of junior boys. We have been praying about those boys, and it seems to us that hero is a fine chance for you to make an investment of part of your life in i.he lives of these boys.” His reply was: “What! I teach a class of junior boys? I paste pictures and write in a notebook? Well. I guess not. I can put in my time to bettor advantage than that,’’ The good lady persisted; “We have those boys now, but we are not going to have tbc-m long unless we get a teacher for them. Ton think It over and pray about it, and then let ns. know yonr decision.” The next Sunday the young college man appeared. and said rather grudgingly. “Well, where are those hovs ? I’ll try the class.” Ho soon became intensely interested in the lads. One Sunday he was heard saying to his class, “Pots, I’m going to beat, every one of you this quarter. lam going to make the finest notebook that I have ever made.” Tho bovs chorused, “No, you’re not.’ We're going to work, too.” The day came when this teacher thanked

the woman for offering him tho class, adding, “Im ashamed, I’m just ashamed that I ovor once thought the teaching of a class of boys beneath me. Why, it takes all tho head I’ve got to measure up to the needs of those ten-year-old boys.”