OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19904, 25 September 1926, Page 5

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

By Ampudb “ Forward let me still go in search after truth; and therein let me die.”—Berneveld. The Rev. Ernest Graham Guthrie, M.A., R;D.. has accepted an invitation to address the Otago School ol Religious Education and friends next Tuesday evening at 8.10. The topic will centre in the urgent necessity for leadership training. The meeting will be held in Knox Church session room, and the school will observe ‘‘visitors night” so that all interested may have the opportunity of hearing this vital message. “No mind to-day unacquainted with the grand swoops of past educational thought' and practice as they have brought us down to our present can say in any detail what is the educational ideal. —H. H. Horne. ‘‘The greatest need in education to-day is the development of the scientifici temper among teachers, and the adoption of scientific method by all who treat of educa tional questions.”—O’Shea. MOTHERS’ NIGHT AT TRINITY CHURCH. On Saturday night a very enjoyable function was held by Trinity Methodist Band of Hope. It was the occasion of the annual ‘‘Mothers’ Night,” when all mothers i;{ Trinity Church were invited to come and bring another mother friend. There was a large attendance, the Sunday School hail being filled. The items were all in connection with “Mother,” and were mostly tendered by the Band of Hope children, there being sengs. recitations, etc., and also several songs by the whole band. After a short address by Mr W. R- Hall, a grand spectacular dialogue, The Harvest Queen’s Court,” was presented, and was

greatly appreciated by the audience. Mr Lavin then came forward and made several presentation**, one of a basket of tloweis to the oldest mother in the room, and also a book to Miss Heather Srnit-i. andMrF. C. Cooper, who had both assisted in preparing the children Ho then thanked Mr Mason, the leader, and all who had helped, and after the doxology was sung at enjoyable supper was handed round to the mothers. ATMOSPHEREMNTHE CHURCH Spiritual atmosphere is _as essential to Christian nurture ns physical atmosphere is to physical development. It comes irom all channels and permeates the whole life. It is inhaled unconsciously as well ns consciously; the former bemg indirect may be even more effective than the lattei. In the church school the atmosphere we are all aiming at creating,, and without which" life may not be energised, we know as the reverential atmosphere—the realisation of God’s presence. . Atmosphere is everything. It is not easily described, for it affects feeling, the dominating control, especially in young Atmosphere cannot be fo; ced or formal, for it is only found where there is spontaneity, freedom, and harmony. . The personality of the leader is the greatest factor in securing atmosphere. The plan of the room, colouring, music, aesthetic values, the worship programme, the attitude and voice of leader, all have part in furthering it. AIDS lb ATMOSPHERE.

Physical.—The comfort of everyone in the room is essential. This calls attention to heating, ventilation, light, cleanliness, arrangement and furnishing, pictures, blackboards, piano, tables, suitable chairs for scholars, .visitors' chairs, arrangement of classes to avoid interference during lesson time, classrooms or cubicles, and cloakroom facilites platform and table bell are largely relics of a bygone day). Grading.—Cradle roll beginners, _ primary, and junior departments to be aimed at as imperative. Small classes for young teachers kindle desire to teach. Physical nearness means mental nearness. If possible, not more than 50 in a department. An exceptional child is better in $ class of one teacher, one scholar. Leadership.—Pre-sessional activities must be planned for early scholars. The worshipping atmosphere if met by the children marching in. The room should be vacated before opening march. Late scholars should be admitted by doorkeeper at a time when the worship may not suffer. (a) Necessity for preparation: The teacher-training class is essential to atmosphere. Problems ot organisation and every detail must be discussed there. (b) Order of service: Choice of music, suitable hymns, nravers, supplementary talk, pictures, etc., must be selected with a view to making whoL a harmonous unity. Dispense with the training class, and the atmosphere is lost, (c) Interruptions must be eliminated. Tactful planning will win: order and reverence must prevail, (d) Music: The best must be chosen. Careful selection of hymns fosters reality in worship. Personal. —The prepared, quiet, confident superintendent with teachers being trained to co-operate ensure the desired atmosphere. Self-control and ready understanding of the scholar will do away with discipline. Willing obedience will respond to careful planning in physical arrangements, grading, and the sympathetic attitude. Atmosphere develops self-control on the child’s part. “Religion is caught, not taught.” YOUNG PEOPLE’S DIVISION IN LOCAL CHURCH. Modern educational theory is stressing the necessity for child and adolescent study with a view to determining the best materials and methods of instruction. “Any educational reform to be effective must meet the people on their own plane and be content to lift them upward one step at a time.” Our first concern is with the life to bo nurtured. What is it? From whence has it come? Whither is it tending? And numerous such questions must constantly fill the minds of those aspiring to the leadership in this field. It is very desirable that teachers in the various levels should have at least a bird’sovo view of life as a whole before settling down to specialisation. At the outset it seems necessary to say a word on the terminology used. Many general terms such as Sunday school, Bible school, etc., seem to have outlived their usefulness, and in the light of a newer point of view should give place to such large concepts as church school and religious education, embracii\£: — Children’s Division.—Ages, 0-11; through cradle roll, 0-5; beginners, 4-5; primary, 6,7, 8; junior, 9, 10, 11. The Young People’s Division. —Intermediate department, 12, 13, 14 (boys and girls); junior Bible class, 15, 16, 17 (older hoys and girls); senior Bible class, 18-24 (young people). The whole comprising tho young people's division. The Adult Division.—Through early manhood and womanhood. 25-34; middle life, 35-64; old nge, over 64. Some authorities have elected to name these main sections the elementary, secondary, and adult divisions, so following the day schools. It is high time that all the major terms used in religious education were thoroughly overhauled and tentatively standardised. W R are primarily concerned with the voung people's division, 12-24. in three sections, as indicated. Is such a grouping valid or justifiable? We assert that it is, and for the following reasons among others that might easily bo given ;—l. The children’s division, 0-11, is a natural unit comprising the various stages of infancy and childhood. 2. The young people's division, 12-24, marks the second mam stage of development from puberty to maturity. As the period of childhood is one of building and steady development, so that of adolescence is a time of stress and rebuilding. “This is the most inviting and highly potential group in the world.” S. Tlirough many years of research work the International Council of Religions Edu. cation has fixed and accepted these age groupings. 4. Tho developing life reaches upward rather than downward, and consequently the early adolescent belongs to the young people’s division. r l -is means that all adolescents. 12-24, are in the young people's division, and therefore at once a potential asset and a responsibility. Suggested Reading.—Mayer, Herbert C.. “The Church’s Programme for Young People’’ (the Century Company). ID’S. This ithe soundest and most vnlnab!' hook in ii.p field; Wavs. P. C.. “Youth and the Church” Alexander, .1. L.. “The Secondary Division Organise;! for Service,” Educational Bulletins of (lie International Council of Religions Education ; Harris. H. H.. ‘Leaders of Youth." All general works mi (To Church School, a= Afhearn ‘"I he Church School": Archihn'd. “Tho Modern SS,,’’ Wove wtlm.s on this period.

T'lry. The idea! loader aa portrayed bv Hr Scott-Wist is yet to come. In the meanwhile the Moderator does not expect any great and permanent effects upon the moral iife of file community as a whole in what is railed Mans Evangelism—specimens of which tnefhod we have recently seen in Australia. Such evangelism, whilst having an enlivening and uplifting influence upon njanv lives, doe? net a-ein to be nblp 1o touch to any indent lh» tea!’ heart of the mojal n.oblcm? of <.-;r riices.- —Anal re!:an Christian SVor’.d.