OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19958, 27 November 1926, Page 5

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

By Aupuus

Good story telling is one of the best in tellectnal qualifications of the teacher.

In a letter -which was read at the closing banquet of the Otago School of Religious Education the Rev. Dr Waddell wrote: —"Congratulations to you on the termination of a successful year in your great venture. It is something to be proud of that Otago—Dunedin —has been the first to move in what must ultimately be the main work of the Church if it is to have any future, here or elsewhere. I am grateful to you, as 1 have already said, for the literature that comes to me from Boston, and which is very instructive. You and your coadjutors are making history—religious history—and, therefore, social and political. I hope you will have in every way a successful meeting on Tuesday evening.” ANNUAL CLOSING BANQUET OTAGO SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. The third annual banquet of the Otago School of Religious Education, held on Tuesday evening, reached a plane which marked a very definite forward step in the cause of religious education. The gathering was a significant one, including representation from the different churches of which the students receiving diplomas were members. The toast-master, Mr A. T. M’Naughton, M.A., introduced the speakers in a dignified and happy way. The “Students’ Welcome,” composed by one of themselves, was sung after the doxology. The following were the speakers:—Miss Margaret E. Scorgie, “The Big Idea”; Miss Elsie Buttimore, “Creative Thinking”; Miss Anna M. Kirkwood, “Get Into the Game”; Miss Doreen H. Moss, "We Would Serve”; Miss Elizabeth K. Macfie, "Twenty-four Hours a Day”; while Rev. Alan C. Watson, M.A.. for the Outsiders, took “Felicitations.” The soloists, who were both recalled, were Mr J. D. M'Kcchnie and Mr John Denford. It would be difficult to give any adequate appraisal of the speeches which reached many high points. Mr J. Farquharson, speaking on “Our Vision and Our Goal,’’ traced the work of the past, and especially the past five years, emphasising that of Mr John Reid, 8.A., in laying foundations and establishing work in local churches. Miss Warner’s work, culminating in the Children’s Exhibition, had done much to impart the aesthetic values into our work, and Mr and Mrs Blair, in addition to carrying on the wider work, had applied themselves to the selection and training of leadership as vital to the whole superstructure of Christian education. Our vision was really to see the potentialities of the young life about us, and our goal to win all voung people for the Christ, the King. The messages of Miss Winifred Sunderland and the Rev. A. C. . Standage, spoken especially to the diploma students, were so helpful that it is hoped at a later time to give a resume of them; Mr Joseph Aberncthy, vice-president of the Otago Council of Sunday School Unions, moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to the many who had taken part. He especially congratulated the diploma students on their attainment. FIRST RECOGNITION SERVICE. In presenting the students to the president, the Director spoke thus: —1 am proud and happy in presenting to you your first group of diploma students. By carrying two evenings’ work weekly they have satisfactorily completed what was designed to be a four years’ course in three years. They have consistently commended themselves to their fellow-students and teachers. As pioneers in a new profession we heartily commend them to you and to the Christian forces of the community. Five of the eight have graduated in the children’s division (ages 0-11), and three in the young people’s division (ages 1224). Through the pre-requisite course as aunounced in the School Calendar, all have a general knowledge of the field of Christian education. Six of these have been asked to co-operate with us in the school work next year, and, as hitherto, all will render yeoman service in connection with the associations and generally. In this connection two further points are worthy of mention; (1) It is hoped that all will proceed to advanced diploma study. (2) A diploma students’ club will be the focussing point for social and general activities. Details of both ventures will appear in the 1927 calendar. In the ‘"i« r niliuant davs immediately ahead this .•voi'p will be called upon to interpret T.digious education and social service to the community. We bespeak for them the prayers and practical support of all Gods pconle We have not followed the usual custom of grading into first, second, and third class on the ground that, according to their several abilities, we regard all as first-class. The order of presentation of diplomas is therefore alphabetical, and indicates nothing as to precedence. VOCATIONAL AND moral guidance. . "Vocational and Moral Guidance/’ written by Jesse B. Davis. M.A.. and published by Ginn and Co., Boston, 1914, while now one of the background works in the field must still be considered as one ot the most valuable for day school teachers, religious educators social workers, parents, club leaders, etc. , , The author, who is a High school principal and secretary of the national vocational guidance association of America, dedicates his work “ To the boys and girls whose life problems are the source ot this book.” . . The statement and story given below, coming early in the volume, breathe the spirit of the whole, and indicate something of the newer spirit that is quietly but relentlessly taking possession ot all educators, , . , “Not all the subjects lend themselves to the general discussion of vocational or moral topics as does English composition. However, every branch has its practical application to certain vocations and often to certain moral issues. These opportunities are always grasped by the earnest teacher who is doing something more than giving instruction in a certain subject. If the subject is made to serve as an instrument in the hands of the teacher for the purpose of moulding the life of the pupil, the greater purpose of education will be obtained. “The following story is very much to the point and worth repeating. It is the story of an artist who was sitting in his studio, his eyes fixed in steadfast gaze upon a vision which had risen before him. It was a form of rare beauty—a form more beautiful than his eyes had ever held before —a conception so vonderful in its loveliness as to transport his whole being. His frame thrilled with ecstasy as he continued to gaze upon it, and there came to him an overwhelming desire to grasp that form and make it live forever. He seized a lump >f clay, and while his fingers were yet trembling with the frenzy of his inspiration, he began to mould. He pressed in here and he pressed out there. He gave a firm touch here, a tender touch there. Day after day he moulded on. When the clay hardened ho moistened it and moulded it again. And by-and-by there grew up from his hand a form so beautiful that the world heard the fame of it, and came and looked upon him and upon the work of his hands, and said to him; “Well done.” After a day of toil and worry a teacher once sat alone at twilight, her eyes fixed in steadfast gaze upon a vision that had risen before her. It was the most beautiful, the rarest, the most charming form that had ever blessed her eyes. As she looked she recognised the face of “ Him who is the fairest among ten thousand and altogether lovely.” Her whole being was filled with the blessed vision. Her heart yearned toward Him She threw herself at His feet and .'ave herself, heart and soul and mind, to Him. And when she rose there came into her heart an irresistible desire to monk! some life like unto Him. And she took into her hands a lump of living clay—a little child, and trembling with the frenzy of the vision, she began to mould. Day after day she taught and trained the little mind and the little heart, pressing in here and pressing out there; firmly here, tenderly there. When the child began to grow hard, her love and sympathy softened him, and she moulded on. And by-and-by there grew up from her hands a strong, symmetrical manly man. The world heard not what she had done, and came not: but the fame of her workmanship reached the court of heaven, and one day the Lord came down and looked upon hoi- and the work of her hands, and lie j said to her: “Well done.” This vision of the teacher gives to ns a suggestion of the mission within am

profession. It is the teacher who has caught this vision that is eager to grasp each opportunity and suuggestion so as to conduct her work that it will be something more than a brain-cramming process ”