RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20086, 30 April 1927, Page 5

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

By Aiinm ■ “ Give diligence to present thyself approved ' unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright tha word of truth.” A further statement of the work of the Otago School of Religious Eduoatmn and an account of the Young Women * Bible Class camp at Lawrence have been hold over. CRADLE ROLL DEPARTMENT. On Thursday afternoon, in the Waitati Presbyterian Church, a number of parents assembled to listen to a and interesting address by Mrs Robert B After the president Mrs Wilson, had opened the meeting with prayer, a soto was rendered by Mrs Bosworth. Several hymn, were sung, and then followed a most interesting address to mothers, m which Mrs Blair stressed the point that from babyhood the mother must bo baby s first teacher. This was to be gamed by her example-definite effort, choice of words, pictures, music, suitable andbcautifa! for the child mind. The child looked to the mother for the smite of »PPr°v«ll of what was right, an expression of disapproval, of sadness, of wrong. The whole purpose to build Christian character, a copy of our Master, & nd the training for which, the speaker stressed upon her hearers, must begin at birth. Good habits must be formed in the home where the children might be helped to choose the right-obedience,, cleanness, accuracy, and « B P^’®J) T . and realising the Heavenly Father s loving Cfl Above all the mother must remember her solemn obligation to implant in the child the highest motives, for her child is boo s child given in trust to her. Now, when the child is bapvised and placed on the cradle roll, the parent should remember that not a mere slip of, paper is placed there, but that the child is now in full care of the church and that every member shares in the responsibility. J hub the erade roll has a far-reaching influence and brings child right into the heart of the church. . Mias E. J. Hare (cradle roil superintendent) voiced the opinion of the mothers in her vote of thanks to the sneaker for her stimulating and inspiring talk.

DIPLOMA STUDENTS’ CLUB. These are epoch-making day* in the field of Christian education—one of the most significant steps was taken recently when the first group of diploma students of the Otago School of Religious Education formed themselves into a club with the following objects:— . (a) To promote a fine fellowship among all diploma students. ... (b) To create and foster a live interest in advanced study and research in various chosen fields. , (c) To generally promote a sane professional spirit and purpose among all its members. . . , More generally it is planned that the club, in close collaboration with the School Executive and the Advisorv Board of the Otago Council of Sunday School Unions, should act as a clearing house for deciding upon courses of action tn relation to: fo) Leadership, camp, end conference policies and programme*. (b) Creating norms of standards for the various aspects of the work. (c) Carrying out research work and em. bodying this in thesis form for more general use. Such research must in time coyei a wide range. It is proposed to start with the most vital problems—i.e _ those centring in a comprehensive, valid, progressive graded curriculum— Sunday and week dav from the cradle roll to the adult department. ' ..♦ , (d) Diagnosing and prescribing for such concrete problems and difficulties os rrmv he presented from time to time. These may range from “how to deal with Jimmy to planning a modern building and organising this for the most efficient service. fel Co-operating '-ith the National Council of Religious Education and denominational overheads in dealing with their larger mid smaller problems. (f) Sharing their findings, visions, and dreams with their fellow-workers through sueh publicity mediums os may offer from tin'o to time.

The cliil’ will meet formallv once a month. The first officers are ;—President., Miss K. K. Maefio. P.O Box H 7, Dunedin: vice-president, Mis® D. TT. Moss, 77 Frame street. North-Past Valiev; secretary. Miss K. M, Cnhler. 45 Knst.her crescent. Kew. The director of the Otago School of Religions Education will be fox officio) _ n member. Oirrespondence and personal interview noon relevant matters will receive careful attention. a.S. TEACHERS' CONFERENCE AT TIMARU. Delegatee who attended the Timaru Presbyterian Conference for 8.8. Teacher* ot Canterbury, Westland, and North Otago at Easter speak very highly of Timaru’s kindly welcome, lavish hospitality, and beautiful weather. From the time they were met at the station by the Reception Committee with motor cars till the time of their departure on Tuesday they received nothing but kindness. Friends of Mr John Reid, 8.A., have only to hear that ho was one of the speakers to know that he was the life of the conference, and that his addresses were most inspiring, and gave much food for thought. Two diploma students of the 0.5.R.8., Misses Hope Kane and Doreen Moss, attended to take the sectional meetings. From the welcome social on Thursday night to the closing meeting on Monday night the meetings were well attended, and the discussions followed with much enthusiasm. Good Friday was a very full day, commencing with a beautiful communion service, conducted by the Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes, after which Mr Reid gave the first of a series of addresses on the art of teaching. “The Form of the Lessons.” In the afternoon sectional meetings were held. Miss Kane addressing primary teachers and Miss Moss junior teachers on the subject of “ Expression Work,” while Mr Reid met with the intermediate teachers to discuss the problems of their work. At the close of these meetings Mr J. L. White addressed the combined gathering on “How to Conduct a Small Country School.” At a public meeting in the’ evening the Rev. W. M. Nichol spoke on “ The Teachers’ Subject—Jesus Christ.” Saturday began with a devotional service, followed by Mr Reid’s second address on "Getting Attention.” Mrs Turner followed with a paper on “ The Preparation of the Lesson.” In the afternoon residents kindlv placed their cars at the disposal of the visitors, who were motored to Winchester to visit the boys’ B.C. camp and attend their sports. The weather left nothing to be desired, and the outing, with its drive, afternoon tea, the trees, with their beautiful autumn foliage, and the culminating point of a glorious sunset, was greatly enjoyed by the delegates. In the evening the Rev. A. Bcgg addressed a public meeting on “The Teachers’ Spirit—the Holy Spirit.” On Sunday afternoon three S.S. departments wore conducted, the primary at Chalmers School by Miss Kane, the junior and the intermediate at Trinity School by Miss M/ws and Air Reid respectively. Helpful discussion followed tire demonstrations after the children had been dismissed. Monday was another very full day, beginning with a devotional service, conducted by the Rev. Mr APNeur. Mr Reid’s third address, on “ Illustrations,” was followed by one by Mr Lock on “The Superintendent and His Opportunity.” Later the superintendents met for luncheon and conference, when vital questions were discussed. Sectional meetings were again hold during the afternoon. Miss Kane, with the primary teachers, taking fa) "Story-tellings,” lb) "A Primary Demonstration.” and Miss Moss, with the junior teachers, taking (a) ‘•Story-telling,’ Hi) “The Junior Progi a mme.” An interesting and helpful conference was brought to a close by a public meeting in the evening, wben tbe Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes spoke on “Tim Home and the School." A social hour followed, when delegates expressed their pleasure at being present and their thanks to their Timaru host*, and hostesses, who had done so much to make the conference a happy time, and votes of thanks were ■ •■-.—■ lto nil thoce w’m had taken ’’art in the meetings. Air Roid closed with a few inspiring and impressive remarks, urging the teachers to go homo with the inspiration of the conference determined to go forward in the work of the Master, and in Hia strength do their utmost to win the children of our land for Him.