RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20389, 21 April 1928, Page 5

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

By Am pi. its. Study to serve. EASTER CAMPS. MOUNT STUAUT. Tho Picsbyteriini Men’s Bible Class camp was held el Mount Stuart from April 5 to 10. Except for a low showers on the Friday morning, the weather was ideal for camping, ami made tho wcckend a most enjoyable one. Tho camp father was the Rev. A. J. M. Dow, 8.A., 8.D., of Lawrence. Etc war ably assisted by the Otago president (Mr H. S. Manson), the district secretary (Mr J.’ B. Collier), the rcg.strar (Mr J. Denford, 8.G0m.), tho catering convener (Mi R. H. Gardner) and many others. A special word of thanks is duo to tho Milton committee, Dr Garlielcl Stewart and Mr L. D Mitchell, who did a great deal to help all the arrangements. . This was the last of the Dominion Easter camps. At a conference it was decided that the annual business meeting of the union’s delegates should bo held at the end of December or the beginning of January, the time and place to be decided later. Tho advantages of this change are obvious. It gives delegates a chance of doing their business in a business-like way, and leaves the whole of the time free, instead of tying up the seniors for a day and a-half during tho valuable days of "n Easter camp. Each morning the study circles met from 9 till 10, and discussed four Easter studies— ’• The Place Called Calvary, "The Price of Christian.ty. ’ “ ihe bact of the Empty Tomb,” and ” The Power of tho Resurrection,” written for the occasion by the Revs. J. T. Macky and G. T. Brown. There was each day a loaders meeting, conducted by the Rev E. J. Tipler, 8.A., who gave valuable help and advice on the treatment of the studies. Of the four evenings, three were devoted to addresses, and on the Saturday night there was tho camp concert. On rnday night the union’s travelling secretary, .he Rev. A. C. Whitelaw, LL.B., gave an absorbing address on “ Christ s Impora lives/’ On Sunday evening the Rev W. Bower Black, LL.B., spoke impressively on “ Why stand yo here all the tiny idle' Three speakers, Mr D. M. Martin, 8.A., Mr John Mann and Dr J. D. Salmond took part in tho final rally on Mondav night, when the subject was ‘ The Immediate Task,” On Sunday morning a united service -was held for Methodists and Presbyterians. The Rev. W. Morton Ryeburn, M.A., gave a very interesting account of present-day India. Although tho camp was an enjoyable and helpful one, leaders who were present are discussing ways of improving it still further in future. They are wondering whether a big camp (nearly 500) is i* fruitful in spiritual results as a smaller gathering. There is a difficulty, too. m administering a camp in which there are two distinct age groups. In a camp consisting mainly, or entirely, of seniors, the programme does not need to bo so full as it would if planned for juniors. Younger boys are best controlled by a full programme of well-organised and varied activities. Besides, loaders of study-groups found some difficulty in starting and fostering discussion in circles where there was a wide difference of ago. For these reasons, it may bo found advisable to hold a separate camp for junior members of Bible classes.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE. The Otago and Southland Provincial Conference for Presbyterian Sunday School Teachers waa hold at Invercargill during Easter. Unfortunately Dunedin teachers did not avail themselves of the fellowship and inspiration of conference, but Southland teachers enrolled in good numbers. Invercargill upheld its reputation for hospitality, and delegates were billeted in the homes' of the church people, and wero t. gated with the .greatest kindness. iho conference began vvitn a reception conducted by the Rev. 11. A. Gow on Ihursday evening. Following a devotional meeting led by the Rev. H. Hogg, a beau, tiful communion service was conducted by the Rev. J. L. Robinson on Friday morning. In the afternoon Mr J. .Reid, 8.A., addressed the meeting on “ Children s W orship in Church and School” stressing the fact (hat the Sunday school stands fni the (fodwai'il training,of the child. The secret of worship is reality, and to obtain this, worship must bo graded. Worship aims at (1) teaching the child to worship through tho-emotions, and (2) giving an outlet for the children’s expression through worship. Careful preparation is necessary in order that worship may be real. In the evening. Mr Reid spoke on ‘‘The Sunday School and the World Outlook,” emphasising that in this momentous epoch in tho world s history the only hope for the peace and brotherhood of the world lies in the spiritual training of tho boys and girls. On Saturday morning tho devotional meeting was conducted by the Rev E. Gardiner, after which Mr A. E. Featherstone spoke on ” The Preparation of the tho Lesson,” urging the necessity of thorough preparation. Sectional meetings for beginners, primary, and junior teachers then followed, led respectively by Misses Allen, Kane, and Moss, of tho Otago School of Religious Education, when tho aims and methods of conducting these departments wero dealt with. In the afternoon delegates were taken by cars to Riverton Rocks, and then to tea m the Riverton hall, where Mr Reid spoke on “ Evangelism in the Sunday School, and pleaded for tho church to give its best for tho winning of the children in ( love and service for Jesus Christ. “ Iho church that cannot win its own .young pegplo cannot hope to win the . world. On Sunday afternoon Mr Reid, spoke to a large gathering of teachers, friends, and Bible class members on “ Tho Crisis and How to Meet it,” and appealed to the Biblo class members to come forward to the service of Christ. On Monday tho devotional service was conducted by the Rev. D N. MTvenzie, and Mr Featherstone spoke on ” Some Elements in Child Life and How They May bo Used,” dealing chiefly with physical restlessness, mental energy, curiosity, and imagination. Sectional" meetings again followed, when the subject of “ Exprcssional Activities ’’ was dealt with in each department. In the afternoon Mr Maurice Dodder, M.A.. B R.E.. spoke on “ Religious _ Educational Methods in America,” pointing out the national problems of the U.S.A., and the methods adopted in both Sunday and weekday schools of religious education. The dosing meeting of the conference vva? conducted bv the pres’dent, the Rev. M. A. Gow. when Mr Reid delivered a stirring address on “Loyalty to Jesus Christ,"’’ An inspiring and helpful conference was brought to a close by expression of thanks to all those who bad to make it so successful—speakers, conveners, and committees, and local friend*. Many of the lonelv country teachers will go back to their bttle Sunday schools feeling that they are not unils. but one of a great fellowship of men and women with common idnn.ls and desires for tho winning of the children.

POUNAWEA. The Olago and South Otago Young Women's Presbyterian Bible classes held their annua! camp this year at Pounawea, where 76 members, represe.nt.ng a very largo number of classes, spent a happy and memorable time amidst the ideal and beautiful surroundings of this popular re sort. The theme was “ Youth in Quest, and the programme of meetings and active ties all contributed m making this thought dominant throughout. After Ihe rallying call at 7 a.m., the girls assembled every morning for prayers (“the Tryst”), which wore lead by several leaders in turn. Home beautiful pictures, all having the Easier message, helped to make these meetings ones of deep communion and worship. I'Qian hour every dav. small groups of members, wilb a leader, mot for study, the booklet being ’‘The Price of Power of Diseipleship.” all being led to again see the great price Christ -na id for sin, and His living power in our lives to-day. To the camp mother and her band of willing helpers the thanks of nil are die for the smooth running and good manage ment of all the details. Tb» Owaka da--helned materially in gelt.iim things readv and one name especially should be men_ pound—that of Mrs Pritchard, who worke-' eerlv and late to make all comfortable was the oldest (■•imper. but in sp'v' 1 she was the voinmest. her merry bum -liming out at all time and proving in r,.rtiO'i = . Of Hie luan- times of good fellowship, ’plersper-ed with talks on tindeep eternal things, mo-e pi : "ht be said rnd all came away resolving to take awav someth : nr/ from llmse few dnvs of _ worship ar-d oleas-ure. so that alb b- lives, might ho an influence for others in (In' --.amp quest.