DIOCESAN SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 14

DIOCESAN SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

V ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING. The annual prize-giving ceremony in connection with the examinations held under the. auspices of the Dunedmj Dio-cesan-'.Sunday:. School Teachers’ Association in November last, was held last night in St, Matthew’s Schoolroom, Bishop Richards presided over a large attendance 1 of scholars, parents, and'friends. Addressing the children, Bishop Richards said that whilst he did not wish, ito criticise the,wort of the‘State schools, it seemed to' him unfortunate that they taught everything but religion, which was the most important subject of all. Moreover, he. was of the opinion that the' parents should mate religious instruction part of their children’s home training, and. ho looked forward to .the time when the atmosphere of the homo would bo definitely Christianised, Most of the religious teaching had now to be done in a'short time on Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon, and it was to the credit of the teachers that their efforts, ‘wevo- so successful. ' The thanks of every parent wore due to these teachers who, fn undertaking the religious instruction of the young, wore performing a noble work for God, the Church, and the . children. In conclusion, said the speaker, he would enjoin those‘•children who hod not won prizes not to be discouraged. There was something infinitely more valuable than’ the winning of prizes, and that was the acquisition of a knowledge of God and of Jesus. Christ,

Bishop Richards then presented the prizes and certificates, after which dn enjoyable programme of musical and elocutionary items was rendered, the following contributing:—Merle Hawkins, Nellie Richmond, Valda Brown, Joyed Hawkins (painoforte ' solos) ; Joyce Coventry, Molly Hobbs, Peggy Donaldson, OUve Erridge, Joan M’Doiiald (recitations), John Mutch, Eric Jphnston, Miss Tilbury (songs), Gordon Johnston (flvto solo). .