RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 7

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

By Amplitjs. “ Consider what the children in your classes will be 10, 20, and 30 years after this, and so gain a fresh sense of the living import of your work.”—Dr Alexander Whyte. YOUTH WORKERS' CONFERENCE. The second group conference arranged by the Presbytery’s Youth Committee was held on Sunday afternoon at NorthEast Valley Presbyterian Church, for the Sunday School teachers and Bible Class leaders of Opoho, Dalmore, St. Stephens, and North-East Valley. There was a good attendance, and Mr D. S. Beath, superintendent, presided. After the opening devotional service, the Rev. C. G. Wilcox, convener, gave an address, basing his remarks on the text: “ So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand, the reading.” This, Mr Wilcox said, was a picture of our work in the Sunday school, as we gather together the children to cause them to understand the Scriptures, so that we might win them for Jesus Christ. According to Ernest Hayes, the church draws 80 per cent, of its members from the ranks of its Sunday schools and Bible classes. In contrast to this, the church loses 80 per cent, of those who pass through its school. This means that a x-ery small proportion of the scholars is being permanently won, while many are quite outside the church. What a gain it would be to the spiritual life of the church if the number of those won could be even doubled! Since half of the number won for Christ have been so won under the age of 17, the importance of the work of Sunday schools and Bible classes cannot be too greatly stressed. In our classes we endeavour to help the children to understand the sense of what they read, and _ so we must approach them along different lines, as suited to the different ages. The little child of the Beginners’ or Primary Department is active, alive, and is reached through the medium of action. The stories are vivid pictures which they can see in imagination and understand. The next stage is reached at about nine years of age, when, through the hero worship of the Ixi,ys or girls, they are taught by biography and the example of great men. Important among the traits of adolescence is idealism. At this stage in Intermediate Departments and _ Junior Bible classes when boys and girls are undergoing such great changes, there is need of sympathetic understanding and friendship So the leader must understand the members and present the truth from a right angle. , In the Scripture we have a mine of truth suiting all these different ages, but we must learn to discriminate and to choose that which is most effective for the age group. Lastly, the great, important factor in teaching is the power of the Holy Spirit working through consecrated men and women. While equipment may count for 10 -per cent, and method for 40 per cent., the Spirit supplies the remaining 50 per cent., and only the teacher or leader who works in the power of the Spirit can hope for success. . At the clQ.se of the address the meeting was divided into groups for departmental discussion, the leaders being as at the previous conference; —8.C., Miss M. Nelson; intermediate, S.S., Dr J. D. Salmond; junior. Miss D. H. Moss; prim-

ary, Miss' G. H. Kane; beginners, Miss D. G. Allen. Tea was provided by the North-East Valley teachers and a social half-hour was spent over the tea cups. Mr Wilcox expressed the thanks of the company to the North-East Valley Church for its hospitality, and closed the conference with prayer. The next conference will be held at Kaikorai. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. The following paragraphs from the annual report of the New Zealand Council of Religious Education should prove of interest to our readers and give some indication of the 'variety and scope of the work undertaken by this important body and its branches in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Otago. Religious Training in State Schools Under Present Facilities.—All education boards in New , Zealand nor appear to grant the facilities which are commonly known as the “ Nelson system.” We can report a further considerabl. extension of this work within the past year. This council’s printed pamphlet giving directions how to take the initial steps has proved its value. Miss Salmond’s article, "How to Make the Best Use of the Halfhour Available,” written at the request of this council, has been published in the various church papers and given further circulation. The Rev. A. H. Acheson has furnished a concise statement on the practical way of working the system in rural areas.

Concerning the Curriculum.—This council, in the early part of the year, furnished copies of the Cambridgeshire syllabus to some districts, but during the year our Otago branch completed its preparation of a New Zealand syllabus. The Council of Christian Congregations in Dunedin accepted responsibility for its publication, and we can report a steady demand for this very serviceable syllabus. The Bible-in-Schools Enabling Bill.— During the year the council, being satisfied that the Enabling Bill, did not traverse the principles of the conference of 1929, passed the following resolution:— "That this council, being of opinion that the teaching of the Christian religion should form an integral part of the school curriculum for the children of all those parents who desire it, heartily endorses the Bible-in-Sohools Enabling Bill, and will gladly do all iu its power to further its passage through Parliament.” Training of College Students.—The question • of the training to be given to teachers of State or Church in preparation for the fulleropportunities contemplated by the Enabling Bill has been regarded as vital and earnestly considered. Our president. Bishop Wcst-Watson, urged that each branch of the council should endeavour to secure a panel of capable persons and offer a course of instruction at the training colleges and elsewhere. Action along this line has been taken in Auckland, where the Rev. J. A. Thomson led a class at the Training College under the auspices of the Student Christian Movement. The council decided to ask the Student Christian Movement of New Zealand to explore the possibilities of extending this service, that teachers may be trained in the art of teaching the Bible. Correspondence Sunday Schools. —During the year, in response to a circular sent to 750 homes located in very lonely settlements of the Dominion, 140 children have been added to the rolls. They were allocated to the churches to which they belonged, as stated by the parents on the enrolment forms. Subsequent communications from the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, and other churches assure us that they have made- contact with their children, respectively, and the good work

is proceeding. This work is still capable of extension. Youth Committee of the Council.—This has continued to function, with headquarters in Wellington. It links the Christian youth movements of the Dominion, promoting co-operation, but fully respecting the autonomy of the movements and churches concerned. The Fellowship Conference at Diamond Harbour was unanimously acclaimed as a rich experience of Christian fellowship. An outcome of the conference was the publication of the study text book “Facing Vital Issues," for which there has been a great demand all over the Dominion. World’s Sunday School Convention.— The Australian Council is inviting the World’s Sunday School Conference to meet in Melbourne in 1936.. A second conference is to be held shortly in Wellington, when it is expected that a big forward move will eventuate.