GENERAL NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23058, 8 December 1936, Page 15

GENERAL NEWS

The final meeting of the committee of the Otago Peninsula A. and P. Association was held in the Coronation Hall, Portobello, on Saturday. The vice-president (Mr R. Kinnaird) presided over a full meeting of members. Reports received pointed to a very successful meeting as regards entries. Details were completed in connection with the social and presentation of prizes. Mr J. Weir stated that Mrs A. C. Miles had offered a special prize for most points in combined sections 96, 97, 101, class K, and this was accepted with thanks. An offer from the Young Farmers' Club to assist was accepted with thanks. Speaking on "Theosophy and Education " last Sunday, Miss N. E. Ockenden explained the special value of Theosophy to one who had made teaching his profession, for it was an incomparable teacher itself because it succeeded in relating seemingly abstract and profound theories to everyday life. In the law of evolution, science gave prominence to evolution of forms while Theosophy gave equal attention to the consciousness inhabiting those forms; science told us Shakespeare was once a speck of protoplasm, while Theosophy taught us of the birth and growth of the soul. The birth of every human soul placed upon him responsibility to dominate and nobly employ the matter he was given to deal with—the matter of thought, emotion, and action—and by relying on the Divine power with him to conquer his vices and control his passions, thoughts, etc. These truths Theosophy supplied for adult education, but it also offered much material for child education. The educational method wherein teachers supposed their work was to impress upon the mind of the child a vast number of facts was now out of date, so that the word education was now regarded in its true sense—to draw forth from the pupil of his own latent capacities. The speaker spoke of educational reforms in England, and also referred to the Theosophical School in Auckland.