SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF THE WORLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19365, 23 July 1925, Page 7

SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF THE WORLD

THIRTY MILLION CHILDREN ATTEND THEM. In an address delivered at Melbourne by Mr. J. Hocking, the speaker dealt with certain incidents and aspects of the world’s Sunday School Convention, which he attended last year at Glasgow. At that convention there were 4000 delegates, who represented 54 different countries. Of that number, 250 were from European countries, land when the Duke of York had opened the convention, he drew attention to the fact that not only the representatives of the Allies, but also those of Germany and Austria, wore present. A feature of the convention was an exhibition of Sundlay school iurniture, and the costumes of the various countries represented. There was also a magnificent pageant, which portrayed the life of Christ. This display was held in a large circus building. A smtill charge was made for admission, vet everv evening the building was taxed to its untmost capacity, and was far more profitable than the picture theatres.

During the many discussions that took pllace at the convention it was ascertained that about 30,000,000 children in the world attended Sunday schools, and all the European delegates I reported growing enthusiasm on the [part of their peoples for this most 'beneficial movement. But, in the opinion of the speaker, it was the people lof America and Canada who were doi ing most to educate their children in ■the teachings of the Bible. Their publications on the subject of Sunday schools were magnificent, and far out- • shone the efforts of other countries in Ithat direction. The convention Mid I been non-sectarian. and the friendship and hospitality which had been manifested between the different peoples of differing creeds had been most noticable. He had heard some of the most famous preachers of the world (address the convention, and in his (opinion by far the most brilliant (speaker was Dr. Fosdiek x of America. : The speaker concluded by expressing the hope that in Australia greater efforts would henceforth be nfade to instruct thn young people iiFthe doctrines and 'principles contained in that Book which had been an inspiration to the nations for hundreds of years.