THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 599, 30 August 1909, Page 9

THE CHURCHES.

DR. CHAPMAN AND NEW .ZEALAND. After a letter bad been received from Dr. Wilbur Chapman, who, with Mr. Charles Alexander, is conducting an extended mission in Australia/stating that ho could not como to New Zealand on this occasion, and, ■incidentally, that the invitation to tho Commonwealth had been given him two years a»o tho Rev. Dr. Gibb wrote to Dr. Gnapman stating that more than two years ago he had accepted an invitation to Now Zealand, and had said that he would como to this country, wherever else ho was unable to ! co Dr. Gibb added that much disappointment had been caused by Dr. Chapman's subsequent , intimation, that he could not come to tho Dominion, and that a virtual breach of faith was felt to have bcon committed. Dr. Gibb lias since received a letter from Dr. Chapthin, couched in tho following terms:—- " lly dear Dr. Gibb,—l was so pleased to have; your letter of July 31, and I think you'iaro correct in saying that you sent your invitation more than two years ago.. I am sorry that this was overlooked in my correspondence with you, and I am sure you will understand that I was obliged to go to Australia because Mr. Alexander had accepted an invitation to go there for an extended campaign, but I shall be pleased to go to Now Zealand next time, and, indeed, I am happy to render you every service in my power. I believe that there is a great harvest to be gathered in Australasia, and I shall never cease to.be-thankful'for the invitation given to bo in that country. Any action taken by your General Assembly will, I am sure, be*favourably considered by our Evangelical Committee. —I am, yours very ■cordially, J. Wilbur Chapman.'.' • .

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION. Tho annual convention of the Methodist Sunday School-tnion of New Zealand will bo held at Christolmrch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. Tho president of the Methodist Conference (the llev. T. Fee) has been invited to preside, and will leave Wellington this evening for the purpose. The programme will Include consideration of the constitution of the Convention, Sunday school buildings, the marking and issue of diplomas, the Sunday school schedule, and the primary department. In connection with the last-named, Miss Isitt and Miss Itosevearo, of the primary staff of Trinity Sunday School, Dunedin, will give an account of the successful organisation of a primary department on the improved system lately introduced, into England by.. Mr. G. H. Archibald. The Christchurch District Committee will arrange for a blackboard demonstration, 1 tho Wellington Committee will briefly introduce the subjects of instructing teachers in the art of teaching home work and the home department, the Nelson, Committee will probably introduce preparing for anniversaries, conserving. the results of decision uayand secular subjects in tho Bible.class, Auckland will • introduce .the subject of "Discipline and "Opening and Closing Exercises The chairmau of the Sunday School Board (the Rev. W. Slade) will bo present.

EFFICIENCY OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The executivo of tho Wellington Sunday School Union is considering a draft scheme prepared by the Auckland Union to promote tho'cißciency and increase of Sunday schools. ■Tho scheme*includes the formation of a Northern Sunday School Association, with unions in the soveral provincial districts. Such unions shall,'it is proposed, control auxiliary district unions to bo formed at.places wu«ro ther6 are six or , more Sunday schools; Each auxiliary union would foster tho interests of schools ,in its; district, and would appoint a visitor to such. schools, form teachers reference libraries, provido loan libraries. for the benefit, of .children at smaller schools, and bring teachers into touch with each other by Meetings for discussion on topics, bearing oir Sunday.'.school-work: . The; provincial unions Would arrange annual conventions of delegates from their, auxiliary unions, and ,sco to tho general-welfare of; the schools in their districts. The proposed association would' arrange for a. uniform Scripturq examuiation for the whole of its ■ affili.-.ted schools, a' definite plan of teacher's training and' exaraihation, the'employmeiit of ono or more Sunday school experts to visit schools and advise as to methods, etc., the formation of central depots for tho sale of school material; and the publication of a Sunday school magazine ■■ .'" ' '. . ; The executive of-tho local union is now considering a draft scheme prepared by the Auckland UnionV'and'a conference of the two unions will/be heldTfiter'on. •■~ ■ ... •