SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1084, 24 March 1911, Page 3

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION

"A DISTINCT FORWARD MOVEMENT." The thirteenth annual report of tho committee of the Wellington Sunday School I nion states: —Probably at no time in our thirty years' history has there been more need of Ihe leaders of the schools being thoroughly alive to the necessity of securing the utmost efficiency in tho methods, appliances, and, most particular of all, I he stall's of tho schools. No ono doublf the wonderful potency of. Sunday School work, and we are now on Iho eve of a distinct forward movement. Even if the authorities are content with things as they are, it would be impossible to continue altogether on the old lines, as conditions are materially changed from what they were twenty j-ears ago. Most Sunday School workers arc convinced that there is not only room, but pressing need for a big advance in many directions, and we arc sure that very soon scholars will he taught by better teachers, using improved methods, in suitable buildings furnished with adequate appliances. Wo do not lose sight of the fact that only as wo are prospered by Gcd can we do any really effective work, and we confidently ask for the prayers of parents and friends that our labour may bear much fruit. Tho union's only reason for existence is to be a help to each ■school, and we ask every superintendent and secretary to try and keep their school in close touch with the union. We v.ill welcome any suggestions as to tho better working of tho union. We semi special greetings to all the workers in the smaller schools. They are doing splendid services under many disadvantages. Their selfsacrifice and devotion is worthy of all praise, and we gladly record the gratitude of all Christians for the good work done by them.' Our numbers were increased by four schools joining this year—Ballanco and Pongaroa Presbyterian, and Picton and Poliangina Methodist. Our SG schools now contain 10S3 teachers and 10,767 scholars. Fourteen schools in the city and suburbs show a gain of 297, whilo 13 show a loss of IS!, leaving a net gain of 113. Twenty of the schools outside the city show a gain of 316, and 13 show a loss of 241, thus giving these schools 105 more scholars on the rolls than last year. The total gain for all schools is therefore 204. There is, unfortunately, a falling off in the average attendance of nearly 5 per cent., which should cause the schools responsible to hold a searching examination into tho cause. As mentioned last year, there is frequently a considerable discrepancy between the figures returned in different years from the same school, owing to the Bible Class members being counted in one year and not in another. One school shows a loss of 07 on the roll and 56 in the average attendance, which is most likely accounted for by the Bible Class members not being counted this yeah The teachers show about the same proportion on roll and average attendanco as in previous years. We would again point out that many schools have no record ot' how many of their scholars are church members. We would like to seb everywhere a closer connection between the Church and school. Ministers and school officials should work together in keeping in touch with young people who have joined, or arc likely to join, tho Church. Our returns show 576 scholars as Church members, and 174 as joining during the year. One school which is not connected with any church reports that 17 of the boys professed faith in Christ as their Saviour during the year. There is no doubt that our schoois are bringing many of 'their scholars into Christ's kingdom, and we think that every school should have an efficient system of looking after young converts. Twenty-eight schools havo Christian Endeavour Societies, with 919 members; 12 schools have Bands of Hope, with 6-4-1 members.Notwithstanding repeated applications, the secretary has failed to get returns from thirteen schools. The union has now 49 branches of International Bible Reading Association, with 2696 members. This is an increase of ,15 branches and 164 members. Mr. G. 11. Archibald, of the London Union, had planned to,visit-Australia and New Zealand in 101 i; "but' has found it convenient not to come until a year later. Mr. Newton. Jones, v;ho has been the children's evangelist for the parent union for over 20 years, has agreed to take Mr. Archibald's place for this year, and lie is to hold a ten days' mission in Wellington early in August. Mr. Newton Jones comes very highly recommended by leading ministers in England, and wo hope to have a really good mission. He will also conduct ono or two conferences for teachers. The_ matter of a Sunday school census for Wellington city was investigated, but tho union decided to delay action until something definite was known as to the advantage of the census taken in Dunedin. Two long-service diplomas were applied for, but as they were "both for schools outside Wellington there was no opportunity of the union making a public presentation. Officials are again urged to see that any member of their staff who has twenty-five years' continuous service to their credit receives one of these diplomas. Mr. R. B. Davis (the visitor), in his report, states:—One of the first things to impress itself upon the visitor is the willingness and the enthusiasm with which the workers who . arc engaged in this grand work respond to the continuous calls that arc made upon their time, patience, and money, ill order to bring their efforts to a successful issue. Another thing that impressed itself upon the visitor was that ail occasional visit from the minister and church officers, showing their personal interest in this portion of the Church's responsibility, and thus assuring those who are doing the work that the Church is watching and praying and willing to help in a practical way. Oil the whole, I have been much pleased with work that is being done by those who aro working under very great disadvantages, trying to implant the seeds of the Kingdom. I am sure that the best blessing of God must be with these quiet, earnest, hard-working forces that are surely increasing and enlarging the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.