RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 21

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

[By Forward.]

A THOUGHT FOE THE OPENING YEAR. (By Henry Van Dyke.) To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to ploy and to Jook up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to he governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends, and every day of Christ; and to spend as much time as you can with body and with spirit in God’s out-of-doors —these are little guide posts on the footpath of peace. This column is compiled with the sole object of furthering the work of religious education among the children and young people of tho community. In order that it may prove of value t> all workers, readers are invited to send contributions to “ Forward,” items of interest concerning the doings and problems of the schools and classes. Your problems may be tho problems of others, and your solutions or successes may help others. Send them along, and so make your contribution towards more efficient religious education in our midst.

PERSONAL. Rev. J. G. Jamieson, youth director of the Victorian Presbyterian Church, is visiting Great Britain and America to investigate religious education in those countries. Ho expects to be in New Zealand in July, before returning to Australia. Mr Maurice R. Hodder, M.A., 8.R.E., of 'Palmerston North, will be in Dunedin in May, and will deliver two special lectures on religious education at tho Otago School of Religious Education. , ... The friends of Mrs Robert Blair iwll be pleased to Lear that she has now completely recovered from her recent operations, and is enjoying the continuation of her studies at Boston. OTAGO SCHOOL. Under the directorship ,of Mr A. T. M'Naughton, M.A., the Otago School of Religious Education will open at the end of this month. Arrangements are well in hand, and a glance at the calendar, which has been circulated among superintendents and ministers, should convince anyone of the great opportunities that are offered for study of the problems confronting youth workers in our churches.

SUMMER CONFERENCE. The annual summer conlerence of the vouth workers of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was held at Ashburton from December L’S to January 4, when 800 delegates registered, corniim from the far north to the tai south.° The inspiration of such a gathering of earnest workers meeting for a com moil object must be felt to be fullv realised; no report can do justice to it. 'Die Ashburton people are to be congratulated on the excellent arrangements that mid been made for the comfort of their guests, and must have been rewarded by the expressions ot satisfaction and gratitude that they received. It is no light task to undertake the arrangements for such a great gathering, and entails an enormous amount of thought and time and work on the part of the hosts and of the catering staff. The meetings were very well attended, and it was worth going a long way to hear the singing. Many people paused outside as they were passing St. Andrew’s Hall in tho evening, to listen to the mighty volume of sound that came from many hundreds of young voices as they sang their hymns of adoration or triumph, ‘ I Know Whom 1 Have Believed,’ or ol consecration, ‘Where He Leads Mo 1 Will Follow.’ At the opening meeting welcomes were extended by tho mayor, the president of the Ministers’ Association, and tho conference president. The President, Rev. A. Irvine, asked that throughout tho conference delegates should show a spirit of friendliness and devotion, and this request was cordially carried out. Many new friendships wore made, and mnnv old ones renewed.

Throughout the meetings the theme of the Lordship of Christ was prominent, and members were urged to give their lives into His keeping and acknowledge Him as Lord and Muster. The study book entitled ‘ The Prince of Peace.’ written for the conference by Bey. W. Bower Black, contained five studies on the Lordship of Christ, based on the words from Isaiah 9,6: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; ami the government shall bo upon his 'shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty Cod, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Those who attended Mr Black’s leaders’ circle aro indebted to him for his wonderful interpretation ot this passage. The studies brought under consideration such subjects as “'The message of peace and goodwill as a practical challenging message to the individual, to the church, and to the nation”; “The Christianising of industry”; “ The' Lordship of Christ as it affects ambition, vocation, and the use of money”: “Does Christ give power to anyone, and what arc the conditions?”; “World brotherhood as it is seen in the light of the Fatherhood of God—social and industrial movements, the clash of color, international relationships”; “ W'ar and peace.” The mootings each evening were addressed by Rev. R. M. Rybuni on ‘Our Groat Guest’; Rev. J. W. MTveime on ‘ The Master’s Passion ’ and ‘Tbe Master’s Rian Rev. Tulloch Yuille on ‘The Master’s Challenge to Allegiance and Service ’; and Rev. W. Bower Black on ‘ The Vision and the Task.’ All these speakers kept in mind the message of the study book and prepared their addresses to correlate with it. In addition to these, addresses were given on roll call night by the travelling secretaries of the Young Men’s and the Young Women’s Bible Classes, Rev. A. C. Whitelnw, and Miss M. D. Shannon. Impressive missionary addresses were also given by Sister Arnold, from India, and Mr J. W. Mans-1 field, from New Hebrides. Every morning sectional meetings were held, delegates attending those likely to prove of most value to them. In order to give leaders of Bible classes an opportunity of equipping themselves better for their groat task a series of leadership training addresses were prepared and delivered by prominent leaders. Such subjects as ‘ How to Conduct a Bible Study, a Mission Study, or a Topical Study,’ ‘ Ideals of Leadership,’ ‘Girl Psychology,’ ‘Winning the Girl for Christ,’ ‘ Activities with Purpose,’ and ‘The Personal Touch,’ were taken, and proved of value to many leaders or potential leaders. _ For those not wishing to attend this course there were separate meetings for senior men, junior men, and women, at which vital problems of every-day life were discussed. The Sunday school teachers were given a series of addresses on ‘ Child Study,' by Mr John Reid, 8.A., who pointed out the value of child study and its influence on the church, the teacher, and the aim of the Sunday school, the methods, and the curriculum. Mr Reid took as his text for the series “Take this child and nurse it for Me and I will give thee thy wages.” ’ His addresses, which were greatly appreciated by those who heard them, will he reprinted in the ‘Outlook.’ and all teachers are advised to read them. The intersession services conducted each evening from 7 to 7.30 were very well attended. Five of these were led

by the Rev. Tulloch Yuille, and one each by the Rev. Alex. M‘Neur and G Dunn. These services were very inspiring, and led one right into the presence of God, until one could have no doubt that He was in the place to guide and help. The success of the conference was due in no small part to the prayers that rose to God for His blessing on the speakers, both at these intercession meetings and in smaller groups meeting here and there, and in many places during the months preceding conference. The social and recreational side of conference were by no means neglected, and the afternoons were devoted to

ball, athletic sports, a garden party, walks through the beautiful domain, and a motor trip to Long Beach occupied the time during the afternoons. These will remain long in the memory of those who took part, and many friendships were made at this time. One afternoon the whole conference assembled on the railway station to give a stirring farewell to the Rev. and Mrs George M'Neur, who passed through en route to Chinn. The Revs. Ryburn and A. Irvine expressed the good wishes of the delegates for the trip, and wished Mr and Mrs M'Neur God-speed. Mr M'Neur, mounted on the shoulders of some of the stalwarts,

moved off to the accompaniment of rousing cheers. On Thursday morning delegates were early astir making preparations for departure. At an early hour men from the camp were busy removing beds and sweeping out rooms, and as each train departed the numbers left on the station grew smaller and smaller, till at last only a few were left to speed the parting guests as they made their way back to the daily round and common task, with the inspiration and memory of conference to help them, stronger for their meeting together, and more determined to serve their Master mor*