SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sir,-The short story, "Hear the Pennies. Dropping," seems, perhaps unintentionally, to convey an impression of the Sunday School teacher as a harmless, well-meaning, incompetent instructor of children. No doubt there were and are such, just as there were and ate in other educational ‘circles, The characterisation of Miss Wilkie, however, does not present a composite picture of the religious educator. In some respects the Sunday School has led the way, notably in the matter of small classes, and I think it is correct to say that the "project" method’ was used in the Sunday. School before it reached the day school. The Sunday School has at times been subjected to. the cheap sneers of the unthinking and ‘uninformed, and I trust, therefore,. for the sake of a more balanced picture, you will permit a few opinions to be quoted, dating from about the same period as the story-opinions, not of religious leaders, but of a Governor-General, of statesmen and other secular leaders. Lord Bledisloe said he was "a profound believer in the efficacy of Sunday ‘Schools as a powerful instrument in building up a nation of robust, Godfearing men and women and loyal, devoted patriots." One Prime Minister (Mr. G. W. Forbes) referred to "this great work . . . the foundation on which our boys and girls may ‘build an upright character." His predecessor, W. F. Massey, said the Sunday Schools ,were "sowing the seeds of loyal citizenship." The Hon. W. Downie Stewart said it was "a work of great national importance." A Director of Education (T. B.
Strorig) referred to it as "of vital ei agg to the welfare of the State," Mr. Justice Adams "as "an in valuable «service to our country," 4 Mayor of Christchurch ("Dan" Sulli« van) as "a most valuable national ser vice." The Mayor of Aucklang (G. W. Hutchison) said it was in these schools "that the foundations of righteousness and honour are laid, without which no country can be truly great." The Commissioner of Taxes (E, J. R. Cumming) thought it "the most worthwhile worl any citizen can undertake," and: Fr, Milner, late Rector of Waitaki .Boys High School, said "it roots pra 9 tq a spiritual basis."
A .H.
REED
(Dunedin),
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 464, 14 May 1948, Page 5
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369SUNDAY SCHOOL New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 464, 14 May 1948, Page 5
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