New-York tribune., 1903-01-24
SUNDAY SCHOOL RUTS.
Higher Ideals an Religious IVstr'Wc
ton Needed. San Teachers.

1t is difficult for little children to learn the
Christian graces from detailed study of the
slaughter Of the Canaantes' said Mrs. Robert H.
Davis in her address on The Sunday School and
the Preparation of Lessons by Teachers before the
New York Unitarian Sunday School Union at All
Souls Church yesterday afternoon
Hundreds Christian men and women have
lived lives far better worth studying than those Of
Gideon Samson. Barak of Jephthah Queen Victoria,
for instance would be better model for little
girls than the Queen OF Sheba. 1t is far more TO the
point in practical living TO touch upon the living
realities Of the human need and human sin about
US to-day than dwell forever on rebukes TO Phari-
sees who died eighteen centuries or more ago"
Mrs. Davis said that the Unitarian Sunday School
Society had always stood in the van OF the efforts
made from time TO time 10 take Sunday school
methods out of conventional ruts and cut dead
wood from the teaching. She referred also to the
proposed convention next month planned by the
council of seventy of the University of Chicago
unite the efforts. clarity. develop and promulgate
the ideas and combine the labors of those who
seeking TO promote a higher ideal in the religious
and moral instruction of the young"
That such 3 proposition should come from such
an institution Mrs. Davis considered q most en-
couraging sign of the times. She urged the use
OF the Twentieth Century New Testament in the
Sunday schools You can't give what you haven't
got" declared Ms. Davis. A teacher must have
gone TO the roots Of his subject have assmiated it,
to speak. before he give il fout again with
revivffyng force. The particular lesson for the
day may have been prepared that day that
week even that year. No textbook may have
been consulted in regard TO II, but somewhere some
time. il must have been learned literally by heart
perhars with the Of life lessons that leave
scars. before il can reach the child with any life
giving virtue
E. & Seward. Of Montclair. y. J., speaking on
Methods OF Preparation said that his expert
once a Sunday school superintendent led him TO
value personality and character of the teacher
Ear beyond any textbook methods. or even the
lesson itself He emphasized the invincbility of
love in every detail and thought il would eventually
himself H should recall the forces and Influences
that aDp..ale,l TO him when he was rev-n wears
cid. ffteel.. and enjeavor to keep closely
in touch in this wav with the cilfld's exDaIdinty
life The teacher should keep his eyes open. too.
Ter Instructive everyday happenings, meaningful
forever turning. The inwardness Of
the newspaper incident a boy hea"s his parents
fniteiy impression than any moraed histor-
cal tale Also, and perhaps above all things. a
teacher should always dwell the positive the
good side. of every inciden1. Don't speak Of any
one or anything IS bad Say this boy was not so
good that. or that deed rot wise
kind helpful the which Tou are holding
" as example. And always tell why il was
not Your mere statement won't stand The stress
Of future temptation Show the child how.
personally firmly believe what call evil is also
avail either moral or material Give his head
good. practical reasons, and I'LL his heart with
love for you personally, and youn never lose your
The Value Of a Knowledge OF Palestine in Pre-
dress made by W. l. Scandn. of Brooklyn He
suggested weekly reading to supplement Sunday
study. and that the Bible country be made. by
picture and story. real TO the small student as
The Jersey coast or Manhattan streets.
John p. Forbes. of the First Unitarian Church
Of Brooklyn thought 'hc most real and lastingly
valuable gift teacher could make TO his class
If parents would do their fun duty he said:
fathers and mothers should be made Of, we would
fct need Sunday schools.