The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-01-15

History completely vindieates the wis dom of hls method. Only by following closely on his footsteps can the church hope to realize it's true mission, espe-- cially in this age, when the heart and will must be reached through the mind. The present limitations of the Sun day school. are obvious to all: in most cases defective equipment, untrained teachers, antiquated methods, insult ticient time, and most of all the lack ofa popular appreciation of the trans cendant importance of the work. The need however, is too imperative and vital to admit of despair. Rather let
 us ask what are the available resources
 The first is the rapidly growing. and
 widespread appreciation of the infiu- enceof religious education, When our American people once fully realize that right principles and ideals are even more important than information and mental training, agencies will be de- Veloped to meet the great need. I'm proved methods and courses of study are rapidly being brought forth. In our colleges and universities an in
 creasing body of trained teachers are going forth to take up the task. The
 best asset of all is the superb self sacrificing devotion of the thousands of teachers who are to-day enrolled in our sunday schools. To these may be add ed the many more whose services could be enlisted, when once they are aroused
 to the importance and rewards of the
 task. Sufficient financial support can also be secured.
 What is primarily needed Is broad, effective organization and direction. These varied resources must be devel- oped and applied to meeting the need. Cooperation will also insure greater economy and increased enthusiasm Most Of the problems of each individu al Sunday school are shared by all. A clearing house is required to bring to each the experience gained elsewhere. The plan, which has been gradually
 worked out, and which we propose to put into effectto- might, recognizes that, irrespective of denominations, we have
 one responsibility, one Bible and one common aim. Therefore, it contem platesa religious educational federation,
 with simple organization, anda repre- sentative and efficient governing board to coordinate and cooperate with the existing agencies of religious educa- tion.
 The plan also aims to bring to the work of religious education the prac- tical results that have been attained in the field of psychology, pedagogy and
 Biblical study, To accomplish these i important ends responsible director is required. His functions will be to
 familiarize himself with results all
 ready gained elsewhere in the field of
 religious education and in cognate de
 partments, that he may counsel and ad-
 wise the officers and teachers of our To-
 cal Sunday schools. He will, also as
 far as his time will permit, meet the
 different teachers classes which have
 9 ready been organized at convenient
 centers throughout the city An im-
 portant part of his work will be to en-
 list the cooperation of mature students
 in the university and city, who are fit-
 ted and willing to join with him in
 this task of training teachers He will
 also arrange for popular courses Of lec-
 lures on the Bible and religious peda-
 gogy similar to those which have prov
 ed so successful at Providence and
 other cities. Nor the least of the func-
 tions of the governing board and the
 director will be the awakening of the
 people of the city to the vital impor
 tance of this movement.
 In securing, through the cooperation
 of the university and Center church
 the services of the Rev. George D. Cas-
 tor as director of this work, we can feel
 assured that the fist step haf been
 well taken As an experienced teacher
 and trained Bible student, he is we'll
 equippedto take up this difficult task.
 Fortunately, he is already acquainted
 with men and conditions In the chrches
 of New Haven, and enjoys the conf-
 dence of us, all The success and our
 ability to retain him simply depend
 upon the sincerity and devotion with
 which we hold up his hands.