Evening journal., 1910-05-18
RECTORS RAP
SOME PARENTS
Sunday School Workers Say
Children'S Home Spiritual
Life is Neglected
WANT QUIET KIDDIES
AT CHURCH SERVICES

Parents were strongly consurod at yes
terday afternoons session Of the Episco-
palian Diocesan Sunday School Conven-
tion. for lack OF interest In chlldrens
spiritual training. Tho Rev. j. H. Chesley,
OF Claymont. said il was outrageous and
sinful the way Amerl ,an people were
letting their children get ahead Of them;
that children used to be- made TO behave,
and they should be made to 20 20 church
and sit still Making a Sunday School a
substitute for church would soon empty all
the pews tho speaker said II the Sunday
school did not go back to the older way
OF teaching spiritual truths, and leave the
history. botany and geography Of the
Bible to the public schools. It meant fail
ure. The public schools should teach the
history OF Moses as well as Julius Caesar
Mr.. Chesley said.
The Rev. Frederick NJ. lSirlSus, OF Trim
ity. said that lack OF parental cooperation
was the greatest problem OF tho Sunday
School. The complete indifference of the
average parent was appalling. He said
that there were parents IN his parish who
did not know or care who taught their
children, or what they We're taught In his
Sunday schools In many eases the children
we're allowed to go or stay away as they
felt inclined, and were not Obliged to
study the Sunday school lesson; the secu-
lar learning OF the week being ranked
higher than the religious training. Mr.
Kirlms though that one out of ten par
ents considered Sunday School a substitute
for church. He found It particularly diff
hcult to get some parents 20 show any In
terest whatever In the sunday school. lie
said many OF them would not attend ans
OF the special occasions OF the school
even. Mrs. John Loman. of the Church OF
our Saviour. Philadelphia, said it was th'
same there. the rich were utterly indiner
ent to the Sunday School
The first speaker of the afternoon wa
tho Rev ID. w. Gateson, OF Georgetown
who rs new to the diocese Mr.. Gatcsoi
was formerly student Of Bishop kins
mans In the New York seminary, an
since his ordination a year ago. has com
pleted very successful year In George
town. He spoke Of ways to show the boy
that confirmation was an honor and
manly thing, telling them about the r'
NIlgIOuH intltliNH NA MuNAi'i htiofNNt AN 49,
ago of clnyalry. Most boys, hc said uhran
from putting themselves Under nn oblss
tlon 10 b. good. but an appeal TO thc
common sense would show them that
was desirable to be- men Of strong char
actor with girls. the danger was tina
they would become too lnterested In th
emotional side OF religion, so that II woul
not be fundamental.
The Rev. +. l.. Donaghay, Of Middle
town. spoke Of the necessity Of kecpfog J
close touch with pupils after confirmation
He spoke of the value Of corporate com
munions. as a help to the timid, am
warned against summer closing OF th
school as time when many pupils drop
ped out. When teacher went away Il
the summer. she should get a substitute
and should correspond with her pupils {
hold their interest, the speaker thought
The Rev. A. H. CLAY told Of the vaiu
OF teaching the catcchism thoroughly, an
having the children attend church. III
thought nowadays there was danger O
subordlnating the church's spiritual activ
itlcs to the institutional. He did not be
lieve in keeping the pupils IN Sunda
School too many years II encouraged ne
gloct Of church attendance. me thought
Mr.. Clay spoke particularly Of the neces
siiy Of patience, giving cases where
sensitive boy had left the church bccaus
Of teachers sharp words
The Rev. II. B. Phelps. Of Newark. en-
phasizod the importance Of trained teach
ers saying they should have knowledg
Of the Bible and methods of teaching. an
above ali should understand and love thei
pupils.
Ignorance Beyond Belief.
The Rev. Dr. Davies, of Easton. Md
who is an expert on modern Pedagogical
methods, gave a practical address. II
Continued on Second Page.