even the best of
teachers could not expect important results. Its chief value lies in the
personal influence of the teacher. But instruction in religion involves
more than this.

Nor does the Sunday School reach all the children. Attendance is
voluntary, and hence there is no guarantee that all the children of
school age will obtain any instruction, to say nothing of graded and
systematic instruction, taking account of the entire school life, and
holding in mind the ultimate object of instruction, the preparation of
children for full membership in the church. But this is one of the first
duties of the churches, to look after all their children with this end
in view.

As a supplement and an aid the Sunday School has untold possibilities of
usefulness. But all its merits and advantages cannot close our eyes to
the fact that it does not and cannot meet the chief requirement of the
Christian school, the systematic preparation of all the children for the
duties of church membership. In this work the church cannot shirk her
responsibility. Her very existence depends upon it.

Recognizing this obligation some of our churches maintain the Parochial
School. Thirty churches out of one hundred and fifty are making a heroic
effort to be loyal to their ideals. The total number of pupils is 1,612.
In other words, out of 42,106 children in attendance at Sunday School
only 4 per cent. get instruction in religion through the Parochial
School. So far as numbers show it would seem to be a failure. But one
cannot always judge from the outward appearance. Eight of these
parochial-school churches report fifty of their sons in the ministry.*
*Some of the pastors failed to send me reports on this point, but I
have been credibly informed that within twelve years, ten of these
churches sent sixty of their sons into the ministry.

In view of such a result who would dare to say anything in disparagement
of the Parochial School? Perhaps its friends may some time see their way
clear to secure greater efficiency by establishing three or four schools
in place of the thirty, and thus relieve the individual congregations of
a serious tax upon their resources.

Some of our churches have Saturday schools and classes in religion on
other week days. The total number of pupils reported in these classes,
including the members of confirmation classes, is 5,711. Add to these
the 1,612 pupils of the parochial schools, some of whom have already
been c