ounted in the confirmation classes, and we have at most 7,323
children obtaining instruction in religion on week days, 17 per cent. of
the number of those in attendance at Sunday School.

So far as may be learned therefore from such statistics as are
available, it follows that 83 per cent. of our children receive no
public instruction in religion except such as is given in the Sunday
School and in the confirmation class.

Our churches do not take kindly to the so-called evangelistic methods of
reaching unchurched masses, claiming that our methods, in particular the
catechization of the young, are more effective. In view of the figures
presented above, it is open to question whether our churches practice
catechization in the historical sense of the word. It is a question
whether our method of imparting instruction in the catechism for a few
months preliminary to confirmation does justice to the spirit and
principles of the Lutheran Church? Many of our pastors sigh under the
yoke of a custom which promises so much and yields so little.

To postpone the catechization of more than 80 per cent. of the children
until they are twelve or thirteen years of age, and to complete the
course of preparation for communicant membership within six months,
contributes but little to the upbuilding of strong and healthy Lutheran
churches. An examination of our church rolls shows that such a system is
a large contributor to the class of lapsed Lutherans. We get the
children too late and we lose them too early.

This is "an hard saying" and may offend many. But among all the problems
we are considering there is none to equal it in importance. Can we find
a solution?

Wherever the churches are prepared to utilize the time in giving
adequate instruction in religion, the curriculum of the public school
should be modified to meet this need. Competent authorities see no
objection to this, and there is a very large movement which seeks to
further this idea.*
*At the meeting of the Inter-Church Conference In Carnegie Hall,
New York, in November, 1905, at which twentynine Protestant Churches of
America were represented the author presented a paper on Week-day
Religious Instruction. Its main propositlon was favorably received, and
the following resolution was adopted by the Conference:
"Resolved, that in the need of more systematic education in
religion, we recommend for the favorable consideration of the Public
School authorities of