PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 91, 1 June 1877, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

The annual examination and distribution of prizes took place last Tuesday evening in the Church.. There was a fair muster of scholars, and we were glad to notice also a good few of the parents of the children present and some friends.

The proceedings commenced by the singing of a hymn and prayer. After this the classes were each made to stand and undergo an examination on the subjects studied during last year. Mrs. Brown's class of bigger girls was examined on Genesis, and answered remarkably well. Mrs. Hooper's class (No. 2 of bigger girls) was examined on a portion of Exodus and Acts, though only recently formed testified to the efficiency of Mrs. Hooper's instructions. The class of older boys (Mr. Billens') was examined on Scripture characters and incidents generally. The answers were somewhat confined to one or two boys, but these did very well. It is to be regretted that boys so soon leave the Sunday school. This is the fault of parents to a great extent, and is not a healthy sign of the present nor a good omen for the future. It is also a great discouragement to teachers,, and prevents that efficiency which otherwise would be attained. Miss Brace's class of younger boys was

examined on first part of Matthew and answered nicely; so did Miss Isabella Bruce's class who also repeated several of the Beatitudes.

Mrs. Daigiish'.M class has only been aweek or two formed,, but considering "the age of the children it gave .good promise, one of the little girls ■ having repeated several,verses of Scripture. : : Mr., Lardner's class of little boys was examined on incidents: in our Saviour's life,-, and shewed the conscientious care bestowed on it. Mr. Burn's class consists of beginners and could hardly be examined. Altogether, the examination shewed a decided improvement as compared with last year. Of course there yet remains ample ■scope for the energy and perseverance of the teachers for further improvement on the part of all the pupils. Eeally, however, good work has been done, deserving appreciation. After the general examination was over a competitive examination took place on the shorter catechism. The amount prescribed was the first thirty-nine questions. The result was that Lizzie Kae took the first prize, and Marion Rae the second. The following were also deemed worthy of a prize, viz., Catherine Dalglish, Minnie Armstrong, and Clara Jones.

At the close of the examination Mr. Douglas congratulated the teachers on the measure of success that had attended their labours. He stated bis idea of the work of a Sunday school to be instruction and impression, and urged the great necessity of both. Ec said that though, no doubt, the teachers were rewarded by the conciousness of doing good, yet he personally felt thankful for the services thus rendered to the lambs of the flock, and he believed, no doubt, parents appreciated their efforts, at any rate they ought to do so." Mi. Brown surprised and delighted the young folks by providing a large supply of eatables, lollies too, (the gift of Mr. Wright, who also gave several prizes,) were distributed; and after three cheers for Mr. Billens and their teachers, the interesting proceedings were brought to a close.

It may be mentioned that the prizes were furnised chiefly by the teachers, and must have amounted in value to £4 or £5. The number of children on the roll is about 80, and the attendance ranges to between 60 and 70.