THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 622, 27 September 1909, Page 3

THE CHURCHES.

. SUNDAY SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT, Proposals for the strengthening and expan-1 sion of Sunday school work wero, reported on by a sub-committeo of the Wellington Sunday; Schools' Union at a recent meeting of that body. The sub-coramitteo considered that itwouldibe, better to start _ work upon tho foundations already -laid,,and to let expansion take place gradually -as opportunity offored. "Wo propose," the report continued, "to try and get Wairarapa and Nelson first of all to form nux-' iliaries, and to undertake the work of furthering: the interests of schools within their, districts by every means 'possible Palmerston North has a strong sub-union, and it will bo a matter for consideration whether the auxiliaries should be all styled sub-unions. It does not-appear that at present there are any other districts than thoso above-named' large enough to justify on auxiliary being formed, but if one can bo. formed "anywhere else wo advise that it bo done. Petone and the Hutt might have a useful auxiliary, as well as,_ perhapi,' Feilding and Blenheim. Wanganui, New Plymouth, and. Napier are in the Auckland union's territory, and it is for them to say how these can best bo worked. If can organise several strong, auxiliaries we must leave to them tho, manner, of their doing the \work. Tho matter of the formation of a northern association of Sunday school unions should be kept in view as the ultimate aim of the. different unions, and there is every reason'-to believe' that such an association would easily bo formed once strong unions were in existenco covering tho different districts. Tho committee proposed that'the Wellington union should kcop in close touch with tho. Auckland union in -regard to seeing that every, possible district'had a strong auxiliary. The formation of depots for the sale of Sunday sohool supplies and the starting of a Sunday' school paper' were matters which must bide their.time. Tho report was adopted, and will bo forwarded to the Auckland union. Later, 'there will be a conference between tho.itwo unions,on the subject. ■ •■";•".

i .COURTENAY'PLACE ANNIVERSARY. :.." I The'anniversary of the Courtenay Place Congregational Sunday School was celebrated with' special 6crvicos-yesterday. , The church .was prettily decorated, and the large congregations m the morning and afternoon were surpassed by a crowded assemblage in the .evening. l The Revs. S. J. Serpell and J. Dawson, who were the preachers, in the morning and afternion respectively,'-addressed their discourses specially, to the young people. The Rev. A. M. Aspland spoke in the evening from the text, ; Train,up a child in the way ho should go." At'all the services the special singing of the children, under the. conductorship of Mr, T. Forsyth, was a special feature. ■ The annual report of the Sunday School, to be presented at the meeting' on Wednesday night, states that tho,work has been kept'well up to the highest standard previously reached, and no ground has been lost in any direction, the number of scholars on the books at the commencement of the year 'was 106, and the I year closes with 110, so that tho substantial gam of last .year has been upheld and elightlv increased.; The total. number, of officers and teachers is now 13/ the average attendance being 11. The Young Ladies' Bible Class and Club, under Miss Rowlandson, are doing successful work, while the Young Men's Clnb, under Mr. T. E. Reynolds,, continues- to flourish. Ten scholars sat for the Wellington Sunday bcliool Unions Scripture examination, and all passed, five' gaining first-class certificates and prizes. During tho year the ladies of tho Church Sowing Society reseated, the schoolroom, and tho new scats with adjustable backs have given great satisfaction. A donation of £1 10s. was received from a friend towards tho library fund, and with this and an additional sum the library was overhauled, a new catalogue printed, and some ' more" books added. The amounts given and collected by the scholars towards tho London Missionary Society and .Homo mission work aro slightly, less than last year, but, considering tho financial depression prevalent, are very good notwithstanding. Tho amounts collected on London Missionary Society cards total £12 18s. . Bd., and those given' by scholars themselves for London Missionary Society and Home mission work .£l4 7s. 10d., making a total given and collected of .£27 Gs. 6d. During the year four of tho scholars joined the, church. Mr. W. G. Holdsworth has again undertaken theduties of superintendent, and to his faithful service, as to that of the president of the school (tho Rev. A. M. Aspland), the work is much indebted. The prize-list compares well with former years, one scholar (Charlotte Mouat) having gained the highest 'possible number of marks, 369, and another (Hilda Owens) the highest number possible to scholars taking the junior questions, 365, while' a third scholar, ( Jean. Forsyth, lost but one mark during the year, and several others are very close to these figures. These first totals mean that the scholar has not been absent once throughout the year, and has answered all the questions •correctly in addition. Tho financial statement shows a deficit on the year's working of .£3 10s., due largely to much-needed improvements to the infants' room.

THORNDON METHODIST ANNIVERSARY. The Thomdon Methodist Church was not nearly large enough to accommodate with comfort all those who took part in the Sunday ■school anniversary service last evening. . Tho morning and afternoon services were also very well attended. In the morning tho Eev. W. E. Tuck (Island Bay) addressed tho children on Psalm xxiii. .The R«v. C. Eaton (Johssonville) spoke in the afternoon on tho text, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God.and His righteousness." • In the evening tho Eov. T. Fco spoko on the necessity for making the best us© of life. At nil three services special • hymns wero sung by the children; under Mr. Sims, as conductor. The annual tea and public meeting will"be held on "Wednesday evening. . " '"YOM KIPPUR.:'. "Yoni Kippur," tho Day of Atonement, also known as "The White >Fast," from the symbolic garments whichiaro worn in the Synagogue' on.that occasion, was obsorved by tho Jewish congregation of Wellington from sunset on Friday until sunset 1 on 1 Saturday. • Tho Roy.-H.-Van Staveren hold special services in the Synagogue. The music for 'Torn Kippur" dates back many centuries, and is of a 'jnrticulnrly solemn character.