SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1538, 6 September 1912, Page 3

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

PRESENTATION OP PRIZES. At St. John's Hall, Dixon Street, last evening, the annual presentation of prizes and.certificates of the Wellington Sunday School Union took place. His Excellency tlie tiovernor, Lord Islington, was present, a ° i L?. 1 ? was a lar & e number of parents and children in attendance. The Rev. Dr. Gibb presided. . t In a short address to the scholars, the chairman said that they were divided into two classes—those who had won prizes, and those who had not. Some who had failed in the examinations might have a respectable reason. Any illness was a respectable reason, and poor brains was' another respectable reason. There were some who did not have a respectable reason, and they belonged to the "I can't" class. Those who belonged to that class should do their utmost to free themselves from "I can't," and substitute for It "I can." The speaker urged the parents to' insist on their children attending Sunday School, and to see that thev applied themselves to the lessons set each Sunday. He stated that when children reached the ages of 12 and 13 they were inclined to rule themselves as regards attending Sunday School, but this should not be the ci.se. Lord Islington, after presenting the prizes, delivered an interesting address, being greeted with loud applause. He stated that he was very glad to find himself associated with the Wellington Sun. day School Union. Ho had great pleasure in presenting thirteen prizes to children who had attained full .'marks, and it was with greater pleasure that he noted that that thirteen were by no means tho oldest children in tho room. Tho Book which scholars had been interesting themselves in in ,the examinations was the greatest Book that had ever been published. Apart from its great' devotional spirit and its inspiration, it had never been equalled for its educational value. Therefore children who were asked and invited to go forward to sit for examinations, should not look at it as a trying and uninteresting task, because it was of the deepest interest. He congratulated the prize-winners, and would say to those who had not gained certificates, and had not attained the figure of 40, that they should not V>o discouraged in years to come, but should let it bo an incentive lo them to do better next year. His Excellency felt sure that the work attached to this Sunday School instruction could be helped on by the co-operation of the parents in their home life. He stated that none of us had reached an age, when instruction was useless. Those who camo forward voluntarily in their spare time to teach the children deserved the most earnest thanks of the entire community. Ho urged that tho children should not forget the diligent work of tho teacher. He sincerely hoped that this union, which brought together so many denominations, with tho object of encouraging and advancing the religious spirit, among the children, would prosper in the years to come.

Mr. H. .T. Thompson, secretary of Hip union, paid i (ril)ii(o to (he splendid work of the, cxiiiwiui'i'S. Tin moved n hearty vote of lhnnl;s to them, which was carried by acclamation.

A number of hymns wore sung, and Misses Elbe Pearson nml Joy Sutherland contributed recital inns.