CHURCH NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 May 1901, Page 4

CHURCH NOTES.

By Amicus

The churches in general are awakening to the great necessity of training the •young people by'means of the Sunday School. This institution does more to foster fealty and devotion than any other agency yet devised. The future success of any church depends upon the amount of attention given to the young by arresting their devotion and allegiance in their youthful days. The work necessitates the most careful preparation and requires teachers of talent and aptitude to manage a well organised school. • Teachers engaged in this work have a most royal employment and they cannot place to high an estimate upon the importance of teaching. On the whole they form a noble band of workers, and when it is considered that the classes are taught voluntarily the preparation of lessons is arduous and much patience is required, the wonder is that so many deny themselves to assist in the training of the young. Our local Sunday school are worked efficiently and well. On Sunday last at the Presbyterian Church about one hundred prizes were distributed among the geholars. Under the superintendency of Mr. J. Ring the school is excellently managed and much praise is duo to him and his band of teachers for the well conducted organisation under their care. The books given to the scholars on Sunday ’last were of excellent quality and value. One pleasing feature in the school was the presence of quite a large number of young men'and young women who evidently do not believe in the orthodox opinion that from sixteen to twenty they are too far advanced in life to need the churches instruction by means of the Sunday school.

On Sunday evening the Rev. Mr Stewart preached a very instructive, evangelical sermon on Acts 11., 14: “ Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” Space will not allow of a detailed report. The address was full of Christian fervour, and the preacher showed an earnest anxiety for the welfare of others. Necessity for salvation was shown—(l) Because the danger of delay is groat; (2) because an adequate means has been provided for our salvation ; (3) means must be used for the welbeing and advancement of our spiritual life; (4) salvation.is a personal matter; and (5) if means are devised and not made use. of for our salvation, each lias himself to blame. The Christian Outlook has now become an official organ of the Presbyterian, Congregational and Wesleyan churches. The first copy is to hand, and next week special mention will be made of this most excellent and best produced paper in the Southern Hemisphere.