WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 407, 1 October 1875, Page 3

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

The twenty-second anniversary of the Wesleyan Sunday Schools in Canterbury was celebrated last Thursday by a tea meeting, held in the new Durham street Wesleyan Sunday School, after which a public meeting was held in the church. Between 400 and 500 persons sat down to an excellent tea, kindly provided by Mesdames George Gould, Thornton, Ballantyne, Willis, Jones, Roundtree, and Mouldy ; trays being also given by the lady teachers and bachelors, the lady teachers and friends presiding over the tables. After tea an adjournment was made to the church, for the public meeting, the Rev J. Buller taking the chair. The proceedings were opened with prayer. The rev chairman then addressed the meeting at length, and concluded by calling on Mr Roberts, secretary, who read the following report : “Annual Report of the Durham street Wesleyan Sunday School. “ In submitting this, the annual report of our school, we do so with devout thankfulness to Almighty God that we are permitted to assemble at this our twenty-second anniversary under such favorable circumstances. In every department we are able to report progress, both in attendance and number of scholars. And whilst the number of teachers on the roll is about the same as last year, there is still room for earnest Christian workers, who would find ample reward for their labor, here and in the world to come, the ‘ well done of their Lord.’ “The question has often appeared incur connexional paper— What can be done to t etain our adult scholars ? Under the

blessing of God this has to some extent been practically answered in our two senior classes. conducted respectively by a lady and .'em b man, who have under their charge six y m ven conjointly, young men and worn r., who have, by great care, and ear in st application to their several duties, attained the above results. “ We would call particular attention to that portion of our school presided over byMr Telly the infant class, numbering about, 100 children, boys and girls, quite a school in itself, and from whence drafts are being made into the classes as the others arc being moved higher in scale. “ At the last annual meeting the report spoke of thankfulness to God for the possession of the new school, and hoped that the year upon which the school had entered the blessing of the Lord might rest upon their labors better than our hopes. The Lord has abundantly testified his approval of the work of the school, and has graciously poured upon ns His richest blessings, and an abundant harvest of souls have been gathered into His garner. To Him be all the glory. “ The number of teachers on the roll is 19 male, 16 female, total 36 ; with an average attendance of -7 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. “ The number of scholars on the roll is as follows :—l9O ma’e, 204 female, total 394 ; showing an increase upon the year of 45 male and 40 female, total 85. And whilst sickness has prevailed extensively amongst our scholars, we are able to report a good attendance, viz, 72 in the morning, 293 in the afternoon. “ We are glad to report that the library (under the management of Mr Binnie) is, both as to numbers and general condition, much improved since lasc year; yet a greater number of books is desirable, considering the large weekly circulation amongst the scholars. We should fail in our duly as teachers, did we not mention the valuable gift of books presented to the school by Mr Ballantyne, filling a want that existed in a higher class of reading for our adult scholars. “ Volumes in our library is 500, with weekly circulation of thirty-eight. The want of proper seats for the scholars has been felt to prevent the efficient working of the school; and since the day school is about to be removed, it is hoped that the trustees will see their way to the providing the necessary furniture, in order to the comfort of the scholars and the convenience of the teachers, two things especially necessary to a well ordered school. “ On entering upon the new year of our work, we desire to commit our ways to the Lord, praying that He will fit us more fully to perform our duties more efficiently, and that every scholar in our school become partakers of His blessed salvation.” Addresses were also delivered by the Revs S. Macfarlane (United Methodist Free Church), and J. Berry. The Sunday school children sang a selection of hymns at intervals, under the direction of Mr Roberts, in a very pleasing manner, and a collection being raahe, the proceedings closed with the benediction.