CANTERBURY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 817, 3 February 1877, Page 2

CANTERBURY SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

The annual meeting of the above was held in the United Methodist Free Church, St Asaph Street, on Thursday evening. After tea had been disposed of and the tables removed the public meeting was held, at which Mr Farr, the president, occupied the chair. The annual report was read as follows “ This, the tenth annual report of the 0.8.8. Union, is presented by your committee with deep feelings of "gratitude to Almighty God for His watchful care over the affairs connected with the association during the year which has just come to a close. They feel that much more interest is felt in its workings, and a more lively spirit is being shown, by its members and adherents than has been the case of late years, “ The number of schools connected with the union is now forty, seven. Nine schools have been admitted during the year, and five have been expunged from the books. The main reason of the course adopted with reference to the latter is the great distance of the schools from Christchurch; the advantages to be derived from connection with the union in such cases being in a great measure counteracted by the expense of carriage of goods, &c. “ The attendance at the quarterly prayer meetings, although an improvement upon former years, has not been so large as your committee could reasonably expect, considering the large number connected with the union. This is deeply to be deplored, as the benefits to be obtained from meetings of this character are almost incalculable; and your committee would strongly urge upon all the necessity there is for reform in this matter. “ During the year one conference has been held, this was opened by Mr A. Lawrence, I the subject being “ The qualifications of an I efficient Sunday School teacher.’ There was I a fair attendance. Considerable discussion took place; altogether it was a very interesting and profitable meeting. “ A public lecture was delivered by the Rev John Blmslie, in July last, in aid of the Union funds, the subject being ' Chinks in the Social System.’ Unfortunately, the weather proved unpropititious, and the result was a rather poor attendance. The lecture itself was excellent, and was thoroughly appreciated by those who were present. “ The sales at the Book Depot show a small increase over former years, having reached the sum of £177, but no doubt much more would have been done in this direction if more capital were at the disposal of your committee, to enable them to keep a larger and more varied stock. As it is, many schools, not finding all they require at the depot, are compelled to seek elsewhere the books they need. “ The escalation of magazines, such as ‘ Band of Hope,’ 1 British Workman,’ ‘Morning of Life,’ ‘ Sunday School Teacher,’ &c, &c, has, during the past year, reached a total of 22,500 copies, at a value of £95, being an increase of 5500 copies above any former year. Your committee desire especially to commend to teachers the importance of circulating amongst their scholars pure and healthy literature, as one agent fo counteract the evil influence of a class of baneful publications which is beginning to make jts appearance amongst us, “ The Panorama and the Dissolving-views have kept up their reputation of former years, and have been exhibited in different parts of the province with much success. Your committee wish to call the attention of officers of ebboola to these means of recreation and instruction for winter evenings, which at great expense they have provided for the purpose, for not only by these can instruction, and at the same time enjoyment,

be given to the scholars, but they may also be made of use to help the finances of the school. “As an addition to the Dissolving views apparatus, the necessary appliance for making and using the oxy hydrogen limelight, the most brilliant light used for these exhibitions, baa been ordered from England, together with new slides illustrating the Life of St Paul, the subject for the afternoon Lessons during the latter part of the year, These are expected about the beginning of winter. . , , t “ In the month of September last a circular was received from the parent society regarding the Annual Universal Prayer Meeting, usually held in October, and urging your committee to co operate in the matter. In accordance with the spirit of the circular, a prayer meeting was held on Sunday morning, October 22nd, at 7 a.m., in the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association. The attendance was the largest known for a considerable time, and the meeting in all respects was most successful. “ The usual anniversary services were held on Sunday, December Blst. The early morn ing prayer meeting was held in the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association and fairly attended. In the afternoon at 3 o’clock the children of the various town and suburban schools assembled in the Wesleyan Chnrch, Durham street, and listened to a vary interesting address, which was delivered by the Bev W. Morley. The singing was conducted by Mr W, Parkcs, aad was very successful, the organ being presided over as usual by Mr B. Searrell, with his well known ability. “ Your committee, in conclusion, desire to tender their thanks to all those who have in any way assisted them in their work, and especially to Messrs Gavin and Staples for the assiduous manner in which they have laboured as visitors during the past year. Athough, as stated at the outset, much more interest seems |to be evinced regarding the workings of our Union, still much more remains to be done. Fellow laborers I work on in the glorious cause. Undaunted by past troubles and difficulties, and encouraged by the measure of success which has been achieved, still persevere. Be earnest and zealous in your respective spheres of labor, and be faithful even unto the end, rejoicing in the promise that ‘ye shall in no wise lose your reward.’ Though conscious of many shortcomings, your • committee enter upon another term of office, expressing a hope that they have your sympathies and your prayers, and that by God’s blessing each successive year may produce greater and bettor results,” The following gentlemen were elected to hold office for the ensuing year—president, Mr Connal; vice-presidents, Messrs Farr, Broth, Glanville, and Caygill ; minute secretary, Mr 8. 0, Johnson; corresponding secretary, Mr J. Steele ; trade secretary, Mr H. Waters; treasurer, Mr H. Waters; visitors, Messrs Gavin and Staple^, After the election the meeting was addressed \)j the Bevs Dallaston, Wilkinson, Eimslie and Inglis (missionary of the New Hebrides mission), also by Messrs Farr and Oonual. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers and the benediction brought a most successful meeting to a close.