Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 70, 24 February 1885, Page 2

Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary.

TEA AND PUIBLIO MEETING,

j . The Wesleyan HaU yesterday evening was well filled, and the good things' laid -..out" with much taste on the various tables were patronized by those present with an appreciative "good will. jTha room was nicely decorated for the occasion by the ladies who had taken a good deal of pains to give the room as attractive an appearance as possible. After tea the meeting adjourned to the church where the public meeting was held, the proceedings being commenced by the singing of the 670 th hymn, after which the Lord's Prayer was repeated, succeeded by the Eev. Mr Bunn calling on .the mayor, Mr Lin ton, to the chair. He had great pleasure m making the announcement and was much pleased to see him m their midst. ■ . ' \ Mr Linton on rising was* received wiili loud applause, and stated that he was not used to presiding at meetings of this kind and he looked forward to this evening with something of dread; however, he was much pleased. «to lend a helping hand especially when m connection with the training of the young; he was pleased ta see so many present, remembering when, the Wesleyan Ghurch was much smaller and the gatherings^ too. But it was growing and he had no doubt it would continue to prosper till they would find the present edifice too' small for their requirements (applause). There were, he noticed, some old faces] before him and one . particularly (Mrs Dillon) who was he might safely say, • the parent of the Sunday school; he remembered her coming and toiling m the school when it. was a hard struggle many j^ears ago, and it must be a cheer- * ing sight to her now' to see such evidence of her labors; he heartily wished the promoters of the welfare of their ehMdren' success. '■■> ' ■■• '• ' The choir here rendered the Anthem Gratitude, Mrs Kibblewhite and Miss

Grace' taking the concerted portion of the pieoe"; j The secretary, Mr J. Stubbs, then read the? following report : — :' ■■■',& ':■** REPORT. I have the pleasure of again presenting the annual report of our Sunday School, and on behalf of the teachers, 1 take the opportunity of rendering public thanks to Almighty God for the fact, that, whilst m many lands there are wars 'and- rumours o^warSy earlnqnakes, pestilences,,and many calamities, i and that even' m happy England chil* -^drea-are crvinfr-ouifor.byi'djr-we m this favoured land through His blessing, are enjoying peace and plenty. I have to report the; number of scholars on the roll at present 150^12., bqyaJ7, girlß73. The average attendance beiprf9s ; these are divided into'^i3HjlffßseS7 l eacn class being presided dyer by a faithful effi.pient teacher,, and it is I think unneccessary on ray part to'ex'pl^n that th« low average attendance, is r undoubtedly c-wing-to the unf a vbureblef weather duriug winter. The total araowat of teachers iucl aiding officers is 15. ' We do not impress upon the scholars the absolute need of committing the catechism to ' irieindry.» F Throt*gtt* ttii liberal manner m which you answered our appeal at the annual .meeting last Sifeflovriefliave been enabled to take advantage of the valuable graflt of books : p£Ee red, by )the London Sunday Sctippispion i ,ta, 1 p J nr library which now consists* of 146 volumes, those^rom London (of which there are 56) being strongly and f handsomely bound, ; and of ah^ytde'eaJng'Sgh class and interesting- description, and during this next year should have iv circulation .such a collection of free books.] as justly entitled to. The amount .collected this year for the Home Mission amounted to £9 10s, (his, though not eorntrch as last year, we feel sure was not-the fault of the collectors/one 'oltfwhbii}4&mself collected the. handsome sum of £5. To young men' or young women nut attending any SuhdayJ School, we offer • most cordial invitation to join our e&nior , Pible classes. Witu;respe<&t»Stlje teachers of these classes j need sag nothing, they are, well known to., yoa all, and were I to shed a Bea of fnic it would not add an atom to their woHth"iW& ability. I will therefore simply ,say th,ey are zealous servants of a" /Kingly 1 Mnster, well able to " point a moral .aiftfroftani a tale," to comfort the sorrowing, strengthen the wavering, and pqint^t^ /th% r hqlneleßs a home at last. The number of scholars attending the Band of Hope is 120. This is an institution destined to be of incalculable benefit to tW community at large, as it is to temperance what the Sabbulh School is to the cliiifcK^the two being linked m the nqblefworf of training the youth of ,& .gr^at) nation m the ways of morality » temp^raiMse^^nd true religion. As was fofeaWadowed m our 1 ast i eport the . year ' f Kas ; ' bc^eri \ fruitful m the formation -ofr ' a Muttial 'Improve* ment Society at the meetings (of witich some meritorious and interesting papers have been read, which have proved that there is within. the church an,.{unpunt of crude material, which, like the diamond, m the hands of i the lapidray require bat the polishing process to make them the local, perhaps colonial lights of the future. Glancing back over the work of the year, we are led-to»feel'tiiitlpOßßibly more might have been .done m the great work we have undertaken. We are not m a. position to -.point to the results of our work, but^we h'ave"^cast v -itlTke seed upon the waters," trusting that " God the. giver.of all fioodthingm'"." wlio feeds the ravens," and before whom " a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his; notice," will m his town* good time reward us by a full : anti pl^nt'e'ous increase, and to this end, we desire your hearty co-operation and earnest prayer. 'He would also Hketo mehiion that a liberal gift m the shape-of five4faflidsome .volumes for their library h*d been generously madeib^ Mr W. E. Patten. The following balance sheet waß then read.':- — „. . .-..?,

Amount owing; for this yeav's pri«c<|t ;3otel<djificfflei3 16s 4d ; yesterday's collections, JB6 15s Id. '■ ' " '' ! - : -TV ■ IV, In conclusion, dear Christian t friends, I jieecl oalys*e?niiid'jagi that it is impossible to present the wellmerited rewards to -the cJiiWren (yowr children), and to entertain them with an an n ual treat ' (which * they' air* enjoy . so niuch) without ypurjajm^gathy and assistance; I will therefore, m, retiring, jii3t Mntthnt the'Lowl loSreth a cheerful gjveiY ;i i The choir next sang hlyran 535. Mr Linton was very glad to see that Mr Wright had got to move the adoption of the report, he was sorry to see the affair was so much m debt ; however, they must endeavour to get that reduced as soon as possible and to make a start at once he wouldssub&cribe one seventh of the required sum.; lie free education he believed the mriajoriiy of the clergy were trying, to get>.tfijjs blessing done away with, ans- he hoped and hu believed they would not succeed. The denominational 6)*ißtem would not be a • beneficial one ; the plaqeforimpinVtrain- • ing. waßthe Stiudiy SojKojol, yv\fSfe inestimable good had and would always be done. He would now call on the Roy. .Mr Wright to nibve:th<l.pa>jJtlpMbf the report, Mr Wright began by remarking the chairman was well supported having .a. Scotchman onione< Jin diiadasiflban on the opposite side.; The sneaker here • suggested as Oerri'g the ' mostSd visable procedure jnst then to send the plate, around winch r^was accordingly done and . the sum of £5 9s 6d was received. Air Wright rcpi)tinued he hnd much pleasure m moving the adoption ot the Report. He noticed, there ''was a large n^im'b'pr or cHttdfeAwi the roll,' double thKtb'f :! th^ Presbyterian Sunday School,but they the Presbyterians had he could see the advantage of a

larger average attendance. He felt -"certahr that if -onljr -*Ohris»ian- people m the tgwn were, to take a greater interest' ua the rising 'generation their schools would be tar better attended, he wja^perfectly sure <tiie Christian people •Of tlie 1 town j were riot' doing their bes£. They ought to go out among the people and show them they had love for the f Boulg of $he • children, ; and : thereby they would reach the parents' heart. Therei ' was,' no fcuU, a great deal of drudgery to coritena with and m some of the loyr pai'ts of the town they would meet" with rebuff, and perhaps insult, but there was all the more need to work for Christ; -.even, through hardships-^ If present at the next anniversary,, he hoped to hear a • mijphfbetter. report; however, there appeared to have been a good deal of work >'d6ne\' J ana'4iie teaonei^ and otihej: workers- , deserved v congratulatipn for their untir'm» efforts to' inßtract'the young.- Re me presenteducationalsystpnitodid.notthirik it was a right one m every sense, ceir,ttfinly iUeaqhes; •» very; fawp, c\&bs. add. does a good work,' but it is carried op very near, to a» unphristian way ; miglit go J «f T the Mother 1 Couiitry ; and take Ja j lesson. For instance the London School j 'Isoktd''fikß\s& m-^^itendan^e /of ■ §00|000 cmdrenTwgUr'tW comsseniced -Hieir j day work by the'Teading of a portion of Bcnpture:' • : 'Thi&' » / -iasj^hV < also be carried out m the colony, leaving it optional for ttiV cnuarett'W atteHd - aucb reMink Tlie London k6a;r.d ; ihQWed that nbtoiie ner'cent. stayed aWay : To the childifei.- - ---;le would lik^ to say a'Wbtd, arid iyduld; t^em ( ,pn the.' subject -of than^--I&ihiesstiand it§>eversp.. paving illus.trated; pleasingly for, <3i© benefit of, Jthe ,^nldrenv. the latte^.porti.ori ofhis .address • thAHrevjlgentlemeiitook, his seat., ... i! i i The ftiairuian! nex|b galled, on, Mr to* 'second the adoption of: the re-, i p6it;^"' ; ''•'•■ : ' i: : :■' "'■ - v - 1; :; ' ■"■' i .'..^ : ' l ":--\ . Mr Grace on 1 - Tising prefaced 'i«sf'r6- ( ! maiks'with'ari aneedbte to musWafe th> • li afet !^ W*W ty^s *t'^^AM^ the aeb't which ilfe' wasgh>d;t6 l iiqticjfjajd; ( akeady- dlaappeared.; he Jaoped the re-fioarVft-'pf.Mr Wr^ht.with regaitlf to! iSympaihy^KQul^ibe taken.upt/ tl^ey. w;ei|e ■ ifcadlyiin'wkn^'Qfiassistarice m the schp.ol. | ;IfeFerra%' tpthefi matter of , day; schoolsand the readirig of the Bible, , there-hej was a staunch • objector to any suchsys-l tern: He^was sorry to see the Conference | fcaa 1 sent a petition .^o the Governtnent' ; »raymg foethe; adoption of the practice.! W-J?M&v6i\he\ ■ sabbath" scniml; wafe;ihe : propjer 'place to . lmpar't thje;knb^je3^e of ,the. „^ble7/.'to'; the ;young, ; and- . js;as ; jgiad- 'to &oe . jthe chairnian testify to thevi.goodv results { of -.the . ,moral: teaching inrttie.SuiuUy «?chool, ,and if thefti was larger atttsndancas there would \ be cpn«iiler*bly less-lnrrikibisuu , - '-haying concluded; the cliairiiiun remarked that thfe eooner'Mr- Buhn ; Was called, on tlie better v as hd rioticfti3 He'Wa^ge'ttib^ xit\\kv fige'tty, And hbj no doubt, had a good deal m store 'for them. .-, .„>. ....;:/. . . .■ -.».',{ ;.,.T)ia r chqir nflktreufed ,,-the ahlhem JVRejoleo m tli^.Locd," followed, by Rev^ Mrßuau's addrjeea;. He \rna yery glad to seeJMr Lintori occupying the chair, and his fftr fHiued^iabiHtyi to j preside ovet their "uieetings was re-established. Be ;Was' glad to see such a ! splendid • gather? itfgVand also to', know th.Te 'had bceu auch 'a hearty feßpo'hseio the pollet-tioTJ pljp^'J After 'oither.prdliinibary reTnatks th^'rey. geuUeiuan: referroH to ihe.d/dek-: ,"tipu .Qf.the day schools JJfi Had sppkpn, .«a.th.e;pj;eviouß day sufficiently pf th'js; >hnd«iwoiiid only, add that. : the.. Bible inifluenoe wte moat felt at tlie family altar. He was sorry to have to :. differ from their chairman as to all the cler«.»j r biitigf united on this great : que'stion,i he Wiis' hot: i: Hfe • tememliered ■ the denv^uiu^oh Bysteini. !< m Qttbensland, anil Jse,,b*Me£ul &$$ 9? '' scctariauisiii ittoiwj^was. v|fy j)l*jnly sSeji/ Rp-fepripg-ta the sygteia of r.ewards. m. the; iSunday sohool, he W.as t»ot im ; adrairer of bkhe-syatera and! hoped iifc ; would .be t rewith more attehtion being; paid to; the furnisMng-Jof their rooms m as >ftt-| tractive a way as could be. An oxhorta-i 'tibn'Wrthe mode of gi^ng >ffto- God coh'ciuded the rev; gentleman's address. f" [ 'Jjearty. yotea of : thinks having ' been: '^ccp'ijied 'to thp" chiirjunau; the ladiesj Mn 'HarUey* and Hiss Leary' (organist) , the • Ringing of hymn 95f2'^ r Abide with me": ifoUbwed-bythetbeqadiction brought.the meeting to a closo. ■ .. ■ ; ■ .. . At the Sunday services £6 15s 9d was ' • V ' l ""■'■ ■''

BALANCE-S&EET. INCOME. . By balance m bah'^s ... £4 15 10 Collections at Aimiy.ers|uyv|*s Services ""...' " .".. 018 0 Collection at Annual Meeting ...JH#>l*s 3 16 * BaUance iiom Annual lea Meeting gl 8 0 Receipts at Scholars' Eic-» r «ie J .J./; /^v.illl6 7 Sale of Hymn Books ... 1 2 Subscription. frpmAJr,4j,,^r | Leary ... ... 5 0 : ..:■■■.•■ ;>/.Ml.r;u(j» •• ..•:.-.■ .^:- A 2l x 5 Balance Deficit 2 1 4 ■■ .. ■ ./ : •• ■< ,•.■».-«« • ■ TotaJ. ... (lM .£23 2 9 . w ■-.:.•■■:!• ExPkNSJS;- jiyilX To Treasurer's Casn Book 6 Minister's expenses , f , ,1^ 5 0 Scholars' Re : ward ioo^s'.;. 1^ .5 0 Printing Anniversarj; m .^_ Hymns ... ... 1 15 0 Postage, &c , ... ... 1 2 Tickets for Annual Meeting 5 0 Account for chairs ... 1 18 0 Provision for Annual Picnic ,'V; x 219 8 A uclclaml S;S^ : £ejQ > ac•"coiint of'&Wvii?" ... 1 0 0 Do. f Library Books^ ... 2 0 0 Ainojint o jviqjg^'A ucfland S.S.U. to Dec. 31 ... 2 3 5 I•- Tofcu 1 V v:;fe i -2 9