NELSON SCHOOL SOCIETY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 80, 3 April 1872, Page 2

NELSON SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting in connection with this Society was held at the Bridge-street Schoolroom last night, when, allowance being made for the unfavorable state of the weather, there was a very fair attendance. The chair was taken by the Rev. D. Dolamore, and several hymns were sung during the evening by the children, and addresses delivered by Messrs. Hill, Campbell, and other gentlemen. The following report, which, on the motion of Mr. Wagg, seconded by Mr. Miller, was adopted, was read by the Secretary, Mr. I. M. Hill :— "On the return of our anniversary, which on the present occasion is the twentyeightb, the revolving year has brought blessing in its train. Much depends upon what is esteemed to be blessing, and, perhaps, especially co in Sabbath school labor, where so little present result is seen to compensate the ability and amount of effort put forth in the Lord's work; however, on looking back we are surprised to see how many children who once were under our tuition, but have now grown up to men and women, are found to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us remember the words that "in due time they shall reap if they faint not." There is no doubt but that at times we " faint " at the many discouragements we meet, forgetting how many times the Lord has been gracious to us. Again, how often have we failed to recognise the Lord's presence and help, occupying our thoughts with our failures instead of being encouraged by the success he has given us. Let us record a few of these blessings. First then, the Lord has not forsaken us, peace has reigned within our borders, and Scripture truth has refreshed and strengthened us while engaged in teaching. Then there has been the consolation arising from the knowledge that we are co-workers with Christ in the salvstion of our fellow mcD, to which may be added the health graciously given to our teachers and children. During the past year the number of children attending our town school has considerably increased, while that of our country schools remains about the same. The deportment of the children may be reported as good. Among our drawbacks may be named that of taking from the schools at an early age the elder children for service. In the colonies this is probably far more observable than in our father land, and we have not yet found out a remedy for it. We have observed by experience, and we see by Sunday school reports (for we do not stand alone in this observation) that how to retain our elder children under the influence of the Bible class has long been a problem not yet satisfactorily settled, but like all other workers, we feel the importance of the loss sustained in this direction, and we cannot but think that, bad we more zeal for the Lord in teaching, visiting absentees, and iv prayer for the conversion of the children, a different state of things would present itself. To this end we urge the necessity of greater diligence on the part of superintendents and teachers, seeing the short time the children remain under our influence, and feeling, as we do, the value of their souls. There is a third evil which has come under our notice of late years in the practice of children migrating from school to school during the year. Now, some remedy, we think, might be found, though it might be only partially successful ; that is, by a more hearty co-operation of parents in Sabbath school work. We have now a pleasing duty to perform in giving a word of encouragement to superintendents and teachers engaged in our schools. Take courage, and grapple with the difficulties before you with the energy, wisdom, and love of the Apostles of old, and, above all, in the strength of your Lord. Whilst engaged with your classes be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Peter (Acts ii. 39), " The promise is to you and your children," which promise may be summed up thus :-— A Saviour for every man, woman, and child, (see Acts iii. 25). Our receipts and disbursements are as follows : DISBUBSE-IENTS.

Prior to the breaking up of the meeting, the following gentlemen were elected to act on the Committee for the ensuing year : — Rev. E. Thomas, Messrs. J. Smith, W. Webley, Smart, Campbell, and I. M. Hill.

£ 8. d. Repairs to Cupboard 0 10 0 Hymn Books 1 12 4 Colonist Account . 212 0 Evening Mail do. 0 11 0 Cleaning School 5 0 0 Lights and Sundries 0 16 6 Expense of Visiting Country Schools... 2 5 0 Books and Stationery ... 0 15 6 Hounsell's Account ... 1 17 6 Binding Books 0 9 6 Bible Depot ... ... 115 0 £18 4 4 KECEIPTS. £ s. a. Balance from last year 87 14 9 Eents of Schools 25 o 0 112 14 9 *M 4