RICHMOND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 66, 18 March 1875, Page 2

RICHMOND.

[communicated ] I On Sunday last public services were held in Die Wesleyan Church, Richmond, on behalf of tho Sunday school. They were conduct' d in the morning by tha Key T. Bu:dle, nnd in the tv> ning by the Rv W. Keall. Ths congregations and collections were very good, aud tho services apparently highly tnjojed. The scholars had been trained to sing some of the hymns from the " American Sacred Songster," which were rendered very pleasantly, the more so that a gooi platform had been erectel across the fuither end of the church for their accommodation. The annual fe.-tival was bold yesterday, the weather being all that could be fdesired. The friends spent a very agreeable day. Several swings wero fixed up under the willows in lhe church ground, which amused the iittle folks and hig oms aleo Tea of a list-class character was provided in the Agricultural Hall, for the scholars at four and for friends at half-past five p.m., over a hundred doing justice to the trays at the lai ter hour. The public meeting was held in the chu eh at seven o'clock, the place heing ciowded. Mr Talbot was in the chair. The icport having teen resd, the audience was addressed by Messrs Robson, Cowles, Harkness, and the Revs T. Huddle mid W, Keall. Singing varied the meeting. Tlie whole proceedings have bum a success. The following* is the Secretary's report: — "We desire on review of tho past year lo record our thankful i ess to Almighty God for the ruanv mercies vouchsaful unto v-, and though there is no dcci led work ol grace that can Le mentioned as regards the scholars, we are not dsoourag.d, r numbering that precious promise given in tho word, of God that in due season " we shall reap if we faint not." As teachers we would soliuit the jraye s of both parents and friends Unit the year we have entired upon may be one of spiritual p:os{'erity to us, Unit many of the dear ehi'dren may experience the c nverting grace of God, and thus in ially lift, become laborers iii the vineyard of Christ. We wou d also see mora fully the importance of the

work entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father, and be more earnest in our endeavors to lead the chile ren -to seek the Saviour, who has promised that they who seek him early shall fl.id him. Whilst thanking the parents for the support they have| bestowed, we would st*ive to impress upon tbem the necessity of their co-operati n, convinced that so much depantls on home influence. Having earlier access to the children's minds, they should [ instil a love and reverence for the Word of God, and thus the work of tbe teacher would be far less difficult. " The number of children attending school is girls, 43; bo)s 39; total 82 Number of teachers, 13. Several children bave left the school during the year, chiefly through change of residence, but as others have been received the number of scholars is kept up. There is a good library connected with the school compiling ab^ut 400 volumes, and as fresh additions are made twice a year the books are much appreciated. " 'lhe receipts for last year were:—Collections £6 8s Sd; donations, £6 9s 9d, tea £8 8s 3d; sale of hymn books, £1 Is 6d. Balance in hand previously, 6d; total £22 7s lid. Total expenses, £12 13 9d; debt, 6s IOd"