EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NELSON WESLEYAN SABBATH AND DAY SCHOOLS.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 671, 18 September 1852, Page 3

EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NELSON WESLEYAN SABBATH AND DAY SCHOOLS.

[Fiom a Cottcrpontlcnt of the "Nelson Evnu'mi'i," Jump 5.] Tlie We-.lcy.an School Annivcrsmy, lield on Sunday and Monday last, was in every sense pleasant, profitable, 'and successful. Very large congregations .attended the Sabbath services, particularly in the afternoon and evening, when the Chapel -was crowded in every part. The sermons by the Rev. J. Aldrcd, of' Wellington, and the Rev. T. J). Nicholson, were very appropriate. We trust that the earnest appeals to parents and guardians as to the necessity of religious training will not soon be forgotten. It was to be regretted that but few of those immediately interested in Education attended the public examination on Monday forenoon — Mr. Moore's .system of instruction is eminently calculated to educate the rising youth, and therefore challenges public enquiry. But the paucity of attendance in the forenoon was abundantly compensated by the crowds who flocked together to tea in the evening. We do not recollect a larger or more enthusiastic affair in Nelson, save the annual gathering-, from the whole settlement at Christmas. Much of

■ this a\hs doubtless owing to the vibit of Mr. - Aid re d, who for .six yenis laboured successfully l hero as a Wcsleynn Minister. Tlie Rev. Mr. , Nicholson also, and some other valued friends of , education, contributed to the happiness of the ■ evtning. But, most of nil, the sweet and de- : light ful singing of the children carried away the hearts of the people, and all felt that it was good to be there. The gross total realised by the col- . lections of Sunday, and the tea on Monday, was , £18 4s. fid. The following Report of the Schools was read at the Public Meeting 1 : —

Report. On the recurrence of another Anniversary of the Wesleyan Sabb.it b and Day Scboolsi the Committee of management aze iem in ded of the duty annually devolving upon them, of reporting, for the iufoimation of their friends and all those interested in education, upon the 'state and prospect*- of the Institution We cannot leuew our position without recording our grateful acknowledgment or" the land .md fostering blessing of Gud, with wliich the Institution continues to be Javoiued. We have a very convenient School* loom, an eflicii nt nppmntus, higbly-v lued teacher*, and ,in increasing number of scholiirs : but, " the best nj all is Coil h uith m." The Town Day School suffered somewhat in the spring, th-ough an unavoidable temporary cessation — some weeks intervening between the resignaiion of tie former master, and the securing of the service* of Mr. Moore. .But the School baa already began to give Mgns of improvement. Eveiy month witnesses a slight addition to the number of .scholars, and ds our best advertisement is the piogiess of the scholars themselves, we may confidently expect continued and increasing prosperity. 1 he Suhhath Sthool is still benpfitting the children of tho neighbourhood and those of our people. The zealous and self denying* gri.ittitiou** labours of the teachers aie not without tl eir reward. Some of the older children aie, we trust, hopefully impiesscd with the necessity of con\e»*-i<>n to God. Our object ia nothing «!ioit of this. We dpMie tlieir impiovement in seculni and religious knowledge; but, regard ms> these as niKins only in order to conveision, we ate not satisfied if these alone nio att.nned. Our daily prayer i"5, that the "(lew of heaven" nny icst on this branch of our Institution — that a rich and copious outpouiinq of the Holy S)>>nt may be voucl^afed on all concerned — that the dear children may give their hearts to God in eatly life, and giow in giace as they grow in yeais. Owing to the lemoval of sevpial families into the country, taking with them some fifteen scholars, and to the lemoval, (rom other causes, of twelve otheis, theie is a slight deciease of five as compared with the niimbeis ot last year, although twenty-two ha^e be<;n admitted. f J he Richmond Sabbath School is advancing vigcuouslv under the zealous and indefatigable attentions of its stippnntendent. There has been a considerable incieas>e in the number of scholars, not" itbsf.inding the foimation, dining the year, of another Sabbath School in the neighhouihood. The imprnvement in morals and manners of the tillage children is apparent to every obseiver. For this veiy s.iccpssful bianch of the Institution we desne to "ilianlc God and talvc coinage." In the course of the past year n launch Sabbath School has bpen formed at Spring Grove, Wdime.i South : and although this is as )et "the day of small things" there, it is matter of encouragement that upwards of twenty dear childien are gathered under the wing of God's set vnnfs, our friends, and aie being tau»ht fiom week to week in "things pei turning to the kingdom of God." The branch Sahbalh Stlwols at Mi duel a are at present closed, but we tiust nnlj for the pr< sent. O« mg to the want of efficient oversight, the scholars dwindled away, or were removed by then parents. As soon as nimngements can be mode, however, we puipo-e engaging- njrain in this woilc of the Lord, for then? ate many children to whom we have a legitimate call, there me others whose piients prefer our establishments — so that our duly towards, that neighbourhood is clei'i, and by tho gr,ice of God we will endeavour to fulfil it. The Committee would be wanting in lespect and gmtitude to tho Government of this countiy, if they did net, in this annual leview, make psprciil nwntun of the kind and prompt aid .ifforded by his Excellency the Govirnoi-in-Cb ef to this Institution. Every representation of our wishes h.13 be >n at once attended to. It was only for his Escetlency to be advised of our viants.in order to their being supplied,, A gi<uitof £20 has been lately ivceivtd in aid of the funds, and his I'Acellency has aseuied the Committee of his kind offices in procui ing further pecuniary assistance. An acre of town land, eligibly ■situated, has also been made over in trust for the Institution, that the comfort and convenience of the master may be promoted, by bii having a bouse and garden rent fiee, in addition to Ins confp«-sedly inadequate allowance. We may mention, in conclusion, a grpat and growing ned of devoted and efficient teachers, botli in this town and country Sabbath Schools. The want is now particularly felt in town. A very interesting class of young females rapidly' rising into womanhood is, bv the removal of their highly valued teacher, left wiili"ont an instructor. This subject is co-nmended to the consi iences and feelings of our members and friends. " How much owe*.t t/nm unto thy Loid V We often confess the greatness of Divine* bounty : we lament our littleness of love and feebleness of efforN Let these views aivl feelings influence our conduct' Labour and s.iciifico in this service will be easy then. There tup other inducements. All our kindness nnd attention to these " the le.ist of" Christ's c< brethren,'* are considered by the Saviour as acts of personal respect and hoimge to himself. u Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto »??." When Peter appenled to him as the seaicher of heaits, in pioof of his attachment, " Jesus saith unto him, Feed my lambs." Our hearts are,it miy he, responding with that of Peter to ihe enquiry " Lovest ihrui'mpi" " Loul, thou k 'owest nil thinos, thou knowest that I love theo •." let us hear Jesus himself, wbispei to the conscience, *' Feed mi/ ! I'ivibs .'" "Ye aiv my friends, if ye do whatsoever 1 command yon.'' Shew me thatjoui atlnchment is sincere, by cannij for " these little onvs which believe in me." JBy your neglect jou ma 3' "offend" them, and then neck, and that 3011 ueie drowned in the depths of the "it were bettor that a millstone were hanged about your sea." — Matt xvin, 3. (3. Let all conseciate themsel vps afresh to this honou table servic. By zealous peisoual exertion, by increased pecuniary assistance, and by humble, feivent piayer, let us seek the good of the Sabbath and Day Schoo's and in so doing, we bhull effectually promote our on n.