PRIMITIVE METHODIST SABBATH SCHOOL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4977, 6 March 1877, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST SABBATH SCHOOL.

A tea and public meeting in connection with the Primitive Methodist Sabbath-school, Sydney-street, was held in the church last evening. After tea Mr. Woodward took the chair, there being a good attendance, and he made a few introductory remarks expressing the pleasure it afforded him to be present on the occasion, having always taken a deep interest in Sabbath-school work. The Rev. Mr. Nixon also delivered an address of great interest, touching upon the question of religious education. Mr. Ward then read the annual report as follows : “ Allow me again to present to you the report of our Sabbath-school work during the closing year. ‘‘While recording the events taking place, and noting the progress or otherwise of the Sabbath-school, the reports from year to year must necessarily bear a certain similarity. The Sydney-street Sabbath-school is not so large as we could wish ; but if the internal work of the school is in a healthy state, if the children are acquiring a better understanding of the holy Scriptures, if they are striving to make the Bible their guide and the rule of their conduct, the object of the officers and teachers meeting Sabbath after Sabbath will he attained. The instructions earnestly imparted from one year’s end to another cannot fail to produce results for the lasting benefit of the children, and through them for the good of their fellow-creatures. We believe that this school has not been nor will in the future be barren of fruit in these respects; but that it will he found, when all accounts are made up, that some good has resulted from the labors of the teachers of our Sabbath-school.

“ Several changes have taken place among the teachers during the year, and more particularly among the lady teachers. To fill the vacancies which have occurred we have been obliged in some cases to take from theßible class. This plan we find to work satisfactorily ; but should anyone present, lady or gentleman, desire to engage in the work, we would welcome them most heartily into our midst. The attendance of the teachers on the whole has been good, and that of the scholars, in the morning especially, has improved. The numbers on the books are as follows :—Teachers ; Male, 8 ; female, 5; total, 13. Scholars; Boys, 70 ; girls, 47 ; total,ll7. “ We have been enabled to further augment our stock of books for the library, and in other respects to add to our school property. It is our wish to increase it still more when your liberality shall have placed additional funds at our disposal. “We mourn the loss through death of our late pastor, the Rev. R. Ward. He took a lively interest in the welfare and working of the school, and the teachers and scholars miss his matured counsel and stirring addresses,, “ The anniversary of last year was marred to a great extent by the boisterous weather experienced. The children’s annual treat was held on New Year’s Day in the paddock adjoining the Ministerial residence, Hobsonstreet, landly placed at our disposal by the Hon. Mr. Ormond. The day was fine, the children happy, and the teachers, parents, and friends thoroughly satisfied. “We have to report a balance in the treasurer’s hands of £4. . “We wish to make the coming year richer in results; to build up characters by example and precept that will not fail to make the school a powerful agency in disseminating Christian knowledge. That the scholars may become shining epistles, known and read of all men, is our prayer.” The Rev. Mr. JoNEg also addressed the meeting, and the children gave recitations and sang several hymns in good style, under the leadership of Mr. Dean. Mr. Fisher, the superintendent of the Sabbath school, was called upon to propose a vote of thanks, and the meeting concluded with prayer and the benediction.