MANNERS STREET WESLEYANCHURCH SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5007, 11 April 1877, Page 2

MANNERS STREET WESLEYANCHURCH SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

The anniversary of the Sunday-school attached to the Manners-street Wesleyan. Church was celebrated on Sunday by special services, and the tea and public meetings in connection therewith were held last evening.. The former took place in the schoolroom at. the rear of the church, and at it the attendance was exceedingly large—so large that the provisions kindly provided by the ladies were scarcely sufficient to supply the demands made upon them. After tea the public meeting washed in the church. The superintendent of the circuit, the Rev. Alex. Reid, presided and. there were also on the platform the Revs. Messrs Paterson, Trivett, Dumbell, Harper, rmwshnrv. Richardson, Redstone, and Mair. After prayer and singing, . The Chairman delivered a short address,, and then called upon the Secretary of the Sunday-school to read the annual report. Mr. O. Luxford, jun., then read the following : ANNUAL REPORT. «Through the good hand of our God upon us, we have arrived at the close of another year of Sunday-school service. The year’s work is done, until the great day when every work shall be brought into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good orwhether it be evil, and when every faithful.

worker shall receive his due reward. Never was there a time when the-claims of education pressed more closelj upon the Church than the present; it is highly probable that nothing but a purely secular system of education will be allowed in our schools, so that the youth of this land must look entirely to the Church for that instruction which, after all, is the most important. It will at once be seen that the Churches must see that their Sunday-Schools are made thoroughly efficient, so that the youths passing through them may be well instructed in all matters appertaining to their higher nature. The number of scholars on the books is—237 boys, and 219 girls, making a total of 456, an increase on last year of 16. The average attendance in the morning is 90, in the afternoon 275. We have a staff of 26 male and 14 female teachers, 16 of whom have been received during the year, and from various, causes 17 have left; the average attendance of teachers in the morning is 10, and in the afternoon 25. A great many changes have taken place during the past year. We have to record the death of a teacher, Mr. otanley Singer, who was a thorough helper _ in this department of the Lord s _ vineyard, and we have no doubt he is now mingling with those around the throne of God in heaven. We have also to tell of the death of two scholars, Charles Crocombe and KatejWatkin, who each after painful illnesses went to live with Jesus. There are 623 books in the library, which are much appreciated by both teachers and scholars. We are distributing monthly some 300 periodicals consisting of the ‘ British Workman,’ ‘ Band of Hope Review,’ ‘ Early Days,’ &c. _ By this means we hope to cultivate a desire for that knowledge which alone can make wise unto salvation. It will be remembered that last year reference was made to the crowded condition of the schoolroom ; it is with regret your committee have not seen their way clear to enlargement, but we do most earnestly- hope that something may be done at this anniversary to advance the interests of an institution deservedly dear to every Christian heart. In conclusion, we beg an interest in the prayers and sympathies of the Church and congregation, that we may not labor in vain, nor spend our strength for nought.” The balance-sheet showed that the year had

commenced with a debit balance of £5 ss. OJd., but by liberality of the congregation and economy on the part of the management, this had' ibcen cleared off, and there was a small balance on the right side —some 19s. or 20s. The total expenditure for the year had been £69 16s. 21d. These reports were adopted. The following persons were elected officers for the present year : —-Messrs. Moxham, superintendent; C. E. Luxford, jun.,hon. sec.; —Goddard, librarian; J. Clark, assistantlibrarian. Committee —Messrs. C. Godber, Beaglehole, Prince, G. Clark, Tiller, Williams, Kibblewhite, Chinchen, Bell, Tustin, Smith, Eillman, J. Waters, E. Shannon, Alcorn, Staff, Tattle, Bennett, Pitchett, Elliott, Warren, C. E. Luxford, Moxham, and Goddard. The Eev. Messrs. Dnmbell, Trivett, Paterson, Harper, Dewsbury, and Mr. Moxham then addressed the meeting in turn, the whole of the speeches being practical and interesting, especially that of the Kev. Mr. Paterson, who urged in an argumentative address the necessity for increased efficiency in Sabbath-schools in consequence of the general feeling that no religious instruction should be given in the public schools. A collection was taken, and votes of thanks to all parties who had by their contributions and active sympathy assisted the cause, were passed, after which The Chairman announced the financial result lof the anniversary to be as follows : Sunday collections, £l7 11s. fid.; tickets sold, £12165. fid.; cash taken at door (at tea), £7 135.; donations, £3 las.; collected thatnight, £8 13s. 4d.; total, £SO 9s, Id. Mention must not be omitted that the children in attendance at the school were placed in the south galleries, and during the evening sang a very choice selection of hymns, under the leadership of Mr. Godber; Mr. Billman presidin'* at the organ. Both gentlemen have worked very hard in preparing the children, and the success of their efforts doubtless is sufficient recompense for their labors. The meeting closed with the Doxology and the Benediction.