WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2665, 5 October 1881, Page 2

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

A soiree in conheption with the 16th anniversary of School wis given in the Wesleyan Church buildings Inst evening. About 200 members and friends sat down to tea, the tables being presided over by the following:— Meed nines Whitaker, Mair, Clark, Exley, Nichols, Bargefrode, and the Misses Ellis, Whitaker, Priest, Hislop, Fisher, and Coe. This portion of the entertainment having been disposed of an adjournment was • made to the church, which was very tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, an inscribed banneret occupying a conspicuous place above the pulpit. The church on this occasion j presented a very pleasing appearance, j and reflected strongly on the taste displayed in its decoration. The Rev Mr Beck stated that he had a few opening remarks to make. The the teachers had desired that three or four addresses might be given, and it was thought that speakers would be obtained from outside the district. This, however, had been found impracticable. Amongst those in the district whom lie would have liked to address them he might mention the Rev Mr Gillies. He was sorry to say an apology had been received from that gentleman, s prior engagement preventing him from being present. The Rev Mr Dumbell was about to leave the district, and he was sure the meeting would be pleased to listen to that gentleman once again. With regard to the chairman of the evening he thought that the worthy Superintendent of the Sunday School (Mr Holdgafe) was in every way qualified to fill that position, and he had considerable pleasure in entrusting the conduct of the programme to that officer of the church. Mr Holdgate having briefly acknowledged the compliment, called upon the secretary (Mr Coe) to read the report, which stated that though the numbers on the roll and average attendance of the scholars was not so satisfactory as might be hoped for, it was matter for congratulation that the school had generally improved. During the past year upwards of £SO had been expended in school improvements and the purchase of books, periodicals, ami stationery for the library. This expenditure had been the means of a Slight debt being incurred, but with the proceeds of the late entertainment and present anniversary, the indebtedness would be liquidated and a balance remain to the credit of the 17th year. The muster on the roll was 227, with an average attendance of 136, a slight decrease being noticed when compared with the last report. Some had removed from the district and a certain amount of sickness had been experienced. The number of teachers was 28, with an average attendance of 15. The library consisted of 260 volumes, a considerable portion of which had been added daring the year. It was to be regretted that the Monday evening Bible Class had been discontinued, as this had been a source of help among the teachers. In conclusion the prayers and sympathy of the parents Of children worn asked for the success of Sabbath work.

Th© choir of the Sunday School contributed the musical portion of the programme in a very efficient manner. The interest taken by the conductor (Mr Gilchrist) in the work of instruction i«_ fully evidenced by the efficiency of his pupils. The Kev. Mr Dumbell stated he was glad to hear a certain amount of latitude would be accorded to the rev gentlemen who would address them that evening. The chairman was experienced in the matter of samples and could say they sometimes varied. He was not certain all the samples presented to the meeting Would he up to the mark that evening. Undoubtedly he would be expected to say something about Sabbath schools. It was difficult to select a topic on this question to address them upon—not trom any scarcity ill this respect, on the contrary, the age had gone by when arguments were necessary to substantiate a claim for Sunday schools upon the attention of the community. These schools were admirably adapted to meet the spiritual and moral wants of the children, and society and the churches were largely replenished with the best materials drawn from this source. It was the privilege of those who labored in this sphere to instil all that was highest and noblest into the young minds of the children. Secular knowledge was very well and very necessary, but it was a sublime blessing to be enabled to inculcate habits of morality, honesty and industry, and endeavor to make the little ones hereafter best qualified to fill the various positions they would be called upon to occupy with honor and credit. Some of the best ministers who filled their pulpits were drawn from this source. Teachers were sometimes disposed to think they were doing no good, but to such he would say, “ Cast your bread upon the waters, and it will return.” Eternity will develope the great truth of this. In ways unknown to ourselves we may do good, and the importance to childhood of an early moral training could not be overestimated. Continual and persevering application was accessary, and he trusted the parents would second the endeavors of the teachers to lead the children to a true knowledge of the Saviour.

ThcEev Mr Hallowes considered it was of great importance to bring the young together on the sabbath for religious instruction. The best members of the churches are those who had been well tended in their early days. If the lambs were to be kept in the fold intelligence as well as goodness was necessary, and if the former was possessed alone it was apt to run riot. He (the speaker) considered every subject that related to the welfare of the community, both politically and socially, was fit for that time and place. He would speak of education that evening, and hoped to impress upon his hearers the necessity of such intelligence as G«d had endowed the children with being fostered and encouraged. With the expansion of the mind a wider view of life was capable of being taken, the greater progress was made, and the capacity for becoming useful members of society was greatly enhanced. But religion and morality must be taught in the day schools, Sunday schools in themselves arc insufficient, and in some instances, wrong impressions may even there be imparted. Keligion has been put aside to please a powerful body in the state. . '1 he elections are approaching, and he hoped the power of the people would be felt in this great matter and that their voice would give no uncertain sound. Both Germany and France, after a trial, had found that some religious instruction was imperatively necessary. Great

Britain and America had also recognised the absolute necessity for the combination of so-called secular and religious education. The importance of the subject would perhaps warrant him in detaining them somewhat longer. As a country advanced, education became all the more necessary, and as the population increased the culture of the intellect was all the more necessary to enable the young to hold their own in the struggle of life, and if the advance of the nation would not be retarded, this matter must engage their serious attention. Some considered education unnecessary. He had no sympathy with views of this kind. Give your children the best education possible if you desire them to cope successfully with the business of their future life, and not bo left behind. All classes of society had advanced. Thought had provided and was continuing to produce elaborate machinery, and it was necessary to look upon progress in a common- way—avoid what is wrong and do what is good. Progressive intelligence was absolutely necessary to commercial prosperity, and progressive education was the ladder by which that intelligence could be obtained. Sub division of labor was becoming more prevalent and a higher education was necessary to relieve the monotony of the same, and enable the workman to find a satisfaction in study and enable him to create a source of mental enjoyment within himself. Education could never create common sense, bat it could and would enable the same individual to exercise what what little he possessed. Children should be educated also to take their places in the churches, and the secular duties of life would gain by the religious knowledge acquired. The time is approaching when, instead of a scanty population, a multitude will spread over the land, and we shall bast benefit those that come after ns by seeing that a moral liberal educational scheme is adopted, religious and secular combined, unsectarian and compulsory. s The Rev. Mr Best (Dunedin) said that all who came toTimaru mnnt be charmed with the prospect of Sunday school work. He was pleased to see the taste displayed in the decoration of the Church and the order displayed in the school. The Sabbath teaching was'beyond all praise. Ho was pleased the report was so encouraging, but it was decidedly out of fashion being out of debt. The decrease in attendance, slight as it was, was to bo regretted, and it was often to be traced, though ho did not say it was so in this instance, to the habits of irregularity displayed by the teachers themselves. He considered also it was far bettor to persuade than enforce, and great encouragement was necessary on the part of the parents. God had put into their care an influence that could not bo over-estimated, an influence not even possessed by the angels, if we are to consider humanity according to God’s estimate of it. He wished his hearers to fully recognise the transcendant greatness of the work undertaken by the parents in their instruction of the little ones. Sow a good seed and God will water it with his blessing. The rev. gentleman concluded a very powerful address amidst hearty applause. Votes of thanks were accorded to the visiting clergymen, the ladies who presided at the tea, and the choir for their excellent singing. The benediction having been pronounced, the meeting separated. The financial results of the entertainment and tea showed that a sum of some £BO had been added to the available funds. Miss Bezzant efficiently presided at the organ.