STOKE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 359, 2 April 1861, Page 3

STOKE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The sixteenth anniversary of the above school was held on Thursday, March 28th, 1861. The last year's meeting had been a very satisfactory one, and the teachers, desirous of giving equal satisfaction on thi3 occasion, were earnest and active in making suitable preparations. The two days previous to the meeting, however, ushered in very different weather to that which we had so long enjoyed; and when, on the Wednesday evening, the ra/n still continued, some were tempted to lose sight of that useful motto— " Never despair." Well! the day came—the clouds were dispersed —the sun shone, and by nine o'clock all the teachers were busily engaged in fitting up the tallies, and decorating the room with flowera and evergreens.

At two o'clock about eight}' children, with some of their parents and frnmds, assembled in Dr. Renwiek's field, kindly lent for the occasion. For about two hours, all heartily enjoyed themselves, and preparations were being made to give them their tea in the field, when one or two ominous drops fell, and in luss than five minutes all out of dooi- amusement ceased. Fortunately, the children were at once able to take refuge in the scliool-ioorn, where they partook of a bountiful entertainment, provfded for them by the kindness of mutual friends, .t

At five o'clock tea was provided for the parents and friends—about one hundred were present. Tlie money collected on the previous Sunday and at the tea table, amounting to about £9.

The public meeting commenced at half-past six o'clock, and was opened by singing and prayer, after which J. W. Saxton, Esq., who presided, called upon the children to recite their pieces; about forty were on the platform, ready to answer to their several names; and it is only justice to say, that they accomplished their task, so as to please and gratify the friends present. Mr. Austin was then called upon to read the report, according to which the number of teachers is six, and the number of children fifty-four. Hymns were then sung by the children, after which addresses were delivered in succession by the following gentlemen:—Rtv. P. Calder, Mr. Gardiner, a Minister from Canterbury, Rev. J. Moorhouse, Rev. D. Dolamore, Mr. I. M. Hill, and W. Beatson, Esq. All the addresses were listened to with interest, and the meeting broke up about half-past nine, well pleased with the evening's entertainment.— Communicated.