PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1322, 2 April 1885, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, GERALDINE.

The tea meeting on Tuesday evening in connection with the anniversary of the Sunday school of this Church *ras a groat success. The Church was tastefully decorated with'ferns and flowers, and a liberal supply ot good things was laid on the tables, to which full justice was done by the large,number of persona attending. The following Udies presided at the tables —Mesdames Kennington, E. Prouting, J. Sutherland and Porteous, and Miisti Andrews, Maslin, Hinton, Wright and Fleming. It i*. needless to say they were most assiduous in their attentions to the wants of their guects. After the tea the tables were removed and the forms arrnnged for the public meeting. The proceedings were opened with a hymn, followed by prayer by the Rev. Mr Rothwell, and the Rev. Mr Chirk then ca led upon Mr J. Huffey to take the chair, which position he occupied during the evening in his well known able manner. After an anthem by the choir, the Chairman called Upon Mr L. Newport, the oecretaryof the Sunday school, to read the report. This showed that last year the school had 75 scholars, the average attsndance being 50. There were now 100 children belonging to the school, with an average attendance of 70, being an increase during the year of 25. The income during the year had been £lB 16s 4d, the expenditure £l4 0a 6d, leaving a balance in hand of £4 15s lid. As a small sum was still owing for prizes this- balance would be somewhat reduced. The report further stated that though the school had been successful in the past, hopes were entertained that it would be still more so in the future. Eloquent and instructive addresses were delivered by the Revs. Rothwell and "Clark, and Messrs Maslin, A, Sherratt and the Chairman. The several speakers endeavored to point out in as clear a manner as possible, the importance and necesssity of Sunday School work ; and that the teachers should not go to the school simply to give such instruction as would serve to fiil in the time, but should, by careful preparation, work themselves up in the lesHons they wished to impart and then lay the suhject before the children in an attractive manner. The attention of the children once attracted, any impressions made on their minds was sure to be of lasting benefit. The addresses were listened to attentively and the speakers were frequently applauded. The choir rendered a number of anthems during the evening, their singing being much appreciated. A Urge number of, recitations were given by the school children. In the selection of the pieces a considerable amount of taste had bean displayed, and, taking into consideration the age of most of the reciters, they were excellently given. At the close of the meeting the Chairman called upon Mr Rothwell to propose a hearty vote of tb»nks to the ladies who had assisted in carrying out the arrangements of the gathering, and lor assisting at the tes. Mr Thos. Sherratt also proposed a hearty tote of thanks to the choir for their excellent services. The votes were carried by acclamation, as was also a compliment to the Chairman. The pronouncing of the Benediction brought a most aaccessful gathering to a close at a late hour.