PRIMITVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1816, 15 November 1888, Page 2

PRIMITVE METHODIST CHURCH.

On Sunday last the Rev. Mr Boethcoyd, of Ashburton, conducted the services in connection with the anniversary of the Sunday School of the Church. The morning and evening services were largely attended. In the iftornoon there wan a special service at 2.30, when the prizes were distributed, and a number of recitations, dialogues, etc,, were given by the children. On Monday evening the tea and public meeting to celebrate the anniversary of the Sunday School was held, and was very successful. The church was comfortably filled, and the tables were presided over by Meadames Bryan, Woodley, Freddy, Williams, and Rodgers. After the te«, which was an excellent one, waa done justice to, the public meeting was held, the chair being occupied by Mr Metson, Superintendent of the Sunday School. Ha referred to the work of the past year, which he said had not been so successful as he could wish. Some of those who were wont to assist had left the district, and he had to teach the school single-handed. He had done his best, bet ho hoped the coming year would bring Better things, and that there would be people come forward to render assistance. He called upon the Secretary to read the report. Mr Epps, the Secretary, thanked God, for there was a great deal for which they they ought to be thankful. They bad not lost one by death, there bad been no sickness to speak of, and their success in the Snnday School was a matter to be thankful for. It was upon the children their future depended, and they ought to do everything possible to advance the Sunday School. In his report ho said this was their sixth anniversary. They bad met with a great loss is Brother Thoumina leaving the district. The number on the roll was 48, with an attendance in the morning of 35, and in the evening of 37. Their receipts wore £6 10s 3|d, and their expenditure £4 7a lOd, leaving £2 2s s£d to credit.

A hymn was next sung, and recitations were given by Misses Minnie Metson and Annie Woodley.

The Rev. Woodass, of Titnara, said the best, and the greatest, and the grandest work done under Heaven was done in Sabbath Schools. Camp meetings were right enough, bnt the grand thing was to learn the children in the school, and to train them up in the way they should go. The first need of a Sunday School teacher was patience ; no one ought to be a Sunday School teacher who had not thorough command over himself. The next was perseverance, and the last was faith. They must have faith in the children, faith in God, and faith in their work. If they bad faith they would eventually succeed.

Hymn by the children, and a dialogue by Masters Metson and tV oodley. Mr Mclnness, late a captain of the Salvation Army, said the Wesleyans were the first to corns out of the Chuich of England, from them came the Methodists, and from them the Salvation Army, who therefore may be called the grandchildren of the Wesleyans. There was there that evening a reunion of the Wesleyans end their children and grandchildren. He urged them to take courage and work on.

Recitation by Mias Brogden. The Rev. Mr Bootbroyd urged the people to remember how God loved -the little children, and that nothing was better than to irain them in the way they should i go. He urged on the children to chooee'v good companions, not to be afraid of being laughed at; to learn to say “Yea” and “No ” at the proper time ; not to allow ~ themselves to be made c&tspawa of,'and never say “I can't." They must always persevere.

Hymo by the children. Recitations by Miss Boulter and Masters Metson and Fletcher.

The Rev. Mr Bunn was glad to be present, because every doubt he might have had as (o the knowledge of the Scripture amongst them had been removed. Be was glad to see so much Biblical knowledge amongst them, and such hymn singing. They bad all more or less been Sunday School scholars. He and others were severally educated in a Sunday School, and made to think. The great deficiency was want of thought. It was not the pulpit but the pew that was at fault. It the pew paid more attention to the pulpit the result would be different. There was no labor io the Christian Church equal to Sabbath School teaching. A church without a Sabbath school was like bread made without barm, or meat withoutsalt. He had experience of damper, and it was not the most savory. Homan Catholics kept the children under the supervision of the clergyman, and had the N sympathy of the people. Protestants must do the same. He heard a clap because there had been £6 raised last year, and there was only one teacher to 48 children. He wished be could shame them. If the fireball rang and a fireman, remained in bed, would be not deservehorsewhipping ? Was ifc right to neglect; the children. He warned them not to> neglect their chi'dron, for if the present. * generation were lax the next would bw worse. As regards the Wesleyana being: the parents, the Methodists being the' children, and the Salvation Army being* the grandchildren, he hoped when his church was built the children and grandchildren would come ; that there would be a grand housewarming, and the debt of the church would be wiped off, Cornet sole by Master Bryan; recita- • tion by Mias Fanny Hope, / The Rev. Hr Dean was extremely pleased with the meeting, and especially with the addresses delivered by bis Ministerial brethren. He would urge upon them to remember that they wete in debt, and that it was necessary to pay it. He hoped they would all work to wipe off this. He would move a vote of thanks to the ladies for the tea, to the Secretary, and to hia Ministerial brethren. He was extremely gratified to see them there, Mr Hilton seconded the'motion, and it was carried by acclamation. V A vote of thanks to the Chairman moved by the Rev. Mr Bunn, seconded by the Rev. Mr Boothroyd, and carried by acclamation. The proceedings wound up with the J singing of a hymn. On Tuesday a picnic was held in a paddock belonging to Mr John Woodley, at. Winchester, the scholars to the number of fifty-five, with their teacher and some of their parents, being conveyed thither in a number of spring carts, which, wfth the paddock, were kindly lent for thr> occasion. The party arrived at Winchester about 12 o’clock, and after all bad

partaken of an excellent repast games were commenced and kept up during-the afternoon. The singing of the children at intervals, mingled with the strains of music, also helped to make the time pass pleasantly, and ail appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. About half-past four tea was partaken off, and at 6.15 a start for home was made. On leaving the paddock three cheers were given in a most hearty manner for Mr Metson (Superintendent of the school), for Mr Woodley and family, and for the ladies who had done so much to roake > the anniversary gathering a success. Among those who cannot be too highly spoken of for the way in which they worked may be mentioned Mesdames Bryan, Freddy, Woodley, Williams, and Rogers.