PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL, GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2180, 26 March 1891, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL, GERALDINE.

The usual tea meeting in connection vith the anniversary services of this Sunday School was held on Monday evening last, and both numerically and financially was a success. Five tables were laid and were presided over by Mesdames T. Sherratt, J. Kennington, and H. N. Hiskens, and Misses Andrews, Kimble, Btonehouse, Prouting, and P. Hawke, assisted by one or two of tha elder scholars. Owing to the large number of persons who partook of tea it wrs well on towards eight o’clock before the tables were cleared and the seats arranged for the public meeting. At this meeting Mr W. S. Maslin, superintendent of the school, occupied the chair. The choir of children was under the leadership of Mr C. E. Sherratt, who bad trained them, Miss Andrews presiding at the harmonium.

The chairman stated that in addition to being the regular Sunday School anniversary tea the meeting was v a kind of recognition tea to the Rev. W. C. Wood, their new pastor, who had just commenced his duties amongst them. The meeting was opened with the singing of a hymn and prayer, after which the children contributed the chorus “ God is Hove.”

Recitations —Elsie Sherratt, “The Spider and the Ply”; Plo. Maslin, “ Who took the Baby.” Mr Smith, of Temuka, addressed the meeting, speaking of the great importance of Sabbath Schools at the present day, and expressing a deep and lively interest iu such institutions. He extended a cordial welcome to the Rev. Mr Wood, who he was sure would prove a blessing to the town and district.

Chorus, “ Rejoicing To-day.” Recitations—Robert Scroggie, “ Be Carefal what you Say ” ; Bertha Sherratt, “Which is Best”; Fred. Wallack, “ Nothing to Do,” Mr J. M, Sutherland gave Mr Wood a hearty welcome to the circuit. He pointed* out to those present that the making of bis stay in Geraldine a success did not rest solely with Mr Wood. All the officials and members must rally round him, and help him. If they did this and earnestly endeavored to do their beat to support and encourage him, then his labors would be crowned and blessed by God. He trusted that they would not all help him the first year and during the second neglect their duty, but that the second year of bis ministration might be brighter than the first. (Applause.) Chorus, “Jesus, we our voices Raise.” Recitations —Geo. Sherratt, “ Mistook her Mission ” ; Alice Major, .“ A flower beside the Way”; Ered. Maslin, “ Churn Slowly.” The Eev. W. 0. Wood, who was received with applause, thanked the members of the church for the very great kindness with which they had received him. His ambition was to honor his Master, and to do his very best while he was among them. He pointed out how, under the present system of education in the colony, a greater responsibility rested upon the shoulders of Sunday school teachers than formerly. He contended that the boys and girls of this colony were going to schools that were little better than heathen establishments as far as spiritual matters were concerned. He drew a vivid picture of the results of this godless system of education. It meant that the young men of this colony were growing up worse than infidels, and steeped in crime of every form, because their parents, while striving to give them elementary education, were witholding from them the Bible. He pointed out to his hearers the increased responsibility this placed upon the churches and Sabbath schools in endeavoring to train the children in the truths of the Elible. He urged upon them to have for their object “ New Zealand for Gad,” and to agitate and work until they once more bad the Bible in its proper place in the schools. For his part lie would use every endeavor to put the Bible back into the day schools, and he would spare no effort to achieve that object so long as God permitted him to work. He treated with scorn the statement made Jjy the of thp Freethpught

Association at Sydney that they had succeeded in putting the Bible oafc of the day schools of New Zealand. His opinion was that when New Zealand was once more a land dedicated to God, and the Bible was put back into the schools, the colony would again see the return of prosperity, and they would once again have the smile of God resting upon them. (Applause.) Chorus, “ Come with thy Broken Heart.” Eecitations Ethel King, “ Katie’s Part ’’ ; Ellen Bowkett, “ Papa’s Letter ”; Mary Billings, “The Little Graves.” Captain Eorlong (Salvation Army) addressed the meeting, speaking more particularly on the great importance of home training. She gave some striking illustratiann of the splendid results achieved in the lives of little children by careful and thorough home training. She urged upon her hearers not to depend too much upon the labors of the Sabbath school teacher, valuable as their labors were, but to see that their children were thoroughly trained at home in the principles of religion and the truths of the Bible v She concluded by extending a cordial welcome to Mr Wood. (Applause.) Chorus, “ Hail, all Hail,” Eecitations— Maggie Scroggie, “ Our Daily Bread ; ” Emily Maslin, “No Night in Heaven;” Panny Jones, ‘‘The Two Little Stockings.” Chorus, “ The Soul’s Sweet Home.” Eecitation Annie Bowhett, “ The Three Bidders.”

Mr C. E. Sherratt, on behalf of the local preachers of the circuit, welcomed Mr Wood to Geraldine. He was certain that if the rev. gentleman continued to preach as successfully as he had done for the past two Sundays his labors in the district would be crowned with success. The speaker concluded with the recitation “ Loved and Lost,” On the proposition of Mr Wood votes of thanks were accorded by acclamation to all those who had taken part in the gathering in any way whatever. The pronouncing of the Benediction by the Eav. Mr Wood terminated a very pleasant evening.