ST. SAVIOUR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2247, 29 August 1891, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Church of England Sunday School at Temuka took place on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of parishioners, the Sunday School children, and teachers. The proceedings commenced with the singing of Hymn 215 Hymns Ancient and Modem, “ The Church’s One Foundation,” after which the incumbent, the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, who was supported by the Rev. James Preston and T. Jasper Smythe, offered up prayers.

The Rev. T. A. Hamilton then said ho wished to express thankfulness for the fulfilment of the greatest desire of his heart, viz., a building to supply at once a Sunday Schoolroom for educational purposes and also a Parish-room to be a centre for all the activities of Church life. Thanks were largely due to Mr S. Hewlings for the kind gift of the section on which the building was now being erected: but for his generosity the building could hardly have been commenced. The building would supply the great needs of the parish in a threefold manner :—lst, as regards the Children, The education of the young was one of the great questions of the day, and in New Zealand the State made ample provision for the diffusion of knowledge and securing intelligent citizens; but knowledge, without religious principles to guide in the paths of rectitude, was simply useless, and voluntary effort would always be needed on the part of the Church to supply religious education. The tendency of the age was to overdo secular education and to neglect religious instruction ; to take care of the intellects of children and to leave their souls uncared for; the feeling of the present day being just the opposite of the poet’s words—

“ Be good, and let who will be clever.”

The training of children in religious ! principles is a sacred trust committed to the Church. The State school education , might send them forth on the voyage of life fully equipped with the masts, sails, and gear of useful knowledge, but to steer clear of the rocks, and shoals, and quicksands, of life the Church must supply the of vital Cristianity to each one, that so 44 they may pass the waves of this troublesome world, and finally come to the land of everlasting life.” The Church was awakening to the fact that the religious education of the young was the most important factor in its organisation, for the next generation of , churchmen and churchwomen would be mainly whr.t wo made them, and upon them would devolve the work of the Church presently. The good example of the Homan section of the great Catholic Church was stimulating other branches to like self-denying efforts. Sunday School work must be well done if done at all, and every appliance, &c., must be provided to accomplish the best results, and in this building it was hoped that systematic and thorough teaching would be imparted, and that the school would be thoroughly efficient. He hoped all would heartily support the Sunday School and its teaching staff, recognising how necessary a religious training was for restraining crime and obtaining obedience to law and order in the rising generation. Secondly, he hoped that the building would supply a desideratum as regards the youths of the parish. They needed amusement and recreation, and would have it. Young men liked to flock together, and young women likewise, and to this end there might be Friendly Societies established, and meetings held in the building, instead of the young peopie loafing in crowds in the streets, or finding their own amusements in doubtful ways and places. The Church should be in sympathy with the gregarious instincts of the young, and allow them to be gratified with due safeguards under its asgjfe and within its fold, and thus attach them to itself with feelings of loyalty and love. Thirdly, the building would provide for elderly people in those social gatherings from time to time which did so much to promote friendly feelings. Here lectures and missions, and other gatherings would be held without the cost of hiring. The building would also be let to .parties desiring to use it, and as it was midway between the Volunteer Hall and the Oddfellows’ Hall in regard to size it would supply a need to the township at large. Ho begged, in conclusion, to thank very heartily all who had contributed to the erection of the building, and asked for their support in the future in wiping off the debt. The building would be an addition to the town, and an ornament to the place. It was designed by a well-known local architect, Mr D. West, and in the contractors, Messrs' Comer & Larcombe, the Church felt secure in having the worjc done faithfully and well. He then referred to Mr H. R. Webb’s appointment as synodsman of the parish, vice Mr Alfred Cox, who had resigned. In coming thus into their midst he would be able to make the acquaintance of the people and learn, something of their requirements, and also of the progress of the parish. He heartily welcomed Mr Webb, and introducing him requested him to lay the foundation stone in position^ M> Webb said that he had readily acc|jded to the request of their pastor to bepresent that day and lay the foundation stone of their new school. He thanked them for the compliment paid him, the more especially as it gave him an opportunity of visiting their town, of ascertaining the requirements of the parish. He was one who had for many years taken a great interest in the religious education of the young, and any movement in that direction had his heartfelt sympathy. He was glad that a commencement had been made with a building that promised to do so much for the young members of so large a parish, and trusted that the work commenced that day would be brougt to a successful issue in the fullest meaning of the term. They were told that the building would be used not only for school purposes, but also for mission work, and the social gatherings always held in connection with communities such_ as they represented. This was a very important matter for nothing was so needful as to continue the work commenced in the Sunday School. It had often been said that after chidren had been conflfihed the church lost sight of them. This was a grevious matter and he was glad that their pastor so fully realised it. , The work commenced that day, was one that he felt sure would) redound to the honour and glory of God. Addressing the children, he said, that it would be to their privilege in that school, to be taught to honor the Holy Name of their Saviour 4 to trace his childhood and the means by which their redemption was purchased, and their inheritance of eternal life assured. That the building would fulfil all the requirements that was expected of it was his earnest wish. Mr Webb then proceeded to place in the north-east comer of the building the foundation stone, which bore this inscription: 44 AD GLOBIAM DEI, Aug. 27, 1891.” In the cavity beneath it was deposited a sealed bottle containing copies of the Temuka Leader, Christchurch Press, Lyttelton Times, and Timaru Herald of that date, and the Church News of August, together with a document as follows 44 This building was erected in the year of our Lord 1891, during the term of office of the following : Robert Pinckney, parishioners’ churchwarden: Ernest C. Dann, clergyman’s churchwarden; John Talbot, E. 'Whitehead, J. T. M. Hayhurst, J. H. Walker, E. Pilbrow, G. Mason, A. Nicholas, J. Langridge, E. Chapman, and !R, Comer, vestrymen; and in the ninth year of the incumbency of the Rev. Thos. A. Hamilton; architect, D. West,

Timaru; contractors, Comer & Larcombe, . Temuka. The foundation atone was laid aJijLthe 27th Aug., 1891, by H, R. Webb, v,' for the parish, and the building will be opened (D.V.) by the Right Rev. Bishop of Christchurch on Dec. 7, 1891.”

The stone haying been properly adjusted, Mr Webb declared it well and truly laid in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton then offered up a prayer of dedication. While the hymn ‘‘.Praise the Lord, ye Heavens Adore Him,” was being sung a collection was made. The collection amounted to £5 16s, including a donation pf £2 2s from Mr Webb, after which the

proceedings were terminated by the Benediction. After the ceremony the children of the Sunday School, with their teachers, were entertained at tea in the Oddfellows’ Hall by the Rev. Mr and Mrs Hamilton.