Baptist Sunday School Anniversary Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3023, 23 October 1878, Page 2

Baptist Sunday School Anniversary Soiree.

A very successful soiree fad public meeting to celebrate the above was held in the Baptist Church last evening. The cheerful little building was quite full at about half-past six o'clock, and all seemed to enjoy heartily the good things provided for consumption. After tea some singing by the choir (under Mr Brown) introduced proceedings} followed by prayer by Bey. B. Ldshley, and some remarks by the Chairman. Mr Brown read the Secretary's annual report, showing among other things attendance of 200 scholars at the school, among whom was circulating a good library. Mr fienshaw (treasurer) read his report, it being ah encouraging one, and represented the school funds in a good position, notwithstanding considerable outlay for books, &c. The Chairman congratulated them on the handsome sum contributed last Sunday at the services conducted by Mr Webb—£l3 odd; he also explained the absence of Revs. Bunn and Nixon. , A hymn by the choir came • next, being creditably rendered. Mr Benshaw gave an address on the power of love and sympathy in the teacher, and was followed by Bey. B. Laishley in a spirited speech in which he commented 1 on Sunday Schools and said though they did great good, they did not do enough, and urged on parents not to neglect their children's religious education. The most striking point he spoke of was the evils which; he averred, sprang from certain weekly dancing meetings attended : by many youfag persons of this town. Many of the audience seemed to concur in this. Bey. S. J. Neill then addressed the meeting, commenting on the nobility of work, especially Christian work; a great author had said, "He that does not work must steal," modifying the last word, of course. A law of mstion was heat, and when two or moife kindred spirits exerted themselves in any cause a warmth would certainly attend their endeavors. Bey. A. W. Webb followed in a capital speech. He spoke of early conversion, and its process : with some it may be as a flash of lightning; with others, as a gently dawning light; with others again, imperceptible; but he cared not how it was brought about, if there was a lively apprehension of Christ as a friend, a Saviour, that meant conversion. He gave an accouut of how he bad dealt with a number of little children . in Auckland, after the manner of Baptist IS ewell —a great advocate of child conversion—and expressed his conviction that he had witnessed many genuine conversions among them. He was frequently applauded. A successful anniversary was brought to a close in the usual way. Pressure on our. space precludes a longer | notice. ,___