Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3098, 22 January 1879, Page 2

Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary Soiree.

The tenth anniversary of the above was celebrated last night in the usual way by a soiree and public meeting. The attendance was moderate. The spread was a very nice one, but for some reason—perhaps that it was exceedingly warm (the tea as well as the atmosphere)—the good things did not disappear so quickly a* usual. The school children, who looked very pretty, were arranged in tiers at the head of the chapel, and during the ivening sang several hymns rery creditably. Rev. J. T. Hintori offered prayer, and the Chairman, Father Manners, gave an opening address, in which he narrated a sad story illustrating the .depravity of one who had become, bereft of humanity, but who was at last reformed. Mr Christie (secretary) read his annual report,' which showed the state of the school to be favorable in regard to the number of children, there beiDg 112 on the books, and the average attendance was 43 in the morning and 64 "in the afternoon; and they posseesed a good-library of over 250 books. Want of teachers was compMnd of. > -The expenses of -the school during the year had been considerable, and there was a balance on the wrong side of £3 odd. Mr Reushaw spoke to, the tfi^oit, and made a speech, in which he teiti^&d his great_ faith in Sunday Schools, which should be; he said, 1 the recruiting place .for the Churcho^. >After the singings of a hymn, a' lad named George Bennett recited " Mbther, will you let mego," a touching piece, ia a creditable manner. Kate Paul, another scholar, also recited a pretty poem,.setting forth the,,power.of Godliness even "in* a chM. Mr F. James spoke to the meeting, aifd said he; as well'as Mr Renshaw, had given up another meeting in order to be present. There was nothing he felt so much interest in as Sunday scholars, with whom he had.been connected since boyhood. : He counted, that much of the of his life was owing to having attended Sabbath School, and dwelt on the duty of mankind to raise one another. In regard io religious instruction in day schools, he was not opposed to' it, but of two evils he would choose the least: he would rather not have it than have it taught by bad men, or by coercion. Rev. Mr Neill followed, and in starting said it might appear that the subject of Sunday Schools was worn threadbare, but when studied it presented itself in hew and varying lights. He urged them to to persevere in the noble work they were engaged in. Another recitation was then given by Arthur Behnett, entitled "An Appeal;"; which. Eevi; J. T. Hinton referred to in the commencement'of a good address, by saying it seemed an abortion of right that such an appeal should bo made without view to a response. (The tendency of the piece was to awakeq a practical sympathy for the school, but no collection was made.) Lastly Mr Qrd, the superintendent, moved a . yote vof thanks to all who had assisted at i the meeting, which was passed. He also explained the absence of Revs. Nixon and Bunn, who were both attending Conferences. '::^ ; r,2 ■*■. ■■:.,<} "