Thames Baptist Church.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3373, 14 October 1879, Page 2

Thames Baptist Church.

ANNIVEESABY SOIREE.

The anniversary soiree in connection with the Thames Baptist Sunday School, was held at the Churcli Willoughby street last evening. Notwithstanding the unfavorable nature of the weather, there was a good attendance. After a bountiful tea was partaken of, the tables was cleared away, and Mr James Benshaw toak the chair.

After prayer had been offered up, the chairman addressed the audience, thanking them for the good attendance, notwithstanding the inclemency of.the weather. He referred to the occasion that bad brought them together, viz., the 10th anniversary of the Sunday School, which though not as old as an English Sabbath School was still old for the colonies. The school he had belonged to in the old country celebrated its 50th anniversary before he left. Ho referred to the pleasure these ten yean of Sunday School experience had been. After some further remarks, he called on the secretary, Mr Haminerton to read the annual report. Mr Hammerton, secretary to the school, read the annual report, which showed that the teaohors numbered 20— 13 males and 7 females. There were 212 scholars on the books, with an average attendance of 142 in the afternoon, and 66 in the morning. During the .year 7. scholars had joined the church, and 2 of the number were now teachers. The library contained 340 volumes, and the total number of issues during the year had been 1240. The report then alluded to the formation of a "Christian Band" for the instruction and encouragement of the scholars who professed to have experienced a change of heart. The Chairman read the treasurer's report, which shewed the receipts to have been £43 16s 7d, and the expenditure £46 17s lid, thus leaving a debit balance of £3 Is 4d.

The Rev, Mr Watkin then delirered en excellent address on the " Qualifications of a Sunday School teacher." He prefaced his remarks by stating that what lie was going to say was not what he had learnt by experience but by observation. The first thing required by the teacher was intelligence—he mast know God. He mast also be sympathetic, having a love for his fellows, and communicative. Another great attribute of the good teacher was devotedness. These were the main points, but there were a few little items he might bring under their notice, viz., punctuality, perseverance and hopefulness. The address was enlirened by several amusing anecdotes, and the audience frequently expressed approval during the course of the address. The Rev. R. Laishley took for l*i» subject " The Object of Sunday School Teaching." Unlike the previous speaker he was an old Sunday School teacher. Every teacher would tell them that the main object of Sabbath School teaching was the salvation of the children. He referred to the mode of conducting Sunday School work, urging the acceptance of the Bible as the only text book. He related an interesting anecdote of a Russian prince who was converted by means of a Bible obtained at the recent Paris Exhibition. The speaker referred to the stupendous results that were attending the distribution of God's Word throughout the continent of Europe and iv France especially. He urged the necessity of sympathy between the teacher and.bis class and thought they should try to eseel in the work, reminding them of Adam Clark's saying " That if he was only a shoe« black, he would try to be the best shoe-black in the town." The Rev. G. Smith delivered an excellent speech on Sunday School work, especially referring to the susceptibility of the youthful mind to receive impressions. He urged that there was a moral power in Gospel truth, which, if it had free access to the heart would ultimately win the victory. After a few remarks from the Rev. 8. J, Neill, the proceedings terminated with the singing of a hymn and the benediction.