Centenary Celebration.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3609, 21 July 1880, Page 2

Centenary Celebration.

Last evening a public meeting wa sheld in the Academy of Music in connection with the Sunday School Centenary celebration. The Chair was occupied by Mr John Hudson. The Rev. 8. J. Nei'l opened the meeting with prayer. " I will arise," aa anthem, wai pleasingly rendered by the choir. Mr Gribble officiated at the harmonium; and Mr Vivian accompanied on the flute. The Rev. R. Laishley gate an excellent discourse on "The Life of Bobert Bailees." He said, after a few 1 prefatory remarks, that the claim of the founder of Sunday Schools, on civilised people, was his constant advocacy of the movement by means of his paper (The Gloucester Journal). On every available opportunity paragraphs »howing the usefulness of the Sunday School brought the subject under the notice of its readers, which, were numerous. One g eat lesson to be l-rxvnt from Eaikcs 1 life was that religion was not incompatible with secular work; Another philanthropist, John Bounds, the poor shoemaker, would never be forgotten. There were 3,000 children who had passed through Root. Baikes' school, and nose of them had ever been found in reformatories or gaols. He earnestly asked those present to take an interest in the Sunday School, as if not recompense:! for so doing here, they would be hereafter.

The Choir sang "Zion," Miss Gribblo taking the leading part. Mr "Vivirn accompanied on the flute and Mr Hunter on the cornet.

Mr Jaynes, a speaker from Auckland, spoke on the subject of the children's friend. He said that Christ had always shown a partiality for children, and they held a high place in His opinion. Mr Jaynes concluded by asking assistance for the furtherance of their objret. The Be?. T. L. Davies spoke of the results of a century of Sunday Schools. Over 250,000 Sunday scholars attended after the schools bad bren established a few yean. Before that the clergy considered that the laity had no business to interfere in such a matter. He regretted to say, however, that such a feeling existed still in come parts of the continent of Europe. Before JRaikes founded his school all the 1 religious teaching was given by the Ministers, and those who did not care for their children receiving such, had no alternative but t) take them away from religious instruction altogether, as no Sunday Schools such a? those at present existed then. This state of things was happily altered by the starting of Baikes' schools. At the present time nearly ninety seven percent, of.the.people of England could read and write, and this happy circumstance cou'.d be traced to the teaching in Sunday Schools. He sincerely hoped the movement would continue to prosper, Mr W. Gribble's anthem, entitled "Kuth," was then'sung by the choir. The composition is an excellent one, and Mr Gribble is to be 'congratulated on his production. The Rev. S. J. Ncill addressed the meeting on Sunday schools at Home. He said that these schools had a great influence on (he minds of children. In class teaching there was a vast amount of emulation, each teacher vying with the other who should have the lessons learnt the best. The instruction children received at the Sunday school should assist parental teaching, and not take its place. He exhorted parents to train children up by precept and example, and send them to school as soon as practicable, as by that means the Sunday school would be materially assisted. Mr Thomas Pulljames said he had vivid recollections of a jubilee service which took pbee in England 50 years ago. " He gave a most interesting account of it, and pointed to the tremendous stride made by the movement since 1830.

The choir then sang, the anthem " Holy Lord " with accompaniments on the cornet and flute. >

The Rev. W. J. Watkin spoke on "What results may be anticipated of Sabbath Schools in the future." lie said that man should not decline, bat he had done so. The ancient empires of Greece and Rome—once in possession of the known world—were now mere nonentities. If people would only be faithful to Christ, their glory would not fade. The movement had been rapidly extended in England, but a great deal yet remained to be done on the Continent. They hoped, however, that before long the institution would obtain a firm footing in that portion ot the globe. The choir then sang an anthem, after which the Bey. Mr Adamson spoke on the rewards of the Sunday School teacher. One reward a teacher obtained was in the love and respect of the children. A nother was tbat he had carried out Christ's behest " Feed my iambs." His duty became a delight' to him. The fact of the secularist attempt to open museums, galleries, etc. in England, being defeated

was mainly owing to the objection raised by Sabbath School teachers und scholars.' The choir sang an anthem, after which the Doxology was sung, and the meeting concluded.