Anuiversary Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3888, 15 June 1881, Page 2

Anuiversary Soiree.

CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL.

A soiree and public meeting in commemoration of the anniversary of the above school was held in the Church, Mary street, last evening. The tables were loaded with good things, and there was a large attendance. The pulpit was very tastefully decorated with -ferns and flowers. After the tea a public meeting was held, which was also well attended. The proceedings commenced with a hymn, after which the Rev T. W. Adamson engaged in prayer. The choir rendered an anthem, " I will extol Thee," after which— The Chairman, the Eev. £. Laishley, came forward, and said he was pleased to see so many present. It showed that an interest was taken in Sabbath School work. He thought that on an occasion like the present the subject of Sabbath School work need not be dwelt upon, for they no doubt heard about that quite enough. The School was in just about the same state as it was last year. He went on to speak of the value of children, who,. he said, were their jewels—their most precious possessions, and should be watched over carefully and tenderly. He was deeply grateful to God for the success with which He had favored them during the past year. He would not detain them, but call upon the choir to render another anthem, "The earfrh is the Lord's," which was done very nicely. The Chairman then apologised. for the. absence of the Rev T."L. Davies, who was, suffering from indisposition, and called upon the next speaker,; The Rev Mr Hodgson, of Auckland. The speaker thought a departure should be made on these occasions from the subject of Sabbath School work, and said it seemed to him that it was God's intention to bring himself close to us, as was especially shown by His sending Christ Jesus on to the earth. When a clear conception was got of Christ, the qualities of God were, seen plainly in Him. Christ was at one time on the earth, but now He had left it, leavHis followers to witness of Him and continue the work he had begun. Christians should partake of the nature of God, and receive His qualities, in order to impart them to others,, Christianity was something deeper than a system of beliefs ; but there, was too little life shown in it, too little of getting Christ into them, and sending Him out from them to the world. The influence of pious mothers on children could not be too highly valued, and it was their influence that saved many a man from plunging himself'into scepticism and unbelief. He exhorted mothers to be Christians at.home ; to set a good example to their children. If his hearers would live true Christian lives, far more good would be done here;than would, be done, by all the sermons preached on the Thames. >.-•, ;-..;•;•: f.;-rh -'..■]•-[.. /?;;•■ A solo, "Ruth," was then sung by. Mrs N. Payne, the renderibg of which elicited applause.

The Bey. S. J. Neill was the next speaker. He' spoke of the care and money expended on the system of secular education, bat regretted that such insignificant efforts were put forth for the education of the soul and the cultivation of the higher virtues of the human nature. He attributed the larrikinism so prevalent among the young to the lives led by their parents, and thought that they should be held more responsible for the faults of their children. As they were not likely to get the Bible read in their public schools, they should strive more than ever to lay its sacred truths before their children. Miss Fisher then rendered a solo, " Low at Thy Feet," in a, pleasing manner. ,

The Bey. T. W. Adamson said he was always pleased to be at meetings such as the present; they drew people nearer to each other. In looking upon the success achieved in Sabbath school. work, they must take into account the material worked upon and the teachers; and looking al it in this way, it was a great success. He regretted that in many cases the teaching received in the Sabbath school was allowed to supersede the teaching at home, and that in some cases, home influences were direct against Sabbath school teaching- Though the Sabbath school was not yet perfect, it was a noble work, and did great good, though the full result of its work would not be known on this eartu. In conclusion, he encouraged his young friends to hold fast to that which was good and true. After anotherpieeeof music—^"JN"ot lost, but gone before"—the Itev. Mr .Robertson addressed the meeting,' and gave a very humorous speech, after which he congratulated the school on the success which had attended them in the past year, and wished them every success in the future. The Bey. W. J. Watkiu, in one of his usual humorous speeches; aaid children were the great care of' their, parents. It was a good thing to see them active, but they wanted to train that activity in the right path. He gave a lengthy speech, bearing on the importance of Bible teach* ing to the young. •• I , The last item on the programme was a solo by Miss Adams, " O Distant Stars," after which the meeting closed by the usual votes of thanks, the singing of the Doxology, and the pronunciation of the Benediction. Miss Hudson presided at the harmonium, and played the accompaniments to the various pieces.