Congregational Sunday School Anniversary.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5098, 20 May 1885, Page 2

Congregational Sunday School Anniversary.

A soiree, in celebration of the anniversary of the Congregational Sunday School was held in the Church last evening, and was largely attended. The building was rery tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and presented a pretty appearance. Full justice haring been done to the bountiful supply of good things provided, the tables were cleared, and a public meeting held, the Rev. It. Jjaishley occupying the chair. Tbe meeting baring been opened with singing and prayer, The Chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Revs. Robertson, Best, and S. J. Neill, and tendered his. thanks to the Choral Society for post* poning their performance on their behalf. He thaoked God that tbe threatened war had been averted) and looked upon the position occupied by them that evening as one of deep thankfulness. "It; was not usual with them to present a formal report, but notwithstanding the existing depression they had been very successful during the past year, for which they should all be deeply grateful to God. They had opened a teachers' library in connection with the Sunday School, which had been more successful than they could have hoped. Rev. Mr Jones congratulated those connected with the Sunday School that they had work to do, but would remind them that in order to be successful in that work, they must be united, and labor on amid Jill discouragements. Rev. F. G. Evans said it afforded him much pleasure to be present at such a gathering. He looked upon the work done in Sunday Schools as the most important branch of air church work, owing to the fact that teachers were brought into contact with those more capable of being impressed with divine truths. To be successful in their work, howerer, Sunday School teachers should be in sympathy with their scholars, and hare their lessons well prepared. He concluded by exhorting them to go on teaching and working, and they would be rewarded.

Bey. W. S. Potter expressed great pleasure at being able to. be present. He would impress upou pareutg that Suudajr

Schools did not take the place of home wurk, but rather supplemented it. Teachers should learn to study for their scholars, and consider the condition and circumstances of each one in their class, and endeavor to simplify the great truths and interest them. If they wished to achieve success, however, there must be prayerfulness, without which they could not be successful.

Mr Stewart said lie had often noticed the difference in teaching in primary schools and Sunday Schools. One of the common faults with young teachers was endeavoring to teach too much at one time; be would remind them that it was not what they placed before their scholars which proved beneficial to them, but rather that which they were able to grasp. They should therefore limit these subjects, and make sure that it awas indelibly impressed on their children. In conclusion, he would remind them of the importance of the work they were doing, for in their classes were the Christians of the future.

Mr Cheal delivered a somewhat lengthy address upon the quotation from Shake* speare, " What's in a name ?" Some were distinctive of character, while others were false, but tbere was one of which ho. wished to remind them-—that of Christian. Christianity had done more in bringing them to enjoy the privileges they now possessed than anything else, and be would ask them to carry out the Christianity they professed in their daily life. Mr Laishley returned thanks to the ladies who" had assisted at the tea, the choir, speakers, and members of other congregations who were present, and the singing of the Doxology and the pronun* ciation of the Benediction terminated a very pleasant meeting. During the evening several anthems were rendered by the choir, which considerably harmonised the proceedings.