WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 192, 12 October 1871, Page 6

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

The .second Anniversary of the Lawrence Wesleyan Sunday School was celebrated by a tea and public meeting, held in the Church, Colonsy-streQt, on Tuesday, the 3rd inst.

In the afternoon, the children connected with the school had tea about 5 o'clock, and their parents and a large concourse of friends sat down to tea* at half,-past sis o'clock. There wis everything provided to supply tie tastes of the moat fastedious, and all appeared pleased, if we might judge by the expression of satisfaction whic'i played upon their features. The tables being cleared, the public meeting, which was presided over by the Rev. Mr. Bull, pastor of the churc'i. was then opened by a hymn, led by f>oiue of the children, after which tV Kftv. Mr. M>tjzws oSered up a. pvayer appropriate to the occasion. Mr. CoVerlidthen read the report, of which the following is a summary: — There had been an average of 36 children attending during the year. For these there were, eight teachers, a superintendent and a secretary. 9093 verses had been committed to memory by the children, during the year. 3197 of these being the boys share, and 5901 the girls. Theteachars have reason to be encouraged, with the results of their labours, and wish to devofc: themselves wibh full consecration ti their work, so as to be a hep to par jilts ana * v uo w i ae desiring to assume their place. The'balance sheet sho,wed recepts to the amount of £15 55., and expenditure to the amount of £15, 9s. 9d., leaving a balance a of 4s. 9J., due to the treasurer.

The Chairman apologised for the abs< nee of the Rev. Mr. Beck, of the Tuviot, who was unable to be present owing to indisposition. He then addressed the meeting on Education, speaking iv favour 9f a thorough secular education, ' but he said whatever we- get we must not forget a religious education. The life of Voltaire he instanced as a standing record of education without religion, and showed the great power for wood or evil men of irenius exerted according to their training. The speaker then' made reference to the early Christians, and showed the very limited means they" had of being educated, there being no printing in their day, and the Bible was in the hands of i a very few ; still, having a regard to [ i the future, they diligently copied them, \ and so they were multiplied and transmitted to the present time. If he were asked* what benefit he ' could bestow on posterity, he would answer the questijn by asking another, What cheater or better benefit than by training-'the young of the present age ? We all wish our children to be better than us." He had often thought of the Gerinanschoolmaster, who every raorninglifted'bishattohisscholars,andwhen asked-; why he did so, said, " I know what they are npw^ but I don't know wJiafc they will 'be." " The rev. 'genfiprnau! then showed the duty which devolved 'upon ' chrisfcians to instruct the young aWd give them a religious training. The question 'asked by the Saviour was, " Lovesfthou me more than these ? " and,' if it; wis answered in the affirmative;, the imperative duty was, "Feed "my lambs." The rev. : chairman then referred to the great influence of mothers upon the future welfare of their ' children. Napoleon -bad: said- that ths future of the child depended on the influence of Jhe mother, and there 1 were nameroos" instances of the truth of this statement. What the father failed' in doings the rfiothep brought about. Has their bby- committed' lome 'wrong arid will •ttßt- repent^' will not give iii j when the time forpfayer comes, then comes the :tide oPfefeWu^tbeU Wsays, "Mother, I'did'-rfc"' They had many, proofs in 4 htetoßy df.ambtber's influence. It is jroiibdJ- ?ti— Angtt9tine*»V life and in fWctefiyV. ?•)]&, '' •' He 1 ! - (the speaker) jbel!sesfir tfcfe '^n^&jka#f jehil#r,e.n, }IJe n»«Hfvf a^]th^Mr. : ' Spurgeon • that Jtbeae-'was tjj:ore:faith f % youfc¥£han in W&^tft alt <* *>1it!: « ;■■•

After a hymn was sung, Mr. Paul Ah Chin addressed the meeting. The rev. Mr. Menzies was then called upon, and addressed the meeting. He believed strongly in Sunday Schools which, he said, performed a most important part of the Church work. He was old enough to remember when there were no Sunday Schools in his Native place. Some people might think it must have been a very benighted place, but it was not so, for in m my of the households of the place ho referred to there was no need of Sunday school teaching. He feared our present education was turning away from the household. He did not like to shift ths education from the parent to another, but he accepted Sunday schools as a necessity. He had read that in Nelson there was a deal of bad language used amongst the children at the public schools, and he was afraid it could only be traced to the loose lan mage used at their homes. The rev. gentleman continued his remarks on the good and had results of the training given at home by parents.

The rev. Chairman in introducing the rev. Dr. Copland paid a pleasing tribute of praise to the Dr., and regretted that he was about to leave the district for another sphere of labour.

The rev. Dr. Copland delivered an excellent address. Mr. Paul Ah Chin had referred to Confucius, and he might mention the great contrast between the teachings of Confucius and those of Christ. The doctrine throughout Scripture is that when once we find the truth we are to teach it. but the doctrine of Confucius is that when we find the truth we are to keep it. The rev. Dr. then referred to the kidnnpning which was going on in the New Hebrides, and 7'opelled certain charges which were made against the Missionaries there.

The rev. Mr. Tsitt then delivered an eloquent address. Sunday school teachers, he thought, as a rule, did not look enough for results. They, should look tfpon these Anniversaries as times for stocktaking, and they should not be content with the belief that their labours, although they could see no practical results from them, might bear fruit hereafter. Let them now haul m tfie net and count; the fishes. Hft would like to see more earnest working, more anxiety to engage in the work. He was acquainted with several young Germans in London, during fie time the war was raging between France and Prussia. One day he met one of them, Fr.mz Holtz, and asked him why he was not away to the war with his two friends. He replied, with the tears in his eyes, " I wanted to go, but they would not have me." This was the spirit lie would like to see animating the Christian in his labours.

A collection was then inide towards the formation of a lilinry. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Tonks. to the gentlemen who had kindly addressed them during the evening, was passed. On the motion of Mr. Bloxham, a vote of thanks was passed to the ladies for presiding "at the tables, coupled with the name of Mrs. Marx, for playing the harmonium. Other votes of thanks were passed, after which a hvrn was sung and the benediction pronounced. The meeting then separated, after a very pleasant evening's enjoyment.