ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 246, 17 October 1872, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.

On Rnnday last, the anniversary services of the Wesleyan Sunday School were held in the Church, Colonsay-Street. The Rev. Mr. Isitt, of Balclutha, officiated both morning and evening, and preached eloquent aud impressive sermons to large congregations. In the afternoon Mr. Isitt delivered a powerful address to the Sunday school children and their parents. Collections were made after each service, in aid of the school funds.

Ou Tuesday afternoon a pic-nic of the children attending the Sunday school, was held on the racecourse. A large number attended, and were liberally provided with cake, pastry, confectionery, and other delicacies which the juvenile palate delights in. Many games were improvised, and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent. The teachers attended the pic-nic, as also did a number of ladies and gentlemen, who all united in promoting the amusement of the children.

On Tuesday evening, a soiree was held in the church. Tea was on the table at half-pasfc six o'clock, at which hour a goodly assemblage had gathered. The attendance was so large that the available accommodation would only admit of one-third of the number being seated at the tables at a time, so there had to be three relays. The admirable arrangements, however, prevented any confusion or discomfort, and all who presented themselves were provided to their satisfaction. The several tables were preBided over by Mesdames Syrett, Beutly, and Marx, and Misses Campbeil, Richards, and Bruuton, whose attention to their guests was unremitting and. well appreciated. The tea and various edibles were furnished by the ladies of the congregation "on a most liberal scale, as to quantity, and their quality was well attested by the practical approbation shown by those who partook of them.. When the tables had been cleared away, the chair was taken by the Rev. H. Bull, the pastor of the congregation. A prayer was offered up by the Rev. J. Menzies, after which

Mr. H. W. Coverlid, the Secretary to to the Sunday school, read the annual report, of which the following is a precis: —

During the year, the Sunday school has been conducted 51 Sundays out of 52. The average attendance of scholars is 38, showing an increase over the previous year of 1. The increase would, however, have been much larger, had it nor been for the removal of 17 children si nee the last report was brought up. The number of teachers is 7 : and there is a Superintendent, a Deputy-Superinten-dent, and Secretary. Up to the 29fch July, the girls learnt 2256 verses of Scripture, and the boys 2403. giving a total of 4659 verses. An adult Bible class had been, formed ; a library established, and reward books distributed according to merit. Six teachers and three school board meetings had been held during the year. The teachers offered congratulations on the healthy state of the affairs of the school, and asked for the sympathy and encouragement of parents.

The balance sheet showed the expenditure .to have been £J.B 6s 3d, and the receipts £16 14?, leaving a balanco due to the Treasurer of £1 12s 3d,

The Chairman ' in adverting to the report, said" if the various denominations conjointly with parents attended to their dnty and looked after the spiritual welfare of children, the agitation for the establishment of denominational education never would have arisen, and the Legislature would be enabled to pass a measure suitable to the requirements of the colony. - Mr. Paul 4k Chin gave some interest

ing particulars relative to the three religions of China, and contrasted the Pagan with the Christian method of training children.

The Rev. Mr. Menzies snid that anniversary celebrations like the present, had been found ustful as a means of Christian intercourse. He commended the efforts of those who gave their time, and prayed for the advancement of Christanity, and lamented the scarcity of earnest devoted t 'hristiar.s in the colony, as though that fhere ' were many localities the inhabitants of which were leading a godless life.

The Rev. W. H. Beck, of Roxburgh, dwelt on the importance to the future generation the imparting of spiritual knowledge in Sunday schools was. He adverted to the great extension of similar knowledge, but pointed ont that great learning did not necessarily make men virtuous ; also that knowledge was a power for good or evil. The value of Sunday schools was to train the youthful mind that, when acquired, secular wisdom, would be a blessing to the country.

The Rev. Mr. Cameron said that Sunday schools had done a large amount of good, not only as regards children, but in providing a sphere of labor for Christian workers. He adverted to the influence of individual life upon congregations ; the influence of congregations on the world, and impressed upon those present the necessity of cultivating per sonal religion.

The Rev. Mr. Tsitt, in an eloquent address, maintained that Christianity was gaining ground ; that its history was one of progress. Christians should sing glad songs of joy, instead of dirges of lamentation, as some were doing, at the present state of religion. It was true that atheism boldly reared its head, and infidelity madly laughed in the face of Christianity, and some men's minds had been so bound under the iron yoke of superstition, that they believed in such rubbish as spiritualism. But if they looked back, forsay, lsoyears, they wonldfind that the world was brighter now than it was then : that everything had advanced, and there was ample evidence to show that Christianity,' instead of retrograding, had progress"!, and was winning its widening way, and extending its influence among the nations of the earth.

During the evening, Misses Sarah M'Whinney, Ann Miller, and Anne Marx, and' Master Bently - scholars, attending the Sunday school — gave recitations in a spirited and effective manner, which were well received. Several hymns were also sung by those present. "Mrs. Marx presided at the harmonium in a very able manner.

At the conclusion of the speeches, votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies who had furnished the tables, and to those who had contributed thereto, also to the choir.

The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Cameron, after which the assemblage dispersed.

The total anv>unt realised by the anniversary celebrations, including th.s proceeds of the soiree and the collections, amounted to the satisfactory sum of £17 10s.