METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3034, 3 November 1908, Page 6

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The anniversary celebrations in connection with the Methodist Supday School was continued last evening. There was a largo attendance, and Mr C. E. Daniell presided. The children contributed a lengthy programme of songs and recitations. The following contributed items: — Ivan Sutherland, Grace Tooby, Willie Morris, Phyllis Falloon, Stanley Moore, Clarence Tyacke, Cora Ralph, Harold Martin, Roy Brunton, Becky Morris, Elsie King, Olive Sutherland, Sydney Fragnell, Gertie Morris, Richard Tyacke, Annie Hood. Rev. A. B. Chappell, the organising secretary of the Methodist Church in New Zealand, gave an interesting address on the proposals of the Methodist Church in the interests uf the young people. The annual report of the secretary (Mr R. Mclver) stated inter alia:— There are 290 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 192. The highest attendance on any one Sunday being 225 and the lowest 106. We should be pleased if parents would assist us by encouraging their children to be present every Sunday. The staff consists of seventeen ; teachers and four officers, with an average attendance of nineteen. Mr Mannell ha 3 charge of the Infant which haa a membership of 101), with an av.nage

attendance of 86.. The highest at tendance on any one Sunday being 89 and the lowest 18. The Infant Class is a mixed class made up of children of ages ranging from three years to eight years. Since the end of January the class has steadily increased in numbers, and the teachers feel gratified to report an increase of 38. Unfortunately for the boy's class register, ten boys left, some have left the district and some having gone to other schools, leaving 66 girls and 43 boys on the roll. I think it only fair, as secretary of the school, and having a knowledge of the work that is being done in this department, to call your attention to the absolute need of a new building for the accommodation of such a large class. The "Cradle Koll" Department, which is a branch of the Infant Class work, with Miss Heyhoe as superintendent, has made rapid strides. The number on the "Cradle Roll" up to January of this year was 35, and during Miss Heyhoe's term of office of nine months, there has been an increase of 80, making 115 now enrolled. Changes have takei place since my last report of the Young Women's Bible Class. Must this be a record of decline, failure and discouragement? I think not, but of success and progress, for spiritually and socially they have made much headway. The membership at present is 42. During the year they have had, to part with msny of their members, among whom is Miss Heyhoe, their secretary for a number of years, which losa the class felt keenly. Miss Heyhoe is now assisting in the Infant Department, and in her new work she has the best wishes of her old class. I have to report the severe loss the class has just suffered through the resignation of its leader, Mr J. A. Donald, who finds he cannot continue in that office. Mr Donald has been the leader of the class for six years, and the members feel deeply indebted to him. His place is to be taken by Mr 0. Pragnell, and an interesting year's work is looked forward to. Changes have taken place in the Young Men's Bible Class,, the personnel of the class being almost entirely different to that of last year. Just recently Mr Wilson has been appointed leader. The present membership is 26. The number on the roll of the Band of Hope j has now reached 80, with an average attendance of 30. The Junior Endeavour Society, under the leadership of Miss Church, has a membership of 23, with an average attendance of 20. The members visit the Hospital and do other good work, and hope their work has proved a help to some. Our best thanks are due to Miss Church for carrying on this work. During the past year we added 104 new books to the Library at a cost of £l3 4s 7d, making a total of 637 books on the catalogue. The Library is subscribed to by 102 scholars, with an average o! 32 books changed each Sunday. Mr P. Church, the Librarian, gives close attention to this work. We tender our thanks to Mr Ralph (conductor), Miss Ethel Daniell (organist), the Orchestra and Bible Classes, and all who have in any way assisted the work at this and previous anniversaries.—R. Mclver, Secretary.