CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9626, 19 October 1909, Page 5

CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL.

FIRST ANNIVERSARY GATHERING.

The first anniversary meeting of the Congregational Sunday School was held last evening. . The chair was occupied by Rev. A. Hodge, and there was a good attendance. Short addresses were given by Rev. D. Hird, M.D. of Palmerston North, and the chairman. Djring the evening the following items were contributed:—Song, Miss Doris Chilton; trio, Misses, M.,and D. Chilton and Edna Welch; duet, Messrs A. G. Wise and E. Chilton; solo, Mrs Welch: song, Miss Jessie Joy; song, Miss Gertie Joy; dialogue, Zeta Hunter and Mavis Chilion. Recitations.were given by Mrs J. Kitch-

ener Misses D. Wilks, Eda Welch. Ethel Welch, Grace Tooby, and Messrs Stanley McEwen and Sydney Pragnill, A. Webb and E. Chilton.

Prior to the collection a recitatiot was rendered by little Mavis Chilton and selections on the pathophone operated by Mr H, A, Whelch were greatly appreciated. During ,he evenirg the Rev. A. Hodge projosed a hearty vote of thanks to Mi \. G. Wise, who had so ably conduced the children's choir. The annual report; and balance sheet, which was read by Mr C. Redman, secretary, is as follows:In presenting the first annual re >ort of the Congragatioual Sunday School, the members and staff ieel leeply gratified with the progress ;hat has been made, and trust, undei Divine guidance, to experience con;inUed success in the years to come. Che school was started with anout ;wenty scholars and a staff oj four :eachers, and new has a roll of six'yine, besides six teachers. The Qhiid•en have profited appreciably by tine natruvtipn they have received, and he teachers have proved themselves levoted to their work and interested n the general welfare of the initiation. The duties of superintendent have devolved upon the Pastor ;he Kev. Mr Hodge, who has unselfishly discharged the responsibilties of a position which it would lardly be fair to expect him to •etain. The need of some one who will enthusiastically and energeticaly continue the work that Mr Hodge ins initiated is generally admitted, md it is hoped that a suitable canlidate contemplates offering his serces at the present juncture. The school collections have averaged well iv*r an estimated one pennv per •hil'd. We are expecting the distri • jution of cards for the purpose of Electing funds in aid of the London Missionary Society, to which the school hopes to rander it? modest iid. Each quarter a gathering takes ilace. at which the scholars are en;ertained, and attendance cards are »iven out. The presentation of prizes

will be made at the ensuing quarterly meeting. The Young Men's and Young Women's Bible Classes are interesting features of the Sabbath institution, and the members dis- j "play commendable activity in assisting mutually their spiritual betterment. The school proposes to combine with :he church in the annual picnic, to take place on November 9th. A review of the operations of the year just ended indicates that from small beginnings the Master. j ton Congregational Sunday Schoil is on the road of sure advancement, and though as yet relatively small in numbers, is firmly established, and an important • adjunct to the church * The report and balance sheet were adopted, on the motion of the chairman.