MASTERTON METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9644, 9 November 1909, Page 7

MASTERTON METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following is the annual report of the secretary (Mr R. J. Mclver) presented to the annual meeting of the Methodist Sunday School last evening:--

There are 296 scholars on the roll ! with an average attendance of 209. i The highest attendance on any one Sunday being°2so and the lowest 111. We should be pleased if all parents woukVassist us by encouraging their children to be present every Sunday. The staff consists of 23 teachers and 4 officers wit'h an average attendance of 18. In my last annual report atcalled to the need of a new room for infant class work. Early in the year a sale of work and Rainbow Exhibition was organised. All departments of the School vitd with each other to a successful effort I and thes,result was a net income of £134 17s lid; subscriptions from f.iei.ds of the school increased this and the Church trustees have since built a room of which any school might bR proud. The Infant Department has now a membership of 116, with an average attendance of 69. Sixiy-one new scholars have been received during the ytar. In connect H! wjth the Infant Oppartment a "cradle roil' is of prospective members. To this roll forty names have been added during the year, making a total of 155. By means of this roll and Miss Heyhoe's diligent work, families are kept in touch with the school work.

During the year the Young Men's CIa3S was divided, Mr E. R. Wilson taking the junior division which now has a membership of 20, with an average attendance of 18, the senior section led by Mr 0. Pragnell temporarily meeting in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms till accommodation could Be provided. Their room is now ready for occupation. Jhe Young Women's Bible Class reports continued progress for the year. The session commenced under the leadership of Mr O. Pragnell, who held office until the beginning «f Ju;;e, when thp former leader, Mr J. A. Donald, ag&i i tiok up the position. The membership numbers thiny. During the ye,ir the class sustained a loss thn ugh the death of Miss N. Andrews, and the members contributed a wreath expressing their sympatny. The members are earnestly trying to »iva t3 the ciass motto "Forward he our Watchword.*' The Junior Endeavour Society, under the leadership of Miss Church,.has a membership of fortylive. The mernbeis visit the Hospital and do other good work, and hope their work has proved a help to some. We continue to keep the scholars sup plied with bright reading matter by distributing over 240 magazines each

munth, and we believe that the scholars appreciate the books. The library with 637 volumes is now subscribed to by 89 scholars, with an average of 26 books changed each Sunday. Mr P. Church, the Librarian, gives close attention to hn work. Of the scholars who took part in the Scripture Tablet lilxamination, seven gained certificates and two first prizes. The annual picnic was held on January Ist at Mr Macara's farm at Opaki. The members of the Ladies' Guild had charge of the provisioning for the day, and our best thanks are due to them for the suecessiul way they carried out their duties. The income for the day showed a credit balance ot four pounds. Under the leadership of Mr .Ralph, the musical portion of the last anniversary services was rendered in a manner reflecting great credit upon all who took part. The meetings were well attended, and ah seemed to enjoy the services. The total collections amounted to £l6 17s Bd. During the year Mr C. E. Morshead was appointed Sunday School organist, and assisted Mr Ralph in training the children for this anniversary. In conclusion, as secretary of your school, I would assure parents and friends.that the efforts made by the workers are worthy of their heartiest co-operation and support. We truet that every department of the school work may still have a share in the prayers and sympathy of our church. We thank our Heavenly Father for his continued blessings on us as a school. It is only by sustained and combined effort for the extensions of God's Kingdom that we can hope to live up to the Master's teaching, and trus: that the coming ' year will be crowned with success,