METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10132, 1 November 1910, Page 6

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES

The annual public meeting in connection with the anniversary services of tlie Masterton Methodist Sunday School was held last evening. Fortunately the rain held off until after the hour of commence-, ment, and the attendance was, therefore, again very large. During the evening songs and recitations were given by the children. Short addresses on school work were given by Mr C. E. Daniell and Rev. C. H. Olds. . The annual report was read by the secretary (Mr R. J. Mclver). The statement of the treasurer (Mr J. Heyhoe) showed the income' to be £65 9s sd, and the expenditure £SO 6s 2d, leaving a credit balance for the year of £ls 15s 3d—a verysatisfactory position. FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT, 1910. _..._^ The following is the fifty-fourth annual report of the Masterton Methodist Sunday School presented by the Secretary, Mr R. J. Mclver, at the annual public meeting in the Church last evening :

In reviewing the work cf the School we find tha'- the average attendances during the past year aro the highest on record. Faithful and zealous work has been done by the teachers, and the attention and behaviour of the scholars have t been most encouraging. With 309 scholars on the roll we have an average attendance of 221. The highest attendance on any one Sunday being 263, and the, lowest 123. Seventy-three new scholars were received into the school, while we lost 45, mostly by removal to other districts, leaving a net gain if 23. The staff consists o± 20 teachers and six officers, with an average' attendance of 19.

Infant Department.—The Infant Department, in charge of Mr Mannell Avith four lady assistants, have now a membership of 122, -with an avei'age attendance of 71. The highest attendance on any one Sunday being 92, and the lowest 24. Thirtynine new scholars have been received \ during the year, while "14 were promoted to higher classes, leaving a net gain of 25 for the, year. In connection with this department a "Cradle Roll" is kept of prospective members. To this roll 24 names hare been added, making a total of 179.. By means of this roll and Mrs Manncll's diligent work families are kept in touch with the school work. Young Women's Bible Class: —l , have to report a year of changes in members of this class. During the past year six members have taken up active work on the teaching staff which speaks well for the class as a training ground for our'future teachers. The membership at present is 27, with an average attendance of 16. Just recently Mr J. A. Donald found it necessary to resign his leadership after eight years of earnest work. Miss Brokenshire has been appointed leader, and the members are looking forward, to a successful year.

Junior Young Women's Bible | Class.—Miss Church, the leader, takes a keen intercut in the members of this class,' which now numbers 19 on the roll with art average attendance of 14. The class held a Sale of Work, realizing £ls, £2 10s each going to the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, and after paying expenses the balance went to the class funds. The members have now their room nicely furnished, and have asked me to thank those friends who contributed to the furnishing of, the room. ' .

Junior Young Men's Bible Class: —This class has made rapid progress, having now a membership of .24, with an average attendance of 22. Nearly all these are now members of the Church, and so thoroughly enjoy their religious life that not content with Sunday observance they regularly meet for mid-week fellowship and mutual help. This speaks well for the spiritual work done in the class. Realising that for the best work congenial surroundings arc desirable this class has, at a cost of £l2O, hut without charge to the Trustees, built a new and up-to-date classroom, which' the Rev. C. H. Laws (President of the Conference) described as "the best thing of the kind he has seen." Their strenuous leader rejoices in the confidence of his class, and to any complimentary remark replies that "the success attained is due to the loyalty and cooperation of individual members." They unitedly wish me to thank the many friends for help, especially Mr F. W. Temple for his handsome, gift of chairs for the room. The Junior Endeavour Society, with Miss Church as president, have now a membership of 53, ' with an average attendance of 29. Good spiritual work has been done, and the Society has taken up the circulation of the "Missionary Review" at a Is per .yearly subscription. Prayer, Birthday, and Hospital committees are doing good work. All parents are invited to send their children to the Endeavour meetings held every Sunday morning at 10.15 o'clock. The library, with 638 volumes, is now used by 59 scholars, with an average of 25 books changed each

Sunday. Miss Ethel Church, who took \ip the work that for four years had been .carried on by her brother the late Mr rercy Church, gives close attention to her duties. It is necessary to add more books, so I hope friends will give liberally to the school funds. We do our best to keep, scholars supplied with good reading matter by, distributing some 280 magazines, each month, which the children appreciate. It may interest friends to know that the children's collections on the first Sunday of each month goes to the Home Misison funds, and one Sunday a year to the Foreign Mission fund. Of the twelve scholars who sat for the Scripture Examinations nine passed, one securing 100 per cent. A most successful Sunday School Convention, arranged by the Wellington Sunday School Union, was held in Masterton. I think all workers attending felt it a privilege .to be working in the interest of the children. I would here thank those friends who so kindly found homes for the visiting delegates, and also those who assisted in wiping off the debt of £l6 0s 4d owing by the Sunday Union. The annual picnic was held on New Year's Day at Mr Macara's farm, Opaki, when a most pleasant day was spent. Anniversary, 1909.-* The meetings .were well. attended and all seemed to enjoy the services. The total collections amounted to £ls 10s lOd. We tender our thanks to Mr Ralph, Miss Ethel Daniell, the orchestra, Bible classes, and all those who in any way assisted the work at this and previous- anniversaries. In conclusion, as secretary of your school, I would assure parents and friends that the efforts made by the workers are worthy of your heartiest co-operation and support. We trust that 'every department of school work may still have a share in the prayers and sympathy of bur 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 extension of God's kingdom that Ave can hope to live up to the. Master's teaching, and we trust that the coming year will be crowned with success.