METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 5 November 1913, Page 6

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

FIFTY-SKVEXTH ANNUAL UKL'oirr. Tlio l'o,lowili<>; report was road at the annual mooting in connection with ilio Methodist Sunday School, hold m Masterton oil Monday evening : II is v> itli a small moasuro ol' pride, combined with a certain amount ol' diffidence, that I place before you the annual report of our school for the year ended on the JJOth September In si—the 57 th year of Methodist, Sunday School work in Masterton. It has been found necessary in past years to record tlio changes which occurred in the personal of the teaching staff, year By year, but, in reviewing the events of the year just pas.seci, wo find that a change, perhaps unprecedented in the history of our school, has taken place in this department.. Old faces, familiar to all for years past in the ranks of active earnest Sunday School workers, are now missing, and their places refilled with new. so that now but two or three, oli| workers are left to our school.. Perhaps the greatest loss we have 'sustained for years past occurred early in the year, when our late superintendent (Mr C. E. Danieir- and secretary (Mr R. J. Mclver) withdrew from., active Sunday Schoql work. Mr Daniell has been an carnest worker in cur school for some 22 years past, and Mr Mclver for 13 years. The value of their services in the past is inestimable, and workers such as these can be ill spared to our school. At 'this time also wo lost the services of Miss E. M. Church as librarian, and of the Misses W. I." and E. Daniell. and Miss T. Elliott, as teacher*?., In the new year the school reopened with an almost entirely new set of officers: Mr T .R. Mannell (supt.), Mr P. A. Donald (deputysupt.), Mr C. W. Perrin (treasurer) and Mr S. G. Cresswell (secretary). Since then we have suffered the further loss of Mr J. Tracks, as teacher, our treasurer, Mr Perrin, on account of illness, and our musical director, Mr'Clough, who has removed from Mastei'ton. To all these teachers and officers our best thanks are due/ We, appreciate the value of the ,worb which they performed in the interests of the little ones, and it was with" regret that' we lost their services to our school. It; has seem at times, as if _ we were destined to lose the whole of the ifewi old teachers yet remaining to our school, for a. fe,w shdrt'months -ago, we received the resignation of our secretary, Mr S. G. Cresswell—he ,having taken up work in our junior Men's Bible Class. " - STATISTICS. At the close of the year we had On our roll 272 scholars, who maintained an average attendance during the year of 200, the lowest for any one Sunday being 103, and the highest, 348, " During the year 71 scholars were received into the school, and the names of 76 were removed from the roll, leaving a net loss of 5. This, however, is somewhat misleading, as 10 of these"* took up work in the school. Our school staff at 30th Sept. consisted of 23 teachers and officers, with an average attendance of 17 or 82 per cent. I should add, however, that one teacher has beea away since March on leave of absence, and another has been laid aside with illness for some months past. The teachers and officers not already mentioned, who have taken up work during tho year are: Assistantsecretary, Mr Ivan Sutherland, and . teachers,, Misses W. and G. Evernden, E. C. Prentice, E. Leach, J. j Firmston and C. Jackson, and Mr J. J W. Andrews. Lastly, but not least, is Mr R. J. Mclver, who, though not now engaged in active work, has not yet entirely several his connection with the school, he having been appointed treasurer on Mr Perrin's retirement. DEPARTMENTS OF SCHOOL WORK. We, as a church, have every reason to be proud of the various departments of work, which together constitute our Sunday School, and which enable it to hold an honoured ( position among tho 10 or 11 schools 1 of our town. The Infant Dept.—lt is pleasing to note that the infant dept. has, in the matter of attendance, more than equalled its in every way satisfactory position last year. It commenced on Nov. 1912, >vitli a membership of 112, 22 were promoted during the year to ww dept. ; and after a work. its consequent removals, losses s.nd gains, the roll stands at 97. Perhaps in no other depi. is essential such amount of personal work and constant supervision to ensure good attendance, and maintain the interest of the children as in the infant dept., and it says much for the work of their supt. (Mr A. Hoar), the acting-supt. (Miss Wilson.), and their assistants Misses E. King and i A. Gray, that thoy have maintained an average attendance of 69 or 71 per cent. The Cradle R011.—339 .names now .appear on the cradle. roll,, MisS E. King's personal work {is cradle supt. being responsible for an additional 36 names being added through the year. Taking into account removals 'and promotions, Tho actual membership now stands at 90. \ j The Primary Dept.—Changes hav&J j occurred in this dept. since the last report. Misses E. C. Prentice and W.

I Everndou having entered on their | new duties as primary teachers. The dept. have kept well to the i'ofc during tho year, and thanks to the | untiling energy of their teachers, have been in their corner a centre of active and encouraging work. Late in the third quarter, owing to the growth of the (lent, and lack of space, eight of the older girls were formed into another class, which now, as the girls' class No. 1, under the care of Miss E. Leach, is holding its ow;' 1 with the older established classes, and has now increased its membership to nine. The primary dept., including this class, has a membership of 46, with an average attendance or I 36, and a net increase of 11. It reI fleets credit on their teachers that I the primary department boys hold I tho proud honour of possessing the • highest average of attendance in the school for tho .rear, 83 per cent, the second place on honour falling to Miss Firmstoil's boys' :las.s No. 3, and Miss Murray's girls' class No. 2 with 78 per cent each. The Intermediate Dept.— fills department consists of the whole yhcol excepting the primary and infant [ depts., and the Bible Classes beii-g composed of four largo classes of girls and three of boys. Ti.no will not permit of my reporting on each class in turn, nor in. fairness to *<.hc rest can I single out anv one class for special mention. Suffice to say that in this department also prevails the same keen interest by the teachers in the welfare of their classes, and the same satisfactory attendances. It is worthy of note that the keenest rivalry exists betwce.i these classes in the matter of securing first place for weekly collections ai,;l monthly and quarterly attendances. Tho Bible Classes.—We are fortunate in having attached to our school three progressive Bible Classes, the equal of any in our town, and a fewparticulars concerning them will not be amiss: The Young Woman's Class closed the year with a membership of 21, and an average attendance of 15. A glance at their balance-sheet shows their income to have been £2l 18s 7d including concert proceeds £l4 10s 6d and class collections £6 13s 7d. Expenditure, £l9 5s 6d, credit balance, £2 13s I'd. Somo items of interest in the expenditure column are donation to trust funds £7, to Sister Nellie £2, and to Maori deaconess fund £2 10s. The roll membership of the Junior Women's Class at 30th Sept. stood -at 15, with, an average attendance of 10. Their receipts, consisting (mtirely of, class collections, were £3 4s Bd, and expenditure. £2 19s\ or, balance -os ( 4d. These figures- do , not include special missionary work by the class, several members of which are collecting for , the various mis* sions. The results of their labours however, will not be known until the end of the class year, December 3.st. A school secretary comes but little in contact .with the Bible classes, aiid, with the exception of mere class figures, which, at the best, give but ! little, idea' of the actual work carried on, has no intimate V.nowtadge of the inner workings of the classes. I am indebted to the respective .class secretaries, Miss E M. Serpell find Miss G. Melvin, for the r courtesy in supplying me with their balance- 5 sheet and class report for the year, and perhaps I cannot do better than give a brief resume of these r)p>rts: Young Women's Class.—During tlia past year the class has held its own as regards members and attendance, and tho members have more than lield their own in loyalty to class, church and school. During tho ymr seven of ,our members "nave taken up work; in the school, including our organist, treasurer and two assistant secretaries. To aiiy young lady over 18 years of age, not connected with any Bible class, we give a cordial invitation to attend our meetings. Unfortunate-'. | ly," f°i' the last three months our leader, Miss .Roberts, has been laid asido through illness, and we, as a class, pray that God will soon restore her to health and strength, and that she will soon be in her old place in the class room. Mrs Gillespie has been leading tho clas-s in her absence, and we would thank her for her inspiring prosence and helpful talks. Last May, the class members, assisted by several friends, gave a concert in the schoolroom, as a result of which the Church Trust Funds benefited to the extent of £7. In conclusion we would ask for a share in the prayers of the church members, t-liat God will bless us as a class; and make us a power of good in tho church and our town. — E. M. Serpell, secretary.. ' ■ • r Junior Women's Class'.—During tho year the class!, tinder the leadership of Miss Church, has held its regular afternoon meetings, the members assisting with essays and reading. The class has also received assistance in (uldresses-irom Mr R, Sutherland. Mr 1 » ™2w>n, and Mr J. A. Donald. To these we tender our sincere thanks. Special missionary services have been held, and several members are collecting for Home and Foreign Missions. . Mrs Sutherland has been elected missionary superintendent, and her services are appreciated by tho members. During the year the class has held periodical somg services at the Sol way Old Men's Home, and their visits are appreciated by the inmates. Altogether, thanks to the energy and devotion of the ■ members, the class has had a successful: year, and while thanking God for His. blessings in the. past, we trust that; we may continue to feel His help-in the future.—G. Melvin, secretary. Junior Men's Bible ; Class.—Our junior men's Bible class, under the leadership oif Mr E. R. Wilson, continues -to. do good work among the young men. They have now a mem- I

bership of &1, average attendance 19. I regret that I havo not bfioro me the balance-sheet or report of the class work for the year, but maybe tho work of tho class is sufficiently woll known a« to need no special mention. Tho class, in August last, presented a piano to the Trust, for use, under special conditions, by tho church and school, one such condition being: that tho Sunday school should have tho use of it, free of charge, for the Sunday services. This privilege has been taken advantage of at every opportunity, and wo as a school are indebted to the class for their commendable forethought on_our behalf. School Library.—At intervals throughout the year we were without the services of a. librarian. Early in the year Mr F. J. Dobsoiv was appointed, but unfortunately before long was compelled to resign. After three months' interval, Mr R. J. Barton took up office, but after a few weeks' work, however, Mr Barton was ordered away from Masterton on account of illness, and the office was once more vacant. We have now with us again our old librarian. Miss E. M. Churcli, and wo are hopeful no further changes will occur, Tho last report on the library she wed 800 booll«§ft> be on the shelves. Of those, however, a good number havo seen better days, and are in need of replacing. The library i 6 •subscribed ta by 112 scholars, and since January 1594. books havo been circulated, an average of 37 per Sunday. It is two years since any new books have been added, school funds not warranting such expenditure at present, but wo are hspeful of considerably improving tho present state of our library by the introduction of new books.Special Services.—On Sunday afternoon, March 16th; successful Harvest . 'Wtanksgiving services were held by tho school in the churcli, in lieu of tho usual school work. There was a good attendance of scholars and the congregation, who were addressed by the Rev. S. J. Serpell. Much of the success was due to the efforts of Ml - S. G. Cress well, secretary, who promoted the services. On July 13th, the world's Sunday school day was celebrated by the school, and the universal order of service used. Young People's Day was also held on the 18th of May, the school being assembled and addressed by the Rev.' Serpell. Too much cannot be sa id of the recent Val Trigge Mission held in connection with our church. On tho first Sunday of tho mission Mr Trigge tspenfc a few minutes with tho infant department, and then addressed, the rest of the school, who were assembled in the main school. On the following Sunday afternoon a young people's gathering wa* held ie the church, and as the outcome of these and of the young people's Sunday services., decision, cards were signed by 53 scholars of our school. Scripture Examination. —Nine of our scholars competed in the recent Wellington S.S. Union annual Scripture examination, 5 obtaining firstclass certificates, and 3 second-class. Anniversary, 1913.—We were fortunate las't year in experien.cing.the best of weather on both Sunday and Monday, and as a result good attendances preraikd throughout the sen-ices. Tho collections amounted to £2l 4s sd. Our thanks are due to Mr Clough, the orchestra, and all who assisted to make the singing and services a success, to Messrs Anderson, King and Tyacke, for supervising and decorating, and td the many willing workers who assisted. Annual Picnic. —The annual picnic was held on Noav Year's Day on ,'Mr. Maoara's farm, when a.n-: enjoyable day wJis spent, although the latter part of the day was somewhat marred by heavy rain, which set in late in the afternoon. Receipts and expenditure for the day resulted in a credit balance of. 12s !)d. Wo would record our appreciation of the action of Mr Edward Jones in once again placing his engine, waggons and drivers at our disposal for the day, free of cost to the school, 'Yifiitors.from- the church quarterly meeting continue to" yisit the school at intervals, and their is appreciated by tho teachers and officers. Junior C. E. Society.—! feel this report would not be complete without reference to a band of workers, who, although not part of our school, are composed entirely of Sunday school members. ; Ifc is 1 surprising how littlo known, except in name only, is the junior society of Christian Endeavour to tho people of otir church. The society} holc?s its mteetings of Prayer and Praise every Sunday morning in the young women's class room, under tho leadership of Miss Church, assisted by Miss E. M. Serpell, Miss G, Church, and their secretary, Mi§s i). Ma-tlqiey..-/* It has, of 36, and. tho attendance* is seldom lesfs than 17 or 18, and has reached as high as 28. Bright meetings are held, the children being encouraged in tvery way to add to the success of the meetings, by each being responsible for some active part of the meeting. It would have been an inspiration to any, of our church members, could they have been present at some of the past year's meetings, and behold tho splendid way in which the members strove to fulfil their part, even little members of 5 and 6 years repeating from memory their verses and texts, proud to think that they also wore responsible in no little measure for the success of the meeting. Active missionary work is carried on by the society under the control of Mi«s Ethel Madelev, .missionary convener, but the results of their work will not be known until tho end of December when all subscriptions are paid and boxes opened. The society continues to supply texts and buttonholes to tho pulpit oach Sunday, Masters Harry Banks and Baden Williams being responsible for this work. Visiting ministers have from the pulpit from time to time expressed their appreciation of these little attentions, receiving the special thanks of Mr Trigge for supplying these throughout each service of the mission. The society during the mission sent out to mothers on behalf of the church ; circulars to the mothers' meeting, defraying the cost out ot society lund.s". Time will not permit of my saving much that might be said concerning the work of this society, but J will .say this, that any of our people are more than welcome at these meetings, nnd tlieir presence will be appreciated by both leaders and children. As, in conjunction with Miss Serpell, an assistant supt. ol the society, I can testify to the value of the work that is carried on among tho children and 1 make no apology for this somewhat lengthy reference to the society.