KNOX SUNDAY SCHOOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1939, Page 7

KNOX SUNDAY SCHOOL

OPENING AND DEDICATION SERVICE PARISHIONERS’ TRIUMPHANT ACHIEVEMENT. LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDANCE. At 7.30 o'clock last night. Mr Dune,in McGia'gor, in the presence of some 300 people. I'm-mally opened I In 1 new Knox Clinreli Sundiiy School ami Billie Class Rooms. Entering tile building, Mr McGregor hung in the hall a photograph ol’ the late Mr Janies McGregor, nmler which was hung a photograph of ihe first Sunday school he taught in. in the W.iirarapa.

Among those who attended the dedication service were representatives >.! practically every local body in tin: Wairarapa. as well as many visitors from near and distant provinces. Tne Rev John Davie presided and several telegrams and apologies were read including one from Mr J. Roberts; n. member for Masterton. The dedication service was condu.lcd by the Moderator of the Presbytery, the Rev A. A. Armstrong and the hymn of dedication, which was sung by al! present, was written by the Rey A. T. Thompson. The Scripture readings were read by Mr Armstrong. This was followed with a Praise by the children, "Pilot Me. O Gracious Saviour." The Declaration and Prayer of Dedication and the Lord’s Prayer and Ascription of Glory came next, being followed by a Children's Praise. "The Christian Army.” The Moderator next delivered an address, which was followed up with a Praise by the Children "The Church’s Foundation." The children also rendered two further Praises, "Bell Song" and "Give Thanks." The evening was brought to a close with the Praise "Doxology" and the Benediction.

During the evening a collection was taken up and the sum of .£357 14s Bd was received, which means that the building is now practically free of debt.

A welcome to those present, especially the visitors, was extended by theRev John Davie. “It is a great joy for us to have you with us when we are rejoicing in the dedication of this building, and I am sure that you will agree with me, that this building is worthy of the purpose for which it was constructed." he said. Mr Davie also extended thanks to the builder and designer of the building. "We greatly appreciate the thought and effort that he has put into it. I would also like to thank the donors who have been at all times generous and to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who has assisted in making this project the undoubted success it is." "I feel that it. is a great honour to be able to take part in this auspicious occasion, and today is indeed a wonderful day in the history of the parish,” said the Rev A. A. Armstrong. "The late Mr McGregor began a Sunday School class years ago in the Wairarapa under the shade of a log. There is no need for mo to relate the advancement the Knox Church has made during those years. Today is indeed a red letter day and I wish at this juncture to congratulate the congregation, their friends and all those who have assisted in the erection of this magnificent suite, of buildings. “This building is indeed an example of how disaster can be turned to advantage when the men with the right, spirit and energy are behind it. I would like to pay a tribute to the splendid work done for the erection of this building by your minister. Mr Davie. He is a man of few words, but plenty of action. I feel that this remarkable achievement of the Musterton people will be an influence on the people of other parishes in the Dominion, when they sec what can be done by men of energy, faith and responsibility. By the teaching and preaching of the Word may the Knox Church and Masterton flourish." "On behalf of the people of Masterton I would like to congratulate the people of the Knox Church in providing such a valuable institution, which is in the main for the use of the young people,” said the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan. "During the next twenty years the young people of this country will find amongst their many problems, one very great one. and that one is the problem of government. By government I mean the wider sense ol the word, and refer to no party or section. If we look back twenty years wo will find people discouraged by war endeavouring to find a form of government that will give them happiness, peace, prosperity and assist them to develop in full, all their capabilities and arts.

"The world at the present time is in a state of flux. Nothing is stabilised. And my earnest advice to the younger people of this country is to take an interest in government. Man’s business is not the most important work to his hand. I would like to see young Now Zealanders taking an increased inter--est in the government of this country. Government nowodays. no matter of what kind, tends to interfere with the individual. If the individual life is to be preserved it. is essential that we should know what is going on. We should be in a position to form our own opinions, make our own judgments and not take what comes over the radio. "In conclusion 1 say to you young people, you are the future governors of this country, wo are passing on to you a trust. and I would urge you from tonight to put duty first and think of rights afterwards.” Representing the Ministers' Association, was the Rev E. J. Rich, who on behalf of the sister churches and their ministers extended congratulations to the Knox Church on its wonderful achievement. "All in Masterton who cared for spiritual things at all." lie said, "felt tightly round the heart and throat when it was learned that the Knox building had been burnt. Their feelings then were sincere and now I feel that their messages of congratulations are just as sincere. "As wo look around New Zealand today we find that what is needed more than ever is men and women of the type who blazed a trail and who laid the foundation of this great country. What is needed more than anything is to state publicly that character can only be built on th.- foundation of God. If this foundation it lack-

ing then the national character must suffer.” Mr Dunean McGregor, eldest son of the late Mr Jarnos McGregor, related many incidents in connection with the affairs of the Nox Sunday School and Church in days long since passed. Thanks to Mr Davie were extended by Mr J. McGregor, who slated that it was due to his leadership, tact, energy and ability that the people of the parish were in a position to open such a magnificent building. Loud applause greeted Mr Davie when he rose to return thanks. The Moderator, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the children for their splendid singing. ENDOWMENT GIFT LIBRARY & PICNIC FUNDS. The Rev J. Davie has asked us to '■ay that in making the financial statement he omitted to mention an interesting and important item, to the effect that a donor, interested in the wellbeing of the Sunday School, had made an endowment of £250 to provide an income for all time to be equally divided between the library, and picnic funds. This will enable the library to be kept up to date with the best type of literature.