PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1695, 27 May 1884, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

Tiie anniversary of the Sunday School connected with the Masterton Presbyterian Church ' 'was celebrated yestorday by a tea - meeting in the afternoon and a gathering in the oyening. There was as usual a very large number of visitors to the tea tables and when they were cleared away the church filled for the evening assemblage, the chair being occupied by the Rev David Fulton, pastor of the church. The Chairman in his opening address expressed his regret that the Superinof the school, Mr James McGregor did not preside over the Meeting, and then proceeded to deliver an excellent homily on religious training of the young which was listened to with close attention by the audience. Mr A. Thompson, secretary to the school then read the annual report, which indicated a small debit balance. It was recorded .that the teachers had during the past year decided to hold school once instead of twice on Sundays as formerly, and that the services of two leading office bearers, Mrs Feist, who recently died, and Mr Frank Feist who resided at too great a distance from the school, had been lost. Tho number of children on the roll was 100, and .of teachers 12, the average attendance having been 75 children and 1 teachers, The Library fund was slightly in debt, owing to the bad weather which spoilt the financial 'success' of their annual pionic. At the Taratahi. Sunday Sohool there were thirty children and three teachers, and the report spoke highly of tlie diligence of both teachers and pupils. Mr Thompson concluded by moving formally tho adoption of the report (applause). Mr D, McGregor seconded the motion with pleasure as the report indicated that good work had been done without any heavy liability having been inclined. ' He approved of limiting the school to Sunday afternoons only. Formerly when it was held twice it was.too great a strain both on teachers and pupils (applause). The Rev James Paterson then delivered an address oh the subject matter contained in the report, giving interesting details of his own methods for conducting Sunday schools, and eulogising the "Shorter Catechism" Compared with which other catechisms were wishy-washy (laughter). The Rev L. M. Isitt, who followed, claimed that the new Wesleyan Catechism rivalled even the shorter Catechism, and that in the matter of a cbildrens' hymnal, the Wesleyans gave the other churches a decided lead. —(Applause.) ■ Mr James McGregor, in moving a yote.of thanks to the Rev Mr Paterson and the Rev L. M. Isitt, recalled the number of times on which the former gentleman had come up from Wellington to lielp them, and that on the present occasion, he cameat a time when he could ill spare a day from the extra the recent fire, had not disappointed them,, He also expressed the pleasure with which they . had listened to the Kev L. M.lsitt's address.—(Applause.) Mr Holdaway, in a few well-chosen words, seconded the motion, which was carried by: Acclamation* and suitably acknowledged.. ' Mr James, ;in a happy speech, proposed [a vote of thanks to the ladies

who .had provided. the tea tables,' These tables he declared had been served exclusively by young ladies who had been brought up .in their Sunday sohoqls.—( Applause,) The Chairman having made a few appropriate remark's, the meeting closed with the benediction, • The school choir sang at intervals throughout the evening, and' were high'y complimented by the Rev Mr Peterson on their proficiency,