Masterton Presbyterian Sunday School Anniversary.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2907, 25 May 1888, Page 2

Masterton Presbyterian Sunday School Anniversary.

The celebration of the anniversary of the Presbyteriau Sunday School took place, iu the Temperance Hall by a substantial tea (supplied by Messrs Chamberlain Bros). The various tables were presided over by the Misses A. Lang, A. Feist, C. Munro,

M. Feist, L. McGregor, J. McGregor, and 4. Sage. About 130 sat down tq the good things provided. In the evening a PUBLIC MEETING was lipid in the Church, at which the Eev. D. Fulton presided. The meeting was opened by singing one of Spkey's hymns, and was followed bj aprtp.'. The Chairman introduced the vari-

ous intending speakers in a few wellchesen remarks, and then called upon the Secretary to read the report and balance-sheet for the past year. Mr Frank Feist then read the report as follows.

" Another year has passed over us as a school, and wo have great pleasure in again presenting our annual report, and are able to say that the interest taken ii] the school by both teachers and scholars in up way diminishes as tjmegops on, the regularity of attpi): danco and attention given to thsiv logsons by many of the scholars being most cheering to the teachers, and leading us to hope that our labors are not in vain, We have on the roll 14 teachers, 4 females, 10 males, with au wage attendance of 11; 175 scholars, 94 girls, 81 bays, with the forage ftiManpfi of 123,' It is now several years since we had _ any addition to our Library, With the exception ot 12 worth in 1884- wa have not been able to add to it for eight years; as a consequence several volumes have been lost or worn out, while the elder scholars having gone well through them,have given vip taking the books; we therefore earnestly ask our friends to assist us to make a substantial addition to our Library this year." He concluded by moving its adqption.

Mr seconded the adoption of the report. He \yas glad tq find the attendance of school children was keeping up and even increasing, but there was one point which he would refer to, that was the teaching staff. The average waq only eleven and that wqs enough to effectively carry out the prk, They had been ftppilod to last year to remedy this aud'had to some extent received response to their appeal. He would urge jpon the members to assist all in their power and give them further help in this direction, The importance of the Sunday School work cquld not b,o tqo much uppi). It djd not detract from any other Ohptip wqrk. 0e referred to the home work as being of even more importance than the Sunday Schools, fie would impress

! upon parents the primary importance of gathering the children around them at the family altar. Those memories clung to them and influenced their lives always. Parents should teach the children from the bible at home. The old classical works of Greece and Rome were not sufficient to teach morality. They must have the bible teaching both in their homes and Suuday schools. „| The adoption of the report was carried by acclamation. The Rev. Mr Dellow, of Greytown, who was next called upon, expressed the pleasure he felt in again having the privilege of addressing a Masterton audience. After detailing some of his own early christian experiences, he spoke upon Sunday school work generally, and quito coincided with the remarks made by Mr Holdaway upon ;ke influence of home Christian teach-

ing. He was glad to hear the report of such continued good progress in their Sunday School work, and hoped they would provide the money asked for, He instanced one or two cases of crass ignorance upon! religion amongst back settlers. He spoke words of encouragement to the teachers, and hoped the year they were now entering upon would he the brightest, and best j of their whole experience. (Cheers.)

The Bev. Mr Eowse, who wai

received with cheers, said he had to

bid good-bye to white faces and toil among dark in the earlier years of his ministry. He spoke of the Sunday

School work, aud its beneficial effects upon-the Maories, The Church hat a deal to be thankful for in the Sun< day Schools. Prom their ranks to the Church recruited with members Many of their best workers had re ceived their early training at thi Sunday Schools. If they wanted to raise christians in the future they must go to work with the young now. If they bestowed right culture upon the children, it would result in Christian piety in after life. The work of the Sunday School teacher was a grand and noble one. He concluded an instructive address by instancing some striking traits of Christian character amongst. Maories that had come within his knowledge. The Chairman asked the meeting to listen to a lew words from the superintendant, . ■ Mr James McGregor, the superintendant, who was cheered on ascended the rostrum, said instead of calling a special congregation meeting it had been deemed advisable by the committee to take advantage of the present gathering to lay before the members the subject of the Church debt, and the means devised by the Committee for clearing it off. As they were probably aware several ladies of the congregation were busily engaged in needlework, the sale of which they hoped would by next Spring realise £SO towards paying off the bebt which was £2OO. The question of how to realise the balance had been a subject of discussion, and it had been decided that the most practicable way would be to divide the Church distriot into nine parts, and appoint a collector to each, so that by the next annual meeting they would be dear. He gave two or three pointed and applicable illustrations in support of the proposition and retired amidst cheers. The Rev. Mr Thompson, of Waihenga, after congratulating the school upon the progress made, spoke upon the want of reverence shown by Colonial children to their parents. Children were not taught to revere God, and it followed they neglected to show respect and reverence their parents. Religion did not have the same standing in the homes in this country as in the old, They must look to it, that they should not only seek to encourage Sunday School teachers but above all they must seek to make christians realise that everyone was called upon to be a priest in his owe home. If they took no care to develop and foster religion at home tljey would not gain muoh by the one hours instruction given weekly at the Sunday School. He advooated confirmation and public acceptance into Churoh membership and communion in the Presbyterian Churoh, similar to the English Qhuvolv In conclusion he hoped and trusted the schoohvould oontinue to prosper. A collection having been made the Chairman called upon the meeting for a vote of thanks to all those who had taken part in the proceedings, the speakers, the young ladies who had so ably presided at the tea and to the young people present for their quietness and attention during the meeting Thanks were accorded by acclamation. During the evening several selections from Saukeys hymns were sung. Miss Feist presided at the harmonium,