MASTERTON WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4873, 10 November 1894, Page 3

MASTERTON WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Anniuersaij Services,

Tho Annivsrsnry sorviccs of 1894

iu connection with tho abovo Sunday School will bo long remembered as amongst the most enjoyable social' reunions yot held. The tea was excellent and tho young lndios and Mrs Dukes thoroughly desorvo tho vote of thanks accorded them. The tables were presided over by. -No. 1, Misses Judd and CI. Day; No. 2, Misses M. Gillespie and N. Donald; No, 3, Misses Holmes and Ethel VibortjNo. & Misses Donald and Mary Burton; No. 5, Misses Dukes and Bessie Daniell; No, (i, Misses N. Gillespie and A, building; No, 7, Missos Perry and Blanche Perry; No, 8, Misses Williams and Bessie Perry; No. 9, Misses Viberfc and Johnston; No. 10, Mrs Mander; No. 11, Misses Pragnell and Price, They wero compactly arranged and fpD supplied with good thing. After the tea the public meeting was hold in tho Church, which was crowded, The Boy. J. Dukes opened the meeting with prayer. t Tho Chairman (Mr C. E. Daniell) in his opening address made somo feeling remarks with regard to tho lato Mr Jacobßaumber and also road a letter from the Hev. A. C. Yorke, declining tho invitation to be present on tho ground of principle, and objecting to Church children being taken from their school to aid the Wesleyans in their festivities. The Chairman denied that this had been (lone, but said Mr Candy (llio leader of the Orchestra) hadtwopupilswlio belonged to the English Church and that ho (MrCimdy) had brought these children to assist solely on his own responsibility. He said they intonded striking out in a new direction this year, and would endeavour to confine the meetings as much as possible to members of tho School, He then called upon the Secretary to read the annual report as follows:

ANNUAL ItEHWr.

"It is again my privilege to present the annual report of this school,

and it is with joy and satisfaction that we look back on the year that lias just closed. Wo can distinctly Bco God's guiding band directing us all through, and though we have to mourn tho loss of our leading Spirit through the death of our late Superintendent, Mr Baumbor, yet this seemingly heavy blow has proved a blessing in disguise, as it has been the means of quickening the Spiritual life of many connected with tho school, nnd lias brought us face to face with our duties and responsibilities. It is befitting that wo should pay this tribute of affection to our late respected Superintendent, for lie was beloved by all teachers and scholars alike, and tho deep sorrow expressed at bis sudden removal from us, was as heartfelt as the love and respect existing between us, all through our intercourse in School work. I can only say that ihese sentiments are heartily endorsed by every member connected with the School. We can truly say in Mr Baumber's case that a good man's life lives after him, and the good that will result from bis death will only be known at the last great (lay.

Suffico it to say thatsomo results aro visible now, and I have only to ask you to notico on the Preacher's vPlan of appointments for this circuit JHe increasing number of young men who aro devoting themselves to tho preaching of the Gospel. Our young men's class has proved a source of great blessing to tho school, They aro fortunate in being under iho leadership of a thoroughly practical Christian who lias tho happy art of making them individually realiso the privilege of being fellow workers, and that they do work there is no denying. They have also a young women's class in connection with the school. This lias been established during the year, and is under the\leadership of Mr Bive. It is also a source of help to the school, nnd is well attended and very popular with the young people. Tho management is largely left to the girls,who thus feel their responsibility. lam pleased to say of this class, as of the young men's class, thoy are not only ,a benefit to the .school, but to the Church also.

During the winter we have had a so.viea of sixpenny concerts, one- j third of tho proceeds going to the school funds, These efforts have materially helped us, our Treasurer being able to pay off an old debt for periodicals, etc., and it has also helped us to make a few additions to the school, lam glad to report our attendance is steadily increasing, and at times we are so much hampered for room that you need not bo surprised if we ask for further additions at an early date, Tho school arrangements still continue the same, viz., wo open the gohool with singing and prayer, at th« opening one of tie young men reading a portion of Scripture, On the first Sunday of tho month a prayer meeting is held, all the teachers and older scholars attending, We have decided this year to discontinue tho distribution of periodi-

cals, and devote the money to prizes, . three prizes going to each class, viz., We for good atteadance,one foreood cVnduct, and one for lessons. New JaM for our .library aro very much BflccHl. We have not been able to make further additions for somo time now, but trust to do 50 are long. We are again indebted to Mr Boagey forliisHndnei'S in teaching .thechildrenthoAnniveiisary Hymns, a.nd I can truly say without the least flattery that their singing lias reflected great credit upon their leader. lon will also notice the impiwcments in the platform arrangements. Wo are indebted to Mr DanieO for this and would thank Vm and' all who have so kindly as. slated us.

W. GIUESPIE."

Tk Treasurer, Mr A PybuH, tlien md the 'i)alnnceHheet,wi"cli showed the school to be in a very' satisfac 4ory state. He then moved the adoption of the Secretary's nnd ■ Treasurer's reports, and pointed m t, Hat there ivas an outstanding liabi lit/ for pciiodicnls whicli he hoped wo uld be squared off bj; those seiview. Mr Gillespie, in\ seconding the adoption of the report, said he mH proud at being connected with the s. *ool, which, he said, was very f avou rably commented on'hy tlis Rev 1 \fr Baumber, of Wellington. Both 1 'eports were thon earned by acclama 'tion. Tho Chairman then called tr W>n Mr J. Johnston, one of the : menib<n's of the Young Men's Bible Cla «v for an address. This wrs followed by addresses from Messrs V- Vibert; A. Donald, and % W w > ne y. wo really creditable efforts .and the flattering remarks made by the Kcvs. Gibson and Dukes upon their quality ivas appreciated by tho audience.

During the evoniug recitations were given by Amy Williams, nio Daniell, Kate Easthopo, Stolla Dixon, Frederick Williams, Bertie Donald, and L. Donald. Several of tho anniversniy hymns were sung and proved a pleasing diversion, it was announced that they would bo repeated next Sunday. Mr J. Burton proposed a hearty vote of thanks to tho Chairman and to all who had kindly assisted to make tho anniversary so successful, this was seconded by Mr Rollings and carried by acclamation. The meeting was then closed with tho benediction pronounced by the ltev. Mr Dukes.

In concluding our report we must pay our tribute of praise to the singing of tho choir, Most of tho members of it aro very small children, and as will have boon gathered from the description of the proceedings thoy havo been trained for the past few weeks by Mr Bongoy, and his success is really wondorfnl, The Wosleyan Sunday School is entitled to congratulation for the advance it is making, and tho auccoss of its operations, although somo of tho congregation were taken a little to task for not taking more interest iu the school, it is cvidont that a keen interest is taken, as tho practical results prove.