MASTERTQN PRESBYJERIAN CONVERSAZIONE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5034, 25 May 1895, Page 3

MASTERTQN PRESBYJERIAN CONVERSAZIONE.

A very large number of members and friends gathered at the Masterton Presbyterian Gliurch to celebrate the 28th Annivcrsity of the Sunday School. Addresses were delivered by the Revs, J. K. Elliott, Clias Murray, J. Dukes, and Mr J. JfcGregor, the Superintendent, and mgs were contributed by Mr Langton with " He AVipes the Tear from Every Eye"Jessie's Dream" by Miss Johnston followed by a well deserved encore "Wae'sMe for Prince Charliepiano solo by Miss Feist, reading by Miss Julie Perry; duet" Larboard Watch" by Messrs W. Dougalland W. Johnston. Several pieces were also rendered by the children,and showed excellent training by their leader, Mr Holdamy. The following report and balance sheet was read by the Secretary 28m Annual Hepobt.

In again submitting our Animal Eeportand Balance Sheet, we desire to offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to God for having brought us through another prosperous year. While acknowledging the more than gratifying results ■which liave attended the labours of our Superintendent aud teachers, wo would AfKgto impress on the parents and gwraians the necessity of their co-opera-tion in this most important work, by assisting the children in preparing their lessons and stimulating their interest in Sunday School work. The number on the roll is now 177, as against 191 last year, but this deficiency is principally due to the transfer of girls over 15 years to Mrs Wood's Bible Class, which now numbers somo 21. The average attendance shows a slight improvement on the previous year, bein? 115, the highest attendance reaching 150. Our teaching stall consists of 7 ladies and G gentlemen, to whose untiring zeal and energies is due, a large proportion of success, and wc trust that their labours may be followed by a rich bar. vest in years to come, and pray that with the advent of another year, fresh zeal maybe stiucd in them. Our Branch Schools at Drcyerton, Woodlands, aud Taratahi continuo to prosper, under the able leaderships of Messrs Geo. Bruce, Falloon, and Wm. Bayner, respectively. The aggregate number attending those schools beiug flO jrith an average attendance of about 60.. Igfcf .Library still continues to be a p!|Bun(?»,'t future of our school as is evidenced .by the large number who take out books, tfs many as 120 scholars regularly taking them. We have not made any addition this year, as our surplus funds have hcen expended in other ways, which will Jie referred to in our report. It is with great pleasure that we have to report a decidea increase in the contributions to the New Hebrides Mission, the amount contributed being £8 17s lid exclusive of £1) from Mrs Wood's ./ Bible Class which makes a total of £l4 17s lldor more thau sufficient to pay the annual salary of two Native teachers. We still continue the monthly free distribution of periodicals, which wo find is eagerly looked forward to by the children,'ana is also an excellent way of cairybg the messages of the Gospel into erei/ home connected with us. Our financial position this year, again shows a debit balance even larger than the preceding year, which is caused, by the purchase of a magic lantern plant, which should arrive hero about the end of June, At the suggestion of the Hcv. Jtr Wood, the teachers agreed to purchase tbis plant, which would enable them to give limelight illustrations of tlwJessoM taught throughout the year, twoby increasing the interest and imposing the lessons on their minds. It is the intention to defray the cost of the lantern—(which will be about £3O; £l2 of which has already been: forwarded)— by periodical lectures, for •which, a large wd well-assorted number of slides liave becu selected,, ;■ • wilf he seen from ie Balance]

Sheet, ttc commenced the year with a dobit bnlanco of £5 fls 3-jd, and now liavo to roport a deficit of ,4615s 6(1, which is very satisfactory when we take into consideration tlic £l2 paid on the lantern, with tlio aid of which we trust that during the coming year, wo will lie ible to completely wipe out this deficit. Our annual picnic was hold, as usual, on New Year's Day, in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Woodroolfc, and proved n most successful aifair, over £l6 being taken at the gaies, and considerably over 200 children being presont. A most enjoyable day was spent by both young and old. Our anniversary conversazione and services were also a financial success, the latter being well attended at all the services, and conducted by the liev. Mr Wood, at which a large number of prizes were distributed to the children. In conclusion, wc would gratefully acknowledge the many blessings bestowed on us, during the year, and pray that God will continuo to prosper the work of teaching the children to come unto Him who said, " Suffer the Children to Come unto Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."—

E, 0. Jack, Hon. Sec, The Balance Sheet shows tho receipts to lmvo been :—Picnic Fund, £l9 17s lid; Mission Fund, £l7 lis sd; General Fund, £32 5s llfd; (including a vote of £4 7s 8d from the Picnic Fund, The Mission Fund lms now a credit of £2l3s Gd, and the General Fund a debit of £6 15s 3d, tho profits from the late picnic having-as above shown—been devoted to tho General Fund, Mr D. McGregor, in a few wellchosen words, complimented the Secretary on his report,- and the School on its position, after which the roport was unanimously adopted, j