MASTERTON WESLEY AN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5174, 5 November 1895, Page 3

MASTERTON WESLEY AN CHURCH.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. Tho Sunday School Aunivorsary Services, in connection with tho ihoyo Church were continued last evening, when there was not sufficient accommodation for the large number of people present, and many had to stand during the evening. The Church presented quite a festive appearance, with some 150 children children in neat attire, occupying the raised seats on the platform in the front part of the Church. Miss Williams presided at the organ, and was ably assisted by tlio orchestra, tho whole, both vocal and instrumental, being under the leadership of Mr .1. J. Boagey, to whom tho high state of proficiency of tho Sunday School children is undoubtedly due. The youthful vocalists seemed to find pleasure in their work, which was a credit alike to themselves and conductor. Tho Chairman (Rev. .1. Dukes) did nil in his power to secure the comfort of thoso present, and in speaking to the meeting at tho latter end of the service, pronounced the gathering to havo been the best that had been held for some years in that Church, although they had had successful anniversaries on many other oe.:asious. The Rev. Mr Dukes called upon the scholars to open the service with the singing of thoso beautiful verses," Open tho door for the children," after whioh the Sunday School Secretary and Treasurer (Mr W. Gillespie) read the annual report and balance-sheet, which in every respect reflected credit on the Sunday School and its efficient teachers, who at the end of the financial year come out with a credit balance of over £2, a considerable sum having been expended in the purchase of prizes for the scholars. The report and balance-sheet as read, were adopted, the Chairman expressing his great thanks to Miss M. Perry, the Sunday School organ- ] ist, and also to Mr Boagey, for the i time which they have devoted in training tho scholars, The children then sang " Chime on Sweet Bells," in a vory pleasing way, after which Mr Andrew Donald was invited by the Chairman to address | the meeting. Mr Donald in his in- j foresting remarks, particularly urged parents of scholars to personally interest themselves in tho work of the Sunday school, as they would thereby encourage their children and lighten the burden of the teachers by tlioir sympathy, Ho considered that tho prospects for good work wero, at the present era, brighter than hitherto, and if only the Church peoplo were to interest themselves more fullyjby personal responsibility, the impression it would make on tho rising generation would bo far beyond present expectations, Mr Donald's remarks wore received in a hearty manner by thoassembly, who roundly applauded him. Again tho children sang, " How Excellent is Thy Loving Kindness," j followed by recitations from Misses i May Billington, Amy Williams and Lily Wellington, and Master Archie Danioll, all of whom gayo their selections in a creditable manner, the rendering of " A Gontlo Word," by onoof the older childriu being greatly admired.

The children next sang " Living, Oh God, for Thee," after which thoso present were delightod with a thoughtful and homely address from tho Rev. J. K. Knott, M.A., of Can- j terbury, who spoke greatly in favour of the organisation of Sunday School Teachers under tho Sunday School Union, as a means of increasing their interest in the work, It was ; carried out to a considerable extent : in Canterbury, whore large numbers of teachers from all parts of tho Province gathered together at tho quarterly meeting of the Union, and ho sincerely hoped to be able to say the same concerning the Wairaiapa, where hecould see nothing to prevent simitar meetings taking place at the various towns from Feathorston to Mastorton. Even now a numbor of the teachers were preparing for examinations under the Sunday School Union, which ho considered a grand means of promoting the welfare of the scholars as well as the teachers themselves. Tho work of the Sabbath School was very often undor-rated, It trained children in habits of an everlasting nature, and he had himself seen instances where an early Sunday School training had been earned through life even under very adverse circumstances. In tho remoto parts of the wild and uncultivated bush land in the Wanganui district, he had heard and seen some twelve or fifteen axemon gathor together on tho Sabbath and devote a portion of their time to singing hymns which they bad learnt in tho days of their youth, when in tho Sunday School, and it was indeed a pleasing and surprising sight to witness. Mr Knott also spoke of tho Missions conducted throughout tho Colony by the liov. Mr Cooko, under the auspices of tho Methodist Church, and among the latter's converts, it was surprising to find that the majority wero young men and women who had at ono time or othor belonged to Bible Classes and Sunday Schools. Tho speaker then concluded in a poetical allusion to the simple faith and superstition of the present day Gorman peasantry, and declared that throughout the whole of Christendom there was a greater hope for the poor and the oppressed than that even presented to the trusting Gorman poasaut who longed for the time when the sleeping Emperor would awako from his long and mighty slumber, and with his 300 crusaders come to deliver a Buffering people. Mr Knott received enthusiastic applause for his stirring address, Recitations wero afterwards given by Miss Edith Carpenter, Miss Winnie Daniell and Masters Charles Bills and Clarence Williamson ital style; and later on by Miss Lily O'Meara and Masters Bertie Donald and Bertie Temple, after which Mr P. A. Rive, President of the Young Ladies' Bible Class, and Mr Daniell, Superintendent of the Sunday School, distributed the prizes to the winueis, amid hearty applause both from the people and the scholars. Tho Chairman then invited Mr L, Donald to give an address, which he did in a capable manner, urging parents to assist in Sunday School work in the many ways which lay in their power, as teaohers wero at times soroly in need of a little personal help at the hands of parents. Mr Donald's address was well received. Mr C. E. Daniell moved votes of thanks on behalf' of the Sunday school, to the Rev. Mr Knott for helping along the services so well; Miss Williams as organist; Mr Boagey as conductor, and also the orchestra for help; all of Which fTPfe carried by acclammation. The. collection for both evenings

was announced at £II Os 9d. The | programme concluded with the children sinking another beautiful hymn of praise, and the pronouncing-of the Benediction,