Anniversary at Willowby.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6457, 29 December 1904, Page 3

Anniversary at Willowby.

The services in connection with the anniversary of the Wiilowby Methodi.-t Sunday School wero held on Christmas Day. 'I he church had been effectively decorated by a number of young Indies assodaio.l with tho school, and presented a very pretty appearance. The preacher for tho day was the» L'cv T. F. Jones, of Temuka, who preached two e'oquent sermons to large and appreciative congregations. A special feature <>f the services was the very successful rendering of a number of hymns I'y thii childi on, under the able leadership ot the ohoirm.ifitor, Mr J. Osb<me, who must have ft.lt simply . rawaidod for the large amount of time and patience spent in training them for the occasion.

On Tuosday the customary tea meeting was held in the schoolroom, the attendance at which, while not quite equal to that on the previous occasion, was quite satisfactory, and resulted in a substantial addition to the funds of the school.

After the tea a public meeting was held in the church, and presided over by the Rev. T. J. Wallis, pastor of the district. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, and bespoke the good conduct of the audience, a reque t which, needless to say, was complied with to the letter. The children again rendered a number of musical selections, and very able, interesting, and educative addresses were given by the Rev. A. Pete's (Asbburton), and Messrs R. Mnxwoll (:uperintendent of the Sunday School), and George Aston, a former resident of the district, but now a'resident of Allentou.

The usual votes of thanks were proposed by Mr S S. Chapman, and seconded by Mr John Williams, and carried with enthusiasm. The singing of the Doxology and the pronouncing of. the Benediction brought to a closo a very successful annual function.