TARANAKI ST. WESLEY SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 16, 14 October 1907, Page 8

TARANAKI ST. WESLEY SUNDAY SCHOOL.

SIXTY-SIXTII ANNIVERSARY. The aiinivorsary services in connection with the Taranaki Street Wesley Sunday Sihool wore held yestprday. As on former occasions, tho building was tastefully awayod with floral decorations. In tho morning and afternoon, tho church , was packed to tho doors, and, in tho opening, scores were unable to gain admittance. A feature of the services was the rondoring of choral anthems by tho choir, which numbered closo on six hundred, tho majority boing scholars, past and present. Most'of "the music was now to the congregation, and it was rendered in a manner which .reflected tho highest crodit on tho conductor (Mr F Billman) Much praise is also due to the organist (Mr W J Harland) and to tho orchestra for their able co-opera-tion. Reply to Mr. Ben Tillett. Tho sorvico in tho morning was conducted by the Rev W J Williams, who took for his text tho words, " Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad," which occur in tho 17th. verso of tho 21st chapter of Genesis. This simplo lecord, ho said, linked togcthor ,tho' witlost extremes—all-mig-htmeas on the ono hand, and all-wciikness on the other. It was a complete answer to those who doubt that'the; Creator is a personal God. , : When God heard-the. voice of Ishmaoland sont deliverance Ho was also answering tho prayers of Abraham and Hagar. In this text parents of other Ishmaels ' would find much comfort; If they would calmly and mtelbgently commit their case into the hands of God, their prayer would bo answered, even although their Ishmacl had wandered far into tho wiHcrness and forgotten all that ho had been taught in tho homo and in the Sunday school. It was not onough that tbo paients should pray—tho person a need of help should seek Divino aid Prayer was an appeal of helplessness to Almighty Lovo In tho course of his sermon, the revorond gentleman remarked that Mr Bon Tillett had beon reported as saying that ncrohgious institution had ever dono anything for tho poor In refuting this statomont, ho pointed to tho cdncativo value of tho Sunday schools and to tho philanthropic institutions originated by Dr. carnardo, Dr. Stcphcnson, Mr. Spurgeon, Mr. George Ivluller, and others. Surely, ho contended, Mr, Tillett was also cognisant or tho cood work dono by a momber of their own Church, the "Rev. Peter Thompson, m the East End,of Londou, whoro he had resided That much still required to bo dono could net be gainsaid, but to assert that nothing iv as being dono by religious institutions -was : ontir6ly. wrong ' During tho sorvico tho following choral anthems wero rendered with fine effeoj,:"Tho Lord is in His Holy Tompki , forward to Battle" (by Watson), Danger of aim" (by Clark), "All for Jesus , Gratitude" (by.Faucett); "Crown the K™6 (by Frost), and "Tbo Army of God' (Ntfhols) "All for Jesus" was sung by tho children alono. Tho parts m "Gratitude" v<ero taken by the Missos Bnttain. Children's Service. The afternoon service, winch lasted an hour and a half, was taken by the Roy O Jiaton, who addressed his remarks principally to the children Ho drew a contrast between flpwers and ™<^ ke ™ e J*. 0 In mer to vntuea and the latter to sins. In conclusion, he strongly urged his young hearers to cultivate during tho springtime ot their life only tho "(lowers Tho following antboms »ero rendered during tho service -"The Lord is in Hw Temple" ,"A Little Ship" by Jessop), Thn Armour of light" (by N.cho s), "I was Glad (by Jfaweett), "Onward, Christian Mdicre (by Warburton), and "Fonvard to Battle. Tile quartette in "The Little Ship" wo. taken by Miss G Bnttam (soprano) Miss Kojs ('ontralto), Mr Warren (bass), and Mr. McDowell (tenor). Evening Service. The servico in tho ovemn<? was conducted by Mr C H Poole, M.HR-, who took as his text Eccl 11, 9 -"Rejoice, O young man ,n thy youth, and let thy heart cheer theo in the days of thy youth " In the course of his remarks ho emphasised the necessity of teaching young people tho prmcmlos ot right living as exemplified in the Christian religion Training would, ho said, alone mako a life useful No ono could estimate the benefit Snnday schools had been in tho direction of cleansing civic hfo. In conclusion, ho urged all to be happy in tho Christian life.

During tho'.servico, several of : the anthems rendered at the previous. services were, by special ■ request, .repeated. In addition, tno following were sung:—"The Celestial Choir ■ (by- Nichol),- and "0 Light', Everlastmg" (also by Nichol). The solo in'the former was : taken by Miss M. Gray, and tho quartet by Misses Brittain and Koys and Messrs. Warren and M'Dowell. .. : The;BpeciaL.appeal'in:,aid of the Sunday School fiind resulted' as follows:—Morning, £20 8s!;- afternoon, £13 2s. 10d.; evening, £23 155.. 6d.—Total'£s7 6s. 4d. . ~v . The Annual Report. ~ . The ''sixty-sixth'' annual "ripport;,to bp presented' at.: Wednesday evening's. meeting in the ch'Ttrch states that , the of the city has in'one rospect materially affected ■our, schboU ""In 'common , 'with .the . other, schools :i'ri the heart of the city, , we'find tlie attendance is .gradually diminishing, owing to the. large number of people-now''making homps : in,tho sTibnrbs. On the other-hand, . there'; are*'many children resident' •in .the neighbpurhbod who-'are not Sunday School ■ scholars; and who may yet be secured to fill the places of those leaving. The number of scholars now'oh the roll is 616. The average attendance.-has been 436 per. Sunday; A rimnber of wet days and the prevailing; epidemics' are accountable for the comparatively low average. Our records show that 7598 scholars have been, enrolled, the number of officers and teachers is 37, , and their averago attendance has be'on 33 per Sunday." The standard* of the library has been well maintained • during -the/year by the purchase of now books. There are now 1164 volumes upon, tho' shelvos. \ The young .women's arid young men's classes aro being well attended. Their number's aro respeciirely 58 and; 60.Many ofrtho scholars.-are vory faithful in devoting' attention:and caro to ;th.e:preparation of the tablets. Those gaining the highestmarks were Difision — Isabel Turnbull, Daisy Calvert, -William Irvino. Junior Division H'Sadie Calvort,, Isitt Irvino. Primary Division'—HettioCalvort, Cyril Rishworth. The,balance-sheet shows: receipts to tlio amount,,of £156 9s. 7d., which.included £61Jlls. 3d.,.f0r-the last,anniversary coUecr tions, £25,,85. jfrom the tea and concert, £23 18s.. , 'from [contributions, .£l7 15s.- M. from the treat,-aid £13'5b. Bd..from thesale of music arid hymn-books. After all disbursemonts, a credit-balanco is left of £36 3s. 10d., as against .6s. 10d. laet year.