TRINITY WESLEYAN CHURCL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3502, 27 September 1882, Page 3

TRINITY WESLEYAN CHURCL.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The anniversary of the Trinity Wesleyan Church Sunday School was celebrated last evening by a soiree and public meeting, which were both well attended. At 6 30 an excellent tea was provided in the schoolroom by Mesdames Banbury, Hutchinson, James, Martin, Neal, Prime, Thomas, Wall, Welsman, and Williams. After tea an adjournment was made to the church, where the usual public meeting took place, Mr J. W. Neal occupying the chair. The Revs. D. Sidey, J* J. Lewi?, E. Neilson, J. W. Williams, and Messrs J. S. Welsman, D. Rodgers, and O. H. Wall, also occupied seats on the platform. The proceedings commenced with the singing of a hymn by the children, " A year since in concord assembling," after which Mr Lewis engaged in prayer, and the chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Mr Perry. Mr Prime, secretary and treasurer of the school, then read the annual report and balance-sheet, the latter showing the income for the year to be £68 lfis 9d, and the expenditure £56 6s 6d, leaving a balance of £12 10a 3d. Against that, however, there were a few outstanding debts, representing £21 15s 7d, thus making an actual debit balance of £9 5s 4d at the present time, but thia amount, he expected, would be liquidated by the proceeds of the present soiree. The report stated the school to be in a flourishing condition; all the slasses were well attended, and the teachers were regular in their duties. Owing to removals and deatb, some of the teachers—notably the late Mr H. M. White, who was one of the ablest and kindest they ever had with them—had vacated their charges, but their places were soon again occupied by willing successors. The teaching staff comprised seven male and seven female teachers, but another was still wanted to take charge of the infant department, at present temporarily looked after by Mr Banbury, assisted by Miss Chegwidden. With respect to suitable reading for the children the secretary was pleased to say that a parcel of new books from the Auckland Sunday School Union had been received for the library, and religious periodicals were regularly distributed, much to the gratification of the scholars, who always looked forward eagerly for them. The total number of scholars on the register was stated to be 198, of whom 108 were girls, and 90 boys ; the average attendance being 136—girls, 70; boys, 66.

Addresses were then delivered by Rev. D. Sidey, on " The ' Ups ' and ' Downs ' of Life"; by Rev. E. Neilson, Scandinavian missionary, on the " Gospel Message and its Power" ; by Rev. J. W. Williams, on the present age as contrasted with the past ages ; and by Mr D. Rodgers, on the influence of litttle things. With but one exception the speeches had the disadvantage of being too long, but all were listened to with a pleaeing degree of attention

At intervals the choir under the leadership of Mr Prime, contributed hymns in good style. The usual votes of thanks, proposed by Mr J. S. Weleman,and the singing of a hymn by the entire congregation, terminated the proceedings at about 10.30 o'clock.