NORTH-EAST VALLEY METHODISTS

Evening Star, Issue 18729, 3 September 1924, Page 10

NORTH-EAST VALLEY METHODISTS

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL OPENED. On Sunday last special services were held in connection with the opening ol the new Sunday school, the singing of the children under the leadership of Ur N. Gibbs being an attractive feature. The morning dedicatory service was conducted by the Rev. H. E. Bellhousa (chairman of the district), who took as hia subject ’ The Church and the Child.’ In the afternoon the Rev. E. S. Harkness addressed his remarks to the children, and spoke of Jesus, the Spiritual Magnet. He dlustrated his words by the use of several magnets, showing their attracting and uplifting power. The evening service was conducted by the Rev. H. L. Fiebig, who spoke on ‘ The Door Opened by Jesus Christ. On the following evening a tea vae held to celebrate the opening of the shod. Over 180 adults and children sat at Ike tables. At the concert which followed tie hall was crowded to its utmost capacity. An excellent programme recontributed by Mrs Gladding, Misses Sheppard, Campbell,- Gillbus, aid • Torrance, Messrs Russell, Blackwood, E. Hancock,.'Cawley, Wilholmson,. Coulter, and A. Hancock, Mr Frank Cawley acting as companist.,The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, who presided, referred to the first beginnings of Methodism in the Valley in 1304, when inaugural services were held in the Oddfellows' Hall near the Gardens. The following year the presnt. brick church was erected m Glenaven. ' The opening of the school marked another advance in the work, and lie congratulated the Valley Methodists on the splendid building which they now possessed for their Sunday school work. The- Rev. S. Moms, of the Baptist Churchyspoke "on, - behalf- of the other churches in the Valley, and tendered the best wishes of Die various sister communions.

In tho . name of the other Methodist Churches of Dunedin the liev. W. Walker congratulated tho members' upon tho success which had' attended their efforts in connection with' the building project. Mr P. Williams, one of the oldest members of the church, and the first Sunday school' superintendent, spoke of the development, of the work-in the Valley, and paid a.-tribute* to the loyal support, which Trinity .Church, had afforded in all their undertakings. Among - those on the platform was Dr Wylie, of Outram, 'formerly;minister of tho church. Ha expressed his pleasure at being present on such an,.occasion. The strength of,a nation, ho said, depended upon thd moral, .character of its people, and he was convinced more than ever that the Christian Church must take the foremost place in the life and thought of the people, because it was tie church which held up such high ideals and conceptions of life as would provide a solid moral foundation for our national life. A report of the building operations was furnished by Mr 0. Williams (secretary of the trust), who said that he was glad to be able to present a very favorable financial statement. The school was being ODsatii free .of

borrowed from the church lona land, which represented but one-third of the total cost of the building, a fact which reflected great credit on those who had no generously supported the project, both by their work and by their contributions. The opening functions are to be continued this evening, when the children's anniversary concert will be held