BROAD BAY SUNDAY SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 21502, 29 August 1933, Page 12

BROAD BAY SUNDAY SCHOOL

REUNION SOCIAL The seventieth anniversary celebrations of the Broad Bay Sunday School were concluded last night with a reunion social in the Broad Bay Hall of past and present scholars. Mr H. 0. Bauman (Presbyterian student assistant) and the Bev. A. B. Pybus (Methodist) acted as joint chairmen. A lengthy programme was submitted, including addresses by Messrs Bauman, Pybus, the Bev. W. W. MacArthur. and Miss Sutherland (superintendent of the Sunday School), sopgs by Mr Smith and Misses Dorothy M'Kay and Gwenda Burt, a recitation by Miss isobel Clark, »t violin solo by Mr Larkins, and items by the children. The hall was comfortably filled, the gathering being fully representative of past and present pupils. This was demonstrated when the roll was called by Mr Bauman, three old pupils of seventy years ago—Mr and Mrs J, Clearwater and Mrs If. Clearwater—and others representing jiractically every year down to the present responding. Numerous apologies for absence and best wishes for a happy reunion were received from old pupils from all parts of New Zealand. The serving of supper was preceded by the cutting of a huge birthday cake. -SUNDAY SERVICES. The services at Broad Bay on Sunday in connection with the seventietli anniversary of tho Sunday school were well attended. A large body of old friends and associates gathered at the morning service, which was conducted by the Bev. H. IS. Bellhonse, ol Trinity Methodist Church, Dunedin, and chairman of the Methodist Synod of Otago and Southland. His theme, which was taken from Matthew xviin. 2, “ And Jesus called a little child unto Him and set him in the midst of them,” embodied an appropriate and inspiring message. Mrs Havershon, whose past connection with the musical side of church worship at Broad Bay is remembered by many with sincere appreciation, presided at the organ. The present scholars of the Sunday school rendered their service ol song and praise with a childish fervour that touched the hearts of all listeners.

The afternoon Sunday school session, to which all friends and ex-scholars were invited, was conducted by Mr H. 0. Bauman, the children, under the able leadership of Mr Jowsey, presenting a special sendee of music. Miss Isobel h owler, the Sunday school organist, presided at the organ. After welcoming, on behalf of the present Sunday school, the ex-pupils and teachers present, Mr Bauman made thoughtful and kindly reference to the Sunday school secretary (Mr Frank Fowler), whose, long illness had necessitated a temporary absence, which was regretted by staff and pupils alike. Those present. were privileged to renew old and valued friendship with two whose names, beside those of many others, are written in letters of gold in the annals of the Broad Bay Church—the Rev. George Brown, of the Cargill Road Methodist Church, Dunedin, and Mr John Dotting, Sunday school superintendent of forty years ago. The message presented by both in their addresses to the children dealt with the reward of happiness which followed loving service to others.

The evening service, at winch accommodation was taxed to its utmost, was conducted by the Rev. Dr E. N. Merrington, master of Knox College. After a brief survey of the establishment of the first Sunday school in Broad Bay in the year 1863, Dr Merrington, with reference to the Scriptural passage, Acts, xxi., 29, “ A citizen of no mean city,” spoke with powerful appeal of that “ City whoso Builder and Maker is God.”

Mrs Pernman presided as organist, and a service of song was rendered by Mr Walmsley and party—Mrs Walmsley, Miss Dorothy M‘Kay, and Mr W. E. Snow, of Dunedin.