SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 225, 27 February 1875, Page 2

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

The eighth anniversary of the Canterbury Sunday-school Union was celebrated last evening by a tea-meeting and entertainment in the new Wesleyan Durham street schoolroom. Trays were contributed by the following Sunday-schools :—Congregational, Manchester street and Ferry road; Durham street, Wesleyan; St Paul’s Presbyterian; Baptist, Hereford street; and United Free Church, St Asaph street and Addington. Between three and four hundred sat down to tea, after which the tables were cleared away, and on re-assembling, the chair was taken by Mr S. C. Farr, president of the Union. The meeting was opened by singing the hymn “ Come let us join our cheerful songs,” when the chairman said that as they had a great deal of business to get through, his remarks would be very brief. He had presided over the Union for the past eight years, and during the last three he had endeavored to get some one to take his place, and was now glad to be able to say that that position would be filled by his dear friend Mr George Booth. He felt very much pleased and encouraged at so large a gathering, and that the work of Sunday schools was spreading throughout the world. He was grateful that this was the case, as much good would be done by their means. He would not detain them longer, but would call upon the choir for some music. The choir sang “ Oh, thou that tellest. The secretary, Mr S. 0. Johnson, then read the following : “ It is with feelings of thankfulness to Almighty God that your committee again present their annual report. During the year which has just passed away, the Union has again been blessed by the Giver of all Good, and although not in so prosperous a condition as could be wished, your committee have good cause for encouragement. “The number of schools now connected with the Union i? thirty-eight, as against

thirty-two last year. The following schools have joined during the year Congregational, Lebon’s Bay ; Presbyteiian, Kaiapoi, Saltwater Creek, Mount Grey Downs, and Ashley Bank ; and Wesleyan, Reefton. “ The issue of magazines has largely increased, being 18,300, at a value of over £6O as against 12,459, in value about £4O during the previous year. These monthlies consist of “ Notes on the Lessons,” “ Bible Class,” and “ Youth’s Magazines,” “ Kind Words,” “ Band of Hope Review,” “ British Workman,” “ Children’s Friend,” “ Missionary News,” “Sunday School Teacher,” “ Biblical Treasury,” “ Child’s Own,” “ Sunday School Times,” &c. “ The usual quarterly prayer meetings have been held in the various places of worship, but there is great room for improvement in the attendance at these meetings. “ The dissolving views were received from the parent society in April last, and have been exhibited eighteen times. In addition to the town and vicinity, the following places have been visited, viz.:—Leeston, Bangiora, Greendale, Selwyn, and Kaiapoi. Great praise is due to Mr H. Waters for the trouble he has taken in superintending the exhibition of them so often without remuneration. It has been decided to send for a further supply of slides, which it is hoped will arrive in time for exhibition during the coming winter. “ Your committee have to report the removal of the depot to the premises of Mr C. B. Lavender, Colombo street, owing to the inability of Mr Aikman to continue it in consequence of ill health. “ A circular was received from the parent society, with reference to the special meetings for prayer throughout the world; the same as in former years, and urging this committee to carry out their wishes as far as possible, by setting apart the 25th of October for this purpose. Your committee caused a circular to be printed and forwarded to the various schools in connection with the Union, requesting them to observe it as far as practicable. Special reports of these meetings have not been received, but it is believed that the request was very generally attended to. “ The usual anniversary services were held in the Wesleyan Church, Durham street, on the last Sabbath of the year, and were well attended, a larger number being present than on any previous occasion. A very earnest address was delivered by the Rev Samuel Macfarlane, and several hymns were sung under the direction of Mr J. Roberts, who deserves great credit for the zeal and ability displayed by him in teaching the children. The organ was kindly presided over by Mr B. Searell. “In conclusion, your committee would urge upon the teachers the importance of the work in which they are engaged, and pray that the spirit of unity may so bind them together, that, by God’s blessing, the next annual report will record much greater successes.” Mr Staples moved, and MrYoller seconded, the adoption of the report, which was unanimously agreed to. The treasurer, Mr W. Gavin, read the financial report for the year, which showed that the Union had a balance to its credit, including stock in the depot, of £l4O. The election of officers for the following year was proceeded with, and resulted as follows :—President —Mr Geo Booth, vicepresidents, Messrs Farr, Pillow, Twentyman, Connel, J. M. Watt, and Caygill ; treasurer, Mr D. Haggett; minute secretary, Mr S. C. Johnson ; corresponding secretary, Mr T. B. Peto ; trade secretary, Mr J. C. Lea, Mrs Bowler sang, “He shall feed his flock ” from the Messiah. On the motion of Mr Yoller, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr S. C. Farr, retiring president, coupled with the names of the other retiling officers. Mr Farr briefly acknowledged the vote. Mr J. H. Twentyman next addressed the meeting, and referred to the great amount of knowledge to be gained while imparting instruction to others. This had been his experience, and he was sure it would also be the experience of all engaged in Sunday school work. Mr Twentyman concluded an interesting address by exhorting all teachers to persevere in the good work in which they were engaged. Choir—“ Strike, seraphs, strike.” Mr George Booth next addressed the meeting, and said he had been connected with Sunday-schools for about thirty-eight years, and during the whole of that period had only been kept away from school twice. He had thus had some experience in teaching, and had never felt more the necessity for Divine help in the work than at present. During his recent visit to the old country he had visited a school with which he had been connected for fifteen years, and was astonished to find only about twenty or thirty of those remaining who were in the school with him. This reminded him of how quickly many of their number were passing away, and he would urge all teachers to make the most of their time in their schools. Mr Booth referred to the lack of zeal on the part of ministers in this country with regard to Sabbath schools, and thought they should come forward more prominently, as if they did he felt sure greater good would result. He thanked them sincerely for having elected him to the high office of President of the Union, and would do his utmost to further its interest during his term of office. [Applause.] The singing of the Doxology brought the proceedings to a close. The choir was under the direction of Mr J. T. M. Smith, and sang several pieces during the evening in a very creditable manner. The proceeds of the tea are to be devoted to the purchase of a Panorama of Palestine, for the use of the scholars attending the various Sunday-schools,