ST. JOHN’S INSTITUTE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 October 1927, Page 4

ST. JOHN’S INSTITUTE.

YEAR’S SESSION CLOSED. ANNUAL BANQUET HELD. The fourth, year’s session of the St. John’s Institute was closed last evening, when the annual banquet was held, the president, Mr L. A. Taylor, occupying the chair. Almost 100 members partook of the sumptuous repast provided under the direction of an energetic ladies’ committee. A short toast list opened with the honouring of the loyal toast. Proposing the toast of “The Institute,” Mr E. C. Bone said the organisation had been in -existence for four years. He felt that it had justified its existence by the big gatherings held recently. It was now generally realised that Sunday training must be followed into the' week-day activities. The church provided the spiritual teaching, and the- institute supplied intellectual instruction on the social side. In the institute the members had at their disposal one of the finest means of attracting the outsiders to the church. He urged that the institute ishould continue to be .a live branch of the church work and be a power of good to the community. He said that for the succees* of the institute it was essential that- it should have the hearty support of each individual member. It gave the young people _ the opportunity of training for public speaking. In conclusion, he expressed' gratification at the number of young members owning forward. Mr L. A. Taylor replied, and supported the sentiments expressed bv Mr Bone regarding the need for co-opera-tion of members. As the present was tinr last occasion on which the mem-

bers wou : d assemble for their year’s session, he desired to express thanks to the Rev. R. E. Evans fur valuable assistance, to the manager's of the church, Mns Hicks (who arranged the catering at institute gatherings.), Miss Spence (pianist), the committee and members generally 7 for the loyalty displayed during the season. He eulogised the good work it was doing in extending the characters or the young peopte. Proposing the toast of “The Church,” Mr E. K. Cameron said the church drew us nearer to God, drew God nearer to us, and thus made God very real. No oik was sufficiently eloquent to properly expound the spiritual value of the observance of the Cirristian Sabbath. The Christian Bible and the inspiring and soulful- sacred music offered peace to the troubled spirit. The toast was drunk following the singing of a verso of the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation.”

Mr L. A. Bone responded, and in his opening remarks acknowlpged the good work of the institute. He said he bebelieved that without the church there would be little true spiritual worship. He urged that more use should be made oi the church, and that members of the institute -should bring to the church the younger folks- of the town who at present did not gather a-t spiritual worship. He believied that spiritual belief in the community was stronger now than ever before. Still he considered that the Bible classes and other movements associated with them should be. even further supported. The speaker referred to the spread of the Goispel throughout the world, and said that during only recent years the Bible had been translated and printed in as many a-s 600 dialects. This work in mak.n-g available of the Holy Book to all races was a wonderful one, and was doing much for the benefit of the races which had previously not known this Christian teachings. Jn conclusion, he urged the members of the institute to have for their ideal the hope of following a-s close as possible in the path of Christ. During the e veiling opportunity was taken to present a valued member of the institute, Mr Cyril Laurent, with a copy of the Bible in Braile, as a token of esteem and interest of members in his welfare. In making the presentation. Mr W. Watts said that it was hoped that the gift would be of considerable value in iMr Laurent s Sunday school work. In reply, Mr Laurent expressed surprise and gratification for the presentation of such a valuable- giftHe assured members that he would Treasure the Bible, which would prove of considerable value to him. Other toasts honoured were: ‘The Ladies.’’ Mr R. Sage—Miss M. Keys; “The Gentlemen,” Miss W. Bullock — Mr Laurence: and “The Pres-s,’ proposed bv Mr W. Stewart. Vocal and elocutionary items , were ■riven during the evening by Miss J. Bissett, Miss O. Ta.it, Messrs W. Watts. L. A. Taylor, and I. Coyne. Mi;s« Spence played the- accompaniments. , , The banquet closed with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”