SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1895, 1 December 1923, Page 5

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.

A BRIGHT GATHERING. The Methodist Sunday School anniversary was held in the Church on Sunday, November 25th. The school choir, under the baton of Mr Bates, acquitted themselves well in a choice selection of hymns. At the services held in the morning, afternoon, and evening, the Rev. W. J. Enticott, of Taumarunui, preached appropriate sermons to large congregations. The offerings in aid ,of the Sunday Schoor funds were a record. On Monday evening, November 26th, the over-popular tea meeting was held, and for over two hours the teachers and friends were kept busy ministering to the wants of the children and the adults. At 7.30 p.m. following the tea, came the Anniversary Concert, witli the minister of the Church presiding. Again the Sunday School choir made a name for itself in the hymns rendered under the conductorship of Mr Bates. The Rev. A. Drake, of the Church of England, gave an inspiring address, emphasising the duty, privilege and responsibility of both parents and teachers in training the young life for the service of God. The girls and boys were not forgotten, one part of the address being specially for them. The secretary’s report showed 10U scholars and 16 Bible Class members on the roll, an increase of 22 scholars for the year. A number of teachers had removed to other parts during the year, but the vacancies had been filled by new workers. The balance sheet showed a substantial credit balance. A very interesting feature of the evening was the prize-giving, a first and second prize being awarded in each class for the highest marks gained for attendance, conduct, and knowledge of the lesson. A special prize was also given to the girl and the boy gaining the highest marks for the year. Each child in the infant classes was given a large text-card. In addition to the items given by the Sunday School choir were the following contributions : Recitations by Iris Dean, Phyllis Dean, Fred Foss, Tom Smith, Sydney Smith, Stanley Cato, Maurice Dean, Jack Veale. Choruses were rendered by the junior girls, the senior girls, the senior boys, solo and chorus by Peggy Ferguson, and the infant girls.

The church was literally packed to the doors, and late-eoiners had to be satisfied with a seat in the porch.-The usual vote of thanks, the singing of a hymn, and the pronouncement of the benediction, brought a very successful gathering to a close.