METHODIST CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 285, 30 October 1928, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY. The Cuba Street Methodist Church annual concert in connection with the Sunday School anniversary was well attended last evening and a most enjo}'ablo programme was presented. Mr T. R. Hodder was in the chair. Iterm were contributed by Misses E. Johnson and J. Spilman (pianoforte duet), N. Cowlishaw (recitation), L. Perrin (tong), E. Hancox (recitation), A. Cowlishaw (song in character), U. Scrivon (recitation), J. McCoskery (recitation), M. Hancox (recitation), A. and N. Cowlishaw (duet), J. Biggs (recitation), a selection by the girls’ choir and Master A. Swinbourn (musical items). Miss M. Smith was a sympathetic accompaniste. On the motion of Mr A. H. Fisher, votes of thanks for having brought the anniversary to a successful issue were accorded the choirmaster, Mr H. T. Pitcher, pianist, Miss Flatt, organist. Mr W. Flatt, secretary, Mr T. Brown, and to the orchestra. ANNUAL REPORT. The report on the year’s activities of the Sunday Scliool presented by the secretary (Mr T. Brown) stated, inter alia, as follows: —“The total of scholars on the roll, including . the Bible classes, is 200, a decrease of 29 on last year's total, this being accounted for by a smaller membership in two of the Bible classes, and erratic attenders not included in the main school roll. We have a staff of 28 officers and teachers; 15 men and 13 lady teachers and three auxiliary teachers. We have not had quite sp many changes in the personnel of our staff this year as in former years, but we were sorry to lose the services and able assistance of the Misses I. and A. Strawbridge, and Purton at the commencement of the year. The following additional teachers have been added to the 6taff during the vear:—Messrs S. Kingston, T. E. Bai, A. T. Thomson, Mrs J. O. Boniface, Misses B. Keat and G. Woodley; to these we give a hearty welcome, and trust that their work on behalf of the young folk will be blessed of God. We have to thank our superintendent, Mr T. R. Hodder, for his many years of faithful service to the Cuba Street Sunday School, and we trust he will ' be spared for many years to work in the interest of our young people’s department. It was a great joy to us all when his 50 years of service was marked by the presentation of a long service diploma of honour by Mr A. H. Fisher on behalf of the teachers. The senior Y.W.8.C., under the leadership of Miss Smith, has well maintained their good position. The membership is 16 with an average of 15. The senior Y.M.8.C., under Mr S. Kingston’s charge, is a new class formed this year, and commenced its first meeting on the first Sunday in May, meeting at 10 o’clock on Sunday mornings. The roll number is 18 with an average attendance of 10. When Mr Kingston is out of town Rev. J. D. McArthur takes the leadership of the class. The intermediate Y.W.B.C. is under Mrs Terry’s able leadership, this class having gone up with their leader from the junior class this year. Sixteen arc on fhe roll with an average attendance of 10. The junior Y.W.B.C. under Miss Jamieson has as in former years been formed from the top class of girls in the main school and numbers six with an average attendance of five. The junior boys Bible class icharge of Mr I. K. Rickard and has a roll number of six with an average of five. It is very gratifying to the school and church to see the Bible classes in such a flourishing condition. . . In the main school we have 10 classes; 5 girls and 5 boys. We received 21 scholars from the infunt department this year, seven girls and 14 boys. The membership is 82 with an average of 68. Ten new scholars have been received durinrr the year, while 18 have removed or attend other schools. The infant department, . with Mr G. G. Hancox as superintendent, has a staff of 12, six men and six lady teachers. Fifty-five are enrolled, with an average of 40. There are also 40 names on the cradle roll, with Miss G. Young in charge. Our annual picnic was held in the Ashhurst Domain in conjunction with St. Paul’s Sunday School in March. It was a little later than usual and the attendance of late years has been gradually falling off, there just behig 40 per cent, of the scholars present at this one. So it was decided to fall into line with our sister church and abandon the picnic (his coming year, but the matter was to be brought up annually. The school retains its interest in foreign missions and have again forwarded the sum of £ls for the support of our native teacher in the Solomons. Our school also retains its interest in homo missions, having forwarded £3 at the end of last year to that cause. .. . . In the Scripture examinations our school again came out on top in the Palmerston North Sunday School Union. Of the 35 entrants, 34 gained prizes, and our school also gained the highest individual marks—9B. We feel proud of our school in this direction, and it reflects great credit on the teachers. The Junior Christian Endeavour Society has met regularly on Sunday mornings under the direction of Miss Flatt. The Band of Hope has also maintained its enthuiasm for the temperance cause, and is under the charge of Miss V. Hansen.'. .. . We wish to tha'nk all those who have stood by us so loyally and given us both spiritual and financial assistance. The superintendent and teachers of our school need all the help and sympathy you can give them. Their work is by no means easy. It is sometimes very difficult and discouraging, but tho sincerity, love, and devotion of the Sunday school teacher is an asset of inestimable power to the Church and the State. Again wo are indebted to our choirmaster, Mr Pitcher, for his willingness to take charge of the musical portion of our anniversary services and carry them through to a successful issue. The balance-sheet shows that the income for tho year was £66 7s 7d and tho expenditure £75 45.”

Speaking to the report, Mr T. R v Hodder stated that it was a regrettable feature that ’tho finances were low. He was very pleased, however, to note that tho Band of Hope was in such a flourishing condition, whilo the Scriptural examinations had been excellent. On the whole, the year’s working had been most satisfactory.