SUNDAY SCHOOL PRIZES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 230, 29 August 1932, Page 2

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRIZES

PRESENTATION CEREMONY. The unpleasant weather conditions and the term holidays at the schools somewhat affected the attendance of pupils at .St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon, when the Palmerston North Sunday School Union's annual presentations of prizes took place. The church was well filled, however. In the unavoidable abstnce of Rev. A. X. Scotter. president of the union. Rev. C. S. Matthews, a vice-president, was the chairman. Associated with Irim were Rev. L. G. B. 'Whitehead, who led in prayer, Rev. J. D. McArthur, who delivered the address. Rev. G. T. Brown, Mrs Brown, an expresident, Mr G. H. Stiles, the secretary, and the superintendents of the various schools.

Rev. Mr McArthur, after congratulating the prize-winners and offering words of encouragement, spoke very interestingly in parabolic style to retain the attention of the children. He spoke of the need to keep the heart clean and pure as it was the determining factor of a person’s life. It felt, and loved and bated, a little house where passions and desires lived. Mr McArthur pointed out. by means of stories, that the utterances of the_ mouth were governed by the state of the heart, and he quoted Scripture to show that a man's life was satisfactory if his heart was clean. A person had two “sentinels” in prayer and watchfulness with which to guard Jiimself. John Wesley and George Whitfield had in this way been able to help themselves and their fellows and God was ever waiting to help the children in their efforts to be upright. Rev. Mr Matthews conveyed the gathering's appreciation to Mr McArthur. He also mentioned the fine work of the Sunday school workers and alluded to Mr and Mrs Brown and Mr Stiles for their labours in connection with the prize-giving. Mr A. J. Graham was thanked for his kindness in presiding at the organ. There were over 160 prize-winners, and Margaret Brown had the distinction of being the only pupil to gain 100 per cent, marks on this occasion. She was warmly applauded when receiving a Bible and Mr G. H. Bennett’s special prize. Also specially mentioned was Bryan Pbilpotts, who secured 99 per cent, of marks.