METHODIST CHURCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 15 November 1937, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY school < EEEBKATIONS 9lsf ANNIVERSARY SERVICES There were large congregations ;il SI. .lolm'c Methodist. Church yesterday L r Hie ‘list anniversary services of I lie Sunday School. The features of all the services was the bright singing of Ihe combined St. John's and Nelson South Schools under the eonduelorship of l\lr F. Mitchell. The large choir reached a hit'll standard and rendered in an inspiring manner a i.umber of hymns from the new Methodist hymn book. Miss G. Carty at the organ and Miss E. Stokes at the piano were ellieienl accompanists. The lessons were recited by boys and girls. Children’s addresses were given in the morning by the Rev. W. Rowe, and in the afternoon by the Rev. Ross Dal by. At the evening service the Rev. Mr Rowe addressed the congregation, basing his sermon on an incident from the Book of Kings, the raising of the Shunamminte's son by Elisha. Elisha's servant was instructed to ask, "Is it well with your child?" he pointed out Was there a parent who was not tremendously concerned for the physical and mental well-being of his child? Yet the making of character and the shaping of the destiny of the girls and boys was a matter of far greater moment because wiien we looked into the face of a little child we were looking in the face of the future of the world and of the church. It behoved parents therefore to look welt to flic children's future condition. The task confronting them to-day was to impart life, spiritual life, to the boys and girls committed to their care, and he wanted them to see that they could not work by proxy in this matter. The Shunammitc appealed to Elisha and Elisha sent his servant. The boys and girls appealed to father and mother, and tlie parents must not appeal lo the Sunday School teachers to do the work that they themselves ought to be doing. The work of the Sunday School leader should dovetail in with that of the parent. Elisha was a man of God and that was the secret of his success, said the preacher. Great things could be done by men and women who were fully given up to God. We ourselves were not sufficient to the task of training these children To those dealing with children the speaker commended the method; of Elisha—persistent prayer. concentration, and tremendous application. He knew that it was: difficult to put young heads on old shoulders, but we must get down to the level of the child and talk in the language the child could understand if we were going to impress and win the children of our day. The celebrations will be continued with the presentation of prizes to-night