CHURCH OF CHRIST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 8 November 1938, Page 3

CHURCH OF CHRIST

BIBLE SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY SERVICES * CONTINUED PRESENTATION OF PRIZES Another large and appreciative audience gathered at the School of Music last evening on the occasion of the annual Demonstration and Prizegiving in connection with the Anniversary services of the Church of Christ Bible School. The Superintendent. Mr A. E. Brough, presided. The Church, he said, was proud of its school, which at this time was depleted owing to the epidemic of measles. The aim of the school was to teach the principles of the Book of Books, no creed but the Bible. It was the aim to help mould worthy citizens, not only of the Dominion of New Zeland, but good citizens of the Kingdom of God. The speaker extended a hearty invitation to any boys and girls in the audience who were not attending Bible School, to come along on Sunday afternoons to the Church of Christ School, where a hearty welcome would be accorded them. A question which exercised the minds of some, was “Are anniversary services worth while?” The answer, said Mr Brough, lay with 1 lie congregation. If by means services people were drawn nearer to God. then it was well wo-"i while. The Superintendent then quoted the following statistics to show the progress of the school during the past year. The numbers on the roll were: Kindergarten. 73: Intermediate School, 85: Bible Classes. 25: teachers and staff. 28; a total of 211. The average attendance was 162. The cradle roll numbered 43. Prizes arc awarded in the intermediate school to all who gained 75 per cent, or more, of the total marks for attendance, conduct and homework, and last year 67 scholars out of 85 reached this standard. Special prizes had been donated to the scholar who gained the highest marks in each grade in the Dominion Bible Schools Scripture examination. Attendance diplomas and seals were also awarded for perfect attendance during the year and 56 were eligible this year, whilst some had completed more than the 10 years, after which no records are kept. Thirty-eight scholars entered for the Bible Schools examination and of these, one gained third prize, five honours, and 18 passed. A tribute was then paid to the teachers and staff for their loyal and faithful service, in giving their Sunday afternoons to the teaching of the boys and girls. Mr Brough concluded his remarks by thanking the following who had helped: The Dominion President, Mr W. T. Wilson. who donated the special prizes for the Scripture examinations; Mrs Ollson for giving a special prize, Mr G. L. Page, one of the first scholars of the school, for conducting the singing; the superintendent of the Kindergarten, Mrs J. K. Robinson: Mr lan Inglis, organist; the committee of teachers who were responsible for the training of the children for items, Mrs G. L. Page and helpers for decorating the School of Music, and the scholars for their attendance at the school and their fine singing. The following programme of items, interspersed with singing by the choir, was then presented:—“Ten Little Candles,” Kindergarten; recitation, Dale Noye; “Swing Song,” Kindergarten girls; “Little Soldiers,” Kindergarten boys' “The Rainbow." Junior girls; solo. Mary Tyrell-Baxter; dialogue. “A Tragic Mistake.” Bible Class Boys; solo. Maurr-n Hill; duet, "The Ten Virgins,” Bible Class Girls; duet, Mary Walter and Desma Eastabrook.

Mr Brough then called upon Nurse Ruth Hay, a missionary from Nyasaland (Central Africa), and a former scholar and teacher of the school, to present the prizes. A pleasing feature was the action of Miss Hay in going down into the audience to present a special prize to John Stobic. a scholar who has been unable to attend school for a very long period on account of illness. The following was the prize iist: