ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WESLEYAN SCHOOLS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 480, 17 May 1851, Page 51

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WESLEYAN SCHOOLS.

The Seventh Anniversary of the Wesleyan Schools of Nelson, was held on Sunday and Monday, the llth and 12th instant. Sermons were preached on Sunday morning and evening by the resident minister, and by the Rev. D. Dallimore of the Baptist Church. In the afternoon, the children of the Sabbath School were examined in their knowledge of the Bible. On the Monday afternoon, at two o'clock, the children of the Day School were examined in arithmetic, reading, geography, &c, and in the opinion of thoso present, they had profited greatly by the zealous and able efforts of the master. After they had feasted to their hearts' content, the public Tea Party assembled together, and we certainly never saw a more numerous and respectable company gathered before on a like occasion in Nelson. The meeting, after tea, passed off in a very lively pleasant manner. The children sang and recited delightfully, and some excellent addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Dallimore and T. D. Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson referred to the afternoon examination, spoke in high terms of commendation of the system pursued, and recommended the school as worthy of support. By the kindness of their friends and the public, the whole of the amount ascertained to have been spent in raising the new school room has been met. A little more will be required for some necessary fittings, but which will be raised without further trouble. Total expended in building the Room £%l 15 6 Total raised (including £8 Is. yet to come in) 61 16 2 In addition to the above sum raised for the new building, the proceeds of the present anniversary, towards the current expenses of the school, are more than £15. From the Report read by the Secretary, we gather that in the Sabbath School there are 81 scholars, attended by three superintendents and seventeen teachers. There is a net decrease of 3 scholars, accounted for by several families having removed into the country, where the children will be found in other schools ; but for this there would Lave been a gratifying increase in the number of scholars. There are 40 day scholars regularly attending upon the instructions of Mr. R. P. Outridge. And now that the new room affords increased facilities, the Committee hope for a large number of scholars. Total attending Sabbath or Bay Schools . . &2 To which, if we add Richmond Sabbath School 40 And Wesley Church, and Rangatotara Schools, Motueka ....... 30 The total in connexion with the Wesleyan Sabbath and Day School Institution will be ... . 162

The Committee conclude as follows — " Towards their scholars they feel a growing responsibility. They trust in the living God who will give them strength according to their day ; and determine to follow the direction of iuspired wisdom. *In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening ■withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. 1 " — Eccl. 11, vi. — Communicated.