COLUMBA CHURCH.

North Otago Times, 2 November 1906, Page 1

COLUMBA CHURCH.

j SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT.

" The number of scholars on the roll at this date stands at 105, while the average attendance for year has been 145. , The figures remain, very much tlic same as reported this time last year. The teaching staff numbers in all 25, consisting of 10 female .teachers, .1 male teachers, and 2-librarians. "We are pleased .to report much faithfulness on the part of tcachus, in most regular attendance at Sunday School and their continued •interest .in this important part of the Ohuich's work.

" We. have, had tlio' misfortune (luring the year. to : lose, through removal, the much yalued help of Mr D. Sutherland,from the library, and Miss Lucy Morley and Miss Ferguson as teachers. There have been added' to ■ our number Miss HoSSack ■ and Miss Watson. "The- missionary 'collections for the year, taken up 'on the first Sunday of every month; amount to £lO 3s 7d. This amount, added to a balance of £G 10s 7d in hand at the beginning of the year, gives £ii) 14s 2d. 'len guineas Jiavc been forwarded to the . General Mission Fund and £(i remains to k allocated.

, "At the Assembly's annual examination,, held on July 14th, 1005, K4 cainli'iates presented themselves for examination in the South School I under the supervision of several of the Sunday School teachers. The results of tne examination have not yet been made Itnown, Within the last tew months .we have been twice favored ■ with an official visit from Mr J. Wylie and Rev. W. Wright. We are always pleased to welcome these representatives of the Session to the Sunday School. ."We. desire to acknowledge our iwlcbU'diFjss to Mr Wright lor kindty giving .quarterly review addresses on several occasions,

•' Children's Day, October 16th, was celebrated by a special morn.ng children's service conducted by the minister (Mr Wright), the children occupying the centre of the church.

"Our library has received during the year an addition of 00 new books. All the old books have been thoroughly innovated and the whole ic-catalogued. Tiie library of 500 volumes is now in splendid condition, an! is much used and appreciated by the scholars. "On Sunday, 19lh August, after some planning and previous preparation, we slatted, on the lines suggested ny Mr J. C. Jamieson, a boys' Junior Bible Class, under the leadership of Mr ,T. B, Gibb. All the boys in the school over 14 .years of age. with one.or two exceptions, went to form the Bible Class, 14 boys in 'all.' The number on the register has risen to 18 since ths formation of the class. "We sinceieiy trust that the present deep interest and ready participation in Iho work of ilie class may be long maintained. If by this means wo can reiain our older hoys in a Sunday school and Church connection much will have been accomplished. " The balance-sheet shows in detail our financial position, and it is gratifying to be able to report a credit balance of £2l after paying all liabilities.

. '" Since writing the foregoing, the results of the Assembly's Sunday School examination, held in July last, have come to hand. Thirtyfour candidates sat for the examination. Of this- number 8 obtained first-class minks, 12 gained secondclass niutks, 7 gained third-class marL, and 7 were below the- rehired nerccntage of marks entitling to third-class. We hope to award ilho pri> in connection with this examination almost immediately. For the sake ot comparison, we give I aiticuiars of the previous year's examination. There we:) 32 candidates 10 of whom obtained first-class marks, 5 second-class, 13 thirdclass., and \ below third-class. " In conclusion, we desire especially to thank the Sunday School Committees of the .Junior and Senior Endeavor Societies for the faithful and valuable assistance rendered ail through the year. The Senior Bible Classes have also made us their debtors by providing teachers whenever occasion required,"