PARNELL WESLEYAN SUNDAYSCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4485, 29 March 1876, Page 3

PARNELL WESLEYAN SUNDAYSCHOOL.

The annual tea-meeting in connection with the above Sabbath-school was held last evening, in the church, Parnell. The tables were abundantly spread with cakes of every description, and the ladies of the congregation presided at the trays. The tables were also profusely decorated with flowers. Besides the parents of the children and the friends of the Parnell school, there were representatives of other Sunday-schools connected with the Wesleyan denomination. After tea, the usnal annual meeting was held, the Rev. Alexander Reid in the chair. There was an excellent children's choir present, under the conduct of Mr. Ryan, who, it was stated, had rendered great service to the church by his disinterested zeal in teaching the children to sing. Several anniversary hymns were sung by the children in excellent time, and with good effect. These were—" Hark, what mean those holy voices?" ".Ring the bells of Heaven, "The Polar Star." The Rev. Mr. Hodgson opened the business ef the meeting with prayer. Mr. Hughes, the superintendent of the school, read the annual report, from which it appeared that the number of children on the books was 65; the average attendance —morning, 32 ; afternoon, 42. From the contents of the report, it appeared that the school was in a very satisfactory condition, a fact which was cited to shew the reproductive character of the good effected by those engaged in Sunday-school teaching. This fact was, that, out of 90,000 teachers engaged in giving religious instruction iu . Sabbath-schools, 77,000 had been scholars in them. One scholar in the Parnell school had been removed from the girls' school during the year. This child was killed by falling over a cliff in the neighbourhood of the Domain. The girls were especially noted for regularity in attendance and attention in class. An appeal was made for a volunteer teacher to lake one of the boys' classes.— The Rev. Mr. Watkins addressed the children in a moat humorous and practical speech upon "Pastime."—The Rev. Mr. Hodgson addressed the meeting on " The obligation devolving upon parents of giving religious instruction to their children while young, and advantage of personal inspection by parents of the schools with a view to the encouragement of teachers."— Mr. Hogg also addressed the meeting.—The Rev. Mr. Reid addressed the meeting upon the beneficial effect of outside " sympathy" with the work done inside the school. A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the speaker, and to the choir, coupled with the name of Mr. Ryan, the choir-master. The proceedings, which were of an interesting character, terminated with the Benediction pronounced by the chairman.