WESLEY CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 30

WESLEY CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Taranaki street Wesley Church Sunday School, was oolebratod on Tuesday. The proceedings commenced with a social meal in the schoolroom, provided by Mr J. Godber, of which about 500 partook. This was followed by a children’s concert in the Chapel at 7.30, on which ooeasion the attendance was so large that a great number had to remain standing, despite the utmost efforts to provide accommodation for all comers. The Rev J. J. Lewis, pastor, presided. From the annual report, presented by Mr G. Tiller, it appears that since the formation of the School, as many as 5300 children have passed through the school; the number now on the roll is 831 ; number of teachers, 46, with an average attendance of nearly 44 ; young men’s and women’s class, 106, average attendance, 72. The working expenses for tho year were £So—about 2s per head. The library contains 1300 volumes, with a weekly issue of 139. beside which 7COO periodicals have been given free to the soholars during tho year. The sum of £ls has been given to the New Gninea Mission oonneoted with the Church, and the school has contributed £34 10s to the Home Missions this year. The School has been sending out four bands every Sunday to outlying districts for the purpose of holding evangelistio services, each band bciug eight in number. The last year’s officers were re-elected with the exception of tho Secretary, who is retiring, at his own express wish. They are as follows Superintendent, Mr G. B. Clark (who was absent on this occasion through illness); Secretary, Mr G. S. Summeroll; Assistants, Messrs T. D. Kendall and C. H. Ralph ; Librarian, Mr F. Denton; Assistants, Messrs G. Dixon, W. Denton, and J. Gibson ; Leader of the Singing, Mr F. Billman; Organist, Mr W. Hellier ; Committee, Revs. J. J. Lewis, Beck, and Laws, and Messrs Tiller, Beubow, Billman, Prince, H. Bennett, A. Chisholm, Hewett, W. E. Chisholm, Moxham, A. J. Bennett, Williams, Lewis, Freeman, G. Godber, J. W. Coplthorn, and Mitchell, The Chairman reviewed the good work which had been done by the Sunday School since its formation, and referred to the pleasing faot that there were among those now before him several ladies and gentlemen who had been connected with tho institution at and since its commencement. (Applause). During the evening tho children sang “ The Heavens are Telling,” “ The Lord is my Shepherd,” “Gloria,” and the “ Hallelujah Chorus,” besides several Jubilee hymns, in which their fresh Bweet voices sounded pleasingly harmonious, telling of painstaking labour and interest which reflects the utmost credit on the leader, Mr Billman.

A most pleasant evening was brought to a close with prayer.