MAYORAL RECEPTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11254, 5 July 1922, Page 3

MAYORAL RECEPTION

THE CITY’S WELCOME TO ME AY. C. PEARCE. SUNDAY SCHOOL MOVEMENT. A Mayoral reception was held at the Wesley Church in Taranaki btreet last evening to Mr W. C. Pearce. AI.A., associate secretary of the World’s Sunday Schools’ Association. The Mayor (Mr E. A. Wright, M.P.) presided. The proceedings were opened with the singing of ‘‘Unward, Christian Soldiers,” and a prayer by the Rev. Dt Pinfold. Apologies for absence were received from the Rev. Bellhouse and the Hon. C J. Pair. In extending to Mr Pearce a hearty welcome on behalf of the City Council, Mr Wright spoke of tlie good work performed by the Sunday School teachers and assistants in 'Wellington. Mr Pearce was an American —none the worse on that account —and his duties embraced every branch of Sunday School work, including instruction and organisation. Mr Wright referred incidentally to the fact that that day was the anniversary of the signing of the American independence treaty. The war that brought that separation about would never have occurred liad there been a sovereign on the British throne like Queen Victoria. It would have been a totally different s.tory had she been on the throne instead of George 111. History showed that the British people were blood of our blood and bono of our bone. The ideals of the two nations were identical, and therefore we were particularly glad to receive an American into onr midst. He hoped Mr Pearce would carry back to his country kindly memories of New Zealand, and trusted that his etay in Wellington would be pleasant and profitable. Mr H. D. Grocott referred to the formation of a Sunday School Union in the Dominion. A conference, held at Christchurch on Monday, which Mr Pearce attended, had set about the formation of a New Zealand Council of Religious Education. A further conference would bo held towards the end of the year, at which the definite objects of the Dominion organisation would be drawn up, on lines that would be in the best interests of the religious teaching of the young. Mr Pearce, in reply, referred to the great progress being made in New Zealand in the teaching of children during the adolescent period. The weakness lay in the teaching of men’s and women’s classes. He was under everlasting obligation to New Zealand, for he had never had more blessings and kindnesses showered upon him in any other country than he had received since hie arrival. He was proud to be present on the birthday of his nation, to meet his cousins, and his brothers in Jesus Christ.