Church of Christ

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 8491, 26 May 1904, Page 4

Church of Christ

r A Sunday SohooUaniuversary demonstration in connection with the. above church was held last evening. The proceedings commenced with a children's, tea, which was held in the City Temple: Here some 120 scholars and iriends assembled, and full justice was, done to the goo2 things provided by the teachera and members of; the. church for" the'youngsters' benefit. An adjournment was then made to the Wear Street Hall. The building was nearly filled with parents, friends and children connected with the church and school, and a meet enjoyable evening was spent. The platform had been nicely decorated for the occasion with mottoes and flowers,, and here the school choir, numbering about 50, with their bright faces and pretty dresses, presented a charming spectacle tor the visitors' benefit. , . ' Mr Clark occupied the cnair, ana after devolionai exercises, the school secretary (Mr Kilgour) read the report, from which we take the follfi wing : "We are glad to be able to give an. encouraging report of the Sunday &chool woik done during the year just closed. The number on the roll at last anniversary was not quite 60. An idea of our progress since that time may be gained from the statistics be'°"We have a staff of good teachers who endeavor to carry out tneir duties to the best of their ability. We regret losing several teachers, but are glad to say tMt others have been found willing to take up ihe work. Special mention is due to Mr Clark, our late superintendent. 'He has lately asked to be relieved of his position n\vin (r to unavoidable circumstances. ihe teachers regretted this very much, as Mr Clark had proved a very faithful member of the stall. Mr M'Crackett kindly consented to fill the position temporarily. "Our numbers at the present time are 115. In closing this report, we tender our heartiest thanks to all who have helped the school at this time or during the year and most of all we thank God for His goodness to us." A varied and interesting programme was then gone through by the children, lhe school choir rendered a number of spirited choruses, giving good evidence of preliminary practice. .The children sang brightly, as only children can sing, and their efforts were rewarded -jynth hearty applause. Then, several recitations were given—''Mary s layer cake" (Eva Murray), "A. little girl s speech" (Winnie Pile), "The stowaway" (Violet Frith). Miss Nellie Pile also gave a capital recitation, and Master G. Ward a flute solo, for which he was encored.. Seven girls carrying pretty bannerets extended 1 a cordial welcome to the visitors in a set of pretty speeches. Dialogues were given as follows : —"Little helpers' (by three girls and three boys, who created much amusement bv their speeches, and actions). "Nearer my God to. Thee" (by 17 girls). This was very well done. Each girl carried' a letter of the motto, and appropriate singing and speaking made up a capital number. An' action song, "Come and drill us" (by several girls) was very pretty; and Master J. Thompson and 12 boys in "The active band" went through a series of evolutions in first-class style. Another action "Harps and palms" (by 12 girls) was very effective. Each girl carried a harp and a palm, and a pretty effect was made by the united action and sweet singing. "The missionary ship," by six girls (a song and recital) created considerable interest. A model ship was introduced, and, with anuropriate actions and words, the good work done bvthe missionaries was emphasised. The most pretentious item of the evening was the dialogue, "The crowning of the year" (by 22 scholars). Miss Violet Frith acted as leader, and was supported by a chorus. _ The months of the year were appropriately represented by 12 pretty girls in tasteful costumes, and after various claims for the Queensliip had been heard and set aside, it was decided to crown the "Christmas month" as the Queen of the Year. The whole number was very effective, the choruses being spirited, the recitations clear, and the grouping pretty. At the close the audience loudly applauded. The prizes were then handed to the children by Mr D. M. M'Crackett, who made some remarks suitable to the occasion. The prize-list was as follows : Bible Class—Miss Roberts 1, Miss Carr 2.

Miss Frith's Class—Lizzie Goodall. and Lizzie Sidey (equal) 1, Janet Ward 2, Lily Familton 3. (Note —2nd and 3rd are very nearly equal.) Mr Geo. Cunningham's Class—John Thompson 1, Ernest Gebbie 2, Arthur Cairns and Geo. Ward (equal) 3. Miss Imrie's Class—Thos. Cunningham 1.

Mrs M'Crackett's Classs —Chrissie Benwick l y Eva Cunningham 2, Eva Murray, Mabel Frith, and Dorothy Jones (equal) 3. Mr Holt's Class—Elsie Genge 1, Violet Thompson 2, Fanny Brockie 3. Miss Renwick's Class—Ernest Cunningham 1, Louis Genge 2, J. Familton and Ernest Holt (equal) 3. Miss Cunningham's Class—Eva Jones 1, Ethel M'Crackett 2, Winnie Gebbie and Annie Brockie (equal) 3.

Miss M'GiUivary's Class—Annie Thompson 1, Mary Renwick 2, Ernestine Familton, Winnie Pile, Nita Clarke, and Myra Ward (equal) 3. Mr Abernethy's Class (attendance prizes) —John Frith and Arthur Sutton 1, Con. Clarke, Cyrus Clarke, Jas. Nimmo, Gordon Smith, Stanley Smith,- Thos. Smith, Fred Ward, Bertie Wilson, Douglas Clarke, Arthur. Renwick, and Douglas Smith 2.

Miss Roberts' Class (attendance prizes)— Rene Genge 1, Linda Jones, Effie Abernethy, Rosina Abernethv, Linda Badeley, Doris Genge, Edifh Holt, Nellie Knight, Dorothy Sutton, Phyllis Sutton, Annie Richardson, and Katie Wilson 2. The thanks of the Church and School are due to Mr and Mrs M'Crackett, upon whom devolved most of the work of drilling the children in the various items. Considerable time must have been taken in the preparation, and the efforts of the promoters were rewarded with great success. Miss Frith made a careful and effectual accompaniste, and kept the singers well together in the choruses. The whole demonstration passed off without a hitch, and teachers, parents, and children appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves.