SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY AT ENFIELD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10960, 28 December 1911, Page 1

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY AT ENFIELD.

' (From a Correspondent.) The weather conditions early on Advent Sunday morning were not such as 1 to make folks specially interested in a i Sunday school anniversary hopeful and joyful. Yet swift and wonderful was the change that took place. By the time the minister who was appointed to, conduct the morning service of the En-' field Union Sunday School got on his way from Oamaru the rain was over, the mists had rolled away, and the splendid landscape, as seen from the crown of the road at Cormack'si was ' bathed in glorious sunshine. We heard 'the - minister declare that the drive was one of the finest and most enjoyable he ever had in his life, and that meant something, seeing that he is a much-travelled man. The, altered weather conditions certainly contributed to the success of the services in every respect. The white-dressed singers were present in full force, both morning and evening, and the platform, with its wealth of floral decorations, was a pleasing sight. The Revs:' W. J. Williams arid.J. -.Standring-preached morning and evening respectively to good congregations, Jhe former taking as his subject, "Jesus and the little child" (Matthew 18.2), -and .the latter "Jesus, the exalted :Brince and Saviour" (Acts 5.31). The ["singing by the children, assisted by a jjbod choir, was, as usual, a pleasant feature of the services. ;,-The annual social was held on ChristJmas Day, and though the weather condition was anything. but favorable the tea tables were well patronised, and young and old enjoyed-themselves. At 8 p.m., when the entertainment began, the'hall held as many people as could. lie accommodated with comfort.

Mr Joseph Williams was in his usual rplace- as. chairman, and conducted the meeting in his own brisk, bright, and .fatherly style. Mr T. Common conducted'the singing. Just, fancy, a programme of about 30 items! But when a start was made, song, recitation, and dialogue and story, together with speeches; followed one another without a break for 2£ hours. •': The Chairman's address (remarkable for its served as a model for the speakers (Mrs W J. Williams and Revs: Williams and Standring), whose congratulatory remarks were confined to a few minutes.

The 36th annual report, read by Miss Grace, told of another year of successful work for Christ in the vtraining of the young. The number of pupils (59) and the teaching staff (6) remain much the same as last year. The library contains 580 volumes, and the readers number 35 scholars and. 13 parents and friends. The branch of the International Bible-reading Association lias a membership of 31, and the Junior C.E., under Mr:T. Common, numbers 20 members; . The Maori Mission has Sigaiu found good support, the contribution this year being £7 4s IOJd. The balance-sheet showed an income of £24 14s 3d, and an expenditure of £lB 3s 4jd, leaving a credit balance of £6 10s 10-Jd. The report and balance-sheet were received, and the Secretary was tendered a hearty vote of thanks on the motion pf the Chairman.

Great praise is due to the young people for the splendid, entertainment they gave, showing much careful training, on the part of the teachers, and also much native ability on the part of the pupils. There was not an inferior item on the programme. The anniversary hymns and music, compiled by Mr H. E. Nichol, of Hull, form a pleasing collection, and the ten pieces were given admirably. Miss Cox 'accompanied on the organ with her usual ability, and a detachment of the Young Men's Orchestra from town contributed very largely to the general enjoyment A comprehensive and hearty vote of thanks to all was moved by the- Rev. J. Standring and carried with much enthusiasm. Then the closing piece, "O Love Divine," was sung, and the Rev. W. J. Williams pronounced the Benediction.