OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 9

OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE CHILDREN

A viso woman (Mary Howitt) boldly declares that "God tends children for another purpose than merely to keep up the raceto enlarge our hearts, to make us unselfish, and full of sympathies and affections; to give our souls higher aims, and to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion; to bring round our fireside faces and happy smiles and loving, tender hoarts, My soul blesses the Great Fathor every day, that Ho has gladdened the earth with little children."

Many citiiens think no child's education is complete without a knowledge of the Bible. And every mail anil woman who thinks so ought to bo grateful to the vast army of consecrated men and women who, in public school, private seminary, and Suniluy school, are seeking to build up tlio character of our young people. Fourteen years ago one of our wellknown institutions, tho Dunedin City Mission, sought access to some of our echooU, and all these long years their agent, Mr Duncan Wright, has prosecuted tho work of Bible-reading after school hours, and the publio are left to bo the judges as to the success of tho oltort in a matter that is so \ital to our community.

When ii ;s remembered that the city missionary has been labouring at this branch ol scrvieo for 14 years, anil that noarly 1000 young citizens havo attended every week tluough all these years, it is matter (or thankfulness. During the week nearly 1000 beautifully-illuminated wallcards and fully 100 markod Testaments have been circulated.

In every inet-.uice Mr Duncan Wright this week has been careful to emphasise the fait, tint, if any success attended the •dforfc if >vas largely duo to tho sympathy of the different committees, to the presence and active help of head masters and mem bore of the teaching' etalfs, and also to the splendid assistance given by senior boys and girls in all tho schools. Nor did he forgot to thank vsry heartily the parents who had all along given him mest cordial assistance. N.E. Vallev School. Last Monday tho clu?s numbered 178 happy boys and girls, when the work for iho present year was brought to a close. Botoro I the distribution of prizes for good attendance, and pretty illuminated cards, it was explained that when the class began, two years ago, there were present MO scholars; the avorago for this year, in 6pito of sickness and cold days, had been 173; and, in view of tho fact that another class for Biblo lessons is hold- every week, (ho Valley school keeps well to tho front. Before closing, words of cheer, 10 tho scholars and cor-

dial thanks to Mr D. Wright wore spoken by Mr John Campbell (Mayor), and Mr William Mowat, both members of the School Committee. KAfKOiui School. Scholars to tho number oC 196 crowded tho large, well-lighted infant room on Tuesday, when the class was concluded for the year,, and a lino' happy, crowd they were. Exclusive of infants, tho average attendance this year has, b;on 188, from the first up to Standard VI (the highest number on any one day had been 205). On* the largo, well-lighted infant room on ''Our Bible Class" had been won by Uita Allnutt. Before the distribution of prizes M> Allnutt, spelling as a parent, could not allow the clas3 to close without a

vory definite oxpre-sion of gratitude and goodwill to the. .leader of the class ■ for bene.'it to the school and to his own family. Ringing cheery followed,, Awumvßtw.t School. , Fourteen years ago tho class started with some 140 young people.. This year the average just touched 200, and on Wednesday the spacious infam roonr (because the largest) was crammed with 255 cheering children j.m: n largo number of parents. The enthusiasm was vory genuine. Messrs ' James H. Wilkinson and Jcs. Absmethy addressed a few words as roprowntativos of the School Committers conveyed very cotdial thanks to Mr Wright for his long year* of service undou- three .different headmasters, all .'of, whom had co-operated with him—namily, (lie Messrs J. Ferguson, J. 0. Hodge, and J. Keunie. IJofore distributing pi' 17.03 tv.o ill the senior scholar*, Olive Kcstieux aiirt Nellia Fraser, came forward ■aiul, amidst, loud cheers, presented their friend Mr Wright with a superior handbag, solid leather and suitably inscribed. A briefi acknowledgment was made to parents and children alifco- ■ Maori tin.i, School. Tho first year of Iho Bible class in this school was concluded on Thursday, and as

no room was lai go enough, the littlo function tool: place ' in the adjoining Presbyterian Church, kindly granted for' tho owlsion. Special mention was made of the sympathetic- resolution passed by the School Committee on the previous evening, assuring Mr Duncan Wright that he had Uio thanks and best wishes of evcrv member of tho committee Mr F. G. Cuuimhig, who represented that body, spoko in °a similar strain. The class. began in this school with.,l3; in, all 119. had Wen onrolled, and the average-'for the year had been 143.. To. .make .warn for iho. standards tho children of tho infant. room may next year nacd to bo excluded from t'no Bible class, and ihis toes much against the grain. A surprise to tho leader of tho class too!; place wnen Margaret Thomson walked forward and, after a pretty speech, in the name of tho class presented their friend with four handsome volumes— 11 Pastor Hsi," Sir W. Uoberleoa Nicoll's " Life of Tan M'T..\ren," "Buskin's Selections," and "The Lite of. Dr Stewart., of Love-dale." In a fow,..sentences, Mr Wright returned heartfelt ilmnks,,. The Revs. \V. MapJnnn'.d and Oscar .illundeil and Mr Fitzgerald snoke a few words.

AnTHun Stkeet School. Yesterday another merry croW( j 0 f youngster*, (numbering 221," mot iti tho gymnasium lull, grunted ft>r the occasion. Thero were ulso present a number of parents, and tlio committee \v,-,s represented by Messrs Pinol (chairman), Struthers, and. Cameron,. .each of whom had a few kindly words to theehiidran and grateful .thank to., the. leader of tho Bible class. Mr Ceorgo Keid renresentcd tho Dunedin City Mission, and hid ■« good reception. Through Mr Struthers His young people presented their frind and loader with a sum of money sufficient to purchase some sift in token of their love and op" preciation of his services during maii'v years past. Kor full attendant .special prizes were given, and every child lecoived a beautiful card. As a parent, Mr Black, of Koslyn, also spoke u few words.