MORAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15938, 4 December 1913, Page 9

MORAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL OPENED.

Tho Moray Place Congregational Church in the matter of spiritual activity has always taken a prominent placo in the religious life of the city, and so far from an easy feeling of satisfaction with what has been attained in the past, has felt itself called to further ?u • E-i er cfforts - Some timo a K°' when the jubilee celebrations were in progress, tho somewhat ambitious scheme was promulgated of building a Sunday school and a manse at a cost of not less than £4000. and last evening a gathering was held in the new schodl to signaliso the successful accomplishment of this object. The llev. W. Saunders (pastor of the church) occupied tho chair, and there were also on tho platform tho Mayor (Mr W. Downio Stewart), the Eev. A. H. Wallace, and the deacons of tho church. The meeting was of a particularly bright and pleasing nature, and formed a most auspicious o.ueury for tho future usefulness of tho school.

Mr Saunders opened tho proceedings in a few brief and pointed remarks, which breathed a spirit of deep thankfulness for what had been Accomplished. It was, ho stated, hid high privilege and great joy to welcome those present to the opening of their now schools. Their jubilee scheme was now no longer a vision; it was a reality. It might have been that their scheme was somewhat too ambitious, but they had with them men and women of strong "faith, iand their faith had been more than justified. _ The 50 years' existence of their church and its many labours during that time were now suitably commemorated and worthily crowned. Ho would ask them, therefore, to sing the doxology as an expression of their deep thankfulness to God. After this had been done Mr Saunders proceeded to read a number of apologies and congratulatory messages from those unablo to be present.' In declaring the schooi open, the Mayor (Mr Stewart) first of all expressed his deep 'sense of gratitude at the honour done him by requesting his presence that evening. He proceeded to congratulate all those who had been engaged in bringing about the erection of the building and putting it into commission, Both tho Sunday school teachers and pupils must feel gratified in having that splendid building in which to carry on their work. It would also be a great matter for satisfaction to tho members and pastors of tiro church to have such a fine Sunday school, for it was to tho Sunday schools that tho Church had to look for its members of tho future. It was also cause for very great gratification to tho citizens as a whole .to 320 such a splendid building being used for tho creation and education of their future citizens. Some little time ago he had lead a book by a French writer who had visited New Zealand, and the author had referred to the largo number of churches and denominations in this country. He also went, to point out, and with groat justice, that these, with their various organisations aud institutions, formed a very stiong bond of union with the Old Land, and that was a very commendable thing. Continuing, tho speaker said that tho Congregational Church had been notable in the history of Dunedin for the strong interest and obligation its members had always recognised in taking part in duties of citizenship. It was of tho utmost importance to tho future citizens that they should be well trained and equipped for their work, and 6uch an institution as a Sunday school did most valuable work in that direction. It had been said that there were four organisations responsible for the training of a man—tho home, the church, the school, and tho factory or office which he entered—and one of tho greatest educational authorities of tho day had stated that if ono of these had to bo'dispensed with it could not be the home tho church or the factory, but the ordinary day school. Continuing, Mr Stewart stated that the most imjportant characteristics of a citizen were his moral qualities, and these oime directly from the Church and from his early connection with the Church. It was useless to expect to make good citizens unless there were some powerful moralising agencies such as the churches. He felt particularly gratified wticn he considered the objects which that school had in view: its wonderful possibilities and what a great factor it would bo in training the future citizens in high ideals and in the best aspirations with which men could take up their work in life. .During tho time he had occupied the position of Mayor he had had to go to a largo number of meetings and assemblies of all c-orts, and ho had had an opportunity of noting tho immense number of agencies which the ■churches had for tho purpose of binding men together and uniting them in a closer bond of sympathy. There were some great agencies at work for moulding the life of the citizens and placing them on a stable and sound foundation. In the words of Edmund Burke: "Religion was the chief defence-of nations," and if the citizens were imbued with the ideals of such ah ogranisation as the Moray Place Sunday School would inculcate, they had no reason to fear for the future of the city. He wished the school prosperity and success in carrying out its eplendid work—(Applause.) Mr J. B. Shacklock, speaking on behalf of his mother, congratulated the church upon the acquisition of those splendid buildings for the purposes of a Sunday school. Mrs Shacklock had been keenly interested in the work, and greatly regretted her inability to be present. Continuing, Mr Shacklock referred to the value of tho Sunday school in building up church members and citizens generally, ■ and, in conclusion, expressed the hope that those buildings would continue to fulfil a very useful mission for many years to come.

The R«v. A. H. Wallace read a few appropriate words of Scripture and offered up a short dedicatory prayer. A programme of vocal and instrumental music was rendered, and was greatly appreciated by aIL A double quartet party from the Dunedin Liedertafel sang some part songs in good style, and Mr A. Wcsthead played two violin solos very tastefully. A trio of children, under the charge of Miss Widdowson, rendered a very pleasing item, and the choir, under Mr D. Cooke, sang a couple of anthems very tunefully. Tho building was afterwards thrown open for inspection, and its well-equipped classrooms and splendid finish excited general admiration. lis adaptability to the purpose for which it is designed' is exhibited in every quarter, and tho airy and commodious rooms speak eloquently of their unquestionable suitability.

The following particulars of the building are of interest:— Tho main hall, some 50ft x 40ft, with ceiling 21ft high, is an airy and well-lighted room. The walls are finished in plaster, and the coiling, which coves to the walls, arc of embossed steel. By means of collapsible partitions provision has been made for 10 classrooms. At one end of tho hall is the stage, 20ft x 14ft, with an anteroom on cither side. On the left of the entrance is the secretary's room, and to tho right aro the library, kitchen, and tho stairrase leading down to the kindergarten rooms. The kitchen is fitted up in a complete manner with gas urns, sinks, cupboards, and all conveniences. The kindergarten rooms, which have a separate' entrance from View street, are very bright and sunny. The ceilings of these rooms arc of embossed steel, painted white; the walls aro tinted, and have a figured red pine dado and a (abricona frieze ninnin" round, Ono of tho rooms is 24ft x 27ft° and tho other 24ft x 13ft. Provision has been made for heating the hall and rooms' by electricity.

The work lias been carried out in a very able manner by Mr J. E. White and the sub-contractors—Messrs A. and T. Burt (electric lighting and plumbing), Messrs Omand Bros, (painting and glazing) nnd Mr Watson (plastering). Mr E. W. Waldcn was the architect.