CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19019, 15 November 1923, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL.

ANNX V EUSARY SERVICES. Tile celebration of the anniversary of the United Congregational Sunday School was begun on Sunday in the King Street Chinch, when three services were held, the preachers bring the Revs. O. S. I’oardon and W. Walker and Mr John Reid. In the morning Armistice Day was observed by two minutes’ silence, and by special references in the sermon. The song service was efficiently led by the junior choir, tinder the conductoiship of Mr J. M. Benfell, The anniversary was further celebrated last'nigh! by a social, presided over by the school superintendent (Mr J. H. Wilkinson). The annual report stated that the past year had been one of the brightest as well as one of the most progressive years in the history of the Sunday school movement in this city. The desire of the Sunday School Council had been to emphasise the importance of Sunday school work, and to make all interested in the religious training of the young realise the urgent need of intelligently trained men and women if the best results were to be obtained. The beginners’ department had received special attention, and .the position of this branch of school work was now highly satisfactory. The introduction of more modern and attractive kindergarten methods had already done much to excite the interest of the young people in school life. The Children’s Exhibition, although inaugurated by the Sunday School Council, was organised on' such broad lines as to include ail organisations interested in the welfare of the young people of the city. The Exhibition proved a great undertaking, and n wondcrfu( object lesson of the varied activities that are at work for the health, happiness, and educational advancement of the boys and girls. In connection with the Congregational Sunday School scripture examination, held on July 13, the King Street School did exceptionally well. Ot the 17 scholars who sat for the examination 16 gained prizes, and the other competitor missed a prize by only one point. In the junior grade (ages 10-12) G. Fraser received 96 per cent., which was the highest percentage gained in the whole examination. The excellence of her paper was remarked on by the examiner. In gride 2 the three highest prizes were gained by pupils of the school, Elsie Benfell topping the list with 55 per cent, Arthur Jennings 93 per cent., ■and Mavis Johnston 85 per cent. In grade 3 the only first prize awarded was given to Marjorie Fraser with 82 per cent In the advanced grade Nancy Fraser and Lois Colvin were awarded the only first prizes with 94 per cent. am. 81 per cent, respectively. No other school reached such a standard of marks or gained so many prizes. Except in the essay amotion, tor which the school had only one entry, it gained the top prize in every grade. During the year Mr If. Abcrnethy (who had for several years served the school as secretary, but whose health had not been too good lately) was compelled to tender his resignation. In accepting this the teachers expressed their appreciation of the valuable, lielp he had given. Mr Gilbert Ward, formerly connected with one of the local English Congregational Churches, was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. Che training of the Sunday School wiioir was this year entrusted to Mr J. M. Benleil, and ne had attained pleasing and satisfactory results. Mr Benfell was assisted by Miss Ina Fraser, school organist, and also by Mr Leslie Burk. The Bible class leaders (Miss Laing and Mr Joseph Abcrnethy) had added another year to their record of service. The Band ot Hope was carried on under the supervision of Mr J. M. Benfell. The meetings had been bright and helpful, although at tiroes the attendance had not been up to expectation. The record of the year would not bo.complete without a reference to Mr J. 11. Wilkinson, the superintendent of the school, who had just concluded an unbroken term of 35 years as superintendent of the Sunday school. During an interval in the programme the Chairman delivered a brief address, in the course of which he thanked several young ladies who had thoughtfully attended to classes and enabled teachers to attend the special training classes, and also others who had assisted in forwarding the work of the school. For the first time in several years there appeared a likelihood of a debit balance in the school finances (mainly through the ’increased cost of stationery), but on' Sunday a friend placed in his hand a £1 note, which prevented a shortage. Mr Wilkinson referred feelingly to his 40 years’ work in connection with the school, first as teacher and subsequently as superintendent. It had, he said, been a service of joy, and he did not think that during mo whole of that time he had heard an unkind word from one of the teachers and officers. He was glad to see the interest of the parents, as shown by the attendance that night and in otner ways. The results of the Sunday school work would, h-> was confident, make themselves beneficially felt in the lives of the boys and girls. During the evening the anthems “Jesus, Our Guide,” “Jubilate Deo.” “Stories of Love,” and “God Gives Us Rest” were rendered by the junior choir, under the conduotorship of Mr J. M. Benfell. aim the following programme was carried out by the pupils :—Recitation, Murray Sinclair ; pianoforte duct, Nancy and Gwen Fraser; recitation, Jesse Sutherland; song, Jessie Abernethy; recitation, Betty Ferguson; action song, girls; recitation, Phyllis Johnston; recitation. Rita Etheridge; action song, girls; duet, Mavis Johnston and Geo Austin ; action song, boys; duet, Winnie and F'rank Dyer; song, Alma Barton; recitation, Martha Grubb; song, Elsie Gould; dialogue, Girls’ Bible Class. The programme concluded by an amusing “wireless demonstration” by boys, the display being a humorous burlesque of broadcasting by wireless. At the close of the programme light refreshments were provided for those present. Misses Ina Fraser and Rose Thomas and Mr A. L. Burk played the accompaniments.