METHODIST CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 20015, 1 November 1926, Page 11

METHODIST CHURCH

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL. SUCCESSFUL OPENING CELEBRATION. The new Methodist Sunday School at the corner of Jed and Yarrow streets, was opened yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a very large gathering of people. At 2.45 p.rn. the key was turned and the door opened by the Mayoress, Mrs. Aaurew Bain, wno lias herself been a keen worker in the efforts leading to the buiiding of tne school. In a neat speech Mrs Bain expressed the hope ’that the new school would be an effective force in training young lives for the kingdom of God. Those assembled then repaired to the bright and commodious assembly room, where a successful opening service was held, marked by great cordiality and enthusiasm. After “Tlie Old Hundredth” had been sung, prayer was offered by the Rev. S. Bailey. The Rev. A. Mcßean then introduced Mr D. C. Cameron, vice-president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, who had come from Dunedin to preside over the gathering. Mr. Cameron, in the course of his remarks, referred to his association with the Leet Street church many years ago. He had been a leader in the Sunday School; his wife also had taught in that school for several years. The Mayor was the next speaker, and he offered his sincere congratulations to ail who had laboured for the building of the school. They had looked forward for a long time to the accomplishment of their purposes, and now they had a building of which they might v/ell be proud. He claimed to know something about buildings, and he paid a high compliment to the architect (Mr. E. R. Wilson) and to the builder (Mr H. Cooper). Mr Bain also spoke appreciatively of the good work being done by Mr J. E. Taylor, in training the children in their singing. The Hon. A. F. Hawke, M.L.C., also offered his hearty congratulations to all concerned. He was reminded of the days when as a boy he sat in a class in the old Leet Street school. His teacher in those days was the late Mr Trew. The Sunday School was an important factor in the life and training of young people. Nothing was more important than the cultivation of the spiritual side of their life. In the public schools they were trained and fitted for the more practical things of life; but they must see to it that the spiritual side was not neglected. There had been a very bit'ter fight in the Legislative Council over the Bible-in-Schools Bill. He had voted for the Bill, but at the same time he could see many serious difficulties in the way of the successful carrying out of the purposes of that Bill. But the Sunday School provided a great opportunity for a most necessary work. He wished the teachers and scholars much happiness and suc-

Among those present were the Revs. J. A. Lush, J. Lawson Robinson, 8.A., C. J. Tocker and E. Gardiner; and Mr. Gardiner as president of the Ministers’ Association, gave an address of congratulation and encouragement. Sunday School work was more than ever necessary to-day, he said, because there was an apparently growing lack of spiritual influences in the home life. The family altar was not known as it should be, nor as it once was. Nothing could take the place of home training in this matter; but there was urgent need for faithfulness and enthusiasm in Sunday School work. The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, chairman of the Otago-Southland District, also spoke, and expressed his great pleasure at being present on such a happy occasion. The building was one that in every way was admirably adapted for its purposes, and would enable the school work to be carried on under most suitable conditions. He stressed the need for giving special attention to the young. There never was a time when so much time was devoted to work amongst the children and young people. The world’s future depended upon the children of to-day; therefore the church must never relax but constantly increase her efforts to claim them and train them for Christ and His Kingdom. Messages of congratulation were received from the Rev. P. N. Knight, 8.A., president of the Methodist Conference, and from the Rev. E. P. Blamires, organising secretary of the young people’s department. Appreciative references were made to the work of Mr. W. H. James, who has just relinquished the position of superintendent. Thanks was also expressed to the committees of the Middle and Waihopai Schools for the use of their buildings for Sunday School purposes.

In addition to the opening services of the new school, the Sunday School anniversary was also held. At both morning and evening services there were large congregations, and the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse was the preacher on both occasions. His addresses were timely and forceful, and were listened to with great interest and much profit. A feature of all the services was the singing of the children, conducted by Mr J. E. Taylor, with Mr N. James at the organ. The morning service was in the school and was in the nature of a dedication service. In the evening the service was held in the church, when, in addition to the singing of the children, a solo was sung by Miss Ava Cameron, of Dunedin. The collections for the day (including a cheque for £25) amounted to about £55. The celebrations will be continued this evening, when a children’s concert will be held; and on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings there is to be a great opening fair.