SERVICES RECOGNIZED

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 3

SERVICES RECOGNIZED

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. PRESENTATION AT SEAWARD DOWNS. Upon her retirement from Sunday school activities, Mrs P. Arnott was honoured with a presentation in the Seaward Downs Church last week. There was a large attendance and the Rev. R. D. McEwan presided. He stated in his opening remarks that they had met to express their thanks to Mrs Arnott for the long and valuable services she had rendered to the church and district as organist and Sunday school superintendent. They were very sorry to lose her help, but could not grudge her a rest from her labours, especially as she would still be with them and willing to give of her wide experience.

Mr John Dunlop spoke of the high place Mrs Arnott occupied in the hearts of the people both for her own sake and for her help in every good work. For nearly thirty years the Arnotts had been living among them, and although Methodists by descent and training they had worked with the Presbyterian Church of Seaward Downs and given it splendid service. During the years of her Sunday school work Mrs Arnott had taught every Protestant child in the district, making with her keen, kindly interest a great mark in their homes. They had now met to convey their thanks to Mrs Arnott and to ask her to accept a small token of their regard. The speaker then presented Mrs Arnott with a chiming clock and a travelling rug, expressing the hope that the sight of the one and the warmth of the other would long remind her of the time she had spent for them and the warmth of their affection for her. Mrs R. D. McEwan referred to her association with Mrs Arnott in the P.W.M.U. and social work of the church, and mentioned how glad the ladies were that their guest would still find some scope for her energies in them. Mrs John Bower spoke of her happy association as a Sunday school teacher with Mrs Arnott and of her pleasure at seeing such work so much appreciated by the parents. Mrs Arnott modestly disclaimed any right to the kind sentiments or the presents, stating that she found her duty a joy for the children’s sake, also that in thanking them for their gifts she would urge them to support her successor by sending their children to Sunday school regularly. Mr P. Arnott also expressed his thanks for the kindness of the congregation, and referred to the long . and happy association they had enjoyed with their neighbours. The chairman announced that Mr Carson Welsh would be the new superintendent and with the assistance of Miss Molly Crosbie would endeavour to continue Mrs Arnott’s work. A musical programme was provided by Miss E. Fisher and Miss D. Chaplin, Mesdames D. Caldwell and H. Raines. Master E. McEwan and Messrs W. J. Lennon, E. W. Cate and R. D. McEwan.