STATE SCHOOLS BIBLE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION,

Colonist, Volume XLVIX, Issue 11827, 7 January 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

STATE SCHOOLS BIBLE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION,

DISTRIBUTION OF L J RIZES TO THE CHILDREN. A large gathering took place at the Theatre Dec 19th in connection with the work of the above named Association, the body of the building being filled with children, acd the upper storey with parents and friends. Amongst those on the platform were his Lordship the Bishop of Nelson and Mrs Mules, Revs. J. P. Kempthorne, W. S. Lucas, J. H. McKenzie, C. H. Garland, J. Crump, Stanley Jenkin, and Thomas. Mr A. T. Maginnity, the Chairman of the Nelson Education Board, presided. After "Onward Christian Soldiers" had been sung, the Bishop offered prayer. The Chairman considered a great honor had been conferred upon him by asking him to preside over such a* gathering, and he appreciated it to the fullest extent. He emphasised that .those engaged in the work of the Association were not infringing the law, or breaking any of the provisions of the Education Act. the Bible teaching being done out of school hours, the buildings being used aa a matter of convenience to the children. The work of the Association had proved a great sue cess, and the large gathering present showed that the work|was appreciated by the parents. Three factors had led to the success, first, the good sense of the School Committee in allowing the school buildings to be used by the Association ; second, the good sense of the parents in allowing their children to attend the Bible teaching classes, and third, the hearty co-operation of the children in receiving such instruction. He noted the agitation that was going on in Great Britain over the new Education Bill, religious instruction being one of the subjects of contention : but here, in Nelson, a corner of New Zealand, this knotty difficulty had been solved, without offence being given to any sect or creed. (Loud applause). The speaker urged the value of religion as a governing power, and noted that Sir John Gorst had stated that there was a general desire by all classes at Home for teaching religion in the public schools. He concluded by urging upon the children to be thorough, to be pure, manly, courteous, and always to remember the the Golden rule in their dealings with others. He announced that two prizes would be given for the best essays on a certain toxt of Saripture. The children sang "March along together. " Mrs Mules distributed the prizes won to the undermentioned children : — BOYS' CENTRAL SCHOOL. Standard VI. : Arthur Taylor 1, Geoffrey Fox 2, Alii ter (Junn 3 Donald Harkness and John Bell 4. Standard V. : Joel Taylor 1, George Edmonds 2, Leonard Franklyn 3, Howard Ames 4. Standard IV. : Charles Soaton 1, Franu Hockey 2, Arthur Guinness 3, Noel Watson 4. Standard 111. : Stanley Robinson 1, John McLaren 2. Victor Trott 3, Herbert Rodley 4. GIRLS' CENTRAL SCHOOL. Standard VI. Dorothy Knapp 1, Margie MacKenzie 2, Ida Shaw and Lilian Taylor 3, Vera Smith and Jeannie Wishart 4, May lMacnab 5. Standard V. : Jean MacKenzie 1, Kathleen Leach 2, Laura Sbeet 3, Henrietta Robertson 4. Standard IV.: Elsie Griffin 1, Louisa Seaton 2, Edith Franklyn 3, Kathleen Jennens 4. Standard 111. : Olive Von Stunner 1, Grace Fox 2, Joyce Kempthorne 3, Madge Robertson 4. HAVEN ROAD. Standard 11. : Roy Fairey 1, Albert Westrupp 2, Esther Jenner 3, Aileen Shaw 4. Standard I. : Richard Ward 1, Lucy Jenner 2, Herbert Tibbie 3, Roy Baigent 4. TASMAN STREET. Standard 11. : Henry Davey 1, Kenneth Uriffin 2, Roy -Jackson 3, Muriel Moore 4. Standard I: Ethel E-tconrfc 1, Mabel Mills 2, Myrtle Davey 3, Jack Goodman 4. BROOK STREET. * Standard II. : Kasper Webiey 1, Herbert Rose 2, Gladys Thorpe 3, Frauoea Thorpe 4. Slandpd I, i Borrfg Fisher 1,

Sydney Batchelor 2, Frederick Hamilton 3, Leslie Lockyer 4. HAMPDEN STREET. Standard 11. : Kathleen Mouldeyl, Frank Snodgrass 2, Marion Snodgrass 3, Kenneth Kitchener and Mavis Neale 4. Standard I." : William Hoskins 1, Irene Elvy 2, Clifford Knapp 3. Ernest Merrick 4. The children sang "Work for the night is coming. " The Bishop of Nelson asked those who had not been fortunate enonghs'o win a prize not to be discouraged, to remember that success was more in taking pains, and to work harder next time. He impressed upon the children that the desire of those who gave them the Bible lessons was that the instruction should be carried into practice, influencing their will and affections. (Applause.) Rev. C. H. Garland expressed a hope that the success of the Association, and that gathering, would be telegraphed by the Press Association, so that other places which were being puzzled about Bible reading in the public schools, might see what had been accomplished in Nelson. Nelson had taken the lead of New Zealand in, this important matter. (Applause. ) He thanked the teachers in the schools for their sympathy and co-operation in the work of the Association. He impressed upon the children the importance of giving heed to the Bible, and referred j to. its power in character building, securing personal happiness and national greatnese. Rev. S. Jenkin moved a vote of thanks to the. Chairman, to Mrs Mules, to Miss Lorimer,and to those who had kindly assissted in the procuring of the prizes. Rev. W. S. Lucas seconded the motion, which was carried by hearty cheers given by the children. The proceedings closed with the Rev. J. Crump pronouncing the Benediction.