BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13594, 8 October 1914, Page 3

BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Iho celebration of the anniversary of the Nolson Baptist Sunday School'was concluded with- a largely attended pubhe mooting in the School of Music last night. ■ . "" ■

Mr T. Pettit, superintendent of the S + <*>•' presided, aim expressed pleasure -at tho success of tjj o anniversary services on Sunday and the meeting" that night . He appealed to parents to I maintain an to*»rest in tho v/ork of tlie i school, and to see that their children I were regular in their attendance The secretary ,'Mr Blick) read the annual report-, as follows:—As we review! the work of the past yc-ar, we feel sure! we must admit it has been progressive Although there is nothing of marked importance, it lias boon a year of steady work, and I am sure you will all admit that it is the steady, persevering that tells in tho end. Our success is due to the band of men and women who so unselfishly-devote their Sunday afternoons to the teaching of -the children eternal truths, (for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal). It is chiefly owing to the experience and common-sense of our superintendent, Mr' Pet-tit, who for the past 24 years has ailed that position, that the whole organisation of our school works so smoothly. We have on the roll, including the Bible classes, 296 pupils. There has been an average attendance of 159, as against 180 last year. We may divide the-school into three classes —the Bible classes, the -intermediate department-, and the infant department. The Bible classes: Mr Cullen has still charge of the boys' Bible class, which has a membership of 14. Miss Burton has charge of the junior Bible class, with a membership of 13. Miss Baigent takes the young women's Bible class, with a membership of 26. Miss Edmonds.has charge of tha junior girls' Bible class, with" a membership of 8. 'In the intermediate school Aye have to report a falhng-off of the attendance, more especially on the boys' side. Boys reaching the age of 14 or 15 appear to think they are too big for Sunday school. We would value the parents' assistance with regard to boys at- this age; as it is. I think, the most important in life. Infant department^. During the year there has been an everincreasing attendance. We much recret that Mr Harold Wood's health during this last year has been such as to keep hinl from the work he loves so well, and we pray that he will soon be amongst us again. Mr Drake has come to our assistance, and proved himself to be just the man we needed, he being., quite -■an, expert in. blackboard drawing. During the year nine scholars entered for.the Wellington Sunday School Union examination. Six scholar^ obtained prizes, "and two others obtained certificates. . In ' the Baptist Union examination 15 scholars entered,. and four obtained prizes and 10 certificates. The sum of £75 from the church and school has been contributed during the. year for the Missionary Society. The Sunday morning school is in charge of Mr Gordon Newton. Mr Edmonds kindly offered to give addresses during the absence of Mr Wood. Thanks are due to' Miss Burton, who] spent much time and trouble in coaching the scholars for the examinations, and to Mr Lambert for ".similar work; and to Mr Emmett for the time he has devoted and the trouble he has taken ■ in training the school in the anniver-j sary "hymns. And we would also xemomlier Miss. Robertson for so ably presiding at the organ. The donors of the prizes -are, also entitled to our thanks. Miss Scott, one of our former teachers, is present to-night. She left us to take »p important missionary work in South' America. lam sure we welcome her home again, and pray that she may find in this church the spiritual help she needs. In conclusion, I- may say that this Sunday school hap. never failed to give to the world men of a first-class order. It has been our privilege to give to the Expeditionary Force men who have passed, through our school, namely. Jack Gill, Harold Cannington, Harold Robertson, Howard Newton, John Newton, Harold Whiting, Richard Johns, Ellis Littlejohn, and last, but by no means least, one' who is now' in Lord Kitchener's second army, namely. Dr. Harold Pettit." . Cheers were given for tho ex-y>upus of the school in the Expeditionary Force, and the National Anthem was sung. ' :; .';■■■'■■ The prizes were distributed by Miss Burton, as follows:-- .