WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1997, 21 January 1890, Page 2

WINCHESTER.

“Monday, 20th January, 1890,” will long be remembered as a red letter day in the calendar of Winchester, recording as it does on the tablets of time the double event of the laying the foundation stone of a Sunday School and the splendid treat provided for the school children of Winchester by Mr W, Deßenzy, chairman of the School Committee.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Sunday School took p'ace at 10 a.m. The children haying first assembled at the church were formed in. procession, and, headed by the Incumbent in surplice and robes, marched round to the school site, a|-acre section adjoining the railway line. Here Messrs Comer and Ltrcombe, the contractors for the new building had all in readiness. A tripod fitted with block and tackle and surmounted by a flagstaff, from which floated proudly the “Union Jack of Old England,” marked the spot where the atone was to be duly laid. The children and spectators having gathered in order, suitable prayers were read by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton.

The donor of the school, Mr H. J. Gladstone, then stepped forward, and in a splendid speech, marked alike by its earnestness and perfect wording, said he was glad to be present and to be relieved of the task of laying the stone himself, as Mrs Deßenzy had kindly consented to perform the ceremony. His words on the occasion would be brief, recognising as he did, that “brevity was the soul ot wit.” Briefly, then, he might state that his object in erecting this Sunday School was twofold, viz. 1. Owing to the action of the majority of the Good Templars and general public of Winchester in having rejected the Incumbent’s plan of eroding a Sunday School by the public, and deciding to provide for meetings, etc., by the erection of a public hall, he (Mr Gladstone) had offered to build this school for the accommodation of the Sunday School children to show his appreciation of the labors of the Incumbent and of the superintendent of the Sunday School. 2. To gratify a desire which he had long felt of doin<* something for the glory of God and the welfare of the Church to which ho belonged. Mr Gladstone then read the deed of gift as follows :

Know all men by these presents that I, Henry John Gladstone, of Winchester, being greatly desirous of the welfare of the Church of England in this district, and being anxious to »id so far as lies in my power the religious education of the young connected with said Church of England, have purchased three sections of land- in the township of Winchester, and haye made a free gift of the same to the Church Property Trustees, and am now about to erect a building thereon, which shall be held and used by the Church Property Trustees for ever as a Sunday School far the use of the boys and girls connected with the Church-of England in this district, and for no other intents or purposes, and for the benefit of no other persons, bodies, or institutions, whatsoever. In witness whereof I, the said Henry John Gladstone, have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety. Henbx Jno, Gladstone. In handing the parchment to the In* cumbeut Mr Gladstone referred in most feeling terms to the thirty-five years which he had spent in the colonies, and the health uad prosperity which he bad onjoyed during the whole period. He now fell, it his duty to do something (o show his gratitude to Almighty God for the many blessings which he had enjoyed. He had great pleasure in presenting the building and grounds to the Church for the use of the children, and wishing the Incumbent long life and happiness, trusted that ha might long be spared to labor amongst them.

The Rev, T. A. Hamilton, on behalf of the Church generally, and also the parishioners, thanked Air Gladstone most fervently for the splendid benefaction that day conveyed to the glorious church to which it was their happiness to belong and assured him of the hearty appreciation 1 of his gift by the congregation at la’-o-e Sunday Schools were powerfel instruments in fostering true religion, and were the foundation of much that is good amongst millions of the English speaking race. Education necessarily embraced a religious training, man not being truly civilised until conscious of a responsibility extending beyond this life, and Sunday School teaching brought influence to bear on the conscience, teaching it to choose the right and avoid the wrong. The zealous and self-denying labors of Sunday School teachers did immense good in the country, inculcating principles of morality and forming good habits amoug the rising generation. No field of labor yielded a richer harvest to national interests and national character than the institutions known as Sunday Schools. In days gone by religious instruction was chiefly imparted to children by their sponsors or God-parents. They wers now displaced oy the Sunday School teachers, who did the work for them. He referred to the ettorts of certain Roman Emperors on be* half of poor and outcast children, and to the care of children by the Hebrews, whose cities were considered perfect when boys and girls were playing in the streets, and whose Psalmist prayed that “ the yonn<r mr-n might grow up as tue lender plants’, hr.*'r lr l '" g J , J ‘ tor ® aa ( * le P o| ishod corners i ■ e, yP ,e ‘ •k' s ' Cunstianity beng«f. tile giuiy of manifesting the j*oivd U 6BB ..t Childhood ever since bed'JViW shoDoou the rude cradle ethlehem, and He who was born

the King of Kings afterwards took litt’e children up in Bis arms, and said, “ Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” That ' Taa . the coronation of childhood. All Christian countries vied in protc cting their children, andin securing for them thefullest knowledge, sheher, and nurture. Again thanking Mr Gladstone for his magnificent gift, and for his kindly wishes on his behalf, the Incumbent urged the teachers and children to adopt the motto placed upon the stone as that which wou'd bring a blessing to both teacher and scholars a ike, viz. ; To do all ” to the glory of God.”

Mr Gladstone then requested Mrs . Deßenzy to lay the foundation stone, which pleasing ceremony was performed both gracefully and skillfully, in declaring the stone truly laid Mrs Deßenzy thanked Mr Gladstone for the honor which he had conferred upon her in requesting her to lay the stone, and in doing so she felt that the grateful thanks of both parents and children were due to Mr Gladstone for his kind gift, and hoped that they would show their appreciation by making good use of the school. The stone bears the following inscription : A.D. Gloriam Dei. H. J. Gladstone. 20 Jan., 1890. The Incumbent then offered up the following prayer: “In the faith of Jesus Christ we place this headstone in the foundation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, that here true faith, the fear of God, and brotherly love may dwell, and that this place may be set apart for the instruction of the young and for the honor of the Name of the same our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Doxology was then sung, and hearty cheers were then given lor Mr Gladstone, Mrs Deßenzy, and the Incumbent. Before - dispersing, the Superintendent, Mr R. Smith, thanked Mr Gladstone tor the settled home now provided sor the Sunday sohoel children ; it supplied a long-felt want. He had been engaged in Sunday School torching in Winchester for a period of thirteen years, and felt sure that statistics of crime in America ■ and other countries showed powerfully in favor of imparting religious instruction. In teaching every Sunday in the new building be would constantly be reminded of Mr Gladstone’s kindness, and felt deeply thankful for the provision made for the instruction of the children. He felt sure that Mr Glad-

stone would feel amply rewarded if the youth

of Winchester grew up to be good men and • women as the result of religions training now in the cornea of erection. Amidst hearty applause, the children gradually dispersed, wending their way to the Bine Gums, where a treat had been kindly provided for the children of Winchester by Mr and Mrs Deßenzy. It goes without saying that a moat enjoyable day was spent. A large number of parents and friends arrived at intervals to share in their children’s pleasure. Games and amusements of all kinds were indulged in. Swings erected by Mr H. Smith were kept fully occupied. A large collection of toys, etc., wore allotted as prizes for races. During the afternoon the weather looked threatening, end a little hail fell, but a delightful shower of lollies followed, which was as welcome to the youngsters as nature’s waterworks to the anxious tiller of the soil. Refreshments were duly dispensed at intervals, grace being sung under the leadership of the Bev. T. A. Hamilton. Special prizes presented by Mr Pearson, of Timaru, for the most popular boy and girl, after beirg duly balloted for, were won by Alice Gimson and Henry Page. As daylight began to fado a move was made for home, enthusiastic cheers being given for Mr and Mrs DeSetzy for their kindness in prof viding such a pleasurable day’s outing,