Thames Sunday School Union.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8365, 28 February 1896, Page 2

Thames Sunday School Union.

A largely attended meeting of the above body was held in the Wesleyan Sunday School last evening. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the llev, E. Boys and Mr J.Bensliaw. Among other formal business the meeting passed a most hearty vote of thanks to Mr C. Short for granting to the Union the use of the Parawai Gardens for its annual festival, A similar compliment was paid to the owner of the Taravu Gardens. Tho Waiolahl Undenominational Sunday School was received into the Union. It being stated that members of tlie Auckland Sunday School Union Committee could sometimes make it convenient to attend the social gatherings of the local Union, it was resolved that the parent body be notiiied as early as possible of the date of future meetings, The chief item of the evening was a paper dealing with the all-important (juestion of leakage between school and church. The essayist was Mr H. N, Baguall, of Turua, and a considerable amount of discussion ensued, in which Messrs Smith, Paull, Newton, Scott, Brown, and the Rev. S. J. Serpell took part, and great stress was laid upon the increasing amount of Sabbath desecration, special exception being taken to the growing practice of running brakes on the Sunday. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Bagnall for liis paper, which was a most comprehensive one, showing much forethought and careful preparation. During the evening the following items were rendered Piano duet, Misses Miller; solo, " Charity," Miss Ashbyj recitation, " Smiting the llock," Miss Reynolds ; solo, "Tired," Mrs Jones. At the conclusion of

the discussion upon Mr BagnalFs paper, the following resolution, proposed by Rev. Mr Woolley and seconded by Mr 11, Scott, was unanimously agreed to:—"That this meeting of the Thames Sunday School Union deplores the growing desecration of the Sabbath in our community, and deeply regrets the frequent running of the Northern Steamship Company's boats and of conveyances to Paeroa and other places on the day of rest. It believes these inducements to travel en the Sabbath present a temptation to our young people which if not checked will prove disastrous to the well being of the people," At the invitation of the Wesleyan Sunday School teachers those present adjourned to the junior school-room, where a most enjoyable supper was provided, and a pleasant time was spent I in social converse before the meeting finally dispersed.