METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9211, 2 November 1908, Page 6

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL,

EXCEPTIONALLY INTERESTING SERVICES.

Services celebrating the Mnstertcm Methodist Suudav School Anniversary were hold, morning, afternoon and evouing, in the Methodist Church, yostorday. The weatlier conditions were decidedly adverse in the niorniug and during tlio ronmindor of tho day uucortaiu. Novortheloas. good congregatious were in evidonco, and at the evening's devotions tho Olmroh was packed, and seats wero placed along the aisles to accommodate tho overflow from tho pews. Tho children of the Sunday School, dressed in festival attire, and occupying the choir, the boys in tho centre and girls on each side, were a particularly bright and effective foatnro of tho day's celebration, and their enjoyment and happiness were reflected in the faces of tho many parents who attended in the body of Clio Church. The interior of the building was tastefully decorated with greenery and flowers, among which arum lilies and "uelder-roses made a striking and artistic display. The platform seemed placed within a fairy bower, draped with festoons aud ropos of loaves and spring flowers. Pulpit aud railings were almost hidden behind dottlyarrauged boscage, aud Native palms were prominent among the olaborato Church decorations. Suspended above the choir was a largo wreath, formed principally of white lilies, aud within it a miniature cradle, symbolical of the infant department of the school, and the cradie roll movement. The roll was hung near the entrance porch. The beautifying was carried out by the teachiug staff, under tho capable supervision of Mr R. Mclvor. The scholars wore assisted by members of the Church Choir, aud the singing throughout was a particularly attractive feature, aud indicated that the conductor. Mr S. H. Ralph, hail devoted considerable care aud patience to the training of the vocalists. The excellent behaviour of the children, too. should be a source of inward satisfaction to their respective teachers. The orchestra was a strong and efficient one. composed of Mrs Inns. Messrs Rotter and Goddard (violius). Gray (comet). J. Barrett (flute). J. Caii.ly (dahouot). H. luus ('celio) aud A. Russell (.double bass). Miss E. Dauiell was organist. Books containing the words of the hymns aud anthems were distributed among the seats.

The preacher at all services was Rev. A B. Chappell, M.A., organising secretary of the Bible Class movement. The subject of his morning discourse was "Jesus setting childhood in the midst." He pointed out what Christ had done for childhood, and showed how, by the spread of His teaching, the child's life had been made more honoured and more happy. He also dwelt on the fact that the Saviour had exalted childhood by making some of its elements typical of His own disciples. To the children, Mr Chappell gave an interesting address on "Greatness."

Tho musical programma was the fol-lowing-.—Voluntary, "Gloria," orchestra; hymn, "Daring to do the Right"; hymn, "Waiting to Welcome"; hymn. "Hark, I Hear the Angels Calling" ; hymn, "Hosanua to the King"; hymn, "Count Your Blessings." During the collection the anthem, "Hβ That Conquers Wins a Crown," was sung, and solos were rendered by Miss Elsie King and Miss Maud Church; as the congregation retired the children' sang "Steadily Marching On." The afternoon's worship was opened by the singing of ' Waiting to Welcome." followed by "Couut Your Blessings." Selections not given at the previous service were, "Blessing the Ohildien," "By the Hillside" as an offertory anthem, and "Day of Days." An address entitled "The Shepherd's Psalm," was given to the young folks by'the minister. At the commencement of the evening celebratiou, the orchestra played the voluntary, "Wreath of Song." The Jiymn "Mighty Love" was followed by prayer. As at the other services, the Lord's Prayer was chanted. After the hymn, "Day of Days," had been sung, Rev. Mr Chappell read as the first scriptural lesson the Nineteenth Psalm. Iv the next sacred rendering, "Let Hill and Lofty Mountain Tliair Maker's Praise Declare," the duet part was sung by Mrs G. Boagey aud Miss E. Church". The second lesson was taken from Psalm 13S). The next hymn was "When Night is Near."

*Iv addressing the children, the preacher told them something about the reality of God. In the beginning God was before aud behind all. There were still a few foolish people who imagined that the world could be explained without the existence of God. He explained to his young hearers, by means of some simple comparisons, that things do not come about of their own accord. God was the sculptor of the hills aud valleys, and the painter of the flowers aud the sunset. Somebody was consfcautly at work with both rain aud wind, suushiue aud cloud, aud that somebody was God. In the wonders of the earth aud the changes of the seasous were seeu the signs of God's walking about the earth, and the footprints of God should not make us afraid, but should sometimes make us serious. In drawing a parallel with the construction of a, watch, the preacher asked tho scholars, if ie took a watchmaker to maKe a watch, what would it take to make a world? A world-maker, he said. Who was that world-maker': , God, who was "in the beginning," and who is the only One who can be used to explain that which we find surrounding us. God is a landlord who is good and wealthy, aud He lets to us this world at a small rental. He wauts something else, however. He ■ wauts that we should see tho beauties, as well as the comforts, of our euviroumeut. Ail around us are pictures painted by God's best artists, and we should thank Him particularly by appreeiatiug them aud trying