METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9212, 3 November 1908, Page 5

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

ANNIVERSARY MEETING,

AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME

GRATIFYING PROGRESS AND

RESULTS

The fifty-second annual mooting of tho ' Mastorton Methodist Sunday School was held last' evening, in tho Methodist Church. The congregation was a large one, aud representative of several denominations. Hymns and anthems selected from Sunday's services were again sung by tho children, under Mr S. H. Ralph's leadership. The chair was occupied by Mr C. E. Dauiell, Superintendent of the Sunday School. The opeuiug hymn was "Mi"hty Love," followed by "O Day of Days!" Rev. J. N. Buttle led in prayer, after which the. hymn, "By tho Hillside," was sung, iv which the solo was taken by Miss Gladys Church. Tho Chairman extended a hearty welcome to those attending the meeting. The services, he said, were such as would prove ap encouragement to the Sunday School staff all tho year round. The teachers occasionally felt that it was dreary to keep "pegging away" at tho work, but thoy'had to boar iv mind that easy ways of living often made people torKβt their responsibilities to tho children. Tho SuLday School had decided not to hold a picnic this year, as it had been felt that recent efforts iv that direction were not recompensed; but soino of the teachers had determiuod to organise au outing on their pwu responsibility. Mr Dauiell praised tho efforts of those who had beautified the Church for the present festival. Some young men had gone to the bush, early on Saturday morning, before starting their usual occupation, thus demonstrating their enthusiasm. From three o'clock in the afternoon till half-pasc ten at night, too, tho ladies and others had worked energetically at the decorative scheme. Tho Church had -reason to bo proud of the children and of the work of the school. Tho next hymn was, "He That Conquers Wins a Crown," aud the solo parts were rendered by Miss Elsie King and Miss M. Church. Tho annual report of the School, as drawn up by the secretary, Mr R. Mclvor, was" then read by Mrss G. Dauiell.- The report stated, inter alia, that there are 25)0 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 11)2. Tho highest attendance on any ouo Sunday was 225, and the lowest 10G. Tho staff consists of seventeen teachers and four officers, with au average atteudanco of nineteen. Mr Maunoll has charge of tho lufaut Department, which has a membership of 10S), with an average attendance or 8(5, the highest attendance on any oue Sunday being <S<), aud the lowest 18. It is most pleasing to note the interest the little ones tako in tho blackboard aud sand-table lessons. During the year Mr Mauuell, with his assistants, Miss Church aud Miss Heyhoe, held a Cradle Roll mooting, at which was given an exhibition of the working of tho sand-table. Recently the infant staff gave tho children of their class au afternoon party, at which 110 little people sat clown to tea. Tho infant class is a mixed class, made up of children of ages ranging from three to eight years. At tho cud of last year the numbers ou the roll were girls 55 aud boys 4(5, making a total of 101, with au average attendance of 57. At the beginning of January, 1908, eight girls and five boys were drafted into the school. The class • then had a membership of 71, with an average attendance of 54. Since the end of January there has been an increase in numbers of 38. Attention was called to the need for a new building for the accommodation of this growing section of the school. Tho number on tho "Cradlo Roll" up to Jauuary of this year was 35, and during Miss Heyhoe's term of office of nine months there has been an increase of 80, making 115 now enrolled. During the year seven children have been promoted from the Cradle Roll to the infant class, aud twelve of the Cradle Roll members have left the district. A tribute was paid to Miss Heyhoe's devoted energies in the superintendence of this important department. In the Young Women's Bible Class changes have taken place since last report. The membership at present is forty-two. The class has welcomed several new members, including five members of the Junior Bible Class. For the third time the class has beou successful in the syllabus competition. The place of Mr J. A. Donald, as leader of the class, whoso loss by resignation after six years of service is keenly felt, is taken by Mr O. Praguell. Mr E. R. Wilson has been appointed leader of the Youug Men's Bible Class, whose membership is twenty-six. The uumber ou the roll of the Band of Hope (Mr S. Cresswell, secretary) has vow reached eighty. Uuder the supervision of Miss Church, the Juuior Christian Endeavour Society has a membership of twenty-three, and an average attendance of twenty. The members visit the Hospital and eugago in other good work. Over two hundred and thirty magazines are distributed in the Sunday School every month. To tho Sunday School library, Which is looked after by Mr P. Church, 104 new books were added during the past year, making a total of C)37~books on the catalogue. During the year the teachers introduced the quarterly conduct card system, and at the end of each quarter the cards are posted to the parents, thus keeping them in touch witli their children's progress at school. The annual picnic was hold ou 22ud Jauuary, at Mr McGregor's farm at Te Whiti. Tho income for the day failed to meet expenses, and the School is in debt, probably owing to counter attractions on that day. This year it has been decided to abandon the picnic, but the teachers will probably arrange for picnics for their separate classes. The Sunday set apart for the Children's Decision Day proved most successful. Thanks are tendered to Mr Ralph, conductor. Miss Ethel Dauiell, organist, tho Orchestra and Bible Classes, and all who have iv any way assisted the work at this and previous anuiversaries.

Mr John Heyhoe, treasurer, read the financial statement, which, among other data, showed that the receipts for the year had been £62 6s and the expenditure £70 10s M. The collections on Sunday amounted to £12 18s Bd, an increase of Is 7d over the result of the previous anniversary Sunday, and a very satisfactory return for a clay during which the weather was wintry. Mr Heyhoe stated that the sum of £1 in an envelope had been placed in the collection yesterday as a donation to the library fund, and the school would be very grateful to the anonymous giver. Plans and estimates for a new school had been prepared and a canvass for funds was quietly going on. The hymn, "Hark, I hear the angels calling," was sung. Passages of scripture were recited by the following scholars:—lvan Sutherland, Grace Tooby, Willie Morris, Phyllis Falloon, Stanley Moore, Clarence Tyacke, Cora Ralph, and Harold Martin. The golden texts of the past quarter were quoted by the girls of Miss Darnell's class.

"Over the Valleys" was rendered by the company of children, and the

Chairman introduced Rev. A. B Ohapnell, M.A.

Mr Ohappell stated that he felt honoured by having been asked to conduct the services of yesterday.. New departures, he said, marking the progress of Sunday School work were being entered OUj and a resolute attempt was being made to bring Sunday Schools iuto line with all the new ideas in modern education. Ouq comparatively now idea was the sotting aside of a dofinite department in the Advisory Board to look after Sunday School interests. This institution was already justifying its establishment, and a most earnest, intelligent and practical work was being done by it. Tα September last tho first Dominion Conference of Sunday School workers was hold. Its session lasted for throe days, in Christchurch, and was attended by nearly two hundred members, and various matters of importance were brought under review. Another recent departure was the setting apart of someone moving about the country to keep in touch with Sunday Schools, aud this work was tho speaker's, in addition to his Biblo Class organisation. Tho speaker's duty was to put forward aud help on overy effort to prevent Sunday Schools from getting into a state of ■ stagnation. Ho was glad to hear of the success attending the adoption of the cradle , roll. By means of the kindergarten system, also, the vouug people were being taught by a far more complete method than wore their fathers. The speaker jocularly remarked that ho wished he had not been born so soon. The modern style of teaching was, not only rational, but interesting, and proved useful and delightful in oponiug up tho Scriptures and impressing their lessons' on the children. The blackboard came in for commendation by Mr ChappeJl, and ha finished with some good anecdotes to illustrate his remarks for the children's bouefit.

At this juncture a member of the congregation, Mr Neweombe, generously offered to guarantee that; a Sunday School picnic, if held, should not result in a loss of funds. His offer was gratefully accepted. The anthem. "Remember Now Thy Creator," was rendered, the solo being taken by Miss E. Joy, and the duet by Misses E. Church and E. Joy. Further Scriptural selections were repeated by " Roy Bruutou, Becky Morris, Herbert Newoombe, Elsie King, and Bernard Brunton. In the next hymn, "Prince of Peace," Miss M. Tait sang the solo. Passages were then recited by Olive Sutherland, Sidney Praguell, Gertie Morris, Richard Tyaoko, and Annie Hood. The Chairman, congratulated the children on their performances, and trusted that the School would have before it another happy year. Rev. J. N. Buttle expressed his thanks to Mr S. H. Ralph, conductor, Miss E. Dauiell, organist, and the Orchestra, to the ladies who had trained the reciters, and to Rev. A. B. Chappell, who preached at tlio services. The good work of the officers and teachers of the School throughout the year was generally recognised. The speaker was delighted with the splendid attendance; at tew places in the Dominion could bo secured snch a meeting in a church on a weeknight.

A vote of thanks to the persons referred to by Mr Buttle, and to all who had in auy way assisted the function, was carried by acclamation.

After the singing of "With Jesus in Heaven," the Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr Chappell. The children sang "Count Your Blessings" as the congregation left the Church.

At a suitable interval during the meeting, a collection was taken up, which produced a satisfactory result.