WESLEYAN SABBATH SCHOOL

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3143, 9 March 1871, Page 3

WESLEYAN SABBATH SCHOOL

The Anniversary Services of the above school were held in the Manners street church on Sunday and Tuesday last. Sermons were preached on Sabbath in the morning by the Rev F. W. Isitt, from Proverbs xi. 30 ; and in the evening by the Eev J. Buddie, from Ecclesiaßtea xi. 1-6. Tho weather was unfavorable, and the congregation not so large as usuul, but tho collections amounted to over £13. In the afternoon the Eev T. Buddie delivered an appropriate practical address to the children and parents. Tho children sang several hymns suitable to the occasion, the singing of which reflected great credit on those who had trained them. On Tuesday evening ft publio tea meeting was held, when 250 sut down to an excellent tea, provided by friends of the school in aid of its funds. The visitors thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After tea a public meeting was held in the church, over which the Rev T. Buddie presided. After a few introductory remarks by the Chairman, ho requested tho Secretary, Mr J. Stoddart, to read the following report .— Report of the Wesleyan Sabbath School for the year ending 31st December, 1870. Iv presenting their report for tho past year, your committee would own with unfeigned gratitude to Almighty God, that by His blessing the labors of His servants, the teachers, have not been in vain, nor their time spent for nought. The visitors appointed by tho committee have attended the school on many occasions, and have given satisfactory accounts of its general management at the quarterly meetings. The total number of scholars on the hooks is 356 against 349 last year, shewing a small increase, 14 being members of our church: j The average attendance is 110 in tho mornings, and 2SO in tho afternoon— they are under the management of two superinten- I dents, two secretaries, one librarian, and thirty-four male and female teachers, in all tbirty-nine. Of this number thirty-five are members of society — during the year ten have been received as teachers, and for various rea- i sons nine have left the school. Of the ten J received five were taken from the senior classes. Wo have again to report the death of two scholars — in the case of one, a boy about eight years old, from the first attack of his illness, laid in a state of unconsciousness to all around him, but a few hours before his death gave signs of it returning to him, and, though unable to speak, yet upon his father singing some of those beautiful hymns which he was fond of singing both at school and at home, smiled and seemed to enjoy them ; soon after this he expired. Although he gave no other testimony, we have no doubt he is now in the presence of that Saviour he loved to sing about on earth. In the case of the other, a girl about twelve year 3of age, she removed to ' Christchurch a Bhort time before her death ; she wbb suddenly seized witjh a fatal illness, during which she frequently appealed to her father, urging him to pray and live a godly life, and died shouting " the victory is won." With regard to the library we have very little to report. Only 19 volume? have been added during tho year, making the total number 218, which are constantly used by the scholars. This falls far short of the requirr rnents of a school like this, and we hope something will be done to add to its efficiency. The committee thankfully acknowledge the donation of several books from a lady friend, and would be glad to receive any suitable books from other friends whose libraries may be overcrowded. The attention given by the scholars to learning Scripture and Catechisms deserves special notice. During the year they have been remarkably diligent in committing to memory considerably more than the number of verses appointed for them each Sabbath. Efforts have been made to encourage the scholars in essay writing. Prizes have been offered for the beßt essay, by the girls on " The advantages of early piety," by the boys on " The life of Joseph and the lesson it teaches ;" and the young men in the senior class aro now engaged in writing one on " Elijah." It has been thought advisable to join the Auckland branch of the London Sunday School Union, fay which many advantages will accrue to this school. Such are the efforts put forth to lead the young in the paths of truth and righteousness, and we trust that the teachers may have not only the promised blessing of their Heavenly master, but also the co-operation of tho parents, by their influence, which is more constant, and much more powerful than tho teacherslittle time is spent in the school, as compared with what is spent at home, and it behoves every parent to assist the teacher, by making tho parental training harmonize with, and | enforce fclie instruction of the school. j In conclusion, your committee, whilst thankfully acknowledging the sympathy of the church in this great work of training the young, would urge them to assist by sending more laborers into the field, and by their prayer draw down the Divine blessing, thus ensuring its permanent success. Wellington, N.Z., 7th March, 1871. After the reading of the report, Mr Moxham, one of the superintendents, addressed the meeting, and dwelt on the fact that the school wanted teachers ; urging the senior members of the congregation to join the school and aid in its work. Eev. Mr Dean moved the adoption of tho report. He dwelt on the statements that are often made that Sabbath school work has failed, and that Christianity indeed is unsuccessful, and the world is growing worse and worse, a statement which he ably confuted. He also dwelt on the spiritual character of Sabbath school work — teaching the child in early life and preventing much evil. Mr J. Knowles seconded the resolution, and expressed his pleasure in addressing the friends of Sabbath schools, especially his Wesleyan friends, who had means of finding employment for the young people that hie church had not. He greatly interested the meeting by narrating facts which had come under his notice, illustrating the present state of religious feeling and progress in England and America, and in an amusing style referred to the spread of Ritualism. Mr Knowles sat down amidst applause, after a most effective and interesting speech. Tho Rev. Mr Patehson moved the next resolution, as follows : — " That this meeting recognises tho importance of tho Sabbath School Institution, both in its relation to tho church and the interests of the rising generation, and while it is thankful for past mercies, commends it afresh to the prayers and sympathy of the church." Tho rev. gentleman expressed his great pleasure in being requested to take part in the meeting, and dwelt in on able speech on the relation of the Sabbath school to the Christian church, asserting his settled conviction that children of Christian parents aro included in the Christian covenant, and entitled to the care and nurture of the church. Ho spoke with great emphasis on the purely Becular system of education which obtains in this province, in tho schools of which no prayer is offered, no bible road, and no religious instruction imparted — a practice which is tho reverse of the system pursued in tho neighboring provinces of Canterbury and Otngo — a fact which he used as a motive to urge the Sabbath School teacher to increased zeal in his efforts to impart religious truth. Rev. Mr Isitt seconded the resolution, in an interesting and effective speech. He took exception to somo of Mr Knowles' remarks touching the Ritualism of England. Ho thought Mr Knowles had not seen the real state of sorao of the English churches as he had aeon them. Ho urged personal effort in the Lord's vineyard, illustrating his remarks by referring to tho great zeal manifested by tho Germans in tho interests of their Fatherland. Rev. Mr Mora moved the "appointment of the following committee in a Tory humorous speech, in whioh he criticised every apeaker

that preceded him, which was seconded by J. Woodward, Esq. . During the proceedings of tho evening, the children sang very effectively several hymns and other pieces, under the leadership of Mr S. Waters. Mr F. Billman presided at the orgun. The proceeds of the anniversary amounted to £38 8s 7*d. Sunday School Committee for 1871 :— Messrs Bennett, Clark, Cleland, Dixon, Edmeades, Gleadow, Isaacs, James, Kempthorne, Lewis, H. Smith, E. Seagar, Stoddart, Tustin, Tringham, Tattle, Wrigley, and Waters. Treasurer, Mr John Fitchett.