AN EVENING AT THE WEST END.
On Monday evening, April 23rd, 1888, we were present at the twenty-second Annual Meeting of Gower Street Chapel Sunday School, and, although the weather was most unfavourable, the attendance was good, which must have been very encouraging to Mr. Cooper, the Superintendent, and the teachers. The meeting was presided over by the senior deacon, Mr. Link.
The proceedings were opened by singing, and the Chairman read the fourth chapter of Malachi, after which Mr. Gray engaged in prayer.
Mr. Link, in the course of a few weighty remarks, said that they were gathered to thank the Lord for His goodness. He felt that the children were surrounded with many temptations to ensnare them. He spoke of the shortness of time, and the solemnity of the day of judgment, and said that he often meditated upon these things, and thought about the Lord's servants and people, whom he had loved because they were the Lord's, and whom he hoped to meet again when he had done with time things.
The report for the past year was then read by Mr. Hale, the Secretary, from which it appears that there are 222 scholars on the books, which is a slight decrease during the year. The library numbers about 1,030 books. The report of the Sick and Benevolent Society was also read.
Mr. Boorne, of Greenwich, in addressing the teachers, referred to the works, Word, and worship of God. He said that the grass, moss, plants, trees, flowers, and fruits showed the sovereignty of God. Then there were the various animals for the use and food of mankind, and the internal treasures—metals, oxides, salts, &c. God's wise provision of the sea for cleansing and purifying the earth—all declared the sovereignty, wisdom, power, and goodness of God.
"Great God, with wonder and with praise,
On all Thy works I look;
But still Thy wisdom, power, and grace
Shine brightest in Thy Book."
He then spoke of the Book of revelation, the Bible, and the need that the scholars should be taught the value of it, and what it has cost to procure it to us—what a privilege it is to be able to read it, and of the mercy of understanding it.
He mentioned an instance of a Bible, consisting of nine volumes, being sold for £33 6s. 8d., in the thirteenth century, which would represent about fifteen times that sum now. To-day a Bible might be bought for a few pence.
He referred to the rigid laws of the time of Henry V., to prevent any from reading the Bible in the mother tongue; yet still the Book lives.
He referred to the vulgar idea of the "three R's" in education, and said that there were three R's which he wished them to oppose in their teaching, namely, Romanism, Rationalism, and Ritualism. How many worshipped something short of God in the setting up of candles, crucifixes, music, and other things. We must "worship in spirit and in truth."
He concluded by exhorting them not to grow weary in well-doing, for their labour would not be in vain in the Lord.
Mr. Hazlerigg, of Leicester, said he had the difficult task of speaking to the children, and he wished to put before them four prizes. But they were not tangible—nothing to eat, nor yet anything to see—yet all, he thought, might have them, and he recommended them all to aim at getting them.
The first thing he wished them to prize was, their Sunday School. He said it should be the endeavour of all to keep up the honour of the school, and, when any were tempted to do wrong, their first thought should be, "What would they say at the Sunday School?" When he was formerly in the army, they had what was termed "esprit de corps," i.e., a pride in keeping up the character of the regiment. He hoped none of his audience would ever buy sweets on Sunday, or it might be said, that "It is one of the Gower Street Sunday School children."
The second prize was, their Bibles. If they prized and were led by their Bibles, they would be good children. It would make them submit to all lawful authority. How different it would be if the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," was better learnt and practised than it is!
In the third place, he wished them to prize their chapel. He spoke of the blessing attending the hearing of the Word of God. He said that some children go to school, and then slip off without going to chapel. He hoped none of those before him ever did that.
Fourthly, he hoped they would prize their Superintendent and their teachers. What a labour of love and self-denial was theirs! They liked the work, and their desire was, the glory of God in the children's good—in the salvation of their souls, and their prosperity—and they sought for this reward—the good of their scholars.
The "touchable" prizes for the past year were then distributed by Mr. Hazlerigg, and after Mr. Link had concluded with prayer, the children each received a bun and orange, the gift of Mr. Prior, one of their teachers.
For the sake of brevity, a vote of thanks was proposed to the latter, associated with the names of the visiting ministers and the President, which was heartily responded to. Mr. Hazlerigg replied for all in a few witty words, which brought the evening to a genial and timely close.