Conisborough Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary

May 1896

Mexborough and Swinton Times May 29, 1896

Conisborough Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary

In Sunday school life, the day on which the annual sermons are preached, and collections taken on behalf of the school funds are generally speaking, considered a red letter day, and Conisborough Wesleyan’s can fairly claim credit for making their anniversaries – which is always held on Whit Sunday – a day to long be remembered, and this year was not a whit behind past years in this sense.

One thing to make this year’s anniversary member is that Mr Bateson, the conduct, and old and constant friend of the school completes 25 years of service on their behalf, having had the entire charge of training the scholars for the past 25 anniversaries. Anyone with ordinary perception will realise at once what an amount of time – and a certain amount of money too – Mr Bateson must have bestow, but being a work he loves he has given his services ungrudgingly for the benefit of the school.

Mr Bateson secured a valuable cooperation of several local musicians, the musicians and choir numbering over 40, and the children were in excellent voice, so that the singing was a decided success.

The preacher this year was Mr J Stringer, of Doncaster, was a very suitable person for such a time, been able to adapt himself to the circumstances by getting to the main points in his discourse quickly, and not inflicting a 45 minute sermon some do; thus wearying the congregation.

The collections for this day, although less than last year, amounted to £17 2s 6d.

It has been custom for some years past for the children to procession the town on Whit Monday, and sing the hymns in various parts, but this year this has been omitted, which is a cause of disappointment to many.

The children, either, met at the school during the afternoon, where a splendid tea been provided, very kindly given by parents and friends, when about 250 scholars and 40 teachers partook of same. The children after was retiring to “The March Croft” (kindly lent by Mr Appleyard) for games of various kinds. Whilst there each child was presented with a bag of spice, the generous gift of Mr BJ Clarkson.

In the selection of hymns and choruses Mr Bateson has displayed his usual good taste. Three of the hymns are by L Solomon, and a beautifully simple tunes, in every way suitable for Sunday school singing, having good choruses, which go with a swing.

Hymn number five is in memorium of a teacher (Miss Brown) the solo part of which was taken by Miss R Gabbitas, in a very creditable manner.

Him number six (Out on an Ocean, which is taken in the form of a duet, males – men and boys – taking the first part, which is answered by the females, and finishes up with a splendid chorus, full of pathos.

We congratulate Mr Bateson on his efforts on this special occasion, and join all his friends in open that you will long be spared to carry on such a good work for which he is so extremely well fitted.