Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 January 1882
Conisborough Wesleyan Sunday School Annual Tea
The annual tea and soirée in connection with this school was held on Tuesday. A large number sat down to tea, which was provided by Mr. Clarkson, of Conisboro’, and gave great satisfaction.
The ladies who presided at the trays were Mrs. Appleyard, Mrs. G. Appleyard, Mrs. Blyth, Miss Blyth, Mrs. Booth, Mrs. Kilner, Miss Hudson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Ogley, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Pagdin, Mrs. Farnsworth, and Mrs. Taylor.
The school-room had been beautifully decorated for the occasion; streamers, festoons, evergreens, &c., giving it quite a cheerful appearance. Over the platform, in large letters, were the ever welcome words, “A merry Christmas and a happy new year,” other mottoes being distributed round the room. Some fine azaleas, of different colours, in full flower, from the conservatory of Mr. Blyth, were placed on the tea tables, and added greatly to the adornment of the room.
After tea was an interval for the removal of the tables, most of the company leaving the room for a stroll. On returning, for “the feast of reason and the flow of soul,” the press down the narrow staircase was considerable; the lessons of patience which had been given in early life had evidently been forgotten.
When all had taken their seats and order was restored, the Rev. M. Westcombe gave out the 979th hymn, “Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise.” Mr. Westcombe then engaged in prayer, after which he called on Mr. Blyth to take the chair.
The Chairman said he hoped they would always find in him a friend of sabbath schools; he loved children, and always sympathised with them in their little troubles. He liked children to learn to think for themselves. He was anxious for the prosperity of the Conisborough school, and wished all present “a happy new year.”
The secretary, Mr. F. Morley, was then called upon to read his report. The school consists of 123 boys and 92 girls—total 215; being an increase during the year of 18; teachers and office-bearers 40, showing an increase of 3; balance in hand, £13 2s. 6d.
The programme, as given below, was gone through with great spirit, to the no small delight of the audience.
After an encore, Mr. Badger gave “Alice, where art thou?” Miss Adams, when called again, gave “Contrary breezes.” Miss Neal, Miss Booth, and Mr. Renshaw were also encored. Miss Mullinson, of Manchester, kindly gave a song, accompanying herself on the piano. Mr. Bateson, the conductor, had his choir well in hand, and has good reason to be proud of their efforts.
The Rev. M. Westcombe said he was delighted with the violin performance, and the singers that his speech would be short. “I am pleased,” said he, “to see such a good company; but I am afraid, however, that all the interest is not centred in the Sunday schools, but that many have been drawn here by the music. The influence of Sunday schools has been very manifest both in London and in the country.”
President Harrison, of America, who was himself a Sunday school teacher, was annoyed by boys robbing his orchard. He was recommended to prosecute them, but instead of doing so he established a Sunday school to teach the young thieves a higher state of morals.
Mr. Westcombe thought that Sunday school teaching, when effectively done, was most difficult in its accomplishment than the preaching of the Gospel. They must not, however, be discouraged. The beauties of Sunday school instruction are made to appear, sometimes after many years. Some would remember the story of the Egyptian mummy—how the seeds of corn which had lain dormant for ages were sown, and produced a bountiful crop.
Sunday schools were one of the best institutions of our country; they were calculated to accomplish much good. The Conisboro’ Sunday school was naturally the one Mr. Westcombe thought most about, and he hoped for a very successful year.
The Rev. J. C. W. Gostick, when called by the chairman, said: I think it rather too bad to have to follow the “Drum march” by the full choir. I am reminded of the French ambassador, who proposed as a toast, “The sun, with prosperity to France.” The Spanish ambassador drank to, “The moon, with prosperity to Spain;” the two considering they had crushed the English ambassador, who quietly said, “I propose, as a toast, Joshua, the son of Nun, who commanded the sun and moon to stand still.”
“I drink to the health and prosperity of old England.” (Cheers.)
“I am surprised that Mr. Bateson should have selected no ‘Song of the hop-pickers;’ as a temperance man he ought to have chosen.” The watercress gatherers.
Mr. Gostick expressed a hope that, after all these great enjoyments on earth, we should meet to sing the song above. As the choir had sung to give, “Never give up,” he thought at that late hour he had better give up at once.
For the National Anthem was sung, the Rev. M. Westcombe moved, and the Rev. J. C. W. Gostick seconded, a vote of thanks to the chairman and Mr. Bateson, the conductor of the choir, to whom great credit was due, and to all the friends who had given any assistance either at the tea or at the entertainment.
Mr. Bateson assured Mr. Westcombe and the friends generally that his services, and the services of the choir, he could speak for them all, would always be freely given in so good a cause.
The programme was as follows:—Piano solo, selection from “Martha,” Miss Booth; anthem, “I night on the silent mountains,” the choir; song, “Welcome home,” Mr. Hawling; overture (piano and violin), “La Flandre,” Miss Booth and Mr. Renshaw; part song, “Song of the hop-pickers;” song, the unfinished song, Miss Neal; duet, “When a little farm we keep,” Miss Adams and Mr. Bateson; part song, “The comrade’s song of hope,” the choir; overture (piano and violin), “La Souvenire,” Miss Booth and Mr. Renshaw; song, “Pilgrim of love,” Mr. Badger; part song, “The drum march;” song, “The blind girl to her harp,” Miss Adams; part song, “The contest,” the choir; song, “Beautiful isle of the sea,” Mr. Wilson; song, “The Bridge,” Mr. Stacey; part song, “Never give up,” the choir.