The Lyceum.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1721, 31 May 1886, Page 2

The Lyceum.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

The first annual gathering of the Palmerston North Lyceum was held yesterday m Bank Chambers, commencing at 4 p.m. The entire building was utilized on the occassion. the large room on the ground floor being used a as refreshment chamber and the two smaller rooms as conversazione parlors. In the latter Freethought literature m great variety was displayed on the various tables, and the public room unstairs were handsomely decorated with mottoes, evergreens, floral devices, and other attractive embslishrnents. On entering this room one could not but be impressed with a sens* of admiration at the beautiful and truly artistic adornments gracing the walls of the apartment. The platform and canopy were tastily decorated with evergreens and choice flowers, the latter hanging m pleasing festoons amongst immense cab* bage plants and nikau. Suspended from the front of the canopy appeared the name "Bradlaugh" written m bold German text, the lettering being done m gold on a blue ground. To the right " Justice," m gold and silver on cardinal ground. On the left side of the room were the mottoes " Liberty," m gold on blue around, "TII3 World ii our Country," m silver and gold on pale pink ground, I and " Reason " m silver and gold on blue ground. On the right hand side was also the motto "To do good our Re ligion" m silver and gold on cardinal ground. A cabinet photograph of the celebrated Freethinker, Mr JBradlangh, was attached to tho motto having his name. The proceedings commenced at about 4.30 by a vigorous and hearty attack on the refreshment tables, where upwards of 250 visitors partook of the numerous good things provided. Shortly before seven the President, Mr T. R. Walton, opened the proceedings m the public room by calling on the band to play the opening overture. The instrumentalists having rendered a selection of airs from "Verdi" " Trovatore," Mr Walton then addressed the irieetinsr. He said it gave him more pleasure than anything he could think of to witness their gathering that evening. The Lyceum had only been m existence twelve months, having been started by four of their members m the previous year. During that short time,. however, they had had to endure from those around them, who disagreed with their way of thinking, no small amount of abuse and contumely. They had courteously offered their platform for discussion to any of their opponents, but the challenge had never been accepted. They claimed no creed, the world was their country and to do good their religion. He was sorry for the smallness of the accommodation, but they had no anticipation that their inaugural anniversary would be so largely attended. Next year he hoped the town would be m possession of a public building suitable for their annual gathering. Ho had received an apology from Miss Ada Campbell who was unable to leave Mas tflrton to be with them. She, however, would 'be m Palmeraton on Sunday next. One instance of the prejudices they had to put up with he might mention. They had to send 30 miles away for a band ; they certainly had local musicians, who were daily blowing their insides out, but apart from those a band might have been procured m the town but for prejudice and the control oxercised by certain wives over their husbands. They would start their second year by opening a Juvenile Lyceum, and he hoped the mothers would give m the names of their children for membership early. The children would receive nothing but useful knowledge and profitable information. One thing they would not be taught, that they were m danger of being " damned." They also would require to have a reading room now chat the Library Committee had refused to allow Freethought journals m the Public Beading Room. In the musical way, too, they hoped to have fresh assistance. Since their start one little girl had clone all the instrumental music, and Messrs Person and Hewetl had supplied the vocal contributions. The speaker then read a lengthy and interesting report concluding, by thanking those present ; heartily for their attendance.

[The report is too lengthy to appear m our present issue.] Before calling on any one to move the apoption of the report the president asked all the members present to stand, and all m the room to give three hearty cheers fort their champion, Mr Chas. Bradlaugh. The required homage having been tendered, the band immediatly struck up a few chords of " See the conquering hero comes."

Mrßatt moved the adoption of the report. He said their Presideut had given them such a good address, that very little was left for him to say. Mr Walton, he might say m starting, had worked hard during th« past year, as the preseut flourishing state of the Lyceum testified. Talking of that he might remark that he was pretty coufident some other institutions m their town had a different tale to tell ; instead ot having a credit balance being considerably on the debtor side of the ledger to the public. He was pleased beyond measure to see so many present, and was particularly struck with the manner m which the decorations bad been carried out. He could assure them that such taste and management could not be excelled even m the Old Country. He was glad to see so many of the fair sex m the room, denoting by their presence sympathy with the great cause of freedom. They had made a startling innovation on the rnles and regulations of orthodoxy by holding their first anniversary on the Sabbath Day, but he did not see they could have done bettor. They had just heard the bells ringing, calling together to service those who differe 1 from them ; but he considerod they were doing what was more pensible at any rate, and he hoped they would all thoroughly enjoy themselves. Surely there could be no harm m such things as he saw represented by the beautiful mottoes hung around the room, Reason, Truth, Justice, etc. He would, although a member of the Committee of Management, compliment them on the excellent and most successful results attained that evening. He (the speaker), had had very little to do with the work, so they need not think he was referring to himself. He had great pleasure m moving the adoption of the report, Mr D. D. Walkej seconded the motion without comment. Messrs Pearson and Hewett ithen eang the " Larbourd Watch." and was followed by Mr Cameron giving a piano nolo. Mr Beattie contributed " Tarn 0' Shanter," m the correct Scotch dialect, after which the band played for a time, and were succeeded by Messrs Pearson and Hewett singing "The Minute Gun at Sea." Mr Hall then recited "Young Lochinvar," after which MrHewett sang "I'll await my love." Mr Beattie then recited Byron's "The Ocean," and was followed by a pianoforte solo by Mr Cameron. Messrs Hewatt and Pearson then sang « All's Well," and the band once more contributed. Miss Edith 13att, aged about 8, then recited the following poem very prettily, every word being clearly enunciated :—

Music hath a charm, they say, To soothe the savage breast, To give sweet comfort to the tad, And to the weary rest. Music : 'tis heaven-born, they say, 'Tis from the sphere* above, And there, on golden harps, they sound That one sweet note of Love I Is there no music on the earth P And mast we toil m vain To dry the tears of those who weep, And ease them of their pain ? . There's surely music on the earth ; Then, search nntil you find That sweetest note on human tongue : 'Tis love to all mankind! There's music m the hearts of men, "Who strive with all their might To lead the steps of erring ones Into the paths of light; Goto your labour nobly, then, And wqrk ere pomes the night \

Thee's inus'o i.i esch kindly wo;d, There's music ia a snrle ; Or m the hmnbiesl deed of life, Though done unto a eh Id. Then g : rd your ariponr h rarely oa, And lift you- be* \s above ; He is au heir of lienven, that fiuds His bosom glow with love 1 There's music ia the soag of birds; There's music m the breeze -, There's music m the running brook; There's music m the Ivees ; There's mus'c m the morn of life ; There's music at the ere ; There's music all the joorney through ; There's music when we leave I And when we reach that heavenly Lan I, The heavenly Choir will siug A. «W refrain of happy soug, . Of praises to our King. Then they will bid us welcome home, And free us from all care ; ' ' And we shall find that, best of all, There's Music everywhere! Miss Walton tlien rendered a piano solo, followed by Master Walton 'reciting a poem. Mr Pearson sang " When the violets blooiri again, "Mr Sprait* coming uext by reading one of tht logoldsboy Legends— «• The Jackdaw oE Rheiius." The baud played another selection, and Miss Maggie Newman sang m descriptive style, " The neat Hula clock." The little girl is only about seven, and got through her song splen lidly, without a single hitch. Mr J. Halliday then sang "The White Squall." ' / Mr Hall moved as the next resolution " A Free Press." He referred to tho importance of a free press m enlighteniug the people. The speaker also called attention to the arbitrary action of the Public Library Uoininittee— four mcD representing three churches, who would not allow freedom of the Press m oar Library. As a society they wanted the Rationalist and Liberator to be there, for tho perusal of those of the public who desired to do so. They also desired ihat any or all religious papers should also be on the table of the Public Library. They did not wisli to be exclusive. They said iv t.ffect, " Admit one, and admit all. Make no distinctions. Let those who visit the Library read what they choose, and select for themselves." The Library Committee acted as if they had no faith m their own literature, and therefore had acted as they had, thus exciting public indignation. The speaker wished to convey the hearty thanks of the society to' the editors of the two local papers, the Daily Standard and Times, for the consideration uniformly extended to the society. He hoped every man and woman m Palraeraton would help to uphold 11 The freedom of the Press." (Enthusi. astic cheers.) Mr J. Jb'reeland proposed a hearty vota of thanks to those who had so willingly and efficiently contributed to their enjoyment m the shape of musical and vocal assistance during the year." The society fait itself much indebted to Miss Minnie Walton, as pianist, and to Messrs Hewett and Person, for their valuable assistance m rendering solos and duets. (Applause.) Mr Persou then sacg "The Swiss (Jail," which "was much appreciated. Mr Beattie proposed a hearty vote of thanks to their esteemed President (Mr T. B. Walton), and Secretary (Mr Thos. Hall). The proposition was received with tumultuous applause, which| continued for some time. The audience then rose to ttieirV?ifoet, and the Band struck up •' Auld ! Lang Syue," m which those present joined enthusiastically^ thus eudiug the first auniversary meeting m conuecliou with the Lyceum, which was successful m every respect far beyond the Society's anticipations. At the conclusion of the proceedings fourteen persons came up aud formally joined as members.