Wesleyan Musical Entertainment.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2109, 2 June 1898, Page 3

Wesleyan Musical Entertainment.

Those who were present at the Wesleyan Church on Friday evening last, will not soon ftfrget the lirippy blending of mirth and melody, eloquence and story, that was provided by the gifted guests of the evening, Revs H R. Dewsbury, Chairman of the Dis trict, and Arthur Mitchell. The main feature of the .evening was the impressive and entertaining lecture by the latter gentleman on ‘ The Fish Jubilee Singers,’ this however being preceded by several effective sacred solos. Rev S. Griffith presided, and after a few words of welcome to the visitors, called upon the Rev H. R. Dewsbury. Tli* ..gentleman, in acknowledging the coraial welcome, congratulated the Upper Thames Circuit on the unique and unprecedented fact,' which was the chief cause of their visit, viz., that the following week two new churches were to be opened, at Waibi and Karangahakty and also that at the same time a third minister was to be welcomed.to trie circuit, in the person'of the R<v W. Beckett, to reside: at Waibi. /He essed his pleasure at re-visiting-Te Aroha after an interval .of yearst-and concluded ■his address by reodering in splendid style Sullivan’s ‘Loot Cord/ His famous colleagu o . Rev. :A. Mitchell, was .then called up n,; and at once sustained his high musical repute by a fine rendition of ‘ The Star of Bethleham. This was followed by ‘The Valley of Shadows,’ by Rev H. R. Dewsbury, Miss Hirst presiding at the organ. ' v -' /

Mr Mitchell then proceeded to deliver his lecture on 1 The Fisk Jubileo Singers,’which proved of a happily composite; character, and. showed the versatility of thejecturer’s gif ts. Humour, pathos and the dramatic, were all. laid under tribute, and the interest of the audience s iose frequently to the pitch of enthusiasm. In masterly style the lecturer gave the story of the famous Fisk University, and its more famous band of coloured singers, who overcoming,by their faith and courage, and their marvellous musical triumphs, all persecution, prejudice, and other obstacles, won for themselves- underdying fame, and w*re successful in raising for the University many thousands of .pounds, At intervals, the lecturer seated himself at the organ, and wrth his magnificent voice,, under perfect control, rendered with telling fidelity some.of the more striking of the Jubilee-, melodies, including the ever popular ,fauo urines 4 Steal away to Jesus/and ‘ John. Brown’s body/ Pathetic reference ’ was made to the loving and Christian deception given to the ‘ Singers ’ by- the late W. E. Gladstone; and at this stage, at the request of the lecturer, who' required a rest, the Rev H. R. Dewsbury delivered a bfief but eloquent paneggric on the Grand. Old Statesman, whose death has so niigbtly.moved the world. The intense appreciation of the audience throughout the evening was dem-" onstrated in frequent loud applause, and at the close a cordial vote of' thanks was enthusiastically carried. It was announced that this was not to be the only visit to Te Aroha paid by the taleDted visitors,-and whenever they come warm welcome awaits them.