SERVICE OF SONG.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1041, 9 December 1882, Page 3

SERVICE OF SONG.

‘ the START ' IN LIFE. ’

On Thursday eve] ning last the choir of the Timaru 'Temperance Union (which, in passing, we may as well state, was started by Mrs Hampson at the conclusion of iher recent mission in Timaru), gave the above service, to a very sparse audience —wliich was to he regretted, as the entertainment; provided was a treat. Mr Na pier was the conductor, and the descriptive readings were given by Mr Renders on, who took care that the audience should not lose one word . The manner ix i which the pieces were rendered reflected great credit on the condactor and choir, as although undoubtedly many of them were old performers, there were yet many new ones, and we unde irstand that this is the first piece the mer nbers, as a choir, have yet given. Th e story is a temperance one, and depicts the life of a young man for a short peried after he made his start in life. The jfoung man on leaving his paternal horn e goes to work in a large city, in the service of an uncle, a well-to-do citizen. Here he is, after a short time, enticed hy an evil companion into bad habits, and finally returns home the worse for drink. His uncle remonstrates, but shortly afterwards the same thing occurs again. This time the uncle writes to the lad’s mother who writes to her tion. Her letter takes effect, the young man is persuaded hy a temperance friend to attend their meetings, and ultimately he joins their band, and the scene closes with the reformed addressing :a Band of Hope meeting. This narrative is interspersed with appropriate music, the titles of the pieces being as follows : ‘ Courage Brother,’ ‘Have Courage to say no’ (solo and chorus), 1 There is Beauty all around,’ ‘ Never forget the dear ones,’ 1 Dare to do right,’ ‘Do they miss me at Horae V ‘ Drink water,’ ‘ Turn away,’ ‘Yield not to Temptation,’ ‘Our good old friends’ (solo and chorus), ‘ Father’s a Drunkard’ (solo and chorus), ‘Oh, Come and sign the Pledge,’ ‘ Your Mission,’ ‘ Work for the Night is Coming,’ ‘ The Band of Hope Army Leads not into Temptation’ (solo and chorus), ' Truth shall be Victorious and Let all men Praise the Lord.’ The solos were given splendidly, more especially, ‘ Our good old friend,’ ‘ Father’s a Drunkard,’ (which, however, might have been improved by clearer pronounciation), and ‘Lead us not into Temptation.’ The whole of the pieces and choruses were exceedingly well given, and the audience, although not a very demonstrative one, fully appreciated them-. At the conclusion of the service Mr Tichbon announced that members of the choir would, as the hour was early, further entertain those present with a few solos, etc. An adjournment of five minutes then took place. After this Mr Napier came forward and gave ‘ The Three Jolly Smiths,’ supported in the chorus by Messrs Courtis and Tichbon, for wliich he was applauded. Mr Henderson followed with a recitation entitled ‘ The Wife.’ The piece took extremely well with the audience, who undoubtedly understood that the picture was a ‘ little ’ overdrawn. Miss Foster gave ‘Blessthose Chimes,’but appeared to be very nervous. Mr Tichbon gave a humorous recitation, describing the actions of a Quaker and Irishman when under fire, and was applauded. The only encore of the evening was secured by Miss Musker, with ‘ A Letter.’ This piece greatly pleased the audience, who, after long continued exertions, were treated by the lady to a repetition ot the last verse. Mr Tichbon then thanked those present for their attendance, and expressed his regret at the paucity of the audience, remarking that they would understand that this would take away a good deal of the spirit of the peiformers. ‘ God save the Queen’ was then given, the audience standing up and assisting, at the con-

elusion of ■which the Eev Mr Fee proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the

choir lor the pleasure they had given them,-who, despite Mr Tichbon’s statement, had given the service with all possible spirit. He was sorry there were hot more present, but he knew that all who were there would, if the choir would again pay lemuka a visit, do their best to fill the hall. He called on Mr J. Brown to second the vote. That gentleman briefly did so, referring to the initiation of the Union, and the vote was carried by acclamation. Mr Napier returned thanks for the compliment, and said that when they next came they would treat them to something even better than they had given them that evening. The entertainment was a most enjoyable one, and if Mr Napier can improve on it we shall be glad to see him and his choir again.