Protestant Alliance Society.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2138, 10 November 1875, Page 2

Protestant Alliance Society.

Anniversary Celebration.

The second anniversary in connection with Ahe above Benefit Society was celebrated last evening in St. George's Hall, Grahamstown, and if a good attendance may be considered a criterion, the demonstration was a most unqualified succesi. The first part, the soiree, consisted of a tea provided by Mr Douglas, t& which fully 300 persons sat down, and to which they did ample justice. After satisfying the inner man, an intellectual repast was provided in the form of a concert presided over by the Rev. Jas. Hill, one of the honorary members of the Society.. Be-

sides the .Rev, Chairman, we noticed on the platform representatives of the various Benefit Societies on the Thames, conspicuous among, whom were Messrs. Speight (C. R. Rechabites), Landers (Sec. H. A. C. B. S.), Robinson (C. R. A..0. F.), Vowlcs (P. G., O. O. F., M. U.),and Bull (P. a. W. M.).

The chairman, haying called for quietness opened the proceeding by giving out the anthem " God-Bless the Prince of Wales," tho solo of which was sung by Miss Hunter; after which he gave a very appropriate speech setting forth the benefits derived from suchasociety as they were then celebrating, and from other kindred societies. He stated that in the colonies there are many benefit societies worthy of support, and that for many reasons, in a monetary point of view, they are a great advantage, as when sickness lays us low a weekly sum is secuved, and should death follow a sum is secured for burial purposes ; they aro also a benefit in bestowing moral advantages, and beget forethought, teaching us that this world is not all sunshine, but that sickness and death may come upon us; they beget also a social advantage teaching us to be dependent on one another, awaken in us a spirit of independence that as we receive help from others, so we have a right to obtain a benefit on our own behalf; finally they have a religious advantage by teaching us, to reflect and make us think of what we are to be hereafter. The rev. gentleman went on further to say that in the old country benefit societies are very bfteft^busiedj.i and often badly managed ; in the colonies they are totally different, at leastin New. Zealand jr;an,d he was quiteJsure different ;on! lUeLThaines, all the societies here being well managed and well officered. Foremost among them he might mention the P.A.S., it was originally founded in. New South Wales where there v were at.'-ipresent SOHodges, while in New Zealand there were two, one on the Thames and one in Christchurch. As other societies were already in existence the P.A.S. had bad rather iiphill work, b^ notwithstanding at the present time they nunbered 142! members;, £75 had been paid as sick fund; and. they now, had the handsome balance in hand of $350. In conclusion he gave it as. his own experience as a clergyman that he had many times-seen the benefits derived from benefit societies generally, .and urged everyone present not belonging to a society to join one ; he hoped the P. A. S. would still continue to t6 prosper and be a benefit to its.members and humanity.

?., The proceedings were then varied by a song from Mrs Harding.

After which Mrs Jones sang the " British Lion," and Miss Hunter " Clarine," for which she deservedly received an encore;. " You and I "followed, by Mr Kobinsori, and a: call wssithen made for the Rev. Mr Hinton, the new minister of the Baptist Church, to which there was no response. The Chairman then called on Mr Speight to address the meeting, -who after congratulating the P.A.S. withVtheir success said that he had from boyhood been possessed with a spirit of independence, and nothing he thought tended so much to make a man independent as belonging to a society, and the man who has.the means and does riot join one is greatly to blame. A man's duty is to provide food and clothing for his family, but it is also his duty to provide for sickness and death. He would endorse the remarks of the Chairman concerning the good management of the lodges of the Thames, and would further state that he never knew a man who through misfortune or want of work was unable to pay up his weekly subscription, struck off the books of the society. Before resuming his seat he thanked them for their- kind invitation.

Miss Dow.then ably sang~";Auld Robin Gray,"' for which an encore wa3 demanded, and : _.:.'•

Captain Richards followed with an Irish recitation, which so tickled the risible faculties of the audience that several ladies were fain to cry over it. After repeated calls for some "Cornish,'' the Chairman 'promised that Captain Richards would favor the company later in the evening.

" I cannot sing the old song," by Miss McNeill came next, f'

After which thanks for being invited were given by Mr Landers, H.A.C.8.C.5,, and Mr Vowles, M.U.1.0.0.F.

A Scotch recitation by Mr, Anderson followed, and . provoked roars of laughter —the rev. chairman, and other " gude men " who understood it, laughed at it, but the "ither puir English folk " who kenned it not, and to whom heathen Chinee would have been as "intelligible, were forced to laugh from contagion, and it is loug since St. George's Hall has resounded to such hearty.sounds of merriment. . ■

Capt. Richards came soon after with his " Cornish," which also elicited very hearty approval on the part, of the audience.

Mr Robinson having responded on behalf of the Foresters,

Mrs Harding" gave the last song on the programme, " Terence's Farewell to Kathleen."

After which the usual rotes of thanks were accorded to the " Ladies " and the "Chairman," and the singing of the " National Anthem" brought one of the most successful demonstrations ever held on tho Thames to a close. A dance, which was exceedingly well attended, followed, and was kept up with much spirit. .- . . ■