SERVICE OF SONG AT S. PAUL'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2244, 25 November 1886, Page 2

SERVICE OF SONG AT S. PAUL'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

The service of song given by the children of the Wesloyan Sunday-school on Tuesday evening, was rendered in a veiy successful manner. Of the recitations and mtisic.il selections in the first part of the piogramme, we would mention in particular the recitation by Master Skelton, and the musical piece by boys and girls, all being well up in their parts. The selection given by the .string band was not quite so harmonious as it might have been, but no doubt the weather had rather a depressing effect on the instrument*. The chief feature of the evening was, of course, the service of song, entitled " Minnie, or the sunshine of a sister's love,'' a pleasing story, showing how little Minnie, by the brave devotion of her love, saved her brother Frank from undergoing the .sentence of death for haying been found asleep at his post of sentinel. He, on his part, had been doing the work of a sick comrade as well an his own, and, as he writes home in simple language to his father in his farewell letter, he was " too tired— too tired to keep awake !" Minnie starts off to Washington, sees President Lincoln, obtains Frank's pardon f iid release, and brother and sister return home in triumph. The story was read in a pleas ing manner by Mrs Ivishwoith, but hei \oice was scarcely powerful enough for those seated at the far end of the church to hear distinctly so as to follow easily tl»o vai ions incidents of the story. The children dang well, with good time and precision ; but »t little more eNpresMon, ni<>«« light and shade would have been better. The opening hymn, "({lory to (!od," was well given, but the first chorus, "Th.it beautiful throne," went still better. In the Easter hymn the girl s voices weio weak, but they all took their parts up well to time. The duet, "Goodbye," by Mis-.es Davie* and E. Nixon was nicely rendeied ; also the quintette by Misses D.ivies, E. Nivon, and Mess-is Davies and Sims. All the choruses wont well, but we would mention in paiticnl.ir "Are we sowing," " Lift the hcait," and the concluding one "Will the angels ct 'mo to me." In both the latter we rental ked the decision and c«r,.uuty with which the children to< k ttic scmi-Njn.s where they occurred, audit was pleasing to •)b->crve the .stiict attention they paid to tl,e conductoi's biton, and how one and all did their bes^ to sing. The liemtiful solo. " Anrels eter bright and fail," was taken rather too quickly ; Mi>s Davies, who sang it, .seemed wither nervous and flurried. This young lady h.is a clear, powerful and sweet voice, of good compass, but she inquires steadiness and e\piev,ion, especially in her concluding notes. With cultivation Miss Da vies ought to become an acquisition to musical meetings in Cambridge as .veil .is ulsewheie. We must not omit t-> mention little Miss Ruby Nivon, who sang " Minnie* Prayer," veiy prettily, keeping good time and tune with herchddish treble. Aftei the service of song, a very pleasing incident of the evening's entertainment took place in the presentation of a very handsome gold watch to Miss Nixon as a mark of c-teen and appreciation of her long and faithful services as org.mi-t and helper in vanous ways in connection with the Cambridge Wesleyan Church. Mr Tiish worth piesentod the watch on behilf of the congiegation, choir and teichtr, and made some very happy and appropriate remarks, calling on Mr Gane, as a well-known " lady's man " to return thanks for Miss Nixon. Mr Gain did his best to act as Miss Nixon's mouthpiece, returning thanks in words which he flattered himself plip would herself have given utterance to. Mr Richard Reynolds, in a short speech, moved a rote of thanks to all who had taken part in the musical proformance of the evening. Mr Clark also made a few remark", and after a hearty acknowledgement had been given [to Mis Rialuvorth for her kindness in reading thj stoiy, " God Save the <Jueen"' was sung, and the meeting dispersed. No doubt had tho weather been more propitious there would have been a larger attendance. This kind of service is very pleasing, and is excellent practice for young and old.