The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 106, 12 May 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1870.

ORATORIO.—" THE CREATION." We feel confident that it requires no persuasion to produce a full house in the Symonds-street Music Hall to-night. Our city is possessed of musical taste, and the interest that has attended our Choral Society is a contrast to the apathy that habitually attends anything in Auckland requiring co-operative action. But the usual performances of our musical amateurs have not been available to the general public, subscribers alone to the Society's funds having the entree. The announcement therefore of a grand musical performance, jointly produced by the members oi'. the Choral Society and amateur talent from without, under the able management of Mr. Browne, conductor of the Choral Society, and open to the general public, cannot fail to be of general interest. But when that performance takes the form of the Oratorio, the sublimest form in which earthly music has ever been presented, and the nearest to our ideal of the tempest of harmony that swells around the throne of the Creator from the ten thousand times ten thousand harping cherubim and seraphim, there is something fascinating in the attraction for every one with music in his soul. It is a bold flight for our amateurs to essay Haydn's magnificent conception "The Creation;" but from the talent engaged in it, and the care in preparation, we anticipate success and gratification. The entertainment, sacred in itself, is further hallowed by its object. To reach the hand of pity and kindness to their unhappy sisters—to save from utter destruction the victims of man's cruel wrong, and lead them back to paths of peace and virtue, —arc the motives set before them by tbe ladies who are organising and conducting the "Home for Women at Parnell."

The efforts used by Lady Martin, and the other ladies associated with her in this and other good works, are known to all in this province. In another colony Lady Bowen has left her. name as a " household word" in connection with every charitable institution, and the " Diamantina Orphan School," almost wholly the result of her effort and influence, bears' her name and fame in cherished remembrance. In these days when it is the fashion to sneer at women and women's works, and the " Girl of the Period"is taken as expressive of purposeless frivolity, we should honor the generous sisterhood who are trying to undo the wrongs of fallen humanity, and pour in the balm of kindness into hearts that have been torn by misery. We sincerely trust that an overflowing house will to-night express the public sympathy, and that it will result in a substantial benefit to the funds of the " Home for Women."