Otautau Methodist Church Anniversary.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume 1, Issue VIII, 21 June 1905, Page 3

Otautau Methodist Church Anniversary.

SONG LECTURE. ; 'Ihe residents are indebted to ■ ■ the Otautau Methodist Church for providing such an excellent evening's enjoyment as they did on Tuesday ; 18.h in:t*riie time-honoured sec al '- which marks the commemoration of another year's work m church life, on this occasion gaye way to a song-lecture, which proved just as acceptable as a social. A large and appreciative audience assembled, to hear the Rev. Mr Mitchell's lecture on the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the hall being comfortably filled m eyjery part. Ihe chair was taken by ' the pastor ol the Church, the Rev. Mr Jjcckett, and there was also present the Rev. Mr Griffin, of Christchurch. After devotional exercises, the chairman called on Mr Mitchell to render one of his popular song§, which was . enthusiastically receivedi Mr Griffin then briefly a Idresscd .^the meeting, as follows :—" One aspect of our church Work is suggested by the youthful character- of ihe audience. I am delighted . with '■ the large proportion of young men and women present. We look upon this *as the young peop'e's . age. Five years ago I had the privilege of attending a Christian Conference ..in London. Delegates from • all parts of the world attended—England, America, Australia, China, Europe and elsewhere all sent representatives. Several large ocean steamers conveyed 3'oung people from America, and Europe sent thousands. Forty thou and people, inspired by Love, da'ly mer, determined to do something for God and Humanity. My heart is inspired with hope for the fu'ure of Christ's Church, through its young people, and as the whole Church m the Old r Land is being stirred wlh the .wonderful movement m Wale*?, which is- laying hold of the 3 T ouug life of the v age, and m this assemblage here tonight, we have the evidence that th? youth of the present is inspired to do something noble. I have heard Mr Mitchell sing and lecture before, . and I can promise you all a great treat and wish you all God speed m all you undertake for God and Humanity." A song, entitled '• 'lhe Owl," by Mr Mitchell was loudly encored, and m response the ■• Old Soldier " was also given. Mr Beckett here said: My duties to-night are very li^ht lam giving over the whole evening to Mr Mitchell, who has come to help us at our anniversary, and to whom our 'Church Committee is greatly m"- -" debted. I also take this opportunity of proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Mitchell, who has come to assist her husband as accompanist; also our thanks to Mrs Rowe for the use of the organ for Mr Mitchell's recital, and all the ladies who have been instrumental m perfecting the arrangements for to-ni.thj. ■■;. Ihese votes of thanks w^re carried with acclamation by the audience. Mr Mitchell, , who was warmly received by the audience, said : Before starting 1113* lecture I want to say a few words. I know that your chairman is an adept at working ■ ; iip shows. I have met him before. *I knew him m Auckland. Now I want to disabuse your minds it you have come here to-ni»ht,owing to the announcement that I was to lecture and sing on the "Fisk Jubilee . Singers," expecting to see me supported by a negro minstrel troupe. I have no assistants, and m singing to you their songs, I simply wish to convey to you tome of the pathos, humoui and tragedy contained m these wonderful compositions. Judged from an artistic and critical .standpoint, the words and rhythm j could not stand inquiry.and 3*et they have moved and swayed thousands of hearts,as they are the expressions of a people long subject to oppression and cruelty, and have been wrung from the heart blood of men and women. , I hay© heard many wonderful singers, but 1 never heard such a beautiful blending of voices as I heard from the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and I will try to-night to call up to memory some of their beautiful songs. Interspersed with humorous and pathetic flashes of his own, MiMitchell then delighted the audience with his lecture, "The Fisk Jubilee fingers," tracing theirhistory fr;om * the time they left the Negro College , }n Princeton, through their Unfad States campaign, their^ftiUo, England, the Continent an<s^s@&ffifes, accompanying them m and struggles of their fet^ouj^he racial hatred that ex^lbit^d/ifeifelf, and the ignominy to which the members were often subjected. Against this was shown the princely generosity and Christian hospitality of many of the noblest families m the land, who recognised m these talented people, the brotherhood of man, irrespective of colour. Their generosity at the Chicago fire, m handing over the proceeds of their concert for benefit of sufferers by the fire, md .depriving themselves of J'means, . was loudly applauded. The* enthusiasm evolved at ihe great ' Boston Peace Conference by their singing of the

American National Anthem, when men and women were roused t > frenzitd enthusiasm, was a thrilling record «.f a great occasion. The ma ily heroism of John Brown was fully depicted, and the pathos of the occasion deeply impressed the audience. The impetus and help given to the singers by their reception :at Balmoral by her late Majesty Queen Victoria, their entertainment by the late W. L. Gladstone, the eulogy of the Larl of Shaftesbury, and many other noble and prominent personages was'recounted, and the final? triumph of their return to their college, alter having raised £80,000 irf its aid, brought a most enjoyable evening to a close. At intervals MH Mitchell, who is possessed of a most cultured, rich, resonant and full voice, sang the following from the Jubilee, Singers' j song collection, accompanying himself on the organ: G'wine to write to Massa Jesus : Pharoh's Army ; Go down, Moacs ; No more Auction Block for me; Steal away to Jesus ; John Erown's Body. As each item was sung, the beauty and pathos of the songs was impressed on the audience, and those of the company who had heard the Jubilee Singers conjured up m their minds the wonderful voice-eflects produced by that talented bind. In "John B.xr.vn's Body," the audience heartily joined m the chorus. Before breaking up, the audience sang the National Anthem. "1 he financial result to ; the local Methodist Church is very satisfactory a substantial sum augmenting their -.funds.