ORMONDVILLE.

Bush Advocate, Volume I, Issue 41, 9 August 1888, Page 2

ORMONDVILLE.

_^ We understand that steps have been taken to form a debating society at Ormondville, and a number of gentlemen have promised to become members. Our friends at Ormondville ought not to let the matter drop this time at it was allowed to do

formerly ; there is instruction as well as innocent amusement to be derivfidfrom a society of this kind. , Notwithstanding the rain which fell on Monday evening, a fair number of the lovers of harmony attended the " Service of Song," given by the Ormondville Methodist Choir. Tho Revd. Mr Wrigley officiated as chairman, and in a few well chosen words welcomed all those who had faced the impropitipus weather, briefly describing the narrative which formed the connection between the different musical numbers, " which the choir, under the able conducting of Mr Hamblings, rendered in a manner that gave evidence of patient, careful training. The two choruses, "Onward Go " and " When the mists have rolled away," were splendidly given by the full choir, after . which cakes and, coffee were handed round until it was time for the commencement of the Service of Song, " Reclaimed." Mr A. Webber read the connecting narative in a voice which, though not loud, was yet distinctly audible in every part of the Hall, and the members of the choir gave the following items at intervals during the evening : "Blessed are the People," "Come Away," "Turn Away," "Oh, anger is an evil thing," "Looking oft unto Jesus," " Bring your cares unto Jesus," " Sweeth Sabbath Bells," " Every word of God is pure," " Welcome, wanderer welcome," " Abundantly able to save," " Though your sins," " Trust ye in the Lord," " Home Returniug," " Rejoice," and " Offer unto God thanksgiving." The singing was very good throughout, but though Mr Westlake sang the solo in " Sighing for thee " fairly well, he was scarcely up to his usual standard, and a higher key would have better suited a voice of such strength and compass as his. The singing of Mesdames Westlake and . Hall in the solo parts and duets in " Every word of God is pure," and "Though your sins," was very beautiful, and Mr Sarguson's voice was heard to great advantage in the choruses. Mrs Chandler presided at the organ and played the accompanying music in her usual tasteful style, and it is to be reregretted that a special vote of thanks to the organist, conductor, and reader was not proposed at the conclusion of the " Service." A vote of thanks to the choir having been recorded, the Chairman pronounced the Benediction, and the gathering •came to an end after having spent a most enjoyable evening. The "Service" will probably be repeated both at Makotuku and Nonewoodat an early date. The amount realised was about £5.