The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-08-29 00:00:00

CRADLEY HEATH.

ANNUAL TEA MEETING AND ENTERTAINMENT. On ,
Monday the members of the Cradley Young Men's Mu-
tual Improvement Society held their annual meeting.
A good number of the ladies and gentlemen of the
neighbourhood sat down to an excellent tea. As soon
as the trays were removed the entertainment commenced.
E. Malmo, Esq., M.D., was the appointed chairman, but
was prevented from taking the chair at the meeting by
an urgent call. Mr. John Brazier was therefore appoin-
ted chairman pro. tem. He briefly spoke on the neces-
sity of selteducation, of the good kindred societies to
the above were doing, and concluded by wishing Mutual
Improvement Societies every suceess. The late secre-
tary of the society (Mr. W. T. Lomeli) then proceeded to
read the report. He remarked that nothing of import.
ance had occurred during the year, either favourable or
otherwise, as everything had gone on smoothly. During
the Year upwards of forty essays had been delivered, in
addition to which they tat had several discussions, and
a number of speeches, recitations, and readings. The
subjacts of the e,says were put into rhyme by one of the
I members. The following is a correct copy:—
The essays we've given, whether poor or prime,
Or long or abort, we've made up into rhyme ;
We've heard one on "Strikes,' or the workman's

strife,
An then came on "The darkest side of life

`. Baptism," not of babes a few weeks fed,
But fall.grown people put. in overhead ;.

And ....Tellperalee,;' which nil argument defies,

Also "Eternal Poni+liment" Anil LIYG

" Preachers and Preaching," what e;;;;Ia•Ought to be,
" The Hole Scriptures' authenticity."
"Faith, Hope, and Charity," these three in one
Long •ssay, then •• Benevolence" came on,
„

Awl"' Ju:tification." and " Chits Godhe'ad "

Nebuchadnezzar "—the strange life he led.
The Publican Matthew," his gospel call,
And “Pilate" of. sinners the biggest of all.

Daniel" the wise, who dared to do the right
And whom the hungry lima dare not bite.
And " Adria" of old, and the fair " Eve" he had

And how—bit stny,,perb.ins others are as bad,

‘• Courtship," anti "'Love,'" and therefore

" Happiness"
" Marriage" came after, and then " Manliness,"
"Early rising" and then' Health" whieh it brings,
" Sam Perks" and "Fiction and Facts," or real
things,
" The writing of essays" Signs of the times,"

Ani then the Shbath came. with its ellint-e'i

Ti..' mighty " Priutiug Press" and swift " II .ilwayn,'
" Roin ism " anti' England's future dsys."
" Writing," and in what WAY it needs reform,"
And " Temper " with its calm, its breeze, its storm,
" Youthful Heroism," and Music's charm,
The " indolence" of all for good or harm.
" Kindness " and seltiehness, which you shall hear—
These are the essays we'eve had in one year.
Two Public Entertainments had been given tor benevo-
lent objects during the year, and the library considerably
augmented. One ,if the members left last "Christmas for
South America, where he has been appointed to an im-
portant situation. A Debating Class bad Hely been
formed for the convenience of those who could not sub-

ject theinwires to the littict rule.. of the Improvement
Society. ant which was likely to prove a great success.
In conclusion the secretary gave a corvlial invitation to

any one so disposed to bee,,, me ober of either class.
Mr. Gittiags Bon gave, solo on the piano., in hi, mas-
terly style. While he wag playing Mr. MalMs arrived,
and wag greeted with loud applause. An essay on " Sel-
fishness " real by H. Barber, was well received, as was
also as admirable addr,ss on "Protestant M.inuateries,"
by Alan Brazier. This wan followed by a recitation
entitl,l "Peterkin Peep," by B. Cartwright, which
reused plenty of fun. Mr. Gittings again treated the
anlience to an excellent performonce on the pianoforte.
An essay on Intellect, by J. Newton, followed; and after.
wards S. Dunn gave a thoughtful address on " Excel-
sior." Master J. Sideway, a little prodigy, next execu•
led some difficult music en the piano, and almost enrap-
tured the xadience. W. T. Leach followed with au
essay on "Quarrels,' and a reading by C. Darby on
" Gunpowder" was afterwards given. B. Cartwright
then sang with due pathos "The Soldier's prayer before
Battle," being accompanied on the piano by Mrs. John
Bloomer. jun. Boum original poetry by A. Brazier sr-a.;
next given, which !moved beyond a doubt that he pos-
sesses no inean poetical powers. The dosing address
was given on " Greatness," by E. Brazier. A vote of
Mardis was passed to the chairman, who in reply ex-
pres,ed the plcasare it :ifforded him in presiding over
the meeting. He possed a high eulogium on those who
bad t then port in the meeting, and said that the audi-
ence could not fail to have been benefited aud instructed
by what they had heard. Such societies were caleulated
to doe great deal of good, and the mutual effort to gain
knowledge could hardly ho otherwise than successful.
He advised them all to cultivate a taste for reading, not
the Newgate literature now unfortunately so prevaleut,
but books which hail stood the test of time. Books not
only attractive, but instructive. His remarks were
greeted with loud applause. A vote of thanks was also
accorded to the ladies, after which the Doxology was pro-
nounced by the Rev. G. Cozins, and the meeting sepa-
rated.

FO !ZESTY RS' DINNZR.—The anniversary of Court For.
esters' Home, No. 1196, of the Ancient Order of Forest-
ers, having been deferred from August 3rd, to enable the
members to attend at the High Court demonstration at
Wolverhampton, was held on Monday, August 17th. at
their Court House, the Vine and Itail.w.ry Hotel, Lowey
Town, Cradley Heath, when the member's sat down to a
gaud substantial dinner provided by the worthy hostess in
her usual styte. A meeting was afterwards held over
which Brother Bock, r.c.R., presided, faced by Brother
Groves, 8.0 R. The secretary read a statement of the
accounts, which showed the court to be in a very prospe-
rous condition to the great satisfaction of the members
present. Brother H. E. Hodgson, Esq., the worthy sun
gems of the Court, who w. a visitor in the afternoon, in.
formed the members he was happy to find they were in
such a healthy condition, aryl stated he had not had one
serious case, and but a very few trifling ones during the
! past year, and trusted to find them all as healthy the
next year, a wish heartily responded to by every member
present.. After the usual toasts, Ac., the members ad•
journed into an adjoining field, and enjoyed themselves
with a fcietully game of cricket, until the shades of even-
ing caused them to retreat back to the Court House,
when song+ and recitations became the order of the even.
ing until a late hour, when the company separated site'
a good day's enjoyment.