The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-05-08 00:00:00

ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE ATTHE BRITIS

SCHOOL ROOM.

The annual meeting of the Young Men's Mutual
Improvement Society in connection with the Con-
gregationalist Chapel, in this town, was held at
the above school-room, on Monday evening last.
The chair was taken by Mr. John Taylor, and the
room was filled by a numerous and respectable
audience.

The Chairman opened the proceedings by calling
on Miss Jessie Taylor and Miss Skidmore to per-
form a duet on the pianoforte, which they did very
creditably.
The Chairman said the next item on the pro-
gramme was the "Chairman's Address," but in the
face of the lengthy and interesting programme
that had to be gone through, he should not detain
them by a long dry speech. This meeing was
rather later in the season than usual. It should
have been held on the previous Monday, but most
of the young men belonging to the Mutual Im-
provement Society were connected with the Stour-
bridge School of Design, and their examination
meeting being held on that night, many of them
had to attend, and would have been unable to be
present at the conversazione if it had been held at
the usual time. Unfortunately, that caused them
to hold their meeting on the same evening that
the St. Thomas's Church Schoolswere havingtheir
tea party. It was, however, evident from the
number present that their meeting had not suffered
in eonsequence. He had had the honour of attend-
ing nearly everyone of the meetings of that so-
ciety, and the work done was in every way satis-
factory. He had no doubt everyone there knew
the difficulties and the dangers to which young
men and women were exposed, and the greatest of
their dangers were encountered during their leisure
moments, when they had left their employment,
and it was for themselves to choose what kind of
occupation should take their attention in the even-
ing. It was then their danger arose. He, there-
fore, thought that Christian people should endea-
vour to gather the young people together during
the long evenings, so that they might spend their
leisure moments in such a way that they might be
able to look back with pleasure on the past. He
then described the work done' at the meetings of
Mutual Improvement Society, which consisted of
discussions. readings, &c., &c. In conclusion he
made an earnest appeal to the young men present
to do everything in their power to elevate them-
selves both socially and morally; and reminded
those present that the future of the Congrega-
tionalist Church, and even of the country, would
depend upon the character of their young men—
(cheers).
Mr. J. Paul Reading, secretary, then read the
report of the society, which showed that the ope-
rations of the society during the past year had been
very successful. The number on the books was
41, instead of 35 last year. Two lectures hadbeen
delivered by the Rev. J. Richards, and papers had
been read by Messrs. Allsop, jun., William James
Taylor, and John Taylor. Three discussions had
taken place during the last sessicn. The library
had been extensively used during the year, and
now numbered 254 volumes—(applause).
The following programme was then gone
through:—song, "The Minstrel Boy," Miss Rich-
aids; reading, "The Law of Kindness," Rev. J.
Richards; recitation, "The Felon," Mr. J. Wood;
song, "A Father's Love," Mr. J. E. Southall; re-
citation, "Woman's Curiosity," Mr. Walter Read-
ing; solo flute, Mr. H. King; song, Miss Richards;
reding, " Wolsey's Farewell," Mr. D. K. Shoeboth-
am ; song with flute obligato, "Echo song," Miss
Taylor and Mr. H. King; recitation, "The Bridge,'
Mr. Woodcock; recitation, "Excelsior," Mr. C.
Pardoe ; song and chorus, "Sound the Battle Cry,"
The Class. The next was the famous "Trial
Scene from The Merchant of Venice, in which the
characters were apportioned as follows :—Shylock,
Mr. J. Tombs, The Duke, Mr. G. Hipwood, jun.,
Antonio, Mr. J. Marshall, Bassanio, Mr. J. P.
Reading, Gratiano, Mr. J. Smith, Salanio, Mr. A.
White, Portia, Mr. E. Smith, Nerissa, Mr. R.
Everitt, Clerk, Mr. B. Talbot. Then followed a
duet, "Oh, may'st thou dream of me," Miss L.
Southall and Mr. J. E. Southall; reading, Mr. J.
Ansel), jun.; duet pianoforte, Miss Ireland and
Miss Taylor; recitation, "The Spirit of Contra-
diction," A. White.
The whole of the performers acquitted them-
selves creditably, and were heartily applauded by
by the audience. This was especially the case
with Mr. H. King, whose flute playing created
immense enthusiasm.

The usual formulas closed the proceedings.