The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-14 00:00:00

PRESENTATIONS..

Last evening a number of tea parties took place en
various parts of the town, all of which were well
attended by the members of the several congregations
under which they were given, but amongst those which
created the greatest amount of attraction were those
given by the working mens' association of St. Silas and
Kirkiale, each of which associations, from the conspicuous
part they have displayed during the past winter in getting
up and securing to the working classes rational amusement
on the Saturday evening, and which has no doubt been
the means of securing much good to the donors, for
they were intended to improve both morally and otherwise.
At St. Silas the tea meeting was held in the room In
Oakes street, and was attended by a very large number
of the members and their friends. After tea, the Rev.
Samuel Minton took the chair, and was supported on the
platform by the Revs. Mr. Bardsley, Greet, &c., Messrs.
White, Abrahams, Jackson, Like, Jones, ledley, Steel,
Denton, &c.
The Rev. Chairman, in opening the business of the
meeting, congratulated the association on its prosperity,
after the many struggles it had had to steer clear of
bankruptcy, and expressed the pleasure he felt at having
to announce that at nearly the close or the winter
season, they were in a most flourishing position, and be
did not doubt but that much good had been achieved since
the formation of the association, not alone from the Satur-
day evening concerts, but also from the lectures and
discu9sions which had taken place on the various
subjects during the season. As the winter months had
passed away, and as the milder season was coming on, and
as there were some who preferred outdoor amusements to
being confined in a close atmosphere, he expressed a hope
that means would be taken to establish a cricket club in
connection with the association, and to do that
they had only to make a little exertion and secure
a plot of ground outside the town, in which
they could have such rational and exhilirating
amusement. The Rev. Chairman then passed a well
deserved compliment upon Mr. White for the part he had
taken in bringing to such perfection the Saturday
evenings' concerts. The mention of this gentleman's
name called forth a loud burst of applause from all
present. Mr. Stout, a meml-er of the association, then
came forward, and explained the great good that
had resulted from the formation of this society to the
working classes, and the deep interest he had taken in its
formation, being the founder of this, and the originator
of other similar associations,
A suitable address was then read from the mem•
bers of the association to the Rev. S. Minton,
The members of the association then presented to the
Rev. S. Minton a very handsome timepiece, a full descrip-
tion of which we gave in this journal in our yesterday's im-
pression, Rev, Mr, Minton retie pith evident teelings of

de p emotion, to acknowledge the testimonial, and in thQ
e )ureie el' his observations he said the value of the testi-
Monial was enharc d from the fact • that the members
must have made considerable efforts,
~cut of their small
earnings, to, in three months, tiaaliast such a valuable
present. He alto ekpresrd the pleasure he felt to find
that bib opinions and motives had been understood by Ilse
members. He exhorted his hearers to avoid all persons
who, whether from the pulpit, the platform, or the press,
endiaeoured to set class againot elate; ivho
endeavoured to condemn all other sects but their own; that
had never been the course he had pursued; he had taken
them all as he had found them, and without persuading
them that they would become Dukei and Dechesses,
he had endeavoured to tell them what they might become
themselves, and they had done so. The rev, gentleman
then,' at considerable length, and with much eloquence,
proceeded to comment on the wording of the address,
pointing out the difference between thing's secular and
things religious, and stated that the object he had
in view when he established the asgodiation wrts not
to found another missionary enterprise, but that such
an association would bring these who were not religious to
come in contact with those who were, and thus have a
tendency to do good, and also to remove the alienation that
existed between the clergy and the working classes, for no
one would say that such a feeling of alienation did exist
and he thought he had accomplished that object. Re
concluded by expressing the deep gratitude he felt at the
testimonial that had been presented to him, and expwssed
his deep regret at leaving- the congregation with" whom he
had been connected for so many years, and would not have
done so had he not become perfectly worn.out, and at the last
gasp from the exertions he had had to undergo. He,
then announced that he had written to the trustees of the
church, etplaining the duties that were imposed upon the.
minister, without mentioning any name, and the result was
that they had appointed as his successor the. Rev. Mr.
B :rdsley, whom he had great pleasure iu introducing to the
association, and also to his congregation, because he felt that
he could 'leave them both safely in his hands. The Rev.
gentleman reAtmed his seat amidst enthusiastic applause.
Several working men made some suitable addresses, all
eulogising the character and conduct of their respected and
venerated pastor, who was about to leave them, the Rev.
S. Minton, after which,
The Rev. Mr. Bardsley, and the Rev. Mr. Green, offered
a few words to the meeting, the former of whom was most
enthusiastically received by his future flock.
The Rev, Mr. Minton, brought the meeting to a con-
clusion in a feeling speech, by expressing his deep gratitude
to the association, and the interest he Should ever feel in
its welfare.
The evening's amusement was much enhanced by several
highly popular songs, sung by several young lady ama-
teurs in a beautiful style, and by the members of the
association, and the company did not separate until. rather
a late hour,

•
THE KIRKDALE ASSOCIATION.
Another similar gratifying scene took plane at the St.
Mary's National ethr;ol rthim; neatle lane, when the Rev.
T. Major Lester, ZA., was presented with a very hand=
some, testimonial by the members of the Kirkdale Workin
Mena' Association, as an a'oknowleditUilnt for the great
ezeitiont and itatiritig eints he took in the formation of
that 'society, and for the great energy be had displayed in
so successfully carrying cut the Saturday Evening Concerts.
On this occasion a very sumptuous tea was provided, of
which a very large number of the working men, with their
wives and families, partook. After tea there was a con-
cert, in which the Misses Beers, Martin, and Taylor, and
Mr. M'Cabe, took a part,- much to the delight of those
assembled. Mr. J. IL Mcdcall'e presided, and in the course
of (he evening; he, with many Other gentlemen who. take
a deep interest in the prosperity of this popillar association;
addressed some suitable observations: It is ceardely
necessary to say that the greatest harmony prevailed
throtighOnt the evening, and Easter Monday of 1857, will
be long remembered by all who took a part in the enter-
tainment.