Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-11
CHOIR BOYS, BANQUET.
Annual Good Time rendered by Alfred
Thomas Was the Best Of All.

The pleasantest day of the year to the
choir boys of st. Matthew's Church is
the annual banquet rendered in their
honor by Alfred Thomas as a mark of
his appreciation and the appreciation of
the church of the work of the choir
boys. The banquet is always a treat,
and that of the year 1898, proved more
enjoyable than those Of the past. There
were "a present, among them, besides
Mr.. Thomas, who carried out the part
Of host in his usual dignified and grace
full manner, being Rev. Henry Hague,
rector, Matthew ]. Whittall and James
Cunningham, church wardens, Percy
Whittall Of Harvard, and eX-Council-
man Harry Coley.
Mr.. Thomas himself was also agree
ably surprised, and was the happy re-
cipient of reminders of the affection in
which he is held by the choir boys.
The exercises of the evening opened
with dainty supper served by Rebboli,
at O'clock. Mr.. Thomas sat at the
head Of the table, with Rev. Mr.. Hague
and Messrs. Whittall and Cunningham
near him. Grace was offered by Rec
tor Hague, and then the young, yigor-
Gus stomachs attacked the attractive
courses. After opening remarks by
Mr. Thomas, a piano solo was given by
Harry Innett, followed by remarks by
Rev. Mr., Hague, who, on behalf of Mr..
Thomas, presented four boys with beau
tifully-bound and selected choir hymn
ais bearing Mr.. Thomas autograph
with verse. The four fortunate boys
were William Cooper, Harold Horace B.
Taylor, Herbert Moon and Vernon In
nett. The recipients have a perfect
roll of attendance record for the past
year, and for this honor, Mr. Thomas
always makes some gift. EX-Council-
man Harry Coley sang a song in a most
acceptable manner, being succeeded by
Frank Cox, who gave Dutch selections.
Matthew J. Whittall, church warden,
then spoke, telling in an interesting
manner Of his travels in Montreal, and
speaking with reference to the churches
and their choirs. James Cunningham,
warden, then spoke in an entertaining
manner, paying warm tribute to Or
ganist Alfred H. Booth, who has a per-
feet attendance at church and Sunday
school for Is years. During this Pc
riod, Mr.. Booth has not missed a SER
vice or rehearsal, and to him is due
the success of the choir Mr.. Booth
himself was warmly received, and spoke
of the choir. After a song by Frank
Hollington, the exercises closed with re-
marks by Percy Whittall of Harvard
Mr.. Whittall said that he always adj
mired the choir, and one Of his great
pleasures when he had friends in town,
was to receive their compliments upon
the city and especially upon the excel
lence Of st. Matthew's choir. He often
heard choirs in other cities, but was al
ways glad to hear St Matthew'S once
again.
During the evening, Mr. Thomas was
presented with beautiful etching by
Spiegel, entitled "Chorister Boys"
mounted in a heavy set frame. This
was the gift of the choir boys and the
value of the work made the gift doubly
pleasing. Another remembrance Of Mr..
Thomas was the gift of two golden
crosses from Tiffany to Harold Cox and
William B. Smith. These are given
annually by Mr. Thomas to the boys
having a perfect record of three years
attendance at choir services; and the
prize has come to be one of the most
highly valued of the church, the choir
boy securing one considering himself
among the more favored. Organisr
Booth showed a cut Of ST. Mathews
Church, worked by Harry A. Whitney,
and after the signatures of every mem
Der of the choir have been secured it
will be presented to Mr. Thomas