The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-11
REAL BURNT CORK.
Innovation Proposed by the
Young Women Of DR..
Brett's Church.
WANT TO HOLD MINSTREL SHOW
Some Overcautious Members
Object But the Thing
May Come Off,
WANT TO HOLD MINSTREL SHOW


Mav Coyoo OFF
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The members of the Bergen Reformed
Church., Of which Rev. DR.. Cornelius
Brett president Of the Christian En-
deayor Union az New Jersey e pastor.
are very much excited inst at present
over a UNIQUE enterprise which the mem
bers of the Young Woman's Guild have
decided upon as a means of raising money
for church work. The Guild was only
organized about two months ago. It's
object is to do charitable work in the
church and render the pastor all the as
sistance possible in the regular work of
the parish. TO work successfully money
is needed. The organization being of re-
cent birth, the treasury is not over well
supplied with funds. It was decided at a
recent meeting to hold an entertainment
in order to raise enough money to give
the treasurer a good balance.
The guild is composed of many of the
best known and highly respected young
women on the Heights. Mrs. Cornelius
Brett is president of the guild. Mrs. James
Fielder is vice president. The entertain-
ment committee was appointed with Miss
Bertha Williams as chairman. The COM
mittee met at the home of Miss Williams
and discussed several forms of entertain
ment. AT first it was thought that a farce
comedy would be the proper thing to
have, but some one suggested that the
public is tired of the ordinary form of
theatricals. and if the entertain
ment was to be made a paying venture
something decidedly new would have to
be provided for the amusement of the
patrons. Finally. after several schemes
had been discussed. only to be rejected,
Miss Williams suggested that they give
a minstrel show.
What. the real thing?'' asked the girls
in chorus.
Eyes. the real thing. burnt cork and all,
replied the young lady who made the sug-
gestion. And why not? 1t was done in
Brooklyn and was a big success"
And so the Young women began to plan
for the minstrel show. The church was
thoroughly canyassed for available talent.
The scheme did NOT provide for anv men
in the show. ONLY Young women were to
take part. 1t was thought that twelve
talented misses would make a proper
minstrel company.
IF we do it at all. said one of the
young women. I'VE must do it Just right
or we will be the laughing stock of the
town. So each girl proposed as a pos
sible member of the minstrel troop had
her qualifications for the position care
fully reviewed before she was approached
on the subject. Some of the girls selected
as members of the company express
doubts as to the propriety of undertaking
what was proposed. In fact the young
women who headed the enterprise met
with considerable opposition as they went
the rounds Of the congregation. discussing
their plans. The opposition was not OF
the stern kind, that cannot be overcome.
1t was merely that some of the older
heads in the church thought the girls
ought to be a little cautious about intro
ducing such a decided innovation in the
matter Of church entertainment. Even in
the committee there was a little oppo-
sition. and so the young women did not
decide definitely upon the minstrel propo-
sition.
The Rev. DR.. Brett was not of these who |
opposed the scheme. He offered no OBJ
lection ia tne minstrel show Things we're
in this state when the COMMITTEES met last
night. The meeting was for the purpose
of deciding whether TO have the minstrel
show or some other form of entertain
ment Tho, members Of the guild wore
called into consultation with the mem
hers Of the committee. Mrs. Brett and
Mrs Fielder were both absent from fine
naeeti,p So Mrs Mellick presided The
meeting was a lengthy one and the dis
elssion Of the question pro and con was
warm ~ times Tn majority were in
favor Of the minstrel show but the
roinority mt m snch a strong fight that
il s,cceadad IN having the matter Iaid
~,
over Tor furthef scohslaeTatlon Inc
meeting adjourned without any definite
ooncl5,sio, bsv;,g bean reacbed
1850, ~ ~ 49, a.,oa 80
A speclal meeting mas peeh eallea ior
Thursday night. 1t will be held in the /
leotura ~oom of tbe church and If is SAT |
80 - - - ,aa~,-
10 say thal II VIII De larseiy ~attehdeu,
asmat that meeting the matter will be
defnitahy decidad Those who ara in
-. -. -
favor OF the mihstfel SHOW nave NOT gwen
way one little bit and declare that they
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