Evening journal., 1917-02-17
EPWORTH Choir IS
Guest At BANQUET
Church Trustees Entertain
VocaliStS and Leader at
Hanna's
CONGRATULATIONS
ARE OFFERED

A testimonial banquet 10 Epworth
Methodist Episcopal Church choir
was given az Hanna's Cafe last night
by tho trustees Of the church. Pro-
lessor George T. King. director OF the
choir was POSTMASTER, and toasts
were responded 10 as follows Inc
Choir AS Viewed by a Member OF the
Conrregatlon." Thomas II. Melvin
"Our Director Mrs Lottie Price,
eOur Organist" Miss Elizabeth {.
Moore. Docs the Choir Pay tnancl-
alivy, Charles b. Anderson; Early
Dav Music AZ EDworth," George W.
booker: "The Kindred Fellowship OF
The Choir Mrs. ]. Howard Gray
xfpworth Choir AS a Concert Or
<ranization and It's Relation TO the
Church Music OF wilmington VIII
liam p White: "Tho Rehearsal. John
nj Ferrier, and "rhe Relation OF the
Choir TO tho Pastor by the Rev. j.
Howard Gray. pastor. Mr.. Gray saiu
Epworth choir was great TOT o1her
reasons than its splendid ability. 10
sing we'll and It's most enclehl
leader. He said It was great because
OF its loyalty to the church ana 10
the pastor.
"Our Choir" was responded TO by
Professor King. He said: 'TIhe cnor
IS a wonderful organization-wonder-
mi ia more ways than one. bpWorln
choir has been featured by several
distinalish'ng characteristics. Let
me sneak briefly OF one or two OF
them: First, that of progressive
spirit. When / assumed inc leauer-
ship, at its first organization, during
the pastorate Of the Rev. DAVID H.
Corlxran, Il was far from my iondest
dreams that such an organization as
we see here tonight would be de-
Veloped from that beginning. l do not
believe that any one here who recalls
those early days OF the existence Oh
our choir, had any thought OF any
such growth as musical organlza'
ton.
And yet, let me say, that almost
at,fhe very beginning there were signs
of a progressive spidit. We commenc-
ed TO sing from the small song BOOKS,
such as were issued by Sweeney ana
Kirkpatrick, and we're indeed proud 10
learn we'll and sing creditably one OF
such selections before an audience
But our progressive spirit soon car
RED us beySnd this easy, though mol
20 be despised music, and we were
soon found to be working ON a more
aiacult grade to be found IN the an
them hooks. From that humble be
rinning we have advanced so vel, 81
that now we sing with comparative
Ease the most diflcult classical com
nositions OF the popular anther
writers OF the day.
r"Another characteristic or our choi
a its capacity for. and love OF. har
work. ] have noticed that the harde
shey work the better they like II. lie
me mention to them the giving OF
concert or a song service and immedi
ately their interest is manifested. TIT
Thought Of hard and prodigious re
hearsng does not seem to dampel
their ardor but they take hold VIII
an enthusiasm that is indeed aston
fishing.
There is one other predominatins
Characteristic of this choir and tina
Is It's loyalty to the leader. No choir
can succeed at its best that does no
WELD itself to the absolute Leadership
OF the one chosen as director. All per
sonal opinions and notions must h'
subordinated to, and held in abeyanc'
and the leader given complete con
troll. This choir has never eXhibitel
the slightest tendency to take issu
with its leader. My every request
my every suggestion seems to NEE
with instant approval and support o
the part of the choir members. 70
are a great choir You are the hes
al In he ola
Of Wilmington but the best in th
whole Wilmington Conference teri
tory.
Professor King spoke highly OF NJ
GRAY as minister and declared tn
he had never worked under a mo
congenial pastor.
Those present were: The Rev. al
Mrs. ]. Howard Gray. Professor al
Mrs. George L. King. George
Booker. Elizabeth c. Moore. b. Ora
Spry. Lulu G. Lewis. Christiana
Mcintosh, Mrs. Florence Cathcal
Mrs. ]. Fred Gerhauser, Mrs. Lulu
Holloway Martha p. Jack, Mr.. al
Mrs. W. Harper Spry, Mr.. and MI
Andrew Reeves. Irwin l.. Deighto
Eilwood NJ. Vineyard, George T. Whit
side. Elva Clark. Mrs. Pearl PlugC
Marie Clark, Alice Dougherty, Esth'
Clark. Mr.. and Mrs. John Ferrie
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred c. Price. Thomi
IT, Melvin, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Anderson, Mrs. Jane Fletcher {
Bridgeton, y. J.; Mr.. and Mrs. Howar
Crawford. Grace Mlkesell, Janeti
White, Emma Saxton Mrs H.
Gann, Mrs. NJ. J.. Perry. Mr.. and Mr.
~. Strong, Mr.. and Mrs. Willial
White, Ida r. Lynch. Mrs. Eth,
From, Mrs. Lima Jones. Alice Laroscl
Katherine Welsh, Harold /. Nerricl
Helen NJ. Booker, R. o. Ketchem. Mi
dred L. Smith. ~'''' -'i'
A rising vote was given To the I'm,
tees for their thought and annrec;
ton OF the choir. It was a great eve
ing. During the evening the chc
sang several selections from memo,
Y0RKLYN LYcEUM.
A creditable program was given
YorISIyn Lyceum on Tuesday evening.
Valentine Lincoln program was given
- I'll