The Blackpool Herald. — 1893-12-08 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

THE CHOIR MASTER.  On Tuesday evening, about 200 of the members of the United Methodist Free Church, attended the annual tea party in the Coronation-street Schoolroom. The trays were admirably presided over by Mesdames Doidge, Mason, Ingham, S. Butterworth, Sharratt, Clarke, Worth, Dobson, Misses Gill, Balmer, Wilkinson, and Hull. The subsequent meeting was held in the chapel. The pastor (Rev. J. S. Balmer) presided, and the proceedings opened with an organ recital by Mr. J. S. Warburton. The CHAIRMAN remarked that at the last return in March they reported an increase in their numbers. This increase had shown itself every year, with only one exoeption, during the past 14 years. That was something to be thankful for, especially considering the changeableness of the population. They appeared to be in a state of transition during the summer, and the winter should therefore be a time of consolidation in building up the church. Their financial position was also very good. True, they had a debt of about £2OO, but the ladies of the sewing meeting were workingbravely and well to meet the necessities of the case, either by holding a sale of work or bazaar, and he thought the debt would soon melt away. It was their intention, on account of the growing demand for seats in the summer time, to put in side galleries, and provide accommodation for 200 or 300 more people. When that was done the chapel would have to be beautified. With regard to the spiritual life of the church, he hardly knew what to say, but if the attendance and the great amount of earnest work that went on was anything to judge by, they had fair evidence of good work. He would hardly be dealing honestly with the subject if he did not refer to the fact that during the past year there had been some difficulties in their church management, but it was only in the stormy weather that they could learn to sail well, and it was not for the captain to desert his ship in time of peril. One great difficulty in connection with Free Churches was that all the sailors wanted to be captains. (Laughter.) He had no wish to keep the people down, but so long as he remained captain he intended to steer the ship. (Loud applause.) He was glad to say that in relation to other churches they occupied a very friendly position, and he hoped the same feeling would be maintained. (Hear, hear.) They should all work together in all matters affecting the morality of the young. Referring to the proposed new music hall in Church-street, he said he had heard it was not intended to apply for a liquor license, but that, he thought, was only to put the teetotallers off their guard, and he urged them to be wide awake in the matter. Among many changes that had taken place in the town they had lost two very old friends, Mr. Wayman and Mr. Pilling, d he hoped God would prosper them wherever they went. He regretted the unavoidable absence of the Revs. G. Harbottle, J. G. Williams, J. Newsholme, sad A. E. Beilby, and in conclusion, spoke most sympathetically of the illness of the Vicar of St. John's and his daughter, and prayed that they would be restored to their church and people. (Applause.) The Bev. W. EVANS expressed pleasure at meeting Mr. Balmer and his people, and although some time ago it was thought that they were going to lose him, he hoped Mr. Balmer was fixed and settled for life. (Loud applause.) During the evening, Mr. Balmer, on behalf of the choir, presented the leader, Mr. W. Lister, with a writing desk, bearing the following inscription:—" Presented to Mr. Wm. Lister, by the choir of the United Methodist Free Church, Blackpool, in recognition of his valuable services as leader of the choir for the past 20 years. December sth, 1893. Mr. Lister suitably responded. Several pieces were given by the choir and also by Miss E. Wilkinson, Mr. Herbert Taylor, Mx. Thrustle, and Mr. J. Lister, and at the close the chairman was desired to forward on behalf of the meeting a sincere vote of sympathy to the Rev. N. S. Jeffrey and family.  A naval court-martial at Brest is engaged in trying a case of piracy and murder which would supply a '‘ plot" more extraordinary than Michael Scott or Clark Russell have given us in their romances. Three sailors murdered their captain, the supercargo, and six seamen, " impressed " natives in their place, and then sailed the vessel among the Pacific islands and traded with 'much success" until one of the miscreants disclosed the story to the authorities.  captain,