The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1901-11-22 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

SCAPEGOAT HILL R 'PTIST CHAPEL. OLD MALE SCHOLARS' ANNIVERSARY.  --Sunday last was sct apart at the above place .as a special day for the old male scholars. WAll• known hymns set to old favourite tunes w4re selected and put into rehearsal under the cAiductorship of Mr. James Haigh, better known ,r). "Jim Haigh, t'owd ophicleide player." Under lite direction of Mr. Haigh, who by the way is ovei 80 years of age, considerable progress was mad;i. trd the old tunes were easily rubbed into shape and invested with all their traditional charm and  hearty enthusiasm. A strong band was got together comprising amongst others, Alderman John Sugden of Huddersfield, violin ; Mr. Gledhill, Bolster Moor, bass, and Mr. Haigh, a veteran and sturdy son of the conductor, clarinet, together with-Mr. John William Whitwam on the organ. In the afternoon a large gathering filled the commodious chapel, and such well-known tunes were sung as "Jonah," "Providence," "Tower," and "St. Peter." The pastor, Rev. B. Williams, preached from James iv, part of 14th verse—" What is your life ? " Everyone should be able to anwer this solemn question, because our life was the gift of God. Because the character of our life here will decide our future destiny. Because of the influence of our lives on others. Because of life's uncertainty. Because we shall have to give an account of how we have spent it. In the evening the chapsl was packed in every part, and many were unable to find even standing room. Special hymn sheets were provided, appropriately printed in large type, so that even old men with dimmed eyes might be enabled to join once again in the rousing, roof-lifting melodies that were so familiar and popular in the days of their childhood. The first hymn, " All hail, incarnate God," was sung to " Portsmouth," from the Houldsworth tune book, and the men sang with remarkable energy. " Rise my soul," to the grand old tune " Elevation," was just sufficiently modern to allow of everybody taking part, whereas ninny of the other tunes were unknown to the youths and maidens of the present generation. Another old tune for which even the Scapegoat Hill people had been unable to find a name, the place reserved in the hymn-sheet being left blank, was then sung. The tune is as well-known as the " Old Hundredth," and from time immemorial has been associated with the words " Jesu, lover of my soul." " To what base uses may we all descend" finds no better illustration than in the common prostitution of our gems of religious song. Rusty-voiced mendicants have drawled out this tune in public streets and thoroughfares until it has grated harshly on the ear and produced a feeling of contempt in the mind. Drink-soddsu pleasure parties have been heard to drone it out in their thick, incoherent fashion, until it has become associated in our minds with the publichouse rather than a place of worship. It has also a human interest attaching to it that perhaps more than any other has helped to preserve its original beauty and tenderness. Thousands of children have been lulled to sleep by the singing of this tune, and many a death bed has been illumined as some godly man has sung its soothing stiains. Tonic-sol-fa people may recognise the tune by the opening line " Doh—re mi fa me ray doh te doll." This tune was sung to the words " Children of the Heavenly hing,'• and then followed a chorus that ;might well have had its origin on the bleak moorland regions of Scapegoat  Hill, "Take oil in your vessels." This was not sung exactly as printed. For insta n-:e a typical bit of Golcarese was introduced which sounded something like "Your lamps shine bright in the 'yells.' But that is a minor,circumstance. The singing of this chorus was a treat. To townspeople and especially to people residing away from the hillsides of the West Riding, the singing of these hymns and choruses would be little short of suicide. Another fine exhibition of sound-lunged singing was the " Drop " chorus. Messrs. Joe Pogson Nathan Haigh, and Joseph Albert Blackburn sang' the trio, and the whole of the male scholars followed with the chores. "Command Thy blessing from above " was sung to " St. Martin," and the service was concluded with a portion of an old anthem first sung at an anniversary over fifty years ago, "Angelic harps." Messrs. Joe Pogson, Nathan Haigh, J. A. Blackburn, and Benjamin Heigh sang the quartette, and the chorus was sung with rare fervour and rich, ringing tone. The preacher was Rev. B. Williams, A.T.S., pastor of the church, who delivered a thoughtful and practical sermon from the words in St. Luke, 13th chap., 24-28 verses. In introducing his subject, the preacher spoke of the ceaseless activity of Christ during his earthly ministry. He was on His way to Jerusalem when he came in contact with some people who, more than anything else, were inquisitive. They—the Jews—were also narrow-minded, and because they were God's own chosen people, made it a cloak for bigotry and enmity towards the followers of Jesus Christ. But while sonic inquisitive people were best answered by silence, Christ answered these in words of wisdons and advice. There was too much questioning in the world. We questioned faith, duty, and re. sponsibility, although at the last we should each have to answer for ourselves, not for other people. The text instructed them how to enter into the kingdom of heaven. They had to strive. All human progress was the result of conflict, struggle, effort, and this was necessary to gain the heavenly kingdom. It must also be individual effort. Association with the Sunday School in their youth, a golly home and pious parents, were priceless heritages, but they would not suffice of themselves. To such subterfuges the answer was given. "I never knew you." Some people were outside the king. dons because they sought to gain admission in their own way. It must be by the strait gate, not by climbing over a wall. The preacher proceeded to speak on the pitiable state of the suppli. cant. Men failed to make full use of their advantages and opportunities, and Christ said " Depart from Me, I never knew you." There were many encouragements to strive to enter the strait gate and thus gain the kingdom of heaven. They would see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They would meet the friends who had gone before. He spoke of the awful solemnity of those words "Thrust out." In that day, pretence and subterfuge would avail nothing. There must be a radical change of life. It was entirely a matter of volition, a personal choice, and lie concluded by an earnest exhortation to his hearers to strive to enter in at the strait gate. Following the sermon, Mr. Williams appealed for the generous assistance of the friends towards their building fund. If they could raise £2OO by Whitsuntide, they had the promise of another .£2OO from the Association. The collection realised .£l2 us. Gd.