The Life of Ida May Haigh (1907) by John Griffiths

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OF

Ida May Haigh,

The ‘‘Child Vocalist of

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Ida May Haigh.

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List: OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Ida May Haigh Ida’s Home at Taylor Row Knowl Bank Council School Mr. F. Sandford

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This little book is intended to serve a three-fold purpose. We feel that Ida May Haigh, while here amongst her friends, exercised a sweet ennobling influence over them. It is hoped, in the first place, that this record of her life may, in the same way, if not in the same degree, stimulate the young, not only to utilize to the full their talents, but also to cultivate those Christian virtues for which Ida was remarkable. Secondly, it is hoped that the publication of the book will provide the means for the erection of a memorial. Thirdly, the volume itself too—conscious though we are of imperfections—will serve as a memento of her life and work. I Our endeavour throughout has been to give plain statements of facts, and to avoid any exaggerations. Those who have not been privileged to meet Ida and hear her sing may feel that in many cases we are guilty of exaggeration. We are confident, however, that those who knew her intimately, and are therefore best qualified to judge, will agree that an honest attempt has been made to give an accurate delineation of the life and character of the young singer. It might be well also to state that no pecuniary advantage whatever accrues toanyone from the publication of

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CONTENTS, continued.

Page. 4. The Colne Valley Band of Hope 43 5. A Wellhouse Gathering

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E INTRODUCTORY:

1.—GOLCAR: TAYLOR ROW.

ITUATED three miles west of Huddersfield, > the quaint old village of Golcar occupies a commanding position on the northern slope of the Colne Valley. The village, being built mostly on the slope of a hill, presents from across the valley a picturesque appearance. The houses stand terrace above terrace, each sufficiently raised, as a rule, above the other, as to provide an uninterrupted view of the valley. Strangers observing the place from the Linth- waite side of the valley are often heard to remark on the quaint arrangement of the houses up the hill side, and, on taking a nearer view of the village and entering its streets, their wonder is apt to increase rather than diminish, as they strive to extricate themselves from amongst the web of lanes and alleys. There is little to break the monotonous grey of the place, except the newer blue-slated houses, and the few shrubberies and gardens dotted here and there.

Prominent among the terraces referred to, and easily located from across the valley by anyone versed in the topography of Golcar, is Taylor Row, a number of oldfashioned houses with their long rows of windows, a reminder of the time when the hand-loom played an

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II

important part in the life of Golcar. Here at Taylor Row dwell James and Alice Haigh, the father and mother of the subject of our story. Mrs. Haigh has lived in this house practically all her life.

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Il. IDA

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interest in Ida, and seeing with what eagerness she followed the proceedings, said to her one day, ‘‘ Ida, when are you going to recite ? ” Looking up with a smile, and with some degree of confidence, Ida

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when, at home, her little girl sang sweetly and feelingly the song commencing

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books. with her. The dolls she would arrange in a row, imagining they were the audience. She would then sing them a song, and at the close, inasmuch as the audience failed to applaud—through inability, perhaps, rather than unwillingness—would give herself a hearty clap, which signified an encore. She would then return, make one of her graceful bows, and proceed to satisfy her audience by rendering an encore piece.

This serves to illustrate her mode of amusing _ herself when alone. She was, moreover, thoroughly fond of out-door games, and though somewhat quieter in her methods of pursuing them than many girls, still she seemed to enjoy the pleasures of childhood as heartily as anyone.

In the home she was sunshine. She was dearly loved by all the members of the family, and her sweet prattle was always welcome, as she recounted the doings of the day.

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IAL SUCCESSES.

1—HER DEBUT IN SONG.

Ida’s public career of song may be said to date back to the Providence Prize Distribution of 1g00. The teachers at Providence relate, with evident pleasure and pride, how one evening Ida introduced to their notice a song that she wished to sing, how they asked her to sing it over, and how the young men,engaged in games in the neighbouring rooms, left all, and stood breathlessly listening to the enchanting melody escaping from the young singer’s lips. The song was rendered at the Prize Distribution in so touching a manner that many in the audience were moved to tears, and many were the expressions of intermingled wonder and delight at her marvellous power of song, as well as her extraordinary self-reliance. The song was

‘‘ Flowers from mother's

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ance to be confirmed and deepened. An “ At Home” was arranged to take place at Easter. Considerable preparations were made for the event, the room being beautifully decorated. It was planned that Ida should sing on one evening only—the first. So well, however, did she perform her task—or rather the part allotted to her, for to her singing was a pleasure—and confident as were the promoters that to her they owed very largely their success the first evening, that she was included in the programme on the two succeeding evenings. The

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year or two her extraordinary vocal abilities did not manifest themselves; to the teachers at school she was simply the careful, painstaking little scholar.

In 1898, the teachers at Knowl Bank School, with the object of obtaining a piano for the school, arranged

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absolute self-possession. Her song was entitled

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With a similar object in view, a concert was arranged a few weeks after by Miss Booth, in connection with the Infants’ Department at Knowl Bank. Ida again very readily assisted at this entertainment, and met with as cordiala reception as at the previous concert..

Her success at these concerts together with her singing at Providence School earlier in the year, caused her to be known and appreciated throughout Golcar as a singer of the first rank. From this time onwards, she was in considerable demand at local concerts, her services. being highly esteemed wherever she went.

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Mr. F. Sandford.

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went on resolutely with her playing, with the result that before long she had mastered the lesson.

Some months after, Ida, in company with her mother, visited

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It was astonishing what a variety of pieces she could play from memory on the piano—pieces that she had only made the acquaintance of by ear ; perhaps a brass band selection, or a vocal or instrumental piece at a concert. On her return home from any concert she had been to, she would play on the piano at home what pieces her quick ear and retentive memory could carry for her.

In September, 1901, Ida received her first singing lesson from Mr. Sandford. Needless to say he found in her a most promising pupil, and under his careful guid- ance and training, her musical abilities were developed to the best advantage. Ida was of a very sympathetic and sensitive nature. Her music teacher tells how, very often, Ida—when rehearsing a song of a pathetic turn, and entering as she did fully into the spirit of the piece— could not help the tears trickling down her cheeks.

Here we might make mention of an attempt by the little girl at musical composition. She sat down one day and wrote out a very pleasing little melody, which has been recently arranged for part singing by Mr. Sandford, and sung by the Providence Chex to a well-known common metre hymn.

The melody has in no way been altered, but is given exactly

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26 IDA.

C.M. Ipa M.

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IV. HER WORK AT PROVIDENCE.

1.—PROVIDENCE CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL.

At this stage it will be pertinent to make some reference to the Providence Methodist New Connexion Church and Sunday School. The life of the young singer was so indissolubly bound up with the interests

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of ‘* Providence,” that it would be an impossibility to give her life history apart from a record of recent events at this place of worship. Toa church situated

as ‘* Providence”’ was, Ida was a veritable ‘ Gift of

God.”

This church forms a_ splendid object lesson: in resolutely facing difficulties, and eventually overcoming them. Briefly, the facts are as follow. Almost since the establishment of the church the members have laboured under heavy financial difficulties. In 1886 the debt stood at £3700, no small amount for the band of workers at the place, however willing they might be. Slowly and surely, however, in various ways, by strenuous efforts amongst themselves, and by outside help from friends within and without the denomination, year by year this huge debt was being reduced; so much so, that by the beginning of 1903 the sum of £2500 had been wiped off, making the debt less than a third of what it was seventeen years before. The successes of the past were

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=

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made the incentives to still greater efforts in the same direction. The event which may be said to have in the end placed the Church and School in a comparatively satisfactory financial position, was the bazaar of 1903— a bazaar no less successful than its forerunners of the Golcar Church, and the Golcar Baptist Chapel. The continued efforts put forth then and since have been singularly successful, with the result that, at the beginning of 1907, notwithstanding the somewhat heavy expenditure of £500 on the new organ some years ago, all that remains of the huge deficit of 1886 is some £200. During this period of difficulty, Mr. B. Collinson, who has been actively connected with the place from the commencement, and who, perhaps more than any other, had to bear the heavy burden of management in its early stages, has been able to count on the active and willing co-operation of all in the struggle. While not slow in giving due praise to those who have borne

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inson.

Coll

B,

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31 2.-THE THREE ANNIVERSARIES. A few months after commencing her course of systematic instruction in singing under Mr. Sandford, Ida accepted an invitation to become a member of the Choir at Providence, and though at that time not ten years of age, she at once took a leading position in it. This in itself is a remarkable testimony to her extra- ordinary musical abilities. I

For the three years

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how they were thrilled by the exquisite melody that poured forth from the lips of the young singer ; tears fell fast on many a cheek. One old man, drying the tears from his eyes, said:

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Mr. W. H. Bowker wrote to her as follows :—

PROVIDENCE M.N.C. CHURCH,

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Across the silent air Was borne that simple prayer ; It touched my gloom and care With hope’s bright ray.

Give to the weary rest, Bid every sorrow cease, O’er aching heart and troubled breast, Pour out Thy perfect peace.”’ Those who were privileged to be present at those anniversaries will ever retain the sweetest recollections of the young singer and her beautiful voice, for, on those occasions, perhaps, she was heard at her best—the stone ‘was in its setting—she was among her friends, at home ; for Providence to her was a home, and she was whole- heartedly devoted to it and the work connected with it.

3.-INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH HER ADMISSION INTO CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

For some years, young as she was, Ida had been a member of the Church at Providence, and the incidents connected with her admission into church membership are not without interest. About thetime of the arrival into the district of the Rev. J. Fleming as one of the ministers of the Huddersfield Circuit, the late

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without a contribution of song from her) sang ‘‘ The Better Land.”

I hear thee speak of the Better Land, Thou

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sing. Mr. Fleming, when giving out the hymn, said

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4—THE BAZAAR OF 1908. The efforts made from time to time, at Providence, to reduce the large debt resting on the place, culminated in the October of

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stall attendants also being dressed in Japanese costumes. As the schoolroom was not very large, a spacious. marquee was erected on the green in front for teas and entertainments. One of the features of the entertain- ments was the performance of the ‘ Mimics,” eight children—among whom was Ida—dressed in Japanese costumes and trained by Mr, Fred Sandford. The singing of these girls was exceedingly good, and the various. entertainments given by them were well appreciated by the various audiences.

During a lantern entertainment Ida sang ‘‘ Daddy,’” while pictures illustrating the story were being thrown onascreen. This was a very beautiful and effective item. When however, Ida, who was at the back of the: screen, saw the poorly-clad child and her father depicted on the screen she was very much affected, and could only with difficulty suppress her emotion. She nevertheless. pluckily went forward with it, and, in spite of the tears. trickling down her cheeks, sang it in a most effective manner. Another of Ida’s songs during the Bazaar was.

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5.—MR. JEWELL’S VISIT TO PROVIDENCE. One Sunday Evening towards the close of 1903 Providence received a visit from the Rev. F. Jewell, a very popular former minister in the circuit, when there was a very large congregation present. Ida was asked to sing

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V—HER SERVICES: IN. GOLCAR AND

IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

1—AT SUNNY BANK.

A few weeks after her appearance at the Knowl Bank School concert, and before she had recetved any systematic instruction in the art of singing, Ida accepted an invitation to sing at Sunny Bank Chapel on the occasion of the annual Christmas Tea. Ida said to her mother, ‘‘ I can sing ‘ The children’s home’ and ‘ Daddy,’ then I shall not require to practise any new sony.” The evening of the concert was an exceedingly stormy one, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Ida, in the company of her mother, reached the top of the hill. When nearing the place the little girl suddenly stopped. What am I going to sing

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know it all now.” No mention was made of the songs again. The tea provided was very acceptable after the rough journey, and then Ida entered the choir room where she soon made herself at home, chatting freely with the company, as if she had known them all her life. In the absence of the Rev. J. Evans, the minister, the Rev. B. Williams, of Scape Goat Hill, presided at the entertainment. A miscellaneous programme of recitations and songs was first gone through, and then Ida was called upon to sing. In spite of her fears before entering the place, she gave a beautiful rendering of the two

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away from her own place, but Ida pleaded so earnestly to be allowed to go, that in the end her parents gave their consent. The songs rendered on this occasion by

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heart, and one person in the audience who had just returned from the funeral of a friend, said she was quite overpowered by that simple, touching song.

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from Lindley.

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she would raise her hand to her ear as though listening intently forthe answer. When singing such touching songs as these the tears might often be seen trickling down the little singer’s face.

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Congratulations, as usual were showered on her at the close, and from that evening shehad many friends among the Church people of Golcar. 7.-AT GOLCAR VICARAGE. A visit that afforded Ida very much pleasure was one she paid to the Vicarage at Golcar, in the following summer. When their daughters were home for their holidays, Mr. and Mrs. Willan invited Ida to tea one afternoon. The tea on the lawn, the games played, the piano playing and the singing—all gave Ida extreme pleasure, for she loved to often recall the events of that afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Willan also remember this visit with much pleasure. They admired the sweetness of her voice and her great musical talent, and were much pleased with her amiable, quiet, and unaffected character. Mrs. Willan told her how much pleasure it gave her to see that she was using her great talent in God’s service, as of Providence Choir, and hoped that she would have a very bright useful future, and that she would always try to love and serve God.

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The following Saturday, Ida was again on the same platform, assisting at a concert of the Ley Moor Cricket Club. It is interesting to note here, that after her engagement for this concert at Parkwood, she was very strongly pressed to break it in favour of another else- where for the same evening. Several times the request was made, but not even the promise of increased remuneration succeeded in tempting Ida and her parents to break their word. In addition to Ida, several Golcar singers assisted at this concert. Ida rendered the song : ‘¢ Sing, Sweet Bird.” The words of this song seem to reflect (if somewhat feebly) Ida’s whole life and character, so well, that we give the words :—

Sing, sweet bird, and chase my sorrow, Let us listen to thy strain ; From thy warblings I can borrow That which bids me hope again. Hover still around my dwelling, There is pleasure where thou art ; While thy tale of love thou’rt telling, Say—who can be sad at heart ?

Morn and noon, and dewy even, Anxiously for thee I wait ; Come, thou chorister of heaven, Cheer a soul disconsolate. So shall time fond thoughts awaken, Joy once more shall live and reign, And the harp so long forsaken Yield its dulcet notes again. Sing, sweet bird! Sing, sweet bird !

To cheer the sad at heart, to bring joy to the disconsolate, to cause the harps that so long had been hanging on the willows, to be taken down again—appeared to be Ida’s mission in the world. All that the sweet bird in the

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poem is asked to do, we believe that the sweet bird of our story accomplished. At home, in her play, at the school, and on the platform, her whole life was

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Ida when 11 years of age.

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Then again, on the occasions when impromptu concerts were given at the breaking-up for the holidays, or at the prize distributions, Ida’s contributions (though the school was by no means lacking in musical talent) were eagerly looked forward to and warmly applauded. Not only did she stand alone in vocal music, but latterly she had attained such a proficiency on the piano, that there was no more reliable player in the school than she. She could, if no accompanist were available, sit down and accompany her own song with perfect ease. Visitors to the school often had the privilege of hearing her sing, and, on these occasions, seldom did she go away unrewarded.

She endeared herself to teachers and scholars as much, perhaps, by her sweet and agreeable disposition as by her singing. When asked to sing (or indeed to perform any task) she always acquiesced with a smile, and when greeted with the plaudits of her fellow scholars received them calmly, without that show of superiority that talent often begets. In spite of being the idol of the school (though the teachers were mindful to conceal much of their admiration for her) she never exhibited the least sign of pride; in fact, it would be difficult to imagine anyone more free from conceit. Her general attainments too were of a high order. Her work in general gave the teachers every satisfaction, and, we believe, as a result, that her school life was a very happy one.

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VI—SERVICES FURTHER

During the year 1901, when Ida was only nine years of age, her fame continued to spread beyond the confines of her native village. Letters were continually being received from various persons anxious to

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appreciate the remarkable abilities of the young singer. One of her songs that evening was

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ten minutes to the time for commencing. But at the appointed time the doors were opened, and children, to the number of about two hundred, of all sorts and con- dition—some indeed very poorly clad—trooped in. The service was proceeded with at once. Heartily indeed did that young congregation enter into the singing of the opening hymn, “ Hold the Fort.” Many, however, whether from design or ignorance, made an important alteration in Sankey’s rendering of the second line of the chorus, for they sang of the Deliverer of the fort as coming In his donkey cart. A remonstrance from the chairman was at once forth- coming, and this revised version of Sankey’s well-known hymn had to be discarded. Then followed a prayer by the chairman, an address by a young man, the reading of scripture, and a recitation ; after which the singer of the evening was called upon. The children were naturally

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unconsciousness of her own merits, too, struck him very forcibly, and naturally increased his admiration for her.

Ida made many friends at Crosland Moor, as indeed she did wherever she went.

4.—AT MOSSLEY.

To very many of the inhabitants of Mossley Ida’s name will be very familiar. Several times has she visited the town on her errand of song. In the early part of 1902, Mr. John Wood, of Slaithwaite, who was at that time a missioner at Mossley, called at Ida’s home to invite her to sing at the Gospel Temperance Hall, Mossley. Her parents felt rather disinclined to allow her to go so far from home, and declined the invitation. A second call was made, with the result that in the end it was arranged for Ida to sing on Sunday afternoon and evening, February 23rd.

The hall was well filled at the afternoon service,and so favourable an impression was made by the little singer, that in the evening the place was crowded to overflowing. It was therefore deemed necessary to gather the children into another room, and, to prevent disappointment, to ask Ida to sing one song specially for them. This was accordingly done, the children were given the treat of hearing Ida sing, while a greater degree of comfort was. ensured to the audience in the Hall. On this her first visit to Mossley, she was accorded a hearty reception,. and met with complete success. The repeated visits she. has paid since to Mossley give ample proof (if it were needed) in what high esteem she was held by the Mossley

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Schools. The place was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and stalls of various kinds were arranged in different parts of the room. Besides the little Golcar singer, there were several artistes of considerable repute engaged for the evening. The platform was so richly decorated with tall ferns and palms, that when Ida stepped forward, barely her head was visible from many parts of the room. Some who were not fortunate in having a view of the singer, were heard to ask, does the sound come

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months, living most of her time in the open air. She was obliged to forego very largely the pleasure of singing, which to her no doubt was as much a source of trouble as her illness. A few months, however, of this ‘ open-air’ treatment sufficed to improve her materially, though for some time her pale looks reminded one of her recent indisposition. From this time onwards, she appeared to be in fairly good health, excepting that from time to time she was subject to severe headaches. These occasional rounds of headache made the parents somewhat anxious concerning her health, the anxiety being perhaps due to a fear that these early efforts might be prejudicial to her future well-being, rather than to any dread of impending calamity.

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When not troubled with her occasional headaches, Ida was at this time very cheerful and apparently in good health, and, during July and August, many short excursions (often at Ida’s own request) were made to various places round about. As time went on, however, Ida’s health varied a good deal, and Mrs. Haigh eventually consulted Dr. Webster, who urged her not to let Ida undertake any more engagements for a while. The mother was proceeding to carry out the doctor’s advice, and was in the act of writing to Longwood and Fartown cancelling the engagements made, when some friends from Failsworth, near Manchester, to whom a promise had been made some six months previously, called to engage Ida for their harvest thanksgiving services, on the 18th September. The parents made known to them the doctor’s advice, and their anxiety with regard to the health of their child. The visitors, however, strongly begged for Ida to be allowed to come and stay a few days with them, urging that the change might benefit her. Ida herself, too, pleaded earnestly to go.

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Huddersfield. Thursday, the 15th of September, 1904, was a beautiful day, and at noon, at Ida’s request, it was decided to spend the afternoon in Huddersfield. Ida, in company with her mother, her aunt and her little cousin, walked to Milnsbridge, and from there took the car for Huddersfield. Ida had been to Greenhead Park a few weeks before, and had so enjoyed herself on that occasion that she was now looking forward to a repetition of that enjoyment. As they were going in the direction of the Park, Ida, who was hoping on leaving Knowl Bank School to continue her education at the Higher Grade School, and just then meeting a large number of the scholars on their way home, had a strong desire to see inside the place. The company therefore visited the school, and thus satisfied Ida’s curiosity. The Roman Catholic Chapel hard by was another object that greatly interested Ida. The door being open, they entered, and Ida, who had never been inside a Catholic Chapel before, found much to interest her in the Holy Water and the various images. While they stood inside, a couple entered, dipped their fingers into the water, made the sign of the cross, and proceeded to kneel with bowed heads. This procedure appeared strange to Ida, who, having observed matters very closely for a while, turned to her mother with a thoughtful expression on her face, and said,

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perhaps a child lying dead at

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days?” Poor child! these little excursions she had learned to value highly, for it did not fall to her lot as it did to those in better circumstances, to often spend lengthened periods of holiday at the seaside, or in the country. This visit to Manchester appealed to her more strongly than weeks at a watering place would to many.

3.—‘THE GIRL On the following morning (Friday) Ida received a reminder of her Fartown engagement in the shape of a concert programme. Mrs. Haigh glanced through the programme, and found her daughter’s name given as The Girl Patti.’’ Tears immediately came to her eyes, as she read the announcement, for she well knew that a flattering notice would scarcely appeal to Ida. When Ida read the line that was intended to do her honour, she did not, as children naturally do, burst forth in an exuberance of joy over the announcement, but accepted it with a quiet smile. It was remarkable how calmly she could take the plaudits and honours showered upon her by an admiring public. Through all, she remained the same quiet unpretentious girl, without a show of that affectation that so often mars the character of young persons of talent. 4.—IDA’S DREAM. The same morning on which notification of the Fartown Wesleyan Concert was received, Ida related to her mother a dream that she had had during the night.

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not like at all, for I was in a place all cold and icy. Wherever I looked I saw nothing but ice, and I was glad to get out of it. The second scene was beautiful—magnificent. I never saw anything like it before. I was taken into the most beautiful place that I ever was in. I was dressed all in white, and there was a table spread with all kinds of eatables before me, and I was told that I might help myself to anything on the table.”

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Manchester and*Oldham. Tea was in readiness on their arrival, and, after partaking of it, Ida was free to spend the evening in any way she wished. A tram ride into the country, and a visit to see the decorations at the Mission Room, where she was to sing on the morrow on the occasion of the Harvest Thanksgiving services, made the time pass very agreeably. An old lady, over eighty years of age, who resided in the house at which Ida was staying, was exceedingly interested in Ida, and was loud in her praise as to her appearance and general demeanour.

On the Sunday morning Ida was as bright and

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On the Monday, Ida spent the morning in a trip to Manchester, where, in company with her aunt, she enjoyed herself well, not forgetting, however, in the midst of her pleasure, to buy small presents for her brothers

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VITII—THE END.

1—HER ILLNESS AND DEATH.

On Tuesday Ida appeared to bein her usual health and spirits, and attended school morning and afternoon. In the evening she spent an hour at her aunt’s home, where she played on the piano for some time, and retired to rest at her usual hour. She again attended school on Wednesday without giving anyone a shadow of anxiety until after the morning recreation time, when she com- plained to the teachers of not feeling well. She was at once allowed to go outside, in the hope that the fresh air might restore her. However, there was no improvement when the dinner hour arrived. On reaching home, in reply to her mother’s anxious enquiry, she said that during the morning in school, she had felt a pain at the back of her neck and in her head, and that she still felt it. Her mother, believing that her indisposition was a

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lovingly complied with. She then again fell asleep. In this comatose condition she remained throughout the night and the following day, and neither the frequent visits of the doctor, nor the attention paid her by loving hands, proved of any use, for she had now fallen asleep, never more to awake in this world. By five o’clock on Thursday afternoon, the 22nd of September, 1904, the soul of the sweet singer had taken its flight into

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was the poorer by her removal, for in life she was held in high esteem, all having learnt to value her highly, and now in death her loss was most keenly felt.

The shock to the people at Failsworth, whom she had thrilled by her singing only the Sunday previous, was great. The old lady, at whose house Ida had stayed, was especially moved by the news, and for some time could do little but go from one place to another discuss- ing the sad news. Only a very short time after this the old lady was seized with paralysis. Almost her first words on regaining her speech were, ‘“‘I am guing to. where Ida has gone.” She rallied for a few days only, and then died.

Some time after the loss of her little girl, Mrs. Haigh, almost distracted as she was by the blow, one night: dreamed that in front of her was a pile of Ida’s

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Bank School, besides a large number of friends from the neighbourhood, and from places at which Ida had sung. Many beautiful wreaths, as tokens of the high regard in which Ida was held and the deep sense of loss sustained, were received by the sorrowing family from the Provi- dence Church Choir, from the Knowl Bank Day School teachers and scholars, from Ida’s Sunday School teachers and scholars and from many sympathising friends in the district.

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rites were here performed, and the remains committed to their last resting place. Immediately after the short Burial Service at the graveside had been concluded, a heavy shower of rain fell, and the mournful gathering dispersed. A large number of letters were received from far and near by the sorrowing parents, expressing sympathy with them in their great bereavement.

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APPRECIATION, By Mr. W. H. Bowker, one of the Sunday School Superintendents.

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Mr. W. H.

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not alone in thinking that we had in our Sunday Schoola voice that in the future would make for itself a name. The songs she sang on that memorable festival were, ‘Flowers from Mother’s Grave’ and ‘ Somebody.’ Since then she has gone on improving in sweetness, power and ability. When she has sung such beautiful songs as ‘The Better Land,’ ‘The Holy City,’ ‘The Children’s Home,’ aud ‘Ora Pro Nobis,’ have not we all felt that God was speaking through her voice and using her as a willing instrument for good? Have we not seen the hard hearts softened and the dry eyes become tearful, and a new resolve spring up in our hearts to be better, and to do better, through the influence of her songs? There are two methods of song service: one comes from the lips, the other from the heart. Ida sang with her whole soul.

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‘Her work in our Church cannot be estimated. What concert, Christmas or Easter effort was complete without Ida? And how often has she lifted up her voice in praise to God from the seat at my right? One fears to think of our next Sunday School Anniversary, when her sweet rendering of the special solo will be as sorely missed as now. About eighteen months ago, at the request of our Superintendent Minister, she sang that beautiful hymn, ‘My Jesus, I love Thee.’ After the service, during the quiet solemn hour of prayer, Ida came forth and dedicated her life and voice to her Maker. Since then her wonderful gift has been for higher service, and God’s blessing has followed her singing on every occasion. And now she has realized to the full the last verse of that inspired hymn:

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Short time may pass before we too Shall cross the river wide, And grasp their loving hands again Upon the other side.

And when we meet on Eden’s shore,

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Mr. J. GrirFitHs, Headmaster, Knowl Bank School, Golcar.

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ones.

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obedience to her teachers—all gone—all, save the fragrant memory of a beautiful life. Words cannot adequately express the loss we feel to have sustained. We cannot but believe, however, that a life so sweet, so gentle, so unassuming, will have influenced for good the lives of those with whom she came in contact; and notwith- standing that her life measured but a brief twelve years, we have the consolation to feel that it was a life brimful of usefulness, and one that will serve as a bright example to follow.”

In reading the two appreciations, Mr. Bowker was obviously greatly affected, and there was scarcely a dry face in the Chapel. Mr. Settle made a few supple- mentary remarks, and then the solemnity of the occasion was intensified when Miss C. Kenworthy sang the solo,

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IX.—RETROSPECT.

We have endeavoured here to give, as simply as possible, the simple story of this marvellous little girl, from the cradle to the grave. Much, no doubt, that is related in these pages will be considered commonplace, but when we reflect on how much of the commonplace enters into the lives of all of us, it could scarcely be otherwise, especially when we consider her short life- span of twelve years. We feel, however, that the halo of virtue and talent illumining the quiet routine of her life tends to give the story considerable relief.

When we look backwards on the brief but brilliant life of the little singer, and the abrupt termination of her earthly career, strange and mixed feelings possess us. Could it be that, if the energies of the young life had been directed into another channel than that of song, or that the musical tendencies of her mind and heart had been checked or suppressed, her life might have been lengthened thereby ? As well try and stop the bubbling spring as it issues forth from the ground, as to have attempted to check the natural tendency she possessed for music. With Ida, singing was part of her very nature.

Some there are who, we doubt not, charitably enough, suggest that Ida gave too freely of her services, that the continual excitement connected with her engage-

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ments was too much for her to bear. What might have happened if a different course were adopted it is impossible to tell. It is more than likely that those who, in this way, mildly criticise the course taken, might, if placed in similar circumstances, have acted in precisely the same way as did Ida’s parents. Then, again, the extent to which the excitement of appearing on a public platform acted prejudicially on her is a question not easily deter- mined. To those of us who were in close association with Ida, the fact that she was singing in public appeared to no more excite her than would a game with her play- mates. So absolutely composed was she before the largest audience, and so self-possessed under almost every circumstance, that it is difficult to believe that her engagements, which to her were a source of unbounded pleasure, were in themselves productive of harm to her health. Be that as it may, it must always remain an enigma why, since this world has so much need of those who, like Ida, can do something to raise it and make it the better for their having lived in it, such pure beings should be cut off when, in man’s estimation, only a small fraction has been accomplished of the good that might have been by their instrumentality.

May we, then, in conclusion, express the hope that these pages, recounting the life history of this little girl, will be found to contain something that may act as an inspiration to live such lives that will have an ennobling influence in the world. While few may hope to achieve the distinction that Ida did in the realm of song, it is within the reach of all to profitably copy her other

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admirable qualities—consideration for others, subjugation of pride and arrogance, attachment to her Church, and devotion to the service of Christ—so that her life will not have been lived in vain, and that she, “being dead, yet speaketh.”

THE END.

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THE. MOTHER’S ELEGY.

She is gone! She is gone! Our hope and our joy, The treasure we pictured in store ; Her sweet smiling face is gone from our view, To see it on earth never more.

2. She is gone! She is gone! Her beautiful form Has left us with tearful eyes ; But if we all look to the Saviour she loved, We shall meet her beyond the skies.

She is gone! She is gone! When trouble was near, We told her our griefs one by one ; She gave consolation to each aching mind, And we are distracted she’s gone.

4, She is gone ! She is gone! Her memory will live Long years in many a poor heart That was cheered by means of her song—now the Lord Rewards her for doing her part.

5. She is gone! She is gone! We know she is safe In the arms of Jesus, her Friend ; His promise is: All who serve Him below, Shall praise Him above without end.

She is gone! She is gone! The deep sorrow we feel With words can not be expressed : The loss of a child so full of bright hopes, So young and so tenderly blest.

7. She is gone! She is gone to that


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