1915-01-27dd

“ A social evening was held last  night by the Twentieth Century Club. The speaker was Rev. Dr. Rension, who addressed the club on ‘A Retrospect of 1914.’ ”

Hamilton Spectator.    January 27, 1915.

For ten years the Twentieth Club met in a building that the club itself owned on Locke Street South. The three storey structure, completed in 1905, had space for commercial rental on the ground floor plus space for rental accommodations and the club activities on the upper floors.

On January 26, the club hosted an event which included a short musical programme in addition to an address by the rector of the Church of the Ascension, Rev. Dr. Renison.:

“He stated that the year 1914 would go down as a very momentous one in the history of the British Empire.

“Starting with the assassination of the Crown Prince of Austria, the speaker told the history of the war up to the present day.

“In passing, he drew attention of those present to what would have happened had Britain not stepped in. Had Britain forgot her honor and remained neutral, she would have had the hatred of France, Belgium and Russia, and would have been looked upon as a traitor.

“ ‘The war might not have lasted long,’ said Dr. Renison, ‘and France and Germany would no doubt have made some treaty, and in after years would have attacked England from the French coast.

“ ‘But that was not what England went into the war to stop. Her national honor was at stake, and rather than surrender this, she took up arms against the tyrant, and had proved her mettle both on sea and on land.’ ”¹

¹ “Events of 1914: Dr. Rension on the War at Twentieth Century Club.”

Hamilton Spectator.   January 27, 1915.

Following the speech, two musical accompanists, A. C. McMillan and W. Jackson, provided support to the following musical performers: R.T. Collins, W. McIlroy and Alderman W. Dore, songs; Charles Wilson, mandolin selection; Bandsman Yardsley, cornet solo; J. Tupper, violin solo.