The distinction of being the oldest choir member in the Free Churches is given Mr. William Sargent, who has been a member of the Rushden Old Baptist choir for 52 years. The veteran choir member is now 73 years of age, and still takes an active part. It will be remembered that the choir of which "Father" Sargent is a member carried away the second prize at the recent Nonconformist Choir Festival at the Crystal Palace. An appreciative article on the choir appears in this month's "Nonconformist Musical Journal," together with excellent portraits of the conductor (Mr. Joseph Farey) and Mr. Sargent. The writer says:— "It is a misnomer to style the Baptist Chapel "old" for never was there such a vigorous old age. For eighteen months the church has been without a minister, and yet it is necessary to place chairs in the aisles on most Sunday evenings, and sometimes in the morning also — an experience which many carefully-nursed churches might envy. The congregation consists largely of young people, and there is no "old-fogeyism" among the deacons, who, in the nature of things, have attained to a responsible age, their mature judgment acting as a counterbalance to any excess of youthful enthusiasm. What can be said of the choir which can hear without stir an announcement of "a rehearsal at seven o'clock to-morrow morning" and which contains a member over seventy years of age, who has regularly attended for 52 years, and still actively participates in the work of the choir! All honour to them. As an example of the hard-working spirit of the choir members we may mention that last year seventy rehearsals were arranged. The records of the choir go back for over a hundred years. Mr. Farey has been choirmaster for over 21 years, having been a member of the choir since the days when he was an alto boy. Three times has he led his forces to victory in competitions. The first occasion being at Wellingborough in 1894; again at the Nonconformist Choir Union Festival at the Crystal Palace (class b) in 1896; and in October last at Northampton at the contest of Northamptonshire choirs."