Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevbe kept out of mischief. Had his habits been as orderly as his genius was evident, he would never have descended to the depths he did. Sturdily built, without an ounce of superfluous flesh, he could hold his own in any company he frequented.
Leaving home, he went to sea. but this apparently disagreed with him, for he returrned only to enlist as a soldier. Purchased out after a few years experience. he gravitated back to Rotherham again to follow his wild career. Good looking, with swarthy countenance and jet-black curly hair, he became known as 'Nigger' Bell
An excellent boxer - probably the best we had - and possessing a magnificent bass or deep baritone voice, he would black his face and visit the pubs, where he was a great favourite, and sing to the customers, after wards sending round his hat. One thing Fred Bell prided himself upon, he never engaged in fighting for money.
Bell professed to be converted during the revival meetings of the Hallelujah Band. Afterwards he became the pastor of one of the largest churches in Brooklyn, U.S.A., and was known as the singing preacher. After spending some years at this church, he left America to become pastor of a church in Nottingham, where immense audiences flocked to the Albert Hall to hear him. During a visit to this town I attended one of these services and found the hall packed in every part; a select choir occupied seats behind the pulpit, entertain ing us until the preacher entered the pulpit.
Directly he appeaved the hum of conversation and the rustling of hymn papers ceased. A silence that could be felt pervaded the large hall. A bell was struck, and then, in a voice of trumpet-like clearness and tone, united with, at proper intervals, subdued and pathetic modulation, the preacher sang as a solo Sankey’s well-known hymn, 'Nothing but leaves'. Afterwards, with irresistible oratory, he preached a sermon of half-an-hour’s duration.
Of a certain distinguished Nonconformist minister it was said that for 'facial saintliness' he had no equal.
Fred Bell may have had thorough thought and seriousness, but he certainly did not show it in his face. Whilst he had an arresting and persuasive style, a readiness of speech,rare flow of words, and an inordinately long tongue, which made him many friends, he gave one the impression of not being as clever as he really seemed. The man who seems to be cleverer than he really is, is like a straw on the surface of the water. Solids lie at the bottom of the stream.
A popular minister, Bell was honoured by his people, and enjoyed frequent hospitality at their hands, Unfortunately, his views on the sanctity of the home were not as clear as desirable. A serious scandal in which his character was impugned took place, and after ward, life set in with him rather roughly.
Many years ago I came across him whilst travelling in a train to Bridlington. During our conversation I complimented him on the wealth of hair he still possessed, to which he replied, Aye lad! There’s many a well thatched barn wi nowt in it ! With his ability indoors as a speaker and preacher, or in the open where he excelled in jumping, running, swimming and boxing - in fact, any thing of an Olympian character found in him an ardent disciple and clever exponent - he would, if his passions had been under proper control, have reached great heights and remained a popular and respected member of society.
THE HALLELUJAH LASSES
A great religions revival in which the Hallelujah lasses took a prominent part, swept all over the coun try in the sixties. Services similar in character to those of the Salvation Army were held everywhere. Rotherham was no exception to the rule, On the walls placards announced that convicted felons, prize-fighters. wife-beaters, poachers and others would give their experiences and tell the people how they were saved.I remember one of the particular stars was Harvey Teasdale, the converted clown and Man Monkey who had repeatedly performed in panto etc., in Sheffield. » next
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