BERKELEY. After many years patient and hopeful waiting, the people of Purton have at last to thank God that they have a Church in their midst, in which they can worship God in all the beauty of holiness. The Church inside and out is extremely plain and simple, and yet there is a beauty in its plainness, and a quiet reverence in its simplicity, which speak of a present God who is to be worshipped there. Thursday, 5th of November, was a pleasant autumn day, and it was quite bright and sunny as a few of the faithful gathered for the first time round the Altar of St. John's Church, at 8 a.m., and so dedicated the New House of Prayer to Almighty God. The offertory at this service was £1. 11s. 6d. At 11 am., a large congregation assembled, and the Church was well filled: a procession, consisting of a portion of the Berkeley Church Choir, and a large body of the neighbouring Clergy, with the Bishop and our Ven. Archdeacon, Sir G. Prevost, walked from Mr. Hall's at the Post Office to the Church, singing "Onward Christian Soldiers." Mr. Gillman, of Lydney, kindly played the Harmonium at the Service which followed, and the Bishop preached a sermon, which was listened to with deep attention throughout; the subject was a most interesting one, viz., the Condition of Departed Souls. Lord and Lady Fitzhardinge, Mrs. Ellicott, Lady E. Kingscote, and many others from a distance were present at this service, which was followed by a second celebration. Offertory £18. 8s. 11d, At 4.30 p.m. there was a good congregation of children, who came for a service especially intended for them. It began with a Hymn, then a short sermon followed by another Hymn, the Litany of the Holy Childhood, and the Benediction. Evensong at 7 p.m. was crowded-many were obliged to go away; others had temporary seats in the aisle, and the porch was thronged with people standing to the end of the service. There were nearly 200 inside the building. Mr. Gillman again kindly played the Harmonium, and the singing was most earnest and hearty, especially in the 100th Psalm, in which everyone present seemed to join. Offertory £3. 2s. 2d. The following is an account of the Church Furniture:-given by Lady Fitzhardinge, Alms' Dish, Large Cruet, Pulpit Fall, Alms Bags, Markers; by Miss Sumner, 3 pede mats; by Mrs. Turton, Altar cloth; by a friend of Mrs. Turton, the Altar linen; by Miss Jones, Miss P. Hadley, the Misses Hickes, and Miss Stackhouse, the Communicants' Kneeler; by Ladies of the Congregation, Bible, Prayer Book, and Altar Service Book. Bought with money from the offertory: Altar plate, furniture, &c., £9. 12s. 10d.; Prayer Desk, 18s. 6d.; Corona, £3. 108. The Archbishop of York in an address recently delivered at Sheffield, said he was told "there were not less than 1400 beer houses in Sheffield. What was wanted was more places of the British Workman public house class, and the Legislature certainly ought to encourage these establishments. People agitated about the suffrage, and still sat down contented under a chain like the drink taxation and wants. We had better throw the £120,000,000 yearly into the channel, and be less idiotic than at present." Penny Bank-Paid in £3. 3s. 04d. Paid out £1. 13s. 6d. The following is the account of Rev. T. Waters, Vicar of Thornbury, with regard to the money subscribed for Wm. Morgan, who lost both his legs in an accident on the new railway, and shortly afterwards died :£ 8. d. Paid to Mrs. Morgan (widow) Premium for endowments for Florence Amelia Invested in Thornbury Savings Bank 1 7 8 8 10 4 11 0 0 £20 18 0 The Benefits assured for the child are 1.-Six pounds, payable at 14 years of age. 2.-Eight pounds, payable at 21 years of age. The £11 in the Savings Bank to be applied for the benefit of widow and child, as occasion may require. The first of a series of "Lantern Readings" took place on the 16th ult. The room was crowded, and everyone present was delighted with the views of Switzerland which were exhibited. The lantern was kindly lent by Mr. George Underwood, and the slides were hired from London. Mr. Bailey kindly lent a large musical box, which greatly added to the success of the evening. The profits are given to the British Workman Club. The Church of England Temperance Society is making rapid progress; at present there are 26 members, viz. 15 total abstainers, and 11 belonging to the open section. The Juvenile section, or Guild of the Crusaders, numbers 34. During the Advent Season there will be daily prayer at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the usual short service on Wednesday and Friday, at 11 a.m. There will also be special evening services on Wednesday and Friday nights at 8 p.m., with sermons, the subjects of which will be duly announced. GUILDS. At the Exeter Diocesan Conference, Mr. Shelly, a layman, speaking of the provision made for the religious welfare of those who have left school, by guilds, classes, and other agencies, said "This movement is not a new one, and that evening 200 guilds would be represented at a service in London. One of such guilds numbered 10,000 members. It was not a new movement, or one of small importance, and it had the great advantage of bringing together young people of all ranks in life." He afterwards cited an instance where a Magistrate and a Pauper sat side by side, brethren of the same guild. Open iron gates, of the same pattern as those at the West door of our Parish Church, have been placed at the North door. They are the gift of Lady Fitzhardinge, and are not only a vast improvement to the appearance of the Church, but also most useful for the purpose of ventilation. CHURCH REGISTER. BAPTISMS. Oct. 25-Emily, daughter of Susannah and Thomas Friar, Hinton. ,,-Frederick Valentine, son of Edwin and Amelia Skidmore, Hinton. Oct. 25-William, son of William and Maria Becket, BerkeleyReceived into the Church. ,,-Joseph, son of Ruth Ford, Berkeley. Nov. 1-Beatrice Katherine, daughter of James and Selina Taylor, Berkeley. -Willie Knight, son of Francis and Susannah Withy, Bath. -Alice Sophia, daughter of George and Hester Jane Howell, Mobley. 8-Annie Eliza, daughter of Henry and Mary Ann Browning, Purton. -Albert Henry, son of Henry and Elizabeth Woodward, Purton. 13-Sydney, son of Sydney and Elizabeth Wood, Berkeley. Oct. 29-Frank Sheard Michael Underwood to Jane Margaret Owen. Nov. 11-Frederick James Stokes to Hannah King. BURIALS. George Cole, aged 17 years. -00 COALEY. The members of the Clothing Club will receive orders for their goods on Wednesday, December 2nd. They will, as last year, have the choice of Mr. Owen's or Mr. Kemp's shop, who gave general satisfaction to the members last year. The balance sheet of last year is as follows: - 2 6 3 13 6 £20 4 6 PAYMENTS. The Patagonian Brothers. HOUGH not related, John Griffiths and I, William Walder, called ourselves brothers; because it looked well in the bills, and pleased the public. We met by chance on the racecourse at Doncaster, and went partners in a tour through the Midland counties. After the tour we got an engagemen in London for the winter. When summer came we joined a travelling-circus company, with whom we stayed more than two years; and during that time we made ourselves so well acquainted with each other's strength and powers that there was scarcely a new feat in our line which we did not learn. We were well matched in height; and if Griffiths were the more muscular, I was more active. In other respects, too, we agreed equally well; and for three years and a half we had never quarrelled. He was a steady, saving, silent fellow, with small grey eyes and heavy black brows; and I remember it struck me once or twice that he was not the sort of person I should like for an enemy. We We had now grown so expert that we resolved to return to London, where we were engaged by Mr. Bounce of the Bravado Gardens. were successful, and soon drew enormously. Griffiths and I lodged together in a quiet street near Islington, at the house of a respectable woman named Morrison. She had been just left a widow with only one daughter, about nineteen years of age. The girl's name was Alice-her mother called her 'Ally,' and we fell into the same habit; for they were simple, friendly people. It was not long before I found myself caring a good deal for Ally, nor a great deal longer before I fancied that she did not altogether dislike me; and so we soon found ourselves engaged to be married. I scarcely knew when it was I first noticed the change in John Griffiths, but it was about this time, and others saw it as well as myself. He became more silent and unsociable than ever, was always away from the house, spent all his Sundays out, and even put an end to our old friendly custom of walking home together after our night's work. He scarcely exchanged a word with me, even at meals; watched me about the house, as if I had been a thief; and sometimes I caught him looking at me from under those black brows of his as if he hated More than once I tried to get some explanation, but he either shook me off or muttered some sulky expression; so I let him have his own way and choose his own company. me. Our engagement at the Bravado was well-nigh ended, when I began to buy furniture and Ally to prepare the wedding things. Though Griffiths continued in the sulks, when the day was fixed I made up my mind to invite him to the church and the dinner. It was the 29th July, I remember, and there had been a genera! call to rehearsal that day. I started early, and as I was twenty minutes too soon I sauntered through the gardens. In a summerhouse I stumbled on John Griffiths, resting his head on his hands over one of the tables, fast asleep, an ale-bottle beside him, and his stick on the floor. I went up and touched him smartly on the shoulder. 'A fine morning, John! I thought I was here early, but it seems you were before me after all.' He sprang to his feet, and then turned impatiently away, saying, sullenly, What did you wake me for?' |