through their Christian course. The Rector dwelt on the necessity of methodical devotion by prayer and meditation, to reach the higher life; and to aid this object presented each candidate with a copy of Heygate's Manual of religious instruction and devotion, to be kept as a companion for constant use, always at hand after the manner of manuals in old days. The clergy desire to thank the employers for the kind way in which they made arrangements for several of the candidates to be absent from their work on this day. Notwithstanding the discouraging weather, the congregations on Good Friday gave evidence of growth of earnestness: and Easter Day saw the church bright in its resurrection dress of spring flowers, fairly filled with hearty worshippers. The number of communicants was somewhat less than last year. With this, death and sickness has had something to do but the number who made their first communion gave cause for disappointment; and for those solemn thoughts, which now so haunt the faithful as to the causes, where all seems so favourable, which influence the young in this matte. in many cases, it would almost appear against their better will. The increase in the number of communicants is the real evidence of growth in the church's work and of the individual spiritual life; and now that early celebrations of the holy communion are providedthe nearest following perhaps which exists of the primitive worship of the church-how much that impeded in days past has been removed, how much, unknown to those days, invites. At the Easter Monday Vestry meeting, Mr. W. H. Marling was nominated by the Rector, as Rector's Warden, and Colonel Collier was unanimously elected Parish Churchwarden. A resolution was passed respecting the collections to be made in church from the whole congregation, morning and evening, on every first Sunday of the month; with arrangements, not yet settled, respecting the division of the same, between the churchwardens for their church expenses, and the clergy for the alms. This arose from a representation on the part of the churchwardens of a threatened deficiency in the sum required to cover the expenses of the church, and its present services. CHURCH REGISTER. BAPTISMS. April 13-Emily Eliza, daughter of Edwin and Eliza Clark, Brick Yard. -Edward William, son of William and Eliza Young, ,,-Albert Edward, son of Mark and Peninah Coates, Brick Yard. -Samuel Henry, son of Thomas and Mary Ann Daniels, BURIALS. April 10-Florence Lily Latham, Shute Lane, aged 6 months. ,,-Fanny Sealey, Penn Lane, aged 15 years. ,,-19-Élizabeth Marment, Selsley, aged 65 years. STINCHCOMBE. "The Government grant this year was £58. 10s. Last year it was £55. 2s. 8d. This increase however is not so great as the Vicar had hoped, considering that we have had an additional monitress. Neither is the language of the report so favourable as last year, either in regard of the extra subjects, such as geography and history, and some of the standard work, especially the arithmetic of the knowledge of grammar a better account is given and the needlework, and the condition of the infants' school are both said to be highly creditable." The Vicar trusts that another year the Inspectors may allow themselves a little more time for the examination, and that the children may do better. The more important examination is to take place on Friday, May 2nd, when the Vicar trusts that the Diocesan Inspector may be able to give a favourable account of the religious knowledge of the children. To the pains taken with the children by the master and the mistress the Vicar can bear most unhesitating testimony. The sermons at the two last Friday evening services in Lent were preached by Rev. J. L. Stackhouse, curate of Berkeley, and Rev. C. C. Browne, rector of Uley. The former having taken for his text the words, "And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them," St. John vi. 17, spoke of the duty of each person bearing the cross, but not choosing a cross for himself. He also showed the power of the very name of Jesus to comfort those distressed with a consciousness of sin. The latter urged the value of a time of retirement from the world for devotion, for which purpose the season of Lent was appointed. The Rev. H. P. King, curate of Dursley, kindly preached on the Monday and Tuesday in Holy Week. At a Confirmation at Berkeley on Maunday Thursday, eleven young persons who had been prepared by the clergy of this parish were brought to the Bishop to be confirmed. Of these one was a male, ten were female candidates. The Easter decorations of the church, if somewhat scantier than in some former years, sufficiently marked the coming in of a great festival. The east end of the chancel was adorned with moss and daffodils and double triangles. On the pulpit was a cross of primroses and japonicas. The font was also adorned with a white floral cross and the words "He is Risen." The lecterns, pillars, and some of the windows were also carefully wreathed with flowers, etc. On Easter Tuesday, Admiral Prevost very kindly paid a visit to the Temperance Club-room, and addressed the members. He read a letter received that day from his son giving an amusing account of a tiger hunt. 1879. Jan. Payments. 1 16 I 14 7 I 8 O 8 8 £29 8 91 1-5 Tons 6 Cwt., bought of Ford & Sons on December 17th, 1878 24-5 Tons 5 Cwt., ditto.. Feb. 6-5 Tons 11 Cwt. 20-Bill for 2 Bushel Baskets March 8-6 Tons 3 Cwt. April 5-Transferred to Seed Potato account.. 26-Ditto 1879. SEED POTATO ACCOUNT. April 5-Transferred from Coal account 1 Ton 10 Cwt., sold at 2/6 per Cwt. 26-Transferred from Coal account.. Payments. April 5-Bill for 1 Ton 10 Cwt. of Potatoes 16-Carriage of same from Gloucester 26-Balance in hand .. It is proposed to have an offertory for the Church and Choir Fund from the whole congregation on some Sunday during the present month. There is now a deficiency of nearly £2 in the fund, and about £6 or 7 will be required before the annual collection on the anniversary to meet this deficiency and other expenses connected with the choir. CHURCH REGISTER. BURIAL. April 11-Susannah Watts, aged 83 years. ULEY cum OWLPEN. It will be learned with much regret that Mr. Dalton has resigned his curacy through ill health. During the year he has been with us, his careful performance of his duties and his kindness to the poor have gained him many friends in all classes. We shall soon hope to hear a better account of his health. Until a successor can be found the Sunday services must be at Uley church at eleven in the morning and six in the evening, and at Owlpen church at three in the afternoon. There will celebration of holy communion every Sunday either at Uley or Owlpen church according to notice on the previous Sunday. The daily morning prayers at a quarter before nine will be continued, except on Fridays and Saints' Days, when the morning prayers are at eleven o'clock. It was appointed by the Bishops that the Day of Intercession is to be observed on one of the Rogation Days, instead of on St. Andrew's Day as heretofore. Tuesday, May 20th, will be the day selected. There will be special service with Holy Communion at eleven o'clock, and a special evening service at 7 o'clock. On Ascension Day the services will be at Uley church at eleven in the morning with Holy Communion, and at 7 in the evening, and at Owlpen church at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. At the Lady Day and Easter Tuesday vestry meetings all the parish officers of the previous year were re-elected. Delay having again occurred in the payment of the £2 due from the Midland Railway Company, the bread charities were not distributed until Wednesday, April 23rd. All the charities have now been distributed by the rector and churchwardens. The Offertories in aid of the subscriptions for warming the church on Sunday, March 23rd, amounted to £3. 9s. 11d. That for the lighting of the church on Sunday, April 20th, to £1. 7s. 34d. The churchwardens have sufficient funds to meet all the expenses of last year. The district visitors are asked to urge the poor to enter the coal club which has begun again, as in consequence of the amount given away in private charity last winter, the number of families paying in are fewer than usual. As people are often enquiring for good sick nurses it may be well to mention that Dr. Eshelby, of Stonehouse, has a staff of efficient trained nurses working under him, whom he is glad to recommend to any who may be in need of them. Apply to D. W. Eshelby, Esq., M.D., Stonehouse, Glo'shire. CHURCH REGISTER. BURIAL. April 2-Thomas Smith, Bowcott, aged 73 years. WHITMORE, STEAM PRINTER, STAMP OFFICE, DURSLEY. |