KING-STANLEY. Whitsuntide is essentially the Feast of Divine Gifts, spiritual and natural, and though the Jewish particular has been replaced by the Christian Catholic, and as a consequence, the Harvest Festival is detached from Whitsuntide, and follows the law of the seasons, which obtains in the various countries to which the Christian Faith has spread, the Church by its present practice of decorating Her Temples at the greater Festivals has found in flowers an offering, which keeps alive in the hearts of the faithful so far as external means may help to this end, the sense of worship of, and thankfulness to, the Divine Author and Giver of all good gifts; and to some extent by the symbolism of flowers, to speak specially of them. The decorator watches the seasons with some anxiety, that worthy elements may be forthcoming for the expression of this love and wonder and thankfulness, through-the expressive beauty of flowers and foliage. This action consecrates the garden and gives a new and higher motive to its cultivation: a wholesome result fitted to take its place as a part, though humble, of the discipline of the Christian Life. This year our Church was bright with spring colour, and Mrs. W. H. Marling's work of decoration was very successful. Rhododendron of deep and rich colour hung round the capitals of the Nave arcade, and roses of varied hue enlivened by the day-lily ornamented the Bible desk. The Font was decorated with a Cross of white pinks with white peony for finials, the arms being united by a wreath of weigelia. An offering of a kind neighbour enabled the vases to be filled with roses, and the moon daisy of the field formed a starry ring around the edge. The weather interfered with our Church-goers on Whitsun-Day, and a comparison with some years past, showed a lamented diminution of Communicants, both at the early and late celebrations. Faith falls short of its full measure, unless the Feast of the Christian Pentecost takes its place on a level with the Feasts of the Nativity and of the Resurrection. The Rector is able now to refer to a history of 20 years of the Children's School Feast on Whitsun-Tuesday, and though for 19 years of that time in succession, the feast has been held out of doors, this year it was manifest from early morning, that the continuity was to suffer interruption. The sky alternately rose with promise for a while, but then trailed on the hills bringing heavy showers. Zealous young hands had braved the early rain, and ornamented the flag staves with flowers. The garlands, though flowers were more than usually scarce, were nicely trimmed to a large extent with field flowers. The procession formed opposite the School at ten, and happily a bright interval occurred and continued until the Church was reached. The Rev. R. H. Clutterbuck, of St. Philip's, Clerkenwell, always interested in what concerns King-Stanley, was present at our Feast and took part in all our proceedings, kindly undertaking the important office of addressing the children. The congregation, of late years very full, was not much diminished by the threatening weather. The service was shortened to adapt it to the powers of youthful attention. The village bands headed the two divisions of the school The decision to make preparation in the School House for the entertainment was only taken at 2 o'clock, and by 4 o'clock all was ready, by the aid of numerous and willing hands. Notwithstanding the weather many kind neighbours made their appearance and gave their assistance, and all were rejoiced to find no depression in the spirits of the children. It is their beautiful faculty to find their joy in themselves and innocently to attribute it to the circumstances without. The arrangements proved sufficient for our large numbers, no one would have thought a calamity had befallen them. In one sense, having the room all to themselves, and a ceiling to echo their shouts of pleasure and impatience, the scene was unusually joyous, not to say noisy. Happily there was no uncomfortable apprehension, as to being able to amuse our young company, as contributions from kind and thoughtful neighbours had afforded sufficient means for an ample bran pie, and experience showed this was sufficient to keep the young interest alive; and that such large numbers would consume two or three hours to enable all to try their fortune. Our lady friends kept the young classes in a high state of enjoyment by games. Perhaps the disappointment fell most heavily on the parents and relations of the children, who have hitherto been able to join the scholars on the Rectory lawn and in the Deacon's close: but it was impossible, even between the showers to play in the field, which the rain had converted into a swamp: and it was thought best to keep the close and the garden shut in the evening. The Class-room was arranged as a buttery hatch for the final refreshment and the children, one by one, came up for their suppers and passed out to return home, the whole closing about dusk. On Trinity Sunday, appointed in the Borough of Stroud as Hospital Sunday, sermons were preached and collections made for the Stroud Hospital Fund, the morning offertory amounted to £2. 19s. 4 d., the evening collection to £3. 3s. 04d., giving a total of £6. 2s. 5d. STINCHCOMBE. The SCHOOL ACCOUNT for the DAY SCHOOL, RECEIVED. Balance in hand Feb. 1st, 1878, beginning of the School year Subscriptions received since. Government Grant .. School Pence, one quarter ending April 30th £82 8 0 PAID. Schoolmaster's Salary, for Half-year Schoolmaster, three-quarters of Government Grant Assistant Teacher, Half-year's Salary given out of Government Grant For Fuel" Thus there is at present a small balance due to the Treasurer. The sums he expects to receive up to the end of the School Year, February 1st, 1879, are Endowments Subscriptions.. Moiety of School Pence, say, three quarters Payments from Children for Fuel, say . Total.. Probable expenses up to February. Schoolmaster's Salary, Half-year To two Teachers-one for Half-year, and one for three Repairs, including Whitewashing quarters Fuel, say £ s. d. 5 10 4 11 13 6 It would appear that nearly £20 will be required for the Day School, and in addition to this, about £1. 10s. for the special expenses for the Sunday School for the current year. The average attendance at the Day School is about 94, at the Sunday School about 68. The Government require a second Assistant Teacher, and in consequence the Master and Mistress are to receive only two-thirds of the Grant next year, instead of three-quarters. The School Feast will be held, please God, on St. James's Day as usual, and it is hoped the Anniversary Sunday will be the following Sunday, the 28th July. The Bishop of Western, New York, Bishop Cleveland Coxe, has kindly intimated his willingness to be one of the preachers, if he can manage it consistently with his other engagements. A year ago a statement of the CHURCH and CHOIR Account appeared in this Magazine. The following are the receipts and expenses from June 30th, 1877, to June 30th, 1878: The increase in the Organist's stipend appearing in this account. is only accidental, owing to the change of Organist, and will not occur in future accounts. The present Organist is receiving weekly lessons for a year on an organ at Gloucester, at a cost of £2 per quarter of 10 weeks. At least £24 will be needed to meet the ordinary expenses for the next 12 months, not including the debt now due to the treasurer of £7. 7s. 10d. Weston-super-Mare having been chosen as the place and June 6th as the day for the Choir outing, both place and day were admirably suited for the purpose. The day was fine. And the place afforded amusement and "adventures ashore and afloat." Dinner and tea were partaken of in a large room, at an hotel near the Pier, overlooking the sea. And between these meals a visit was paid to a seal caught on the Steep Holm. Two boats with sails then conveyed the party to a point about 4 miles distant, where they inspected a battery of large guns. Altogether the day was an enjoyable one, and the Choir reached Berkeley Road by the 8.41 train p.m. The annual Club Feast was held as usual on the Wednesday in Whitsun-week. The Rev. J. A. Rawlins preached at the Morning Service a good and appropriate sermon on 1 Cor. xii. 22, "Nay much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." At 1.30 p m. was the dinner, after which the toast of "the Queen" was given, followed by others, Mr. Rawlins-the visitors, including Canon Madan, Mr. Brooke-Hunt, Rev. R. Cooper, and Mr. Harris; absent friends, especially Mr. Mabbett, and the two Colonels Prevost; -the Vicar, the Ven. Sir George Prevost. The brass band from Eastington was present during the day. An Offertory at the Holy Communion on June 16th, was given to the Church Penitentiary Association. It amounted to £3. 5s. The Offertories for Hospitals on June 23rd, amounted to £18. 12s. 3d. That in the morning was £16. 11s., that in the evening £2. 1s. 34d. CHURCH REGISTER. BAPTISMS. June 2-Agnes, daughter of Thomas and Anne Marion Woodward. 16-Selina Emily, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hill. 99 -Edwin Edgar, son of William and Emma Woodward. 23-Richard John, son of Henry and Sarah Wood, Forebridge. ·00 ULEY cum OWLPEN. The Offertories for Foreign Missions on Whit-Sunday amounted to £6. 8s. 6d. at Uley, and £2. 3s. 11d. at Owlpen. The Meeting held at the School on Friday, June 21st, was a most interesting one, and considering that it was in the middle of the hay harvest, well attended. The Bishop of Pretoria in the Transvaal rivetted the attention of all by his eloquence in the earnestness with which he spoke. All hearts must have wished him and his God speed in the arduous work he has undertaken in distant South Africa; and his words were not without their effect for the goodly sum of £15 was contributed as the Offertory after the meeting. We shall eagerly look for tidings of his welfare, when he has reached the scene of his labours. As we find the times of Service at Uley and Owlpen Churches are not always understood, the following list of Services and Parochial Meetings may be useful to some of our readers: HOLY COMMUNION. 1st Sunday in the month-Uley Church at 11 o'clock Service. |