The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-01-18 00:00:00

BREAD TO THE WEYMOUTH POOR.
To tAe Editor.

Sir,—! am desired, lc the name of 30 poor people,
to thank the Weymouth Athletic Association for the
gift of a large loaf of bread, which through me eaoh
has received.
Vnicinrr P. Rairsors.

PORTLAND.

MORSIMIT AT The VKIII2. On Monday afternoon
week, Colour-sergeant !Bang., No. 2 company wee engaged In
his private room writing In eompany with a soldier who was
acting as clerk for him. At seven o'clock he was suddenly
called away to • mess meeting at the Sergeants' maw and left
the private and UM. B&W In the room. Mrs Banes afterwards
had occasion to leave, and whtn the sergeant retumed he
found that the seek-box of We company was miming. Ile went
to the company mom, found the private, and enquired about
the box, what he replied that he had put insides box belonging
to Colour-Sergeant Bangs. Thelatter then took the private to
his quarter.; but the box could nowhere be found. The private
was them put in the guard roan. On Tuesday morainic the
cash hoz was found on the oil& near to the East ploket-house ;
but Blass open and empty. It had °outs toed two r.. 5 notes, Li
In gold, and lie. In sliver, which were all gene.
Tsursassica Msartsue.—The first temperance meeting ever
held in Weeton,took place oo Thursday evening week At seven
o'clock the Primitive Methodist chapel was about three
quarters filled with an attentive audience. The meeting was
iinadded over hy Ur. Thresher, of Fortune's Well, and the
km. S. J. Wallis, delivered an IIIIIIrel•glYe addree on teetota-
l/an in Its physical, moral and spiritual aspects. Mr. Ahraham
Galpin spoke of the evil effects of Intoxicating drink that had
come under Ms own knot, ledge. Ile bad himself earned es
much as Si a night by smuggling ; but next day spent It all
In the publichouse. Bince then be had been • teetotaler In
years, and was better than ever In all remects Mr. Stlekland
also spoke. The meeting was vary unwilling to part. and 16
signatures were added to the pledge Ismk. On the next even.
log there wa• a meeting at the Bible Christian-schoolroom,
Wakcium. Although disappointed of • speedier by the non.
arrival of the Rev. S. Ruin, the friends kept together, and
three of them, Messrs. Clothier. Atteool, and titicklend,
delivered interesting addroset. F.licht name, were added to
the pledge hook. The tame miming a meeting was held in the
Bible Christian Schoolroom, Maidenwell, presided over by the
Rev. .1. Bartlett. and addressed by Mmes. A. Oalpin, J.
Thresher, S. Hobbs, and Manly, of Weymouth. The proceed
ings were ititermting; hut the attendance was small, an conse-
quence of the weather.
FOU.STRRS' SOrrgl. —On Tuesday evening, last
we-k, the Foresten 31 Portland met at the old room,
ant sfter transacting business, edj3urned to the new
room adjoining the Eagle Tavern, where a supper was
provided by Host Franks. The room was lastefally
decorated with pictures and evergreens. The number
who partook of supper was 75, both Forester" and
°Mellows' officers being in full regalia. The cloth
having been removed, the new Court-room was declared
legally opened for transaction of all business connec'ed
with the order. This wee done by Mr. Slone in the
place of the owner of the room, Mr. Mason, of
Dorchester. Forestry has been introduced into Port-
land within the last three rears and now number. 57
members. The old room hav:ng bees toxin,' to small
Mr. Mason erected the present one, 63 feet long and la
feet wide. The usual toasts were warmly received.
Brother Eames responded for the Oddlellowa, sod Mr.
B. Pearce, for the Stone•trade, "The Trades of the
Island," baring been proposed by Mr. W. White.
Mr. Western presided at the piano, and some excellent
songs were sung.

THE EXPECTED NEW CONVICT PRISON.
The following letter on this subject bee been
received :

wblt.4 S J• 11111117. 1810;

am directed by Kr. Secretary 'bum to acknowledge
the receipt of the memorial from the inhabitants of the Island
of Portland. proving, ler the moons therein net forth, that the
Government will not sanction another public prison on the
Island. or the f urthor employment of convict labour In quern ing
40138 in competition with and to the displacement of free labour
on the part of the great mass of the inhahltanta of the Island,
and I am to acquaint you in reply that if it is found nem/nary
to erect another convict prison at Portland, this memorial shall
be considered by the Secretary of State.--! am, Sir.
Your obedient acrostic
"The Mayor of Weymouth."

-17.;;;>.

CONGREGATIONAL TM A NEBO IVING SERVICE.
A thank eiriviny service and tee meeting celebrating
the extinction of the debt on the Portland Congregational
Chapel arse held on Tuesday. January 1 1 th. Tuesday was a
red letter day for the Reg. W. W. Bberren and his congrega-
tion, and appropriate efforts were made to celebrate it with
due honour,. Bill. announcing the meeting and giving an
impoging net of the names of minbtere from varioug parte
of the county, have been exhibited In the windowe and
posted about the island, and priming invitetione were given
to large numbers in Portland and out of it, to come and
share in the joy and triumph of the oceettion. During the
morning of the day the am shone brightly, and flags were
freely and tastefully employed to drontste the exterior of
the chapel, and to announce to all beholders the celebra-
tion. +kith wee about to take plea.. Unfortunately at noon,
the rain began to hill, and alightly to damp Am *enacts-
time of the friends am to the evening meeting. The min
continued to fall and the sky gethowd Mohnen, "so that it
became evident that the Weather would somewhat town
the attendance at the meeting. At 5.30, notwithetanding
the weather, 100 ptheeed around the various tablet, where
tea war supplied. All seemed to forget the external dreari-
nese se the Kola' meal preceded. The chapel war profusely
and. Woefully decorated for the oceatolon with motto', and
banner' bearing various suitable Inscriptions and testa of
Scripture, intervened with festoons of flowers and ever.
TM painting. end banner, we learn were brotiyht
reean L
London epecially for the occasion, and some of these
were very beautifully got up' and the WM sod ingenuity
displayed in the grouping and arrangement did great credit
to the voluntecra who worked with such hearty geed silt
throughout the precedlngday. During the teaprinted copies of
the hymn's and anthems to be sung during the evening were
freely distributed. At seven o'clock precisely. after a
voluntary on the organ, the poster, the Rev. W. W. Rherren,
took the chair, and the meeting was opened by prayer and
praise and the reading of the Scriptures. Lettere were read
from C..Jupe. Seq., of Mere, the Rev.. J. Roger.. Bridnot, T.
Moue, Dorchester, R. 8: Milton, and A. thitln, Weymouth,
exprembre of regret at not helm, *Me to attend the meeting.
The Chairinan then eald, Christian friends we art) met tmetner
this evening to celebrate the extinction of the debt which for
an long a period bag meted as a burden on tide congregation..
This chapel wee built In the year 1858, during the ministry of
the Ru. J. Cheney ate cott of £1,318 £lB4 ham" first to lent
was paid in Interred for money borrowed making • total of
11.482. Some of the friends began to collect money and to
contribute In 1858. scene two years beforefthe chapel watt built:
a few of these continued to give weekly from that time till the
debt wm cleared. At the commencement of the ministry of ,
the Rev. T. G. Beveridge, the debt on the chapel amounted to'
£143, Thia was reduced during Mr. Duet-Wren minietry to
CCM, which eum together with L'2o Intereet left Vilet ae the
debt en the chapel when tie present meter c-inmeneed his
minietry In Portland about two !Safi Mo. Since 1881, the
friend. at Portland have raised US 101. The English pongee.
gstional Building Society has contributed .ClOO, and the
wane has collected from friend, at a eliatance the remaining
CVO 10e., en 'hat stow the chapel I. entirely free from debt.
In addition to the ratting of thie amount for the rememl of
the chapel debt. a Amu for *he minister hae hp, emu."' at a
met of VOO. Towardu thie object .ClB7 hut been contributed,
~„,,..,,'"qin ar• War Irjartile • debt
ol C 313 to be rained In order that the home maY be tree. Mr.
Sherren stated that be had agreed to pay the interest on the
money borrowed en long 1114 he 'templed the helm, but he hoped
gradually to endue thesum till the whole should he removed. So
that the medal effort of a pecuniary character to which they were
now called omelette' in the liqudatinn of the debt on the
Minieters house. Preparation. Were being made to hold a
Maur In the glimmer, lie hoped before long to open &preaching
station on the other aide of the island and eventually to erect
another Congregational chapel In Portland. To night they
had come together to rejoice over the work done, to thank (WI
and take courage. Congratulatory addreetee were then delivered
Iry the Rey. W. Lewd. of Weymouth .• T. Ore, of Poole
Conk, Portland, alto by Dr. Mclean and Mr. Lock The choir
led by Me Atwooll, ang with great spirit and good tart".
Altogether the meetthe we. of the most nieuent and gratifying
character. Great credit he due to Mr. ftherren for the seal and
perseverance whlrh he het exhibited in connexion with the
removal of the debt, and we cordially whir him and his congre-
gation speedy soften in the work which lie. before them. And
we thank the Coogregatlonallot. of Portland for exhibiting no
good an ettample to their epitome.' neghhoure, Who •re again
resolved to apply for thattance from the Royal Grant Money,
to ricer off their debt. ilow witch better for all parties It would
be If they too would put forth the effort and pay the expenmo
emneeted with their public worship of God, lea. ing the Grant
Money for the benefit of the whole inked.— Communicated.