The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-05-23 00:00:00

MISSIONARY FESTIVAL AT WEST
STAFFORD.

The pleasant little village of West Stafford, some
two or three miles eastward of Dorchester, it a
centre of Christian effort, whose influence radiates
through the whole missionary world, while it pro•
dices the most gratifying results in this neighbour-
hood. It is powerfully instrumental in uniting to-
gether Christians of every name, for mutual
comfort and encouragement, for the spreading abroad
of the knowledge of the gospel, and for the promo. !
tion of God's glory. A meeting is held annually at !
this place on behalf of the Church Missionary !
Society. It is numerously attended by persons !
living in the district, and a oondderable sum of
money is invariably raised for the propagation of '
the Gospel amongst the heathen. It cannot be !
doubted, however, that the success of these yearly !
gatherings is attributable in • great degree to the
universal esteem in which the rector, the Rev. !
Reginald Smith, and his wife are held, their great !
earnestuees and self-denying labours in furtherance of
missions, and the uniform kindness and courtesy
with which they entertain visitors on such occasions.
This year, the threatening aspect of the weather
prevented a considersble number from being present,
though we are gratified to learn that the Society
• does not sustain lose thereby, as not a few sent their
subscriptions or donations to Mrs. Reginald Smith;
indeed, the amount raised was some pounds more
than that of last year. The villagers have been in-
spired by the zeal manifested by the rector and his
estimable wife, and the church's decorations, both
externally and internally, evinced their interest in
the meeting, From the ivy-covered tower,
nestling amid clustering trees, waved the banner
of the urn.; a trophy formed by • judicious
blending of evergreens, the florets of the
laburnum, and posies of spring flowers spanned the
entrance-gate to the churchyard ; while over the
porch was placed a representation of the missionary
ship John Williams, whose voyages have been made
familiar to us from our earliest days, and the wreck
of which was recorded a few months back. The in-
terior of the little church was redolent with the odour
of flowers, which were disposed in bonqueta, festoons,
and designs at every available spot, and gave a
charming appearance to the sacred edifice. The
front of the gallery bore an emblem of the cross, and
upon either side the following sentences were in-
scribed "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few." "Pray the Lord of the harvest
that He will send forth labourers into His harvest."
On the wall opposite the entrance door was the
greeting, "Welcome to our missionary gathering,"
and in another place the pious reminder that "God
accepts little offerings if given with a cheerful Spirit."
Shortly after six o'clock the congregation began to
ensemble, and Mrs. Reginald Smith kindly conducted
them to seats, disposing of the limited accommoda-
tion the chareh is capable of affording to the best
advantage oompatible with the comfort of those pre-
sent. By half-peat six the body of the church and
the chancel was completely filled. Amongst those
present we observed the following clergymen :—The
Rev. Reginald Smith, the rector; the Rev. W.
Barnes, the Rev. C. W. Bingham, the Rev. W. C.
Templer of Barton Braddock, the Rev. J. Bart, the
Italy. E. W. Pears, the Rev. E. Headland, the Rev. J.
Oooper, the Rev. T. A. Faulkner, and the Rev. 0.
Giffard,thedeputation. Amongst thegeneralcotnpany
there were :—Mr. and Mrs. Richard if. Eliot, G.
Eliot, Esq., Lieut. Maingay, (R. A. ,) G. W arry, Esq.,
Mr., Mrs. and Miss Coo&, Mrs. Burnett, Miss Selby,
Mrs. Duke, Mrs., Miss, and Mr. Cowden, Miss
, .Arden, Miss Thomas, Mrs. E. Heathcote Smith,
Miss J. Smith, Miss Boyce, Miss Meade, Mr. and
, Mrs. Henry Mon/e, Miss Foster, Mr. M. Evans, Mr.,
‘riarli, and Miss Watne, Mrs. G. Gilpin, Mr. and
„,•:silirs. Robed Smith, Mies Bryant, Mr. and Mrs C.
Good, Mr. J. Lock, Mr. Basoombe, Alfred Smith,
1. Esq., Rev. T. Merriman, &c., &c.

The meeting was commenced with the well-known
hymn, "From Greenland's icy mountains," &a., the
unaccompanied singing of which, led by Mrs. Regi.
add Smith, was delightfully hearty and devontly
aimple. Prayer was then offered by the rector.
- The Rev. REGMALD ShfITII then thanked the
villagers for decorating the church with flowers from
their gardens, taking it to be an expression of willing-
ness to give their beat for the cause of Christianity
and the glory of God. He read the financial state-
ment of the West Stafford Church Missionary
Association for the past year, which showed the
receipts to be : By annual subscribers, £l4 15a '6d. ;
donations. £1 53.; boxes, 19e. 6d.; annual meeting
of 1864, £3l ' • juvenile association, £1 10s. ; Phila-
delphia school in rmnevelly, £5; total, £54 10a.
He proceeded to remark that the weather on the
present coneion was not quite so favourable as natal,
which accounted for the absence of some friends, but
. he reeoiced tome so many assembled. He was glad
to be able be elute that several who had been pre-
vented from being present by circumstances over
*bah they bed no oontrol had not forgotten the
meeting, uer the great object for which it was held,
and bad fent their contributions. The treasurer had
received several very liberal donations, including,
from the Countess of Lncan £5, Mrs. Farquharson
£3, Mr. F. Stuart (Blandford) £3, Min. Wingfield
Digby £2, 0. Fairer, Req. £2,1. Han ksbaw, Faq.
£2, also £1 each from MM. Yeatman, Mrs. I.
Michel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes, Mrs. Balston,
Mrs. J. Phelps, Dr. Hawkins, Mr. Cartwright,
and Mrs. Serrell ; and Ida each from Mrs. Floyer,
Mrs. Hairy Farrniriharson, Mrs. Reginald Thornton,
and J. Bayne, He had mentioned the Phila-
. delphin school at nnevelly, which they all took
se deep interest in, and not long since he received a
;letter sent to the Rev. Lundy Foot by the Rev. J..:
gilreicker, the mimeo/wry superintending that school;
~-,irend one of the mostentinentlysneesseint miseionariee
~that had gone forth from Ragland. They mast all
ernoies that Mr. Tanker was a Dorset man. The
-nouns of bin labbere had been astonishingly great.
He believed that nearly 3,000 had been gathered ,
into the Church since Mr. Tucker first went to
' Southern India. He (Mr. Tucker) gave a most '
satisfaetory account of their Philadelphia school,
"The "reboot is progressing wonderfully.
The schoolmaster is-a, -sees whe gives himself
~thoroughly to thework, and in one of solid piety;
comiespianas is that parents gladly sand their
eilfidren to hiel natal, and the children also are
i,-diligendy looked after. They are instructed in
1,11 g,, writing, Bible history, and catechisms on ,
the great •&efrMeal of arratianity. We must pray
"-Oat God will abundantly bless the instruction given
In these little ones. In looking back upon our work
twenty years ago and comparing it with the present
state et things, I sea much to encourage us for the
future. Not only are there • pewter number of
Christians. bat among the heathen there is a great
t,eitiesp.. They at diet leaked upon nrimionaries as
etilineernment officers in diagaise ; bet now they see
we have no further connection with Government
wean therneeliria, except that we are white people,
Need the majority perceive that missionaries are
*ftir= their good, arid the consequence is that
• of jealousy we .meet with confidence, and
Sod it easy is any heathen lawn or village
to collect at once a goodly namber of heathen
•to listen attentively to the peecianiation of the
Geopet." The rev, gentleman obeerrad that
I must be a matter of satisfaction to those
Who had been contributing towards the !rap-
port of the Philadelphia sahool, that its operations
were so evidently attended by God's blessing- In.
deed, he thoggittit might be said of 'missionary work
in every part Of the world during the past year that it
. had beencharacterised by God'aideming. The great
institutions' at borne, too, which were carrying on
- Christ', work, had all prospered in regard to funds.
- The Bridal) and Foreign Bade Society, in which
. Christina of all denominations took a lively interest,
'bad -seeived, he believer', more fands than in any
, yea. Iltet society was to the army of
what Woolwieb: original 'was to the British
.—it supplied them with the weapons of their
sword ottlto tapirit, which lithe word
The fend* of tip' Be one Trout Society
by 3; that either Society
a 000 ;

sad
of all
received,
' = -
army
warfare,
• a Godi•
• had besa angiseated ~,.
for Promoting Cbriatisiiiy among the:Jews, ~.
the Chrodi of England ' tore Botosrof Society
bad reseieed an addition to its funds and
the Church Potoral did Society, Me.,
3•em, 'rebeived a Immo. sum Ulan in' an), tor=
shear period. le had not 'at that mertiolt by hint
statemetite of the nod* ,fli the EV" (4 theet
London, Missionary ,Heinsty„ Agit be beliniert t
illy bed both at least smiateined the Oneopt
hitherto Church Masten,
£144,000
dice bad
. work had
contributed
was by no
some years
-!. drawing
,and raised in
_..my of 1857, for tb.
in lodio—elatingwili
At of the ma.
Meeting for musing, sad
e'eo, meiring with the precepts e! His. Word, •
:thine enemy hunger Hu, if he thirst give hll4
a4.rint, to, in, 4,,,,ing,6o4lllbaiesi4P °Fele 0 .
bead." 0 r4iwo made tp
wL e that. dreidhl ontbstrat dif 0,10041. .
TWIN* Was a powerfal 1111W°••"•• GC •
b ye Let them sweet foram -.Alum
vaiham.....ll Am. nhomard..- •
...atm
eagono -et ii---tn blink *Arnett!) oue faith
permed to the gain*" controversy WU sometim
Christian duty—bat let them ever remember t
; vs was the characteristic spirit of the Gospel.
t lON and he that dwelleth in lovedwellethan Gold,
t
glad God in him. He trusted that they
_oiled be
toremniamtly distiagnished be that it lamp
eirortith *love.
0. The Rev; W. Tniallbill,, Nabob albeit:et
e Headstock. that enraged, ?land. - Abstionsisly
~.3 addressed the meeting: . i air fiNVMAllirky ' WSW to
'be fellow-beloon Witt (Pod In' the' or et#lrlit-
Zhlg the bmiken. Whort. tOrr .11p0becl. # i
Via woe the time for then/. lio 4
.to aitt•fla' . 4
x:librk
'lbet humble relianoe o‘.. inte:2o_lo64lir" "
dens=ii
gaileiliPa4.l4llloll",from eimiCork tiro* lad 6 .
%st7linir Warr iteihneLte pi* forth all ttl4itt "4/170" f°
nithiftimit-,or the Ireatbee
fi.,
~ i ' Werig ,tw
10._ it3nrinth-Pirticaturtii ..;: • . 111

--- - -
, of It1;386 ;
in the

—.le contributed to tbeas., The—
ory Society lisd received in the pest year
from home souroes, had t20;000 in addition
We collected in the plow "bete mission
been osrried on, 'some of 'which was
by the native Christians. Still' this
means A satisfactory stated things, as for
' put the committee of the society hail been
£lO,OOO per annum hotline special hind rail.
,coasequence of the Indian migiey.of 1817, Ice
summing of mon work in lu
they were noting is the spirit' of
relerttteg read lot

Di.ine

Ottriatitoilly
Um -It woe .oftettione seteseary to
for $. 0.

-*h7:A7.7

a

all men to Christ. Some people imagined that this
was to be effected by the means already in
operation. This had been the source of most
sincere, and uninterrupted efforts, and he trusted
they would be blessed a hundred and a
thousand fold. The other principle, and one
which he concurred in, was that the bring.
ing in of the great bulk of the heathen was re-
served for a future dispensation —would be effected
at the second coming of the Ifird himself. They
might say to him, if you hold those views, what,
Chink you, is the use of qualifying and sending ont
evangelists and teachers to tell the heathen the story
of the Gospel? He believeol that the coming of the
Lord was at hand, and the views he held he found
to be a mighty incentive to activity in the Lord's
work. Never let differences arise amongst them, be-
cause' they held, may be, somewhat different
opinions on such deep questions' for their conclusion
was the same—to go and preach the Gospel to every
creature while there was time for repentance and
salvation, while it was day, knowing and believing
that " He that believeth and is baptized shall be
caved, but he that believeth not shall be damned."
He then spoke of the principles which should be the
mainsprings of Christian effort—an earnest desire
for the salvation of souls, and to glorify God.

The Rev. 0. GIPITA RD: the de-putatioo, then ad.
dressed the assembly. He contrasted missionary
operations in the present time with those of the
past. The Portuguese coerced the Indians to accept
their form of religion, and thus had a considerable
number of nominal converts. After a time England
took that part of India. What became of the con-
verts! They returned, to a very large extent, to
their old practices. The history of Dutch missions
was curioue. They did not coerce, but acted on the
principle that persuasion was better than force. The
converts gained material advantages. When the
colonies were taken by the British, • similar result fol-
lowed to that in the former Gee. The first Protestant
missionary that entered India was smuggled in.
After some reference to the former opposition or at
least apathy of the Government in regard to
missions, the speaker referred to the conduct of the
converts during the lodian mutiny, which he re-
marked was honourable to them in every respect,
and showed the reality of the work that was now
, carried on. He then spoke of Bishop Crowther, re-
marking that the story of his life reed almost like a
romance. A little slave boy taken out of a slave ship,
first employed as an interpreter, then becoming a
catechist, next a missionary, afterwards a minister of
the Church of England, and at length • bishop, going
as he had done up the Niger with all the prestige and
moral influence of the greatest Christian nation upon
earth. The King of the Bonny river expressed him-
self anxious, when last Bishop Crowther went up
the Niger, to have a missionary sent to his territory.
The Bishop, like a thoroughly practical man, told
the king that if he felt that they ought to have a
, missionary, and that one would be useful to them,
, they should be willing to support one. The King
and his chiefs thereupon agreed to contribute no leas
a sum than £l5O to have a missionary sent to that
locality, with, he believed, a catechist. That
showed the reality of the work in that part of the
world. He then spoke of the missionaries, Messrs.
Townshend and Hinderer, who were imprisoned at
Ibadim—(the latter has just arrived in England)—
and how they were fed day by day by the poor
native converts. At Sierra Leone there were nine
parishes, the missionaries in which were supported
by the contributions of the native Christiana. Their
contributions to the Church Missionary Society
amounted to £264, and they gave withcorresponding
liberality to the British and Foreign Bible Society,
and for other good works. With reference to the
general operations of the society, he observed that
they did not expect to evangelize the world by their
own efforts, but they were able to set up a light,
so to speak, in a district, from which there went
forth a radiance of Christian knowledge that in time
brought forth evidences of Christian love, and thus
the Gospel message was promulgated in the
world. There were no less than 80 district stations
upon 2,000 miles at the sort line of Africa, repre-
senting 33 missionary societies. He then gave some
cheering information respecting the mission in
Ceylon. This he followed by showing the fearful
extent to which infanticide prevails in China, and
giving other evidenoes of the need for the pro-
pagation of the Gospel there. He next
spoke of the cannibalism that prevailed in
the islands of the Pacific, and of the successful
efforts made by the London Missionary Society and
the Wesleyan Missionary Society for their reclama-
tion, and the spreading of the knowledge of Christ
amongst them. But, he remarked, the Church
Missionary Society had no representative there.
Details were also given of the Pacific mission. He
concluded by saying he trusted that God's blessing
would met on the efforts put forth by the society,
and asked the congregation while they gave of their
substance not to withhold their prayers.
The hymn commencing "O'er the realms of
heathen darkness" was then snag.
The Rey. E. W. PEARS delivered an excellent
address on the principles which animated those who
were good missionaries, good collectors, and good
imbscribers. They felt that they owed all to God,
sad were constrained by love to Bira to use their
best efforta iii the poaition they occupied for the
promotion of His glory. He gave deeply effecting
instances of efforts pat forth in that spirit, spoke of
the Christian heroism of missionaries on the Niger,
and presented some encouraging facts relative to the
Affghanistan mission.
The Rev. C. W. Begowor urged all present to
ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do'" The
younger portion of the meeting he invited to con-
sider whether it war not their duty themselves to go
forth to carry the Gospel to the heathen, remarking
on the want there is of men for the mission work.
He referred to the remarkable auooess which had
attended the labours of Mr. Tucker, in Southern
India, stating that 3,100 members had been admitted
t• the Church, 40 heathen temples and their idole
destroyed, and 60 schools and 66 churches built
through his agency. He remarked that it was
their duty as Christians to render what mone-
tary aesistancie they could to missions. When
veiling on this head, he said he thought
there was no missionary meeting in Dorset, and but.
few at planes of the size of Stafford, at which so
much was contributed to the Church Missionary .
Society. The committee of the society had made a
general application to the Associations for an increase
of 9,5 on their usual pontributions, and although West
Stafford gave so large a sum already, he thought £5
more could be rai.ef there.
be Rev. ILEGINALD.SKITH. recapitulated the
principles and results brought before the meeting by
the several speakers, and made some general obser-
vations on missionary work.
The hymn, "Thou whose Almighty word," Ito.,
hawing been rung to the time of the National
Anthem, the benediction was pronounced, and the
meeting ended.
The collection, including donations, amounted to '
£3B.
During the afternoon tea was provided at the
rectory by the kind liberality of Mrs. Reginald Smith
for all who chose to partake thereof, and after the
termination of the evening meeting, refreshments
of a most elegant description were likewise provided
at the rectory for those from a distance who bad
attended the meeting. The whole of the proceed-
ings were of a most gratifying character, the
effect of which mart be to dispose the minds of all
present to a heartier reception of the grand truth
that there is but one universal Father and one
Saviour, that there is but one brotherhood, and we
are all members one of another.

1 WEI/40/3TM . .. .
' Thu Fleur Tate TO LtudvolVen for the season...Co '
place on Saturday, when the Premier steamer conveyed
, a ntunesous party to this delightful retreat. 'Phis Sue
1 boanitas been eptitely overhauled and every accom-
, siointiOn is provided for visitors.
US NavaL RIONIITL—TbO RegilitTlT-GOOOTILI of
Einnisn and Shipping in his return for last month,
eslittlau to the Royal Navy Reserve, stated that on the
'Shim° 21,811 applications had been received, and
18,918 volti;tvers enrolled. In Bridgwater, 200; Lyme,
11; Poole, 102; Wermonth, 37.
$ Tin REPABOINTATION.—In reply to numerous ime,
Vendee with which we are beset, we have instituted the
most diligent investigation, and up to the present
moment are enabled to state that there has not beei
the slightest whisper of opposition to the Alb,
members.
Till BATHING MACHINE& —We are glad to see Viai
the bathing machines have been again placed on the
Sands for the accommodation of the public, but it is a
matter of regret that some der should not have been
taken to have had them out daring the visit of +l-
- Mr. Bartlett, the renter of the mach
for 'ears past, having refused to place them at the
posal of the public owing to the bye-law which
comes in force respecting the wearing of drawers i
eight o'clock in the morning, they have now passed
the hands of Messrs. Compton and Sly, under -
management we have no doubt the public will
courtesy and the best accommodation at the
rates.
La= - for some time

Machine"
-
now
where
receive
lowest
A pll4
and on

SHIM NO.