The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-01-02 00:00:00

MIDNIGHT SEA VICES.

The stoing•out of old 'B3 end the usheeng in of the
New Yer • WPII not an especially joyful event, forth.
elements, widch had proved so wayward through
the fedi ve season, still held sway during the year's
dy log moments. Torrents of rain fell dodos the few
loot bout , but, notwithstanding this unfavourab'e
cirarmstanoe, the usual midnight Novices at Holy
Trinity Church and the various chapels attracted large
numbers of persont. At Holy Trinity all the seats
were free and unappropriated, and special provision
was made for a crowded congregation. Ste Is and
chairs were placed along the aides, but long before the
bell had ceased its tolling, nearly every seat was filled.
The aortae was fell abort', but the chants and hymns
were judicl nwly selected, and were joined In most
hardly. '1 proceaional hymn was "It mune upon
the mionight clear. ' The hymn "A few more years
shall to", " • well-known and a most appropriate rue
for such a season, wen sung before the sermon. The
Rector (the Rev. H. Everett), preached from last.
mixt , years 6, "Be axons and of • good courage," a
most impressive dlacuree. Referring to the appro-
priateness of such a text, the rev. gentleman said it
was *se that should make them cheerful, urge them
on and ohm them how to make progress in
the New Year. There was in these words
that whhpired hope into the ears of • weak, nerved
the strong to fresh exertion, and threw a gleam
across what would otherwise be a dark future.
It would remind them all of their weatoems,
and point to wanes of strength for them all. They
were assembled there while the old year was sinking
I into its grave, and if their Warta were saddened by the
thought that their We was rapidly passing away, they
should take new courage from the bright promises
which bad been sounded In their sass in the church that
day—lf their We was penning away, they had the
I promise at one which would never pr m away. At such
a moment they should consider how far ttsfk work
during the year had come up to the promisee they
made land how many blaming, they had to thank God
for. They should thaak Him earnestly for the
I mamas of the past, and brace themselves for a more
lamest work in the canting year. Tht er had been
failures, but he pointed them to the greet remedy for
sin, the holy child of Bethlehem, into whoa hands
let them deliver the past with all Its weakness, its
Whims, and its fears, he days of joyfol hope, and its
times of bitterest dicappotntmenl, and a the holy
name of Jesus, the sweetest name on earth, start afresh
La the great tattle of the coming year. Be strong
and of • good courage. From the man Christ Jesus
they saw what real worms was; in His earthly We
Jane was • perfect example of this, for he gave up all
for the sake of others. La them all, then, In the new
row of 1883, humbly strive to make the life of the
Lord Jest" the maws of their life. None other was
worth ''t.ng. What was in store for them in the
coming year, God knew--sousahlag to suffer pro-
hasty. He mercifully hid the future from all; there
was no need to look forward for pain and sorrow, but
trust in God, who would give with them the strength
to bear. Bofficimt onto the day is the evil thereof.
Whet reeolutione shall I make for th's year? they
might say, but what beams of those last year. But
never mind the pr t, they could not recnll that, and
In the fame they knew not what was homing, but
the present was thaire,sed he urged them to make anew
b wholes—nal promisee, but deeds, not resolutions,
but actions. Begin the new year with doing
something for God, that wtuld year
the best proof
that their hearts were right when they prayed for
grace to do Eh will. Before ramie:ling, as is the
cram, he would ask them to spend the few last
moments of the year in silent prayer, for vacs to do
God's al, whatever it might be; prayer for grace to
pe...ever• rid to leave everything in His heeds; prayer
for courage—courage to beer patiently the woes that
might be laid upon them; to do right, and whams
for the ta ath Mall times and at r'l esete—aotr-age to
deny themselves for their Master's sake.
At the close of the sermon, the hymn" The year is
gone beyond recall " was sung in the most hearty
manner by the !moans, congregation, to the good old
Rockingham tune, and the effect produced was mast
Impressive. The recemional hymn was Hark ! the
sound of Holy Voices." As the concluding voluntary,
Mr. T. M. Morgan, the orgeniat, played the Deda
March (in Bud), and the Hallelujah Chorus, with fin•
effect. . .

--Watchnight win 'ore were held in counsetloa with
the various chapels, and were we ' attended.
Approprlas diem -no were Winced.
The men <a were thrunged with people about mid.
abivid nor./ peals were rung by the Bt. Paw',
WI.
The ordingtou h. tidbit ringer, perambulated the
streets, and played Dome very pretty tunes.