The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-05-01 00:00:00

MID-DORSZT RAILWAY.

---
A public meeting was held in the Town FialL on
Wednesday 'vetting for th. purpose of aeoertaining
the views of Biandford tradesmen and neighbouring
gentry relative to • prop.rei new railway in Mid.
Dorset, from Salisbury to D 4-chester, with Blandford
as it. cent e. The meta. log wee fixed for half-past
seven, and at the time appointed a small body of
tradesmen and others were assembled. Many,
doubtless, dropp-d in out of curioeity, as vague and
uncertain rumours had been current in the town since
the hand-bills announcing the meeting had been
issued.
The chair was taken by Mr. S. Abbott (ex• Mayor
who .as unsainr.lllol, voted thirst on the proposi-
tion of Mr. Charlie. Rickman. Am mg tla as present
were Rey. C. H. Frorp-Clioton (rector), Mr. H R.
Farqnhars qt. Mr. Gt. D'Oyly Snow. Mr. R. Ryer'.
Mears. T. M Park, W. E B ennead, R. Groves. G.
Abbott, R. Lock, J. Ball. N. marling, E. 0.
Richer le, S. J Barpitt, W. W. &ickland. H. Childs,
.J. G. E. L wr ne. G. J. Or 'Tee, C. Rickman, F. J.
Boys, and C. H. Curtis.
The 01141 &KAN first called on Mr. Charles Rick-
man to explain the scheme of the proposed railway
from ialiabury to Blandford and Dorchester. This
Mr. RlOllO2 e 2 did at settle length, from a carefully
prepared written statement in, which be pointed out the
great advantages mob a line would confer on the inhabit.
an.• of the neighbourhood through which it nass, viz.,
via H mdley, Tarraot Hint os, Piinperne, &landlord,
Whitechurch, Mllborne, Pu Idletown, and Dominos.
ter, at which places stations are proposed to be
erected. The plan submitted waa well received by the
meeting, now ansaiderably enlarged. and on Its coo.

clualon
Mr. W E. Bamfirian, after a few introductory
remarks, submitted the following resolution
That laths opinion of this meeting it is of the first
Importance that in the interests of tbe town of
Blandford, add', tonal railway ocornmunicath n between
Salisbury, Blandford, Dorchever, and Weymouth,
sh .uld be established as ahewn upon the plan War
'flitted to the misting"
This was seconded by Mr. E. 0. McNair's, and
owned unanimously.
In the course of remarks on the question, Mr.
Bagoirain stated they had prowls.. of support from
the Earl of Shaftesbury. Earl of Pembroke, H. R.
earquhanou, Req., R. C .motou, Erg, and C.
Hinnbro Esq., all landowees in the vicinity of the pro-
posed tine.
The Rev. G. D. SNOW pointed out on the plan the line
would pam in front ,d his house, an I the meadows
which wou'd cost a high figure, whereas if it took a
more easterly oourn it would remedy that defect.
Mr. W. H. %TKINSON also spoke on the resolution,
mini:obn the meeting that in 1814 a simrstr railway
win proposed, and .squired who were the promoters
of the Whelan.
Mr. C. RICKIILN replied this was merely an initial
wounding previous to any promoters, and, in answer
to farther enquiries, said he could giro no further
particulars.
Mr. Pau thought when sinews of wax were
required would 00 time to ask who or what were the
promoters of the scheme.
Mr. C. RICKMAN propoeed—" That an honorary
providonal committee be formed for the purpose of
enquiring into the best means of carrying out the
project as far as the town and district of Blandford is
concerned, and that the falowing gentlemen be
requested to act upon ouch committee, and to watch
the progress of any Bill that may be submitted to
Parliament for powers to construct the Mid.i.forset
Railway."
Mr. T. M. PARK seconded this resolution.
. _

- -
Mr C. Roe enquired if the Locel Board wool I not
be lb; proper auth..rity to look after this.
Mr. ff. R Famion•asorr, as • landlord, fully
acquiesced in the railway scheme. Be could under.
stand landlords formerly objrctine to railways vote 40
years ago. but the old prejudice had died away, and
he should be pleased to take shares in this railway.
It was bete intimated the Local Board could act al
committee. To the, as members of that Board,
the Chairman and Mr. T. M. Park, objected, on the
plea of their transitory state in the present age.
Other speakers followed in the Same strain, whilst
others thought there was time yet for appointing any
oommittee, and in this view the meeting concurred.
The third resolution was moved by Mr. 8. J.
Boanrrr, an follows :—" That the hearty co-operation
be invited ot the landowners, farmers,and others along
the proposed line of railway, as its eestruction would
be the means of opening up districts now isolated from
railway oommunieetion.
This was seconded by Mr. T. FaAirros (bu'cher)
and carried.
A short discussion ensued on various points in the
resolution. and • vote of thanks to the Chairman for
presiding brought the meeting to • close.

DORSET' ASSOCIATION OP CONGRE-
GATIONAL CHURCHES.
Th. annual meetings of this county organisation are
this year held at Slaaciford. and, as customary, were
Inaugurated by prayer at the Coogregational Chapel in
Sslieburyatreet on Tuesday evening, at which • fairly
good conorregatioo assembled, inaluding many pastors
of churches throughout the county.
The evening moetiner at seven o'clock commenced with
singing hymn 1018 in the Congregatiocal hymn book
following which the Rev. F. Steer, of Seiner., read •
portion of Acripture—John :iv. 15, and engaged in
prayer. The ainuing of the hysne—" Glorious things
of Thee are spoken" preceded the Chairman's ad ires..
The Rev. J. OGLI. f Sherb woe. President of the
Association for the year. later cograntlotino thons
present on the privilege 1 oore mor. mee•iog t toner,
asp minded the adsentages of such an association as
they hod met to o.lebrste its anniversary that der, as
It related for the purpose .1 cementing the churches
In the coun.y of I) Hoek for mutual love, mutual faith,
and mutual help. In looking back on tho past year,
and then looking forward to the future, the speaker
was inclined to be despondent, as evidences he thought
were observable, as he hsd heard from many a
worker, that the Christian Church wee not ise it ought
to be, it was toeing its hold on the mimes, and getting
weaker. Then be asked the queetion—what was
needed to remedy this Some advocated more lay
preachers, and lees ministers; some one thing, some
soother; but In hie opinion more spiritual life was
wanted—the Spirit of the living God. Lay preschinr
woe • capital thing. and !sanely wished they had stood
of lay preachers who would preach the pure Gospel
without fee or reward ; and he should like ta see many
lay men put off their 'lime and laaintes ant eorc.
forward, and fill the pastor's place in the pulpit
occasionally, and no allow the pastor to visit the
villages on the Sabbath. Another great want ems
more large beartodnese and liberality molted
their eeelineiretlons. lie wee in • minister's bona
not long since, who had only ESO • year and ten
mouths to fill—more large-beartedoess was required
In that name—not for • man to become a vegemr:se
from necessity. After giving other in t ince. coming
under him own experience on the need a bolted end
Christian station in the churches, the rev gentleman
concluded an aerostat address by asking the coorrieo-
tion's prayer on the annual meetings of the associa.
Hymn 1,088 haring been sung, Professor CAT,. of
Hackney College, London. gage a oeidtsl addrele•
After congratulating Woodford folks on their historic
church and sanctuary, and thankieg Mr. Ggla for
hie earnest address, said he did not look on the de"
Nide of things quite so lunch as the Chairman. Look
lug around on all sides great Adelman ani gigantic
strides wen, being made, and he thought the woad
was steadily going to the good. In Germany • roe
Evengelinaf wave was sweeping over that grea
empire, and In many other parts of the world tai
light of the true Gospel was shedding its far/ bright"
than ever. In their wileges he doubted if ever there were
more devoted students and servants of God than coo.
Referring to the Chairman's remarks on lay itte•ol".
he held it tube • sin to be silent when • man had the
ability or power to preach. If there was • stsenation
in some of their churches be did not lay the fault ty
the prosaism, whom he contended were al good DOW
silver they had been, but the prayers of the churches
were needed, and the lack of prayer was the secret
of depression. The churches must realise a mese
.of
their emptiness and sae that • deeper spiritual life
was needed' the supply of that life was inexhaustibi/.
He urged that Luther, Knot, and other great Clow
tian leaders were no greater than many others, but
the secret of their sower was being fellow-workers
with God, and when they wanted help it masa 80
with St. Augustine, fit. Bernard, Wesley, sad Whit:
field. By • further appeal to all workers in Christ I
Church to use the powerful lever of prayer as • mew'
of raising the Use and spirit of the cliersbot
Prognoses Cove ognoindsd a parotid Mesa

Hymn liArn Wen, bPww Bong, the Rey. W. Lewin,
of Weymouth, taidr weed the meetin4 in lieu of the
Rey. J Bain, of Bridp art, who hod been arnonnced
.pea.k.
Following him the Connty Treamrer, Mr. SIMI!,
ca, a capital instructive ad.ires., t .uchi g on
,pi iyed methckis for insuring the getting of small
rithecriptimr.
Th. Doxology cloved this, the find of the Associa-
tion Atonal Meetini:s.
On Wednes lay morning • prayer m-etlog tom held
the chapel at seven o'clock, to which a f virly good
tureirs_tusswerbled.

•
At 930 the business meeting of the association
rommeacsd, when the ordinary hm4--.avers matte's con•
Fleeted with the various churches in the county Were
crosiderei in the usual manner.
At one o'clock Professor C tvg, 8.A., delivered as
el, quent a these on "Our Colleges."
At two o'clock the annual dinner was held in the
schoolroom so joining the chapel.
At five o'clock a public tea wee held in the same
lac• e • and at seven o'clrck a public nseeting took
e in the chapel, whCh wan fully attended, and at
o hich capital address. were delivered by ministers
mn.l friend. of Congregationalism in Dorset.
This meeting clo•ed the series, which may be regarded
RP a very euceesefti anoi•eraary.