The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-04-15 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS AT CHURCH.

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The church parade, on Sunday, was In every respect a great
creditable alike to the Brighton volunteer, who
arranged and conducted it, and to the volunteers who took
part in the service. The ration, corps assembled in the en-
closure next the Pavilion, and were there formed into corn-
ponies under the command of Colonel Penton, of the Brighton
rides. The corps marched into the specie.us building in
fours, and passed quietly to the seat, reserved for them. An
attempt was made to mass the uniforms of the same colours
together. The greys were kept pretty well together, but the
scarlet and the dark uniforms got Intermingled. Never. I
thee., when the whole 5,000 were sleeted the scene wag ex-
tremely effective. Four hundred ladles and gentlemen
formed the choir, which with the Instrumentalists occu-
pied the orchestra. The clergy had places reserved
for thong in the front, where a temporary lectern and pulpit
were placed. The gallery surrounding the edifice was filled
with ladies and gentlemen, and many of them, as well as
some hoodreds of volunteers, had to stand. The two local
corps paraded, but gave up their places to their guests. [he
service, which had been arranged under the direction of Cap-
tain Foster, of the Brighton Artillery, was semi-choral.
Bech worshipper was supplied with the canticles, hymns, and
music; and the hearty way in which all took part In the
Easter Hymn showed that this expense and trouble had not
been thrown away. The effect oil COO voices, led by an excel-
lent organ, hand, and choir, singing this majestic hymn, was
grand. The canticles were all pointed for chanting, and being
set to well.known chants, were sung with astonishing precision.
The men who could read the music took their parts, and there
wee a continuous flow of well-sustained harmony. The
musical marks of expression too were carefully attended to, 1
and the iffect was thus heightened. The Old Hundredth
Psalm," sung under ouch circumstances, was a treat to listen
to, and the thrilling effect was still 'rather intensified by the
urging of two of the verses in unison, with the trumpet
leading. The aermon woe preached by the vicar of Brighton,
the Bev. Dr. Hannah, from 16th chap. let Coy.. verse 54,
" Death Is swallowed up in victory." Aj al Icioualy brief but
effective discourse was delivered to a most attentive conavega-
, Ma The preacher drew attention to the life that Christians
' have to look forward to after death, that life eternal which all
desire to enjoy, which all look forward to with no much hope,
but which will only be enjoyable to those who make proper
I preparation In this world. The Vicar referred to the work
I the volunteers were engaged in as being ennobling in the
highest degree and worthy the reward which was promised
i to good MAI faithful servants, ilandel's chorus, " Worthy Is
I the Limb," concluded the service, and the organist played
the National Anthem as the congregation dispersed. The
volnntems, headed by their hande, marched to their respec-
tive headquarters and were dismissed.

Among the officers active In carrying orders to and fro wai
his ltoyal tillgroiess Prince Arthur. When recognised he was
generally received with a cheer, but his dark uniform and the
speed of his hone anon lost him to view and extricsted him
from amnions which, however complimentary In intention,
were not altogether in keeping with the duties of the mo-
ment.

The throng of visitors, townspeople, and rustics, who
somewhat Interfered with the movements of troops, found
amusement in chasing several unfortunate bares and still
more unfortunate partridges, all of which suffered easy
capture at the bands and feet of a cloud of pursuers. The
birds wore bewildered by the firing and the shouting, and,
as often happens at this season, would not rise. 1 heir cap.
ture was, therefore, shameful, but the sightseers wore weary,
And obtained relaxation in this Inglorious sport. some
casulties have to be reported. One Volunteer [ell down, and
died in a few minutes afterwards, presumably from heart
disease intensified by over-exertion. Another tell and ta-
inted hie kneecap rather settowily. A drill/Al we. kicked

In the leg by a horse, and a Loy nee ridden down and
severely injured The necessary amount of galloping to and
Ito by sides de-camp lu the midst of a throng of *Peotiff.,..
Who recognized no military "line.," it is almost surprising
that such /Wei lento were not more numerous