The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-07-18 00:00:00

THB VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE.

To the Editors.

I POl your report in theillderegn of Mr. f3heridan'e
speech, on the landings on ,Teesday, I thank you. My
object now is to reheat, the voluntary principle, of
ruing • h the hon. member spoke, but was unaware of
hat had been effected by it In Dorchester and a neigh-
. • town. In the parish of Holy Trinity a volun-
I dry church-rate is collected, and the organist's salary is
I ;paid by voluutary oontributions. In All Saints' parish
' sloe the organist's salary is paid by voluntary subscrip-
tions. Is it so in St. Peter's parish? No; nearly one-
third of the church-rate is required for the organist's
salary. I have known the time when almost half the
rate was absorbed in paying the organist, viz., when the
sixpenny rate was made. Now take the ease of the
chimes and clock at St. Peter's. It will be recollected
that an ingenious and talented townsman, Mr. J.
Curtis, clock and watchmaker, undertook to put the
clock and chimes in order for a certain slim, and added,
"No our*, no pay." At the vestry, when the subject
same on for consideration, two tenders were presented,
and Mr. Curtis's was accepted. The next step
was to obtain the required Bum of money. A
suggestion was made for one to canvass each parish,
but that was not adopted, A Nonoomformist present
said there would be no difficulty in getting the money.
and put down 10a ea a oommeneement. Many others
followed his example. He (the Nonoomformist)
then invited a Churchman to undertake jointly with
him to obtain the amount required. The Churchman
consented, and they went retool to the inhabitants of
the town, and soon got the money. Many who sub.
scribed said they would give double the amount they
did if necessary, so that the work be done well. Thus
the voluntary principle triumphed. Now take the case
of • town not 22 miles from Dorchester. Some time
ago the church was out of repair, and a ehureh-rate was
about to be made that the necessary work might be
dos.. It became known to an influential member of
the Baptist body, and he begged the authorities not to
*eke a rate. He was answered : "'We ain't get the
money without it." "Oh I tee, you tun," said be, "by
ftntary oontribations." Well," it was rejoined
".Will you help us?" "Yea," said he, `'i
Will give you £lO towards what Is required."
Upon this voluntary subscriptions were solicited,
and the necessary BUM raised in three days I I ern
agni of thousands of Nonmenformlste who would
never see the old walls of our pariah churches fall
inth &may for wept of pecuniary help in a fair and
honeet way; and I know there are many Churchmen •
Dorchester who hold it it not right that "
Asuels-rates.
I am, yews truly,
A TEITETY-TWO YEARS' LIBERAL.
p.&__l aimless my oest, and soi ready to litifirer any
question upon the above statement.
Dorchester, July 17, Dffilli: ,
' .
TIKE ROYAL A.GRIMILtURA L SOCIETY'S
asolv.
the great annual meeting of the Royal Ayrioalaaral
floolefty Of England commenced quietly moo& oa
Weidneeday with a preliminary trial of reap", meshiges
sgit the ground. at Woodford Farm, Plympenallkabiggi
near Plymouth. There are here ensue 80 sale of lila ;
In four large fields, made ready with mope of rye sod
winter oats, clover and rye-gram, and bare fellow
respectively for reapers, mowers, bone-rakes, hay
Udders, drills, manure distributor*, carriages, and
horse-hoee—the classes of tools which this year come
under the inspection of the - 'a judges. The
- -- conveniently ' 15
.. - ..
/ as
is ever.

ii.;niet;

should pay

Vh• Aim.