The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-09-03 00:00:00

HAGLEY HARVEST HOME.

The annual Harvest Home and Thanksgiving
took place at Hugley, on Wednesday last. iii
the morning the parishioners wt it to Church,
where an excel], nt sermon was preached by the
Rev. Cutler, who took his text from the 24tli
Psalm, Sth, oth, and 10th verses, " Oh taste and
see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man
that trnsteth in him. () fear the Lord, ye his
saints, for there is no want to them that fear
hint. The young lions do lack and suffer hum
ger ; but they that seek the Lord shall not want
any: food thing.-

After the service was over upwards of 200
parishioners sat down to an excellent dinner, on
a spacious green at the tap-house. Lord Lyt-
telton occupied the chair. There were also pre-
sent the Hon and Rev. W. H. Lyttelton, Rev.
Cutler, Rev. Moore, Rev. Molincant,
Messrs. T Aniphlett, Nunn, Lloyd (Wassail
Grove), Wright Wassail Grovel. stc.
„, .

After dinner the Chairman addressed those
present, and in the course of his remarks Raid
he was pleased to see so many persons present
on such an important occasion. He was pleased
to see that they had such a glorious harvest, and
hoped they would continue to have such harvests.
He should not make along speech, as there were
ample amusements to take place; but there wits
one thing he should say a few words about, and
that was the war between France and Prussia.
The latest news they had received from the con-
tinent stated that 40,000 of the poor cultivators
of the soil have left their peaceful homes to live
in Paris. Another thin,' was that not hang ago
the French autheritieshad given orders to lay
waste the whole of the country round l'aris.
When they looked around their peaceful coun-
try. and thought of the dreadful scenes that
were taking place on the Continent, they ought
to thank God for all his great blessiugs. They
had been the saute at I lagley as other friends in
different parts of the country. Everywhere he
believed there had been a good harvest. They
had so far been suacessful in these meetings,
and he hoped they would be more successful
year by year. He had not been directed to ask
them to drink any healths, but wished that if
they did drink any toast on that occasion it
would be success to the Hagley Harvest
Society.
The Hon. and Rev. W . H. Lyttelton then
addressed the parishioner, and in the course of
his remarks said ha should not say much to
them on that occasion, as there were amuse-
ment* to take place, and he could not say more
about such an event than had been said before
them at other similar meetings, and there was
no fresh subject which he could speak to them
upon. The Kegley Harvest Home was year by
year much the same. He did not consider the 3
had very much to wish for. It was true the
had no new institutions to look after, but what
they must do would be to work lip the old ones.
He was very thankful to say that year afteryeat
they had nothing to complain of. He did not
hear of any cases of drunkenness in the parish
on such occasions, and he was pleased to see
that they enjoyed themselves without any sin.
It was a great pleasnre to him to attend these
meetings, and he sincerely hoped it would
always be so.
. _

Lord Lyttelton asked those present to &nil
the health of the Rev. Cutler.

The rev. gentleman, in responding, said
was very much obiiged to them for drinking hi
health, but he should not occupy their time b.
making a speech ; and he should thank them if(
drinking his health.

The friends then adjourned to a field adjoit
ing, where a number of giunts were indulged
such as fiat racing, hurdle racing, high junipin,
Aunt Sally, football, and a pleasant lay w.
spent. The Rev. Mr. Molineaux cleared 5 ft, •
iu the high jump, and the Hon. A. Lyttelt,
4ft. 10in.

At six o'clock upwards of all) females s
down to tea; after which they adjourned to ti
Hall Barn, arid finished the day's aninsement
dancing, which was kept up till ten o'clock.
.Mr. Turner's Quadrille Band was nigag.i f,
the occasion.