The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-01-29 00:00:00

BROAD* aTNIL
GRATIFYING PRESENTATIONS.

One of thor —unhappily too rare, but, at the same
time, most iler me-giving occurrences—the reougiii-
Ron of the devoted and faithful nerrices of • pastor
by his people--was celebrated here on Tuesday even-
ing last, when the schoolroom was crowded with the
chief inhabitants of the parish and neighbourhood,
who bad &rambled to testimoarlise the Rev. P. D.O
Sylvester, the esteemed curer, who, under the
ministry of the equally esteemed rector, the Rev. W.
Urquhart has laboured for the last 16 years so ably
and seslefualy for the welfare of the inhabitants at
West Knighton-ciun.Briadmayne. The room had
been met tastefully decorated, under the superinten-
dence of Mn. Urquhart ; and the gifts —gaits
tudinous— presented quite an effective appearance.
Mr. COC111111•21 (churchwarden), se the chairman of
the presentation committee, expressed the great
pleasure he felt in being present, and proposed that
Mr. Urquhart take the chair.
This was seconded by Mr. fiessware (the second
churchwarden).
The Rev. W. UIIiQUIRILT, remarking that although
• great number of Mr. Sylrestar's friends and
admires' were preset yet there were • few absent,
read the following letters from those who were unable
to be present :
"Rodwellvilla, Weymouth. fist January,
" Rev. Wdliani Uninhart. My Dear So,—! tbaak you
very moot for informing no of the time the presentation
to Mr. Sylvester Is to take plug, hut am sorry that
another encasement prevent. my being present on that
conisim. Will you kindly convey to our much respected
and valued friend how I regret his leaving the neighbour-
hood, and that the parishes I have so lons been %resisted
with should thus be deprived of his good and useful work I
I heartily sympathise with the parishioners of West
Knighton and Broadmarne in their pleasure of having an
opportunity of showing some slight token of their love
and esteem for one who has so ably Stied the high office
be halt; also in their sorrow in having the painful duty
of saying 'Good bye' to their friend, who has ever been so
SALMI about the pressor and future good of those around
him and so ready to shan their pleastuvil sad sorrowa I
hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing Mr. Sylvester to
personally wish him Da I know all will do at the meeting)
health and happiness wherever be 50es.—I am, my dear
sir, yours very truly. Jam 0110•1111.
Urquhart had received • very kind letter from
Mrs. Duke, who had always show the grater friend-
ship, and who expressed regret at her inability to be
present. Mr. Davis, of the Savings Bank, Dorchester,
wrote as follows

" Dorchester Ravings Bank, 19th luminary, UM
1t... and Dear flir,—l very much regret the mpo.sl-
- DV being preseM at the presentation to our dew
and valued friend the Rey. Mr, Bylamter, I must thoraces
Iwg you to convey to him my moat sincere and heartfelt
wishes for hia present and future health And happiness—
Youn very truly, O. H. DAVIS. Rev W. Urquhart'
Then a letter had alio been received from Mr. Floyer.
Writing from the library of the House of Gammons,
Mr. Floyer said :
"January Ilith 1878.
"My dear Untubart,-1 am sorry that I cannot well be
present sett Tuesday, when I should like much, were I
able, to join in what 1 aro ours will be very hearty
expreriona of kindly feeling And grateful acknowledg-
ment to your good curate of his long and faithful "nicest
both in Browtmayne and Knighton. How much big low
will he telt I need sot my, for it is affectionately dwelt
upon by every one .4 all chews to whom 1 have spoken
on the subject He carries with him our warmest wishes
fork!, welfare to whatever sobers of duty, he may he
..

called, and if there is tiny wish that may be expreseed
beyond these it would be that in the possible change of
his high vocation his let may against some future der be
rasa among ua—Believe me, yours sincerely. JONA
nova"-
. .

We. Boater, addressing the conspeny assembled am
ladies and gentlemen, and his dear friends, said they
hal met that evening under the moat cheering and
moat pleasant, bat, at the sante time, m at sorrowful,
circumnances. Cheerful and pleasant, for all those
prevent had met to give moat substantial proofs of
their deep regard for • well-tried friend—most sorrow-
ful because they bad the regretful duty of taking
leave of that friend. (Hear, hear.) Corning eventa
cot their shadows beforehand, and the proceedings that
evening was • shadow of a coming event to which none
of tl,ein could look forward with pleasure. Of him who
wee about to leave them he (the speaker could say
much. but what further could be said in his prairie
than that which could be said of very few, whether
clergynixn "r vivilian, but which oould be said with
real truth ..f Mr. iylvester— that for the space of the
16 years during which be bad 'Abound amongst them
he Led never made a single enemy nor lost a single
friend, except by death. (Much apples'..) There ,
were many difficulties in the life of a clergyman ,
which other men were lees likely to meet with. His
duty was to counsel, to ware, to admonish, to approve,
and to rebuke. Those duties Mr. Sylvester had dis-
charged, and that, too, without giving the lean
offenoe or leaving the slightest sting behind.
(Cheers.) In reviewing the peat he could only
say that he himself and Mr. Sylvester had
Leen like two brothers, and it was utterly
impossible for him to state the real feelings they each
entertained for each other. Yet they would allow he
ought to know somethinx of his character. And it i
appeared to him the real secret of his triumph had
been that he had trained his miod to remember upon ,
all occasions that which the Apostle had enjoined—to
weep with those who wept, and imitate with those
who rejoiced. Looking back to the years that had
gone they would always remember ha Sylvester as
one who bed taken • prominent part in all their
pleawares, while at the same time he was ever ready
to share in all their sorrows and misfortunes. Faithful
he had been in teaching, faithful in preaching, faithful
In visiting, faithful to the sad. For 16 years he had
been with them had prayed for them and thought of
them both in public and privet, and proved himself
their true familiar friend. They had taken sweet
counsel together and walked into the hones of God
together. That, however was but the mere testimony
of man but he (the speaker) felt persuaded in his own
mind that when their dear friend should be called
upon to pet off this earthly tebernacla and to give an
account his stewardship he would hear the approving
sentence from the great Judge and Anbitror of all
men "well done though good and faithful servant
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Appreciative
Amara)
Mr. Cocaattm spoke in kind* and feeling terms
Unable to control event, Mr. Sylvester had found it
necessary to leave them, but he was quite sure when-
ever he would revisit them he would be received with
the most cordial friendahip, and by no one more
warmly than by himself. (Cheers.)
These sentiments were endorsed by Mr. SANWATS
in behalf of the two parishes, and
The Rama then made the presentations. The
hest thing presented was a handsome pocket-book
with 60 sovereigns. To whatever use it might be put,
at home or in foreign lands, he was sere that as each
sovereign dwindled away, Its expenditure would but
serve to recall the thoughts of their friend to that
little spot in the corner of old England, where, what
he hoped were, happy years of his life had been spent.
That purse with its contents had been given by one of
the beet men who ever breathed—Dr. liawkins. Then
came a very gratifying gift—a beautiful quilt worked
1.7 some Way bends in that pariah, the children
Broadmayes SchooL There wee • great deal of
work in the quilt, which was very nicely made. The
children had lost • real friend; but Mr. Sylvester
would never forget them. Let them, If poesibhi, never
forget his kind advice, his twohing to them at the
school, and the admirable example he had always set
in that place. The following address accompanied
the stift :
" ?masted by Mies Fonda Urn Urquhart, and the
children of the Breadmayne School. loggia' Kr. Sylveatar's
acceptance of • counterpane, knitted by the whool children.
with their beet wishes for his future happiness on his
leaving the parish of Browimayne The materials wall
k.n.liv +up Wed by the lady if the Rev. W. Urquhart,

Ti-o-;ltector then called attention to The Book- the
bests of all books, and which was • lamp to their feet
and • light to their petite. It was premated to Mr.
Sylvester by the mistress and children of Kaightoc,
No words of his (the Rector's) oould possibly supply
what had been written as the inscription, and which
was as tallowy:—

"Prompted to the Rev. P.D. o.llylvotter by the mistress
and children of West Knighton Day and Sunder School as
the occasion of his resipW the curacy of the wish, es
a token of their love and eibeesi. and in grateful reams-
brume of the valuable help he has for go many years
afforded them, sad the great Interest be has always takes
is their welfare. May every blessing to ins both in bad
and identity
" West Kelghtink January. Sted.
'Sorrowing most of ell for the words which He seats,
that they should me his face no more. Acts zg.
After this wee a photograph nook from Broadlooms
School, with the following inscription
"To the Rev. Paul Sylvester. An affeetirmate &anew- I
VPITt of kind and rosebud help, front ths mistress
•iiteschers of ftrosilmayee School,"
Next was a gift from Susan Taylor, with her best
wishes, and b. notification that she had herself
executed the work—a pretty bookshelf covering - and
that she had been disappointed in not having ready
for presentation the bookshelf itself. Then there Wei '
A tablecloth from his (Mr. Urquhart's) tour eldest
eau He had been asked not to read the insaiption
but he thought he would do so—(laugister)—becans;
it spoke so well of the affeetionate and kind way in
which the article was given. The inecription, neatly
done on • separate piece of work, was as knows :
" To the fried of our childhood sod the loved in
of mg youth we four sisters—Katka Ifineln =
Idlie—presest a littio awing of see owe work on the
sad occasion of Ids leasing u•
"Sammy Mad, 111/1"
A biscuit box was next given, sad this—• very elegant
article—bore these wm& :
" A parnag gift from Kn. Urquhart sad her sows
Williasa sod Coa Urquhart.
"Jemmy, Skid, IM."
Nut followed AU iakstaad, which was inscribed
thus :

Mils 'abatis& with the accompanying candloaticks
sag pan& are dared with mach &Section to oar vaned
Maud sing pastor, Um Ron. Paul D. 0. Sylvester, ea the
=Lit degartare from Broaimaras sad West
Mt"
me Rm. 14. EinTsiesia, wiho was natural pain-
fully sleeted by his lams-taldag than
prosints ands Wm Hs mid, sitar the rooa of
cboaring with arida be van ameraid dad eabelded
Ladies and Goatiansa, kind —I Busk
you my muoh far your santudisase Moe
some of you havno a susi or ddalis disatasesviaiM
at grog Moon to 70551w.Winn I how
of is sore itiad Maas I fail
rribliaritsah tha litlf 107 rri do Plat rata

the other day—l hope some time te bear some ream.
blame to what you think lam now. nook upon
the eseembly this evening as 0313111 torthm not
en
much to do me bower as to honour our Church.
Yon,' presence her, seems to Mow you value and Prim
our National Church, end therefore esteem the
humblest of her minis Mrs. My heart is full hut yet
not too full, to prevent my expressing the deep
gratitude I feel to every one of you for the
costly and beautiful gifts which have been
made mine this evening. When I think how many
hands have laboured, bow many steps have WIG
taken, how many kind words sis ken before your teak
was complete, I feel it would neither be respectful to
you I'm' becoming to myself to rest content with a
simple expression of thanks. And therefore I say,
and most sincerely, how heartily I thank each one of
you--man, woman, and veil I—for these offerings of
love, the value of which no Words of mine can
describe. In the gifts Ime not amass of silver plate,
but a structure conveying to up the strong grasp of
men's hands and the Moder rearming gaze and touch
of women's eyes and hearts. My dear rector has
enhanced the value of the gifts by presenting them
with his own bands, It would be out of place,
and, what is more, impossible, for me to
'peek am I ought of the dear family at the
rectory. They have indeed been one with me all these
long years. My best thanks are due to the church-
wardens for their goodness in attending on the present
occasion to present me with that gift to which they
and their families have so largely contributed. I must
also thank all the collectors, to whom, especially the
ladies, I feel most grateful If I have in any way
reined their confidence and affection I meet attribute
It rather to the sweet compaasionateare of their
nature than to any merit of myself. Their tender
sympathy, their tact, their deep insight seed apprecia-
tn, their consoling words have been my comfort and
reward during the last 16 years I have Mhoured in this
neighbourhood. The prorate from the school children
are beautiful, and must hate involved an immense deal
of labour from many little toeing hands. The gift of
our dear friend Dr. Hawkins be princely, most miwiti-
cent, awl far beyond any expectations I could have
formed, beyond the usual scale of liberality of the
moat wealthy of men. Whether I spend the money (a
visiting the Holy Land—those sacred scenes which
our Saviour trod—or in travelling abroad for my
recreation and health, I shall always remember those
kind and good friends I have left behind in this
perish. As for our dear rector be has now only added
to his many kindnesses rendered during the last
sixteen years. The affectionate terms, the intimacy
'Meting between us for that period, will cause our
parting to be no ordinary trial, but I am happy
to say a few days still remain before that must
take place. Allusion has been made to my labours in
this pariah—they have been, I assure you, lebours
of love. It is always painful to talk of oll.'ll self,
and therefore I will not dwell on the many short-
comings of which lam so painfully conscious. Yeti
allowing that I have been diligent in visiting the sick
and the school children, it has been a labour of love.
Some of my happiest hours have been spent in the
cottages of the poor, and no one who has witneseed
their gratitude and artless affection but will tread
with pleasure in the same path, remembering what-
ever is done to any of Christ's servants is done nut*
Him. In the schools I always have taken, and shall
still continue to take, the deepest interest. (Ap-
=.r
labour. which
School work is that branch of a clergyman's
which needa no persuasion to induce we to
undertake. In all my intercourse with my flock I
have made it my aim. by God's grace, as far as
may be to comprehend the infinite varieties
of circumstances and disposition, and to enter
Into and teal with and for the trials and
wishes of each. And now I moot bid you fare'
well, and bring these few remarks to a close. I
esteem thia the proridat moment of my life; your
precious and exquisite kilts will richly decorate my
new house be shown with delight to new friends
there, and immured, and used to the last moment of
aky life, and handed then to my representatives as
touching memorials of what was felt for their minister
by the long known, the long loved, and never-to-be
forgotten parishes of Knighton and Broadmayste.
(Applause.)
Canon Semi made a few remarks, and after
vigorous cheering again and again renewed for biz.
Sylvester, the proceedings terminated.
The plate, we may add. came from the establish.
mints of Mr. Scott and Marra. Saunders and Jacob,
the well-known jewellers, of Dorchester.