The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-06-02 00:00:00

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLANDFORD ST.

MARY CLUB.

The yearly festival of this excellent friendly
society (established in 1r...16,) was celebrated with
the usual demonstrations of rejoicing and hilarity,
on Wednesday, May 27th. About half-past nine
o'clock the members seeembled at their club-room,
and after the neomeary arrangements bad been com-
pleted, marched in procession to the Down Moue,
the hospitable residence of Sir W. Marriott, Bart.,
beaded by the well-known and deservedly-praised
Shroton brass bend. On arriving at the mansion
they formed a circle in front ot the entrance hall,
the bend;being'stationed in the oaitre,each men wear-
ing his blue task and rosette, and presenting • very
pretty appeerance Soon after their arrival they
were addressed by the noble owner, who with his
lady appeared highly gratified with their appear-
anoe. The worthy baronet expressed his sincere
pleasure at seeing them there that day in health, and
trusted they would have • very happy holiday.
They had had • long and very hot walk, and would
be glad of some little refreshment. He wished them
every happineee.—The band then played several
tunes, while the members were regaled with beer
served out to them by the butler sod other servants.
From the Down House the preemies returned to
church, on their way paying a inat to Mr. Williams
and Mr. Hector. The service wee conducted by the
Rev. Mr. Elliott, curate of Blandford, who also
preached • very excellent end appropriate sermon,
taking his text from the second chapter of lie St.
John, 14th verse—ln the coarse of his remarks the
rev, gentleman said: Father-sand young men, I have
• word for you to-day. We have met here not merely
I trust because it is the rule for such societies to meet
yearly in the house of God—not because it is the
rule of your club eo to meet, just for decency's eke
on your pert, and on mine because it is my duty.
That were • poor sorry reason; but I trust and
believe it is because you feel that for your club to be
soomesful you need the Divine blearing. This
bible, which I pray God You may road through and
through, for it contains rules of Him who can never
fail, points out to you the only way you can obtain
pesos here and happiness hereafter. To pin eternal
lifetheremust be • battle—a lifedongbettle—between
man's own evil corrupt nature and that hidden and
spiritual life implanted by the Holy Spirit, and
strengthened by reeding God's Holy Word. The sure
test which the Apostle gave of being Christ's
disciples was love. Love to God and love to
man. No man could truly love God who
cherished anger or ill-will against his brother. ,
Now, he would ask them, would the Apostle if be
were now living use the same language to them!
Had they—the fathers—known Him- who was from
the beginning,. Look down into your hearts and see
whether you have that abiding 000stiat love to God
and man hem* spoken of. Do you show it by making
your wives and your children, and your hoe.
happy. Have you this word abiding in you, in-
fluencing your actions, your words, your very
thoughts! These are plain questions. Again, ye
young men are ye strong, not in the indulgence of
your wayward Religious, your madness to rush into
sin; but in striving *Pinoi mu, in holy resolutions,
in daily warfare, and in manfully fighting Christ's
battles? Have you the Word of God in you? Do
you make it your etady, your strength, and your
councillor! Must it not be said of too many that
they are strong indeed, but it is in their love of
drunkenness, quarrelhaesnd all other evil, rather
than in God's service rev. gentlemen ooneinded
his discourse by • very earnest appeal to those who
were fathers, to set their children an example of • ,
holy and devoted Christian life, and to the young
Min to seek to biome truly straw by the aid and
sesisteuese el the Holy Spirit, sad the daily study of
the Scriptures. On leaving the church, the members
walked in pommies pest the Minor Hones, and
been theme to • field, kindly lent for the occasion
by Mr. Tome where • very excellent dinner, lop-
Pied by Ms. Itasradip, was awaiting them ins tant