The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-06-25 00:00:00

CHOIR FESTIVAL

On Tuesday afternoon the choir of St. Mary's
Church, Beaminster, easinted by choirs from several
adjacent parishes in the neighbourhood, gave •
" festival service" in the village church in commemora-
tion of the restoration of the tower thereof. Divine
service commenced at half-past two, the preacher
being the Venerable Archdeacon Lear, who delivered
an admirable sermon on part of the 33rd verse of the
21 chapter of St. Mathew—" There was a certain house-
holder, which planted • vineyard and hedged it round
about, and &god a wine-press in it, and built a
tower to let it out to husbandmen, and went into •
far country."
There was • large congregation present, being corn.
posed principally of the gentry' in the neighbourhood.
and the following clergy :—Canon Codd, vicar of the
pariah; Canon Smedley ; Canon Woodcock, of
Mardstock ; Rev. IL M. Yeatrnan, vicar of Nether-
bury, and the Rev. E. H. Moherley ; Rev. F. C.
Malan of Bruiedwinsor, and the Rev. F. Parkham
Rev. F. B. Salter, of Corscombe ; Rev. It. G. Wood;
Rev. C. It. Rawlineon, Rev. E. J. L B. Henalowe ;
Rev. .1. Stroud ; the Rev. F. D. Wickham ; Rev. R.
Morris, of Clieddington • Rev. R. Riddle, Hook;
Rev. E. W. David, Broldpole ; and Rev. R. S.
McDowalL
The church was nicely decorated with roses,
geraniums, and other garden flowers, and some pretty
ferns. Miss Wise took upon herself the work of
decking the pulpit. and Miss Charlotte Keddle the
font, while Mrs. Wood assisted in the chancel. The
following ladies also kindly assisted in the decorations:
Miss Cox, Miss Codd, Mies Tolman, Min Andrews,
Mite Swatridge, and Miss Oliver. The musical
portion of the service was very creditably performed
by the choir, who faultlessly rendered Kent's
"Blessed be Thou oh Lord God of fusel," Wood-
ward's Magnifica& ; and Stainer's Nunn Dittimus.
Mr. Dunn presiding at the organ.
The choir numbered 137 members; who came from
the undermentioned places:—
• •

Trel4e Alto Tenor Haas
Bearninstee ••• ••• 12 4 4 21
Behipeir, SI 3 2 4 18
Bralpole 8 2 2 4 16
The ef„eeemeg wen, surplked ; the following were
onsurpliceci choirs.
Netherbury ... 12 3 6 4 24
111 2 2 2-18
Broads/labor 9 0 3 3-15
Hook ... I 1 1-11
Stoke Abbott ... ... 10 0 0 0— 10

Total ... 79 16 19 23 LT7
A collection was made at the close of the service,
when • sum of L-21 iSs. fid was contributed. The
choirs then walked in procession back to the school-
room, accompanied by the clergy. They afterwards
to the White Hart Hotel, where • oapital
proceeded to
was laid out for them by Mr.
Squire, to which a goodly number of visiton eat down.
In the evening a o 'nowt was gives in the infant
schoolroom by the members of the Seaminster Musical
Sckiety, seined by some friends from the neighbour-
hood, and the proceeds will go towards the 'coloration
of Beaminster Church tower. Great praise is due to
the vicar for the exertions he has put forth in older to
, ensure the success of this service, and we hope that his
labours to clear his church from pecuniary liability
will be eflectuaL
On Monday, the day before the festival took piece.
• handsome coloured-glass window represen
as ting
Jesus walking on the sea, wSa i shed n the east end
of the church. This window has been met ted to the

liza:m- Wish. 41.,-.7- —(iiiiii.T.;,--iiirt7,— by --I,Tie;'
, of Parnham Home, end Nanwoll, nrsding,
ea r fali7isbt, sad the Internal oft of the
difi%w Is amok Improved . the bottom oi
i L see Inscribed tits f words, spokes
to Ids DWI*, whoa )16 waked towed'
5..... be d ased ehmej; lit ; besokatesiL"

Faxen Dnovrego.—Aa inquest Wag held tn this village
on Friday the 14th inat., by Mr. C. 0. Nanteadspaty CO"."
on the body of • roan erashird ashore in the above pleas
Tbe corpse vas • man In a very advanced stage ot decom-
position, so murh that identiecation bad been Impossible
A verdict at "Found Drowned," arta eccordmily returned

BROLDWI IMO&
FRIENDLY SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY.
, The anniversary of this society was commemorated
on Monday lest, in very unpropitiomi weather. The
village was nicely &emitted, and figs and evergreens
were desoernible in every thoroughfare. About ten
o'clock the members met at the school-room, and from
thence proceeded to the vicarage, the residence of she
Rev. S. C. Malan, who received them moat courteously.
After staying here for some few minutes the members
were presented by the vicar (who is the President for
the year) with a tri-coloured rosette, and Mrs. Malan.
graciously consented to affix them to the members'
coats. Subsequently the procession found ita way to
the church, where, before entering, the roll warn called,
and upwards of 120 members answered to their names,
Divine aervicewes conducted by the Rev. S. C. Maim,
of NVickham, and F. Parham, the Rev. Mr. Parham.
preaching an admirable sermon from the Ist, 2nd, and
3rd verses of the 15:6 chapter of the St. Paul's epistle
to the ROMIUII. Afterwards the procession wended
Its way through the principal streets of the village,
and then toe field kindly placed at 'heir disposal by
Mr. Studley (the treasurer). Here a capital dinner
, was supplied by Met Charles Harrieon, of the George
' Sun, but a few minutes after the company had seated
theuiselves, the thunder pealed and the rain came
down in t wrents. The rector of the pa-lab occupied
the chair, being supported by the Rev. D. Wickham,
Rey, 1. Parham, slessrs, Jones, Studley (DrimptcO),
c,simbe (Crewkerne), W. Fowler, R. Shutler, T.
Knight, W. Priestley, Coggin, W. Major, J. Hine. E.
Pinney, H. Creed, W. Dommett, W. Halliday, (hon
secretary), Tilledges li. Eaton, N. /Leech, Taylor, W.
Macey, H. Edwarda, itc. After the dinner
The CHAIRMAN proposed "The Ilealths of the Queen,
and the Prince and Princess of Wales and all the
Royal Family," the band of the Ist. D.R.V. playing
the national anthem.
_ . .

Mr. JOHN HINE licisminster) proposed "The Bishop
and Clergy of the dioese and Chr6tain ministers of
all Denominations," remarking that although he him-
self was a Dissenter, he had very much respect for
many of the clergy—especially the clergy of Broad.
vrinsor. (Cheers.)
The Rev. S. C. Maim n responded to the toast, saying
he tried to live at peace with all men ; but in this wide
world it was not to be wondered at if people were of
different opinions. They must, however, make allow-
ance for differences of opinion, and agree to differ.
(Hear, hear) His parish was his world, and his
parishioners his people, and he trusted God would
allow him to be among them for many years to come
to render not only spiritual, bat temporal advice in all
matters that interested them (Cheers.)
The Revs. WICKHAM and PAILHAM also replied.
The Cu smuts nest gave "The Army, Navy, and
Reserve Forces," and spoke of the necessity of keeping
these forces in good condition, jocularly remarking in
cmclusion that as long as Sergeant Hine commanded
the Beaminster corps they need have no fear that the
French, the Yankees, or any other people would try
to come here., . . .

Sergeant HINZ replied on behalf of the volunteers.
The I'ItSSIDMIT then proposed "Success to the
Broadwinsor Friendly Society, which he said was
formerly looked upon as "The Queen of Clubs." He
should like to make • remark or. the matter which he
often thought of—namely, that of making Drovision
for sickness. This Society was established for the
purpose of giving, a sum of money to the relatives on
the death of a member, and if ha had the honour to be
chosen president when the next division I funds took
place be sh .uld insist upon it that • clause making
provision for sickness should be inserted in the rules.
Hear, hear.) The rev, gentleman then read a letter
from the treasurer (Hr. Stu )in which he expressed
his regret that domestic affliction prevented his being
with them on that occasion, but they had his best
wishes. (Cheers.)
Mr. H•1.1.11,AT, whose name was coupled with the
toast, detailed the progress of the society. The sub-
scriptions of ordinary members amounted last year to
£79 12s 6,1; cash received on account of the decease of
members, Ell 16; fines,lBs ,• &mations and subscrip-
tions of the gentlemen in the neighbourhood. £4 2s.
The amount in hand last year was E5lO 15. 2d; this
year, £639, making a total increase of about £9B 4s lOu
during the year.
The CHAISMAN gave "The Visitors," the toast being
responded to by Messrs TULI.EDGIC, jun., Coruna, and
SEARLE, all of whom supp .rted the president's obser-
vations in reference to the desirability of making pro-
vision for sickness of members. _ .

_
After dinner the members proceeded to the ricaratre,
where the Rey S. C. Malan and his lady dispensed
the hospitalities for which they are well-known. The
weather was fine, but the heavy rains rendered the
Iran too wet fur the usual out-door amusement..