The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-05-04 00:00:00

WARBILAX.

Tai CONiiialiurasoisaf ellunentx OF DOILSET.—The
association meetings were held id Wareham during the
past week. On Wednesday evening the Rev. E Bolton,
of Weymouth, preached the association sermon, from the
words "Go in and possess the land at onoe." The congre-
gation Was not large. The preacher delivered a suitable
and telling sermon. At the close the ordinance of the
Lord's supper was administered. and members of other
Christian churches were invited to join in the Corn-
111UniOn. The Rev. J. Keynes, of Wimborne, presided,
and deHvered an earnest address on the importance of
Christian life as symbolised in the ordinance of the Lord's
Supper, at which we profess to have yielded ourselves to
Christ. The whole penis* WM felt to be refreshing and
edifying, and • fitting introduction to the services to
succeed. A prayer meeting was held on the following
morning at 7.30. when the Rev. U. Denthen, pastor, of
the Wareham church, presided- Prayers were offered by
various ministers imploring the Divine blessing to rod on
the work of the clitirchue generally. The meeting was largely
attended by the ministers and delegates. The business of
the association began at ten o'clock, having been preceded
by a preliminary service. The Rev. F. J. Austin, of Brid-
port, ehainuan of the association for the year, presided.
The report of the work of the association was read by
the Secretary, the Rev. B. Gray, of Blandfdtd. It was of
an encouraging character both as regards finances and the
success of the churches. The business consisted of making
grants to the village stations and various questions which
arise in connection with the work. At twelve o'clock an
open conference we.,, hell for the discussion of the pro-
posed General Board of Finance, which has been dia.
ciumed in the Congregational Union of England and
Wale*, end the resolutions of which had been forwarded
to the void,,nt, ismociations for discussion previous to any
action being taker. ch the part of the Union. Mr.
Chandler, of Sherburne, Mood „. resolution taking excep-
tion to the principle of the ac cilia as interfering with the
action of local organizations. Thu Rev. T. heave moved
an amendment approving of the dhow] generally and
insisting on the necessity of strenuous efforts being made
to give practical effect to it. Ile affirmed that he could
„ea nothing inconsistent with our independency and the
preservation of our local organization in connection with
the schism°. The Rev. It. Gray replied to Mr. heave
with another amendment: and the further discumion
was postponed, attar ii long and vigorous debate, till the
afternoon. Et W. 24 resumed by on amendment moved by
Mr. Randall, a Beaminster, largely modifyieg the pro-
isdals of Mr. Gray and Mr. Chandler, and approach'ing to
the amendment of Mr. heave. This was carried lq a
small majority. While this discussion was Proceeding a
meeting was held in the Wesleyan chapel to consider
the present religious awakening in our large towns and
villages. Several interesting and encouraging reports
were given by village ministers as to the successful work
conducted in their own places, and the numerous additions
of late to membership in the churches. It was regreted
that all the ministers not be present at the meeting,
which would hate r roved one of tlie must encouraging of
the series. Dinner wail burst). at 1.30 in the Independent
schoolroom, when a large part) sat ciewn. The [tee W.
"'dished welcomed the association in a neas appro-
priate speech. Mr. Gray thanked the friends at Wareham
on behalf of the association for the generous andi hospit-
able reception acmes:lel to them. A few words were
alas spoken by Mr. Austin as chairman of the &sande.
lion. Mr. Selby expressed the diight of the friends at
waraisoo in weipantna ote misodatiou, and hoped that
a like pleasure might he theirs again sueon jot tame
than had elapsed since they last met. The Chairman
said that the tine was up but they amid not separate
without having a speech froa, their friend Mr. ?leave.
The Rev. T. heave said he was reluctant to speak, but
at the call of the association he would say is few words.
lb expressed Ilk satisfaction at the settlement in Ware-
heir a Mr. Denshent and hoped that great prosperity
might attend Ms ministry. He declined to enter upon
his usual theme', atbrniing that they were in the happy
position of 4, people who Lod oe no . history; everything
wax flat and dull touching polit.F.; tins, and with the
universal pales that seems tometgni. cunntetiut with the
Tory administration they were evidently bordering ot. ths
millennium. Ile regretted that had not been favoured
with snore eecleaiastical lexisbition during this session. but
probably the Prime Minister had had quite enough el•
is
doubt,
erience in that direction. however. he, the present is
omy to be taken as a lull procetahng some eig„ enta action
In the inttne, and. in • comparatively short time, no
ty2. sevens experience great changes; and. when
the assoc. ion niet du another they might hope
to see the Vicar or Incumbent of IL harish at their gather-
ings, as they bad leen pleasoi 14IvIhnme on that seas-
Lion their Wesleyan brother. liehad jnet eeen the
placards announcing the opening of the new Wes/sign
chapel in Dorehmiter his uern nein° along with that of
, the Rector of Dorchester Paces, so that in reality
, the times were not so very lad* awl they were hopefully
• Inatchisq; on to something good and excellent in the
future. Let Meta ell maintain their principles with
courtesy and Christian consiateo-s", and they might rest
assured that the Truth and the Might will triumph.—At
five o'clock there was a: tea meeting, which was very
largely attended, and at a public meeting was held.
After the preliminary services, the Rev. F. J. Austin,
of Bridport, delivered eff eddre-s on " Forius in
rulation to Christian life. It Was an earnest
appeal on behalf of spiritual life, and the acceptance of an
that was fitted in our males of worship to develop and
foster it. The Rev. U. B Randall, of Beaminster, am,
ceeded with an address on " Prayer as the condition of
successful labour." A statement was then made by Mr.
Gray, on behalf of the association. appealing
for • large
collection so as to meet a little deficiency caused by the
reduction of the grants iambi by the Home Mimic,
Society in London. After the collection, the Ree!ari: