The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-01-08 00:00:00

EARL NELSON ON CHURCH WORK.

The eighth annual social gathering of the Rev.
Charles Mackeson's congregation, worshipping at the
Church of the Good Shepherd, Mansfield-road,
Gospel Oak, took place on Monday evening at the
Hampstead Vestry-hall, Haverstook-hill. About 600
having sat down to tea, a meeting was subsequently
held under the presidency of Earl Nelson, the chair-
man of the committee for the erection of the per-
manent church which is to replace the present tem-
porary church. In an address to his lordship, signed
on behalf of the congregation by Messrs. George
Bell, H. K. F. Smith (churchwardens), F. Fountains,
and E. K. Hanscombe (assistant churchwardens), it
was stated that they were not unmindful of the obliga-
tions they were under for the many acts of kindness
which his lordship had shown towards them as a con-
gregation. In reviewing the work and events of the
past year they were glad to record the success of their
efforts, to which he was the first to give enaourage-
ment, in the completion of the temporary church.
The Church of tee Good Shepherd, which was opened
for divine worship on the eve of Palm Sunday, had
proved a real blessing to the crowds of both old and
young who had made good use of the means of grace
placed within their reach, proving beyond a doubt
:hat the want of such a church, with its bright
and hearty services, did exist in the neighbourhood.
At the opening of the church by the Archdeacon of
Middlesex, it was found that the estimate of space
required was certainly under the mark, as although
seats for over 800 had been provided accommodation
could not be obtained for the number seeking admis-
sion. This state of things had been continued at the
ptincipal services ever since, making them anxious to
proceed without further delay with the scheme for
the erection of the permanent church to
accommodate about 2000 people. They had to
chronicle besides the continuance of the many good
works started in the mission-room, Fleet-road,
several fresh agencies for the dissemination of reli-
gious knowledge, and for the pronaotion of
the welfare of the neighbourhood—among which might
be mentioned the large mission-house in Lismore-
circus, which had been obtained for the purpose of
providing accommodation for the soup-kitchen,
mothers' meetings, maternity society, social meetings
of working men, drum and fife band, &c.; also the
Mansfield Institute for Girls, which was opened by
Lady Lamington. Ninety members had been en-
rolled, and fully appreciate the many classes and
attractions provided for them by their president, Mrs.
Mackeson, and the earnest band of ladies connected
with the institute. The Gordon Institute for Young
Men, which was opened by Earl Nelson, was still
flourishing, and had 90 members. The district visitors
connected withthe church undertake a house-to-house
visitation, and the offertory at the early celebrations.,
Is devoted by Mr. Mackeson to the relief of the cases
which these la dies recommend as specially needing
assistance. The communicants' roll had increased
in numbers. The offertory was a sufficient indica-
tion that its character of a free and open mission
church was well maintained, and proved that the
peop'e for whom the church was built attended
the services and contributed towards the expenses ac-
cording to their means. His lordship was aware that
this good work had been originated and organised by
their deeply beloved minister, the Rev. Charles
Mackeson. In conclusion the address stated that the
most strenuous efforts should now be made to procure
a suitable site, and to erect the permanent free and
open church, parsonage, and schools, which were
most urgently needed. The Rev. Charles Mackeson,
in introducing the noble chairman, expressed his gra-
tification at his lordship's recovery from a seriola
illness, and said that he had come a long journey on
purpose to attend that meeting. Earl Nelson said it
was a very great pleasure to him to preside on that
occasion, and it was quite true that he had taken a
long journey for no other object than to attend that
meeting. Referring to his illness, his lordship said he
had found out of late the advantage and blessing of
an endeavour to follow in Christ's steps. Since he Paw
them last he had had many more trials than, perhaps,
he had had before, and he was able to say that,
whether they were in trouble or in prosperity, a truly
Christian life was a comfort under every trial, and
would make the man who trusted in God happy what-
ever his course in life might be. He was very pleased
to find that the good work which had been going on
in connection with that congregation was increasing
and prospering. They all thought it a very hard
thing to get a church holding nearly 1000 people and
to get the Bishop of London to give them a district
and ordain their lay teacher (Mr. Mackeson), but
they now hoped, when a permanent church was built,
to provide accommodation for 2000 persons instead
of 1000. Everything he saw in the report made to
him showed an increase all round, and that a real
true living work was going on amongst them. The
statement with regard to the offertory was very satis-
factory, and showed, from the large number of
contributors, how thoroughly the people attending
the church were appreciating the work done for
them, and that they were doing their best to help it
forward. He trusted they would ge on realising day
by day and year by year what he realised more and
more, as he lived, and what he tried to teach more
and more, and that was the wonderful privilege that
Christians had in being asked by Chriet to work with
Him for the raising of their fellow-men ; and this was
a most noble thought. If they continued to try to
raise their fellow-men as God would have them raise
those around them, they might be certain that year
after year they would receive the same growth and
the same blessing upon which he was able to co/it-
gratulate them that day. A concert followed, in
which the following took part :—Miss Beata Francis,
Miss Annie Chester, Miss Ethel Winn, Madame
Florence Winn, Miss Maud Mackeson, Mr. Thurley
Beale, Master Bertie Redfern, Me. Henry J. Dutton
(St. Paul's Cathedral), Mr. Orton Bradley, Mr. H. K.
Franklin Smith, Major A. C. White (Professor
R.A.M. and Royal College of Music), and Mr. John
C. Ward. Mr. Nicholas Coleopy, late bandmaster of
the 75th Regiment, and bandmaster of the drum and
fife band, performed a clarionet solo.