The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-02-08 00:00:00

BRIDPoRT.

Itzuutors THArr SOCIETY.—Tho anniversary
meeting of the Bridport auxiliary to the above
society was held at the Townhall. on Wednesday
evening last. The proceedings were COU 1111 l need
with singing, after which, prayer was offered by the
Rev, J. Stevens. The chair was occupied by the
Rev. John Rogers, who, in his opening remarks, said
that the absence of some of their brethern (the Revs.
11. W. Steinbridge, W. Allen, and G. Brazier) was
wit because they were minden...tell in the society,
or in the proceedings of that institution, but simply
elsewhere. Ils,ut silty years ago, the Tract
on account of other engagemeuts, calling them
Society was formed by a few devoted Christian men,
for the pinsee of furnishing religious knowledge
through the length and breadth of the laud, in the
shape of tracts, tracts that should be
thoroughly evangelical, and sttictly catholic. The
society was not established for the purpose of circu-
lating Church of England, Wesleyan, Independent,
or Baptist tracts, or those belonging to any
particular itenomination, but simply Christian tracts.
It had been greatly b red, and all sect of the
church were greatly indebtol to it. It made grants
of tracts and books to the extent of its ability, to all
who made applicat. , or made out that a necessity
existed.--Mr. Monteith read the statement of
amounts for the past year. from which it appeared
that the amount collected at the annual meeting
September. DM. was X 3 4e. 6d. ; annual sub-
scriptions from fifteen subscribers, .C 4 45. 6,l.—total
a Ng. Oid. After deducting expenses, £6 4s.
had been forwarded to the parent society. Mr.
Monteith announced that it was intended to re•
the purpose
iniTechitii(litzegheatltheempu,a
larYin) o'ffoLor siolf.lreeleseite'lidtihneg
the operations Of the society.—The Rev. G. Mans-
rable length. He remarked that
the society was never
at any previous in 60 prglaperoUl a ante AS at
the present time, and success suess which illlda leil tteni
its operations during the past year was greater than
period. Its income, which in the
first year of its existence, was only £4.iO, was now
£94l,ooll—that is, its moome from all sources, such
as legacies, annual subscriptions, and from the sales of
the publications of the society. He regretted.
however, that their gratuitous income had not been
so large during the past year as might he wished.
He was far from depreciating other soce:ies, such
as the Bible Society, and various missionary societies
which were the glory of our land, but be maintained
that the Tract Society was capable of doing both at
home and abroad, what nu other society was able to
perform. He argued that in a very remarkable way
As publications found their way into places where
the scriptures were forbidden, and where the
Christian minister could not deliver with the living
voice, the massage entrusted to him by his heavenly
10 master. He also contended that the circulation of
tracts created a thirst for the Word of God. He
then related several instances to illustrate his argu-
ments, and dwelt upon the evil effects produced -by
the circulation of low publications, which numbered
about 30 millions a year. He then spoke of the
value of the "Sunday at Home," the "Leisure
Hour," and other periodicals issued by the society,
in dispelling the immense number of low publications
now issued. He next referred to the operations of
the society in India, China, ac., from which quarters
the demands for the society's publications were great.
He concluded with a very earnest appeal in support
of the society. The rev. Chairman then offered •

few remarks, in which he asked his hearers whether
they were ;mare that low publications were bein,,
circulate,!igg
est,„ll at the ng ,„t, work,4reni:ei iilyiiig tsiTt u.
01!
they should more freely scatter the publications of
this society. A collection was made, and the pro-
ceedings were brought to a close by singing.
TIIE Col:E1.1.1 FAmti.v.—During the past week
the t family have visited this town, and given
entertainments at the Townhall. The performances
were rither of a diversified character, and included
sleight-othand tricks, gymnastic feats, itc. Signor
',went as a conjuror, IS ClAtalllly very clever, which
the tricks performed by him fully testified. With
regard to his sons, more especially the youngest,
' their extraordinary evolutions were truly marvellous,
and we need only say that the younger member was
quite a favourite with the audience on each occuion.
I file wonderful feats OH the revolving globe up an incline
I were warmly applauded, and his quaint and witty
remarks in the character of a clown kept the listeners
lin a continual roar of laughter. We may well quote
the remarks of the Loudon press, and say though
"an infant in years. yet lie is a man in intellect"
though " • dwarf in size, yet a giant in strength."
Not the least important feature in the entertainment
were the feats of the Chinese Jugglers, in which the
, daring deed of impaling the human laxly with huge
knives was enacted. The feat is certainly one which
to the beholder appears a very dangerous experi•
went, and many people, we have
.no doubt, would
prefer not seeing it. It consists in one of the jug-
glers standing against a board, whilst another darts
at him with sharp knives, which penetrate the wood
close to his throat, his head, his hands, &c. The
feat was performed with an case and accuracy, which
Iconvinced the assemblies that it might be performed
by the jugglers with perfect safety. We need only
i‘taby. twhitliet itiiroiedupeci_rsflorciii:anilicede,,ra.blereemxcairtemkairyt.rodfon,
and Signor Coral and his sons are entitled to much
praise.