The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-09-11 00:00:00

HARVEST THANKSGIVING AT ST.
THOMAS'S CHURCH.

The annual harvest thanksgiving services were
inaugurated at St. Thomas's Church on Thursday
night last. The church was beautifully decoratpl,
for the occasion by a tasteful distribution of fruits
and flowers, which gave it a very bright and plea-
sant aspect. Around the church window were the
words, "The harvest is the end of the world," and
and some very pretty bannerettes, with appropriate
devices, were suspended against the side galleries.
The first Lesson was read by the Rev. H. Sher-
rard, the rectcr, of St. Thomas's, and the second
by the Rev. Williams, the curate. The anthem
selected for the occasion was one the music for
which was composedby Sir John Goss, "Fear not;
be glad and rejoice." This was rendered in a very
creditable manner by the ehoirovhom wemay here
remark, are daily improving under the able guid-
ance of the talented organist, Mr. Randall.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Canon
Baines, M.A., vicar of St. Michaels, Coventry, who
took his text from the first epistle of St. Paul to
the Thessalonians, sth chapter, and part of the
18th verse, "In every thing give thanks." He
said he suPposed they all felt that night, gathered
together as they were in that church—a church
which told the story of thanksgiving by the very
beautiful aspect if presented—he supposed they
all felt that it was their duty and their previlege
to meet once again to give praise to God who once
again had fulfilled his golden promise that " seed
time and harvest should not fail." It was true
that at times there were poorer harvests than at
others; but God was very good to this land. He
had altered what at one time appeared to be
disastrous prospects and had turned the last few
weeks into beautiful harvest weather so that at
the last a great and bountiful harvest had been
gathered in, and as they remembered thepestilence
and famine was not amongst them they did well
to assemble in the House of God to raise the song
of "Harvest Home." No doubt there were many
in that ch arch who could look back upon the time
when such a service as that of Harvest Thanks-
giving was unknown. When most of those who
were present were children they never heard of
such a thing as having a special services to praise
God for the harvest. Whether it was that now
there was a revival of religion or not in the land,
it was certain that they were beginning more and
more to realise the mercies that Godwaslaestowing
upon them, and that night they were met to give
their song of harvest praise to God "from whom
all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here
below." Let them look back at the text of tho
sermon. There was a law for their daily guidance
through life under all conditions, and trials, and
whatever their lives might be, St. Paul told them
in every think to give thanks. This practice of
offering thanksgiving was by no means too com-
mon. They were all ready enough to thank God
when every thing went according to their desires.
When the sunlight was streaming on their paths
—when in everything they.weresuccessful—it was
very easy to be thankful; but let the sun be
clouded, or some great sorrow come across their
paths, v, as it then so easy to give thanks. They
all knew that the ingratitude of the people of that
land had almost passed into a parable. They all'
knew how the spirit of selfishness was developed
amongst them. Like the old patriarch they were
after to exclaim, "All these things are against
me." St. Paul would teach them that all things
worked together for God to those who loved Him.
"In everything give thanks." That was the great
lesson which he should liketo press home on every
one that night. He wished them to realise that
God was always guiding them. If they could only
live that life and feel it thoroughly how happy
would be their lot. Let them think how that was
brought to light in their Book of Common Prayer.
Look at that prayer which they had said that
night. In it they thanked God for their very
being; they thanked Him for creating them and
making them according to His own image. They
thanked him for the care he exercised over them
in their daily life, and for all the blessings he had
bestowed upon them. The things he did for them
were too great and too numerous for them to form
any estimate of them. And let them look at how
the tide of thanksgiving swelled when they were
e. They there thanked God for a love
only be measured by the Redeem, iu
taßhtlaotthodecogorfuatlieir own Blessed Lord. And they sawb
when they brought children to be baptised they
thanked Him that He had been pleased to
regenerate them; and what was that communion
feast of next Sunday? Why did they call it the
Holy Eucharist? Simply because it meant praise.
Here in this vale of their pilgrimage they abso-
lutely dared to catch the sympathy of angels and
archangels when they were allowed to magnify
the Glory of His /Name. The rev, gentleman con-
cluded his sermon b
by earnestly impressing upon
his hearers that it was more blessed to give than
to receive, and by asking them to make a worthy
iooffnerwinegrethioart
tevening.he
benefit The o
f proceeds
theschools,
ot h e
ctholal
neck;
which were in want of .t5O, and asked those present
why could not that sum be given that evening.
The cause was a most worthy one, and was such
as would do incalculable good to the furture gene-
ration.
The !mount collected was upwards of £7.
Services for a similar purpose will be held at the
same church to-morrow (Sunday).

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A SURGEON.—An accident
of a somewhat serious nature befell Mr. It. L.
Bayley, surgeon, of this town, on Wednesday after-
noon -last. The unfortunate gentleman had been
on a visit to a patient, and was returning down
Dnis Park, when the pony which he was riding
stfrmbled and fell, throwing its rider to the ground
and afterwards rolling over him, breaking his leg.
He was picked up and placed in a trap, and con-
veyed home. Mr. A. Freer has attended him since
and we believe Mr. Bayley is doing as well as can
be expected.
NON-PAYMENT OF POOR RATES.—At the Police
Court, yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher and the
Hon. C. G. Lyttelton, a number of persons were
summoned by Charles Ballow, collector, for non-
payment of poor rates, for the parish of the Lye,
Wollaston, and Wollescote. Several old persons
excused, and orders were made on:the others for pay-
went in 15 days and costs.
STEALING NUTS.—William Edwards, gardener, in
the employ of Henry Godfrey, was charged with
stealing on the 7th, a quantity of filberts, the pro-
perty of his master. Prosecutor said the prisoner
worked for him. He had lost a lot of nuts and fil-
berts, and suspected the prisoner. One morning he
‘vatched him, and saw him fill his pockets with fil-
berts. They were worth sixpence. The prisoner
pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs, and fiLl
the value of the filberts ;in default 14 days.
CAUTION TO SWEARERS. Anne Fitzgerald, of
Coventry-street, was summoned by Superintendent
Freeman for making use of obscene language, on the
;ird. The case was proved, and defendant fined 58
and costs ; in default 14 days.
Tux LATE BRUTAL ASSAULT.—At the Public
Office, on Tuesday, before Colonel Fletcher, Eliza-
beth Mason, described as a hawker, from Broseley,
was brought up on remand, charged with unlaw-
fully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily
harm, on Jane Pariau. Prosecutrix deposed: I
am wife of William Henry Parian, and live at a
lodging-house in Stourbridge. About ten o'clock
at night the prisoner came into the house. At the
prisoner's request I took up her bonnet and shawl,
and put her to sit on a bench in the kitchen. I
then went about my work. On returning, I found
that the prisoner had made a mess on the door. I
remonstrated with her, when she struck me twice
on the face with her fist. We struggled together
for a time. Prisoner afterwards put the tea kettle
on the fire to boil some water, to make some tea.
bile let it stand for a few minutes, when she said,
"If you speak to me I will give you the contents
of this. '1 said you had better not do it." She
then struck me with the tea pot, mid broke it.
The blow was on the forehead, and the water
scalded my face. Was blind for four days. Sarah
Anne Ridley was the next witness, and said that
prisoner came into the house, tipsy. She then
corroborated the last witness. Police-sergeant
Jones proved apprehending prisoner, and she was
committed to take her trial at the next Worcester
Sessions.