The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-06-20 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL SUNDAY.

Sunday (14th) having been appointed as Hospital Sunday
for the present year, versions were preached :MI collections
made in the churches and chapels generally throughout the
Metropolis towards the founts of the various hospitals and
Infirmaries within the Metropolitan area. The fund, as is
generally known, was instituted last year at the SIMISiI.II-
- in the nuipoulty of Alderman Sir Sidney Water-
low, M.P., aided by an influential council. It has been
taken up lip his successor. Ihr Alderman Lusk, l. r, the
present Chief Magistrate 14 the City, assisted by the same
council, and will probably lie an institution for all time.
The sum collected on the first Hospital Sunday amounted in
all to about £3 MO, and it may be remembered that his
Royal highness the Prince of Wales attended the morning
special service hi St. Paul's Cathedral on the occasion, as did
also the civic dignitaries.

On Sunday morning the Lord Mayor am! Sheriffs, escorted
by members of the Courts of Aldermen anti COMIIIOII Council,
with Mr. Cnder-Sheriff Beard, and precet,ed by the Sword
am! Mace Bearers, at, wearing their official robes, went in
State front the Mansion-louse to attend the service at St.
Paul's, the City Marshal leading the way. They were re-
ceived at the western entrance to the Cathedral by the Dean
and the rest of the clerical dignitaries, and walked in pro-
cession to the pima% assigned them in the nave, the Lord
Mayor occupying the &Ill& seat assigned him by virtue of
his office and Ity immemorial usage on the northern side of
the fabric, where, according to custom, his sword of office
Wits suspended in a niche behind hint during the service.
Mr. Alderman and Sheriff Whethnn and Mr. Sheriff
Johnson occupied seats on the right of the Lord Mayor, as
did also Alderman Sir Sydney Waterloo, Alderman Stone,
anti Alderman Ellis. There was a large general congrega-
tion

The Bishop of Rochester was the preacher specially ap-
pointed for the day. Taking for his text the words

" Healing all manner of sickness and all manner
disease natant, the people,' being part of the 2dril verse
of the 4th chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, he said the
Saviour was then setting an example for all future time
to all who should believe in him. It was his mission to
heal awl to comfort all that were bruised, wounded, in-
firm, necessitous, or helpless; and beyond all doubt,
therefore, hospitals, infirmaries, and refuges, of any
kind in these days were consonant with his teaching
and example. .Given the need, and the duty followed,
and could not be neglected without sin; a lesson, alas
which many would never learn until it was too late;
until the Lord at the last greatreekoning, should say, "1
wan an hungered and ye gave me no meat ; I was
thirsty and ye gave me no drink ; I was a stranger
and ye took inn not in ; naked and ye clothed me not ;
sick and in prison and ye visited me not." Every
man's day of sickness and trial would come, sooner or
later, awl to have considered the poor and needy; to
have done what he could in his day and generation to
ease the aching, limb, to administer comfort to those
who had to labour hard for a livelihood under most
untoward, and often aggravated, circumstances and
conditions ; m have provided in times of sickness and
distress the best medical aid, the necessary quiet, the
most skilful nursing, and such other helps and appli-
ances as money. only could procure when the body was
racked with pain, would be a source of comfort to him
at the last and be accounted to hint for righteousness.
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do
ye even as to them, for this is the law and the
prophets." It WM the law 14 the Gospel likewise.
The Bishop concluded his discourse by an urgent
appeal on behalf of the fund.