The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-10-25 00:00:00

FAREWELL AND PREBENTATION TO THE REV.
T. AND MRS. °REAVES.

Alcovemribelußrgins,uamtabedrutlerthferiePuurits."issee°n"s of
mbledSthyliarl'a
itwitat
u churchwardens, at the National Schoolroom,
on °no h
Tuesdayte evening, to witness the presentation of testi-
monials to the R-v. Talbot Grieves, the out-going rector
of Si. Mary's, for himself and his equally beloved wife, on
the deeply regretted occasion of their leaving St. Mary's,
where they have labourei for so many year., for the
apirituaL moral, and material welfare of the inhabitant..
It is needless at this point, and indeed impoesible, pressed
as our column, are by the records of county business, to
repeat the sel.known bisLry of the unwearied exertions
of Mr. and Mr*. Grieves, until • distressing affliction
stayed the latter—euffice it that all classes were largely
represented at this feast of love, and very many Noncon-
formists heartily joined.
On the platform were arranged chairs, terra-cotta vases
containing handsome ferns and other growing plants. and
on easel, were the several address s from the different
bodies who have joined in testimonials, the addreems
handsomely illuminated and framed in gold, also sketchea
of the sideboard. bookcase, Sac., but all veiled at fit.t,
and the handsome ebony and gold clock, presented by 8111
teachers of Si. Mary's and the Portent:pip Bible C 10.06
every quarter of an hour musically sounded out its sweet
chimes. The National Schosl had been renovated so
aa to form quite an homelike room; the walls were bung
with large and handsome pictures, and the seats in the
tot, of the room were arranged ins, easy a manner as was
compatible with the accommodation or a large number,
whirl the young people were not forgotten. for many
assembled in toe wing f rmerly devot d to the Infst.tt,
thouah so numerous were the adult, that it was half fillsd
with elder irienda. Amongst those present were the Roe.
T. A. L. Grease., M . S. Milledae and S. Payne,
churchwardens Dr. Smith, the chairman, Mr. Mdledge.
▪ the "tattier" of St. Mary'. congregation. It • C. ft.
Obbrert, Weymouth C ;liege, Rev. J. Mi I.r, Uric nubs
Real. Sch oil, Mr. G. Andress. vestry clerk, and family,
Mr. and Mrs. G. Andrews, Jun. Mr. and Mee. W. B.
Barrett. Mr. and Mrs. L dr. and Mr& K bertson,
11. v. L, N. (Wye, Mr. J. (L K tare, Mr. A. Dennis. and so
many others that it is useless to attempt to continue the
list.
A cup of tea and other light refreshments were muwed
about informally, and about an hour was pleasantly passed
in social converse, Mr. Greases going about among the
people, shaking hand., and giving • pleasant greeting.
After this Dr. Smith presided, supported by Mr.
Milledge, gen., the Rev. Mr. Brennan, and others, around
Kr. Greavaa
The CIIIIIIIIIAN said: We are met this evening, as you
all know, to express our great sorrow for the loss we have
unstained in the removal of our worthy muter, and to
t him with a testimonial, with our beet thanks for
griaTatour of by, amongst us for more than a quart tit of
a oentary, and also to give eitoreastong of our heartfelt
sorrow for the chat, of health of the partner of hie hssom,
which has been the chief cause of his seeking for her sake
so °omelets • change of residence, with the hope of
restoring her again to health. (Applause.) It must be
Patent to you all now, as it was to myself lone ago, that
she was over-tatting her physical powers by her constant
and daily exertion, among you, and especially amongst
the poorer portions of this parish—fapplausel—look to
their temporal and spiritual well-being: but we ferventir
hope and pray that she may be again able to exercise
those duties in their new sphere, wiai•-h were so much her
delight to perform here. I remember well when Mr.
Grooves first came amongst us he at once set his heart and
soul upon carrying out the duties of his offi m with a will
and energy which at once proved him tO he • man who
did not wish to live for himself alone, but for the people,
and their comfort and happinces, over whom God in His
nrovidence had placed him. He first set ab eut renewing
St. Mary's Church, the seats of which, you will remember,
were more like horse-boxes than pews in a church. This
dine, he placed anew organ in the church, and then cone•
minced building a new gallery for the infant school
children, which holds WA little Polk coil need hardly
tell you that our Nation Schools have been hi • constant
care. Always bent on the education of the people, he
worked op and eetahli.hed • mid lie school for the educa-
tion of another &ass, which han be-n a complete aue,ess.
Still further in the samh laudable direction—education—
,he wan mainly inetromeotal in getting built and in
estsbliabiug our C Alegi its School, yet de.tined to
he one ot the wrest centres of education in the
South of Wantland. Of -sr, hear.) N•txt, and this
not the least of Kr. Greaves's great works mooed
us, which he so largely provided for temporal
sanest' is, he recognised the want in this parish of an
additional place for spiritual education, and set about the
formation and building of Chritt Church, an important
and lasting monument to biz memory, t 'wards which he
largely contributed from his own private pers., and so
completed this Oil crowning labour of love in Weymouth.
Lestly let rue remark that we, one and all, who love 0.1(
church in all its simplicity and loveliness, owe him a debt
of gratitude for standing out as the peat chismolon of
Protestant truth and heal principles, and defending
us from those insidious perils of ssc-rdotalism that era
undermining our t.ure spoeto'ic church—(•pplaute and
hear. hea•)—ant we doubt not he will c notinue those
Principles in big new aphere of labour, in which we moot
• heertilet wish him God speed. (Applause.)
The CH•1R111(1 then called on th• pariah wsrdrn to read
the ddress.
M.. SIDNI MILL11(016.11. ChOrehWar(l.lo for the pariah,
came forward and read the address as follows :
"To the Reverend Talbot A. L. Greases. M A., lath ,
Rector
" of Melcombe R-gts and It AM de.
We, the parithioncrs of Me combs It-is, memlrra of
' st. try's congregation and friends, whodesseirensomnsy:,r);
lienascnri
ni dw ny
mtohnethatcocoemaprePansiitongyotw'akee. nee of our sincere
or promotahn
appreciation of the unwearied effort. f yottih bare made.
during your long ministry amongst tie
•of the spiritual welfare of the pari.h. We can truly say
veslabritired am meat us you
t—thahaeavteLdp:rint.
jesiedt.h.mc2sohiarytiesetlarriannyeadouttlh:':aindit fkmaithbfteilelny
ytohure Goac.upel out
endeavour to win souls to Him.
" Whilst thus roc rasing your ministrations to the
lep.ri nal wants of your people, we (0011nt fall to remember
the p iblic benefits your personal ialaeue• arid effsrls
hire conferred on the pariah. Th• erection of a new
rhutch, the anlarrement and improvement of our National
of
education. and the eff• +eta you bees male for the b
Itshoola, the in t rest you have shown in the cetto.
are striking Proofs
o
support
hw, .d
of our
willeh long id b
arita b
he institutions.
Ull in grateful remem.
brawn
" We are also daeirous of teetifrine to the loving and
devoted
self..acrificing manner in which Mrs. °reeves has .
the best years of her life to visiting am ingot all clauses of
St. Mares congregation. It is •
source of unfeigned
regret to as that her health has suffered from her over
emersion' in this work, and it our earnest hope th.t •
Ichange of residence may have a heeeficial effect upon her.
I In conclusion, we beg Mrs. Greavita" and your own
acceptance of a sideboard, dinner-waggon, and bookcase,
I which will shortly be forwarded to you. is • small token
of our esteem and affect i ,n, and we trust that the sight of
I these articles may oonolonally recall some pleasant
as...Mations connected with your mieisnY amongst in-
ti wesepouth. IS:h October, ISSI "
Having concluded the addreaa and aderrsaing the rector,
he said :—Sir, as Parish warden I amoral you the expressions
contained in this address de but half convey to you our
feelings at the loss we are suetaining through your removal
from amongst no. Clifton's gala I, Indeed Weymouth's
loss, and what makes the lope of yourself and Mrs. Gruver
to us the harder to bear is the fact that you take with you
two ladiu, who dories your long ministry in the parish.
bane indeed done good 'Peke,. We felt that if we
multiplied the testimonials we should not he carrying out
the wishes of your sister., but that they bad done much
good in the parish none can deny. If we look for results,
rerhare we should tint en to the Imams of the "Upper
Tan." but rather trite the dwellings of our poorer brethren,
and amongst the youths of the parish. The poor have
indeed lost two good friends in your sisters, anti we fear
that it will not be till alter the coming winter that they
will fully radio their lon, as whilst amnesic' the Ward
of We Oa was ivir aladtal al their tatils wauis.

The youths of our pariah have lost in Miss Alice Greased
a dear and kind friend, se many of us can testify. Through
her kindly manner of in•trocting tie on Sunday afternoons
In yonder rreun we owe much of the religious instruction
we enjoy. We trust, eir, you will convey to your si.ters
our feelings at the loas we sustain, not only of yourself and
Mrs. Grooves, but also of their removal trom asionpt ur.
(A oelause.)

On the sidelsoud, dinner-waggon. and booker's, the
following inscription appears :—" Presented to the Hey.
Ta hot A. L Grearea, MA and Mrs. Grooves, on their
leaving Weymouth for Cdfton, by the perishioners of
Melcombe Reef', members of it. Mary's congregation,
and friend., in gro'eful lee egniti in of 25 years' unwearied
efforts for the advancement of their spiritual and temporal
interests and the promotion of Evangelical truth."
Mr. Sterne, national isehoolusuter, then, in an appro-
priate spen,h, presented the very handsome clock sub-
scribed for by the Sunday school teachers and members of
Portmore Bible clime, and read their address.
Mr. SMITH said a duty devolved upon him on behalf of
the co-workers in this school, to express the deep regret
they felt, and also the loos sustained in the removal of
Mr. Greeves from their midst. The deep interest be had
ever taken in the prosperi'y of our schools, and the
Jealous care which he bad exercised over them are alio
well known to all, •pecially to the teachers. It had bug
been their privilege, and also their duty to co-operate
with him—some for many leers, and some for nearly a
quarter of a century, in the work not only of teachine, but
of training the rieing generation in the town, and how-
ever short they might have fallen from the faithful
discharge of thin duty, he trusted they bad all one great
central aim and ohjert—not only tbe desire to see theta
children grow up rood use ful memb TA of scciety, but •Iso
t • lead them to realiee that after this brief portion of
life. 'here is a hereafter of endless misery o- happiness, to
Ire endured or enjoyed. and thet atate dependent upon the
e now lived in the flesh. But with deep humility of
heart they felt how tuber slily they had come short and
failed in this great work of tstiehing mud training. No
work warn more immortals% end they had been instructed,
encouraged, and stimulated by the RwOor's own faithful
ministratioca both in polilie and prisate. In thus
addressing him, Mr. Smdli felt he should not convey
either his own feelings ar the feelings of those wh on he
represented here, were he unmindful of the seal. .n riry.
love, and Christian devotion which had
.cheract rust the
labours .•f Mrs. Grooves fr ro long • period in this parish.
It had plowed Him whore wisdom I. infinite, whose ways
are past finding our, Him veto I. too wise to err end too
good to be unkind, to lay His Afflicting band upon her, and
through her on lost husband also, and it wse their earned
prayer thet both may receive that strength and supp r',
confidence and trust from Him who alone eon bestow, so
that while under His afteing hand they might still feel
they are bash in, in the sunshine of Hie favour, and fully
realising that all things work together for good to them
that love God. In taking their official Wove of Mr.
Greayes, he begged to read the address:—
To tke Re*. Talbot end Mrs. Grooves.

" We, your Sunday School tea-hers and momlw I.; of the
Portrnore B.ble whorls risme, are inscribed in the
accompanying book, desire to expicsa the deep regret we
feel at your removal from amoopt on. Thoueb formb g
hut a small tendon of your congregation. few will mi re
deeply regret the separation then we In. Your exposition
of the W. rd of God, accompanied by the painr of the
Spirit, has been truly valuable and bb.ssed to up, and
vastly shall we totes those boars which we have spent
together In the prayerful study of the Holy Scriptures,
which alone are able to make us wise unto Salvation.
" The Schools will lose in you a most valuable superin-
tend. nt and visitor, and we are certain there la no parish
In which greater care has been exercived, in order to
ensure !bound Gospel teaching being imparted to the yoang
than In our own.

In begging your acceptance of some alight recognition of
your work in our behalf forth. quarter of a century you
have lived amongst us, we feel that, perhap., no more
appropriate gift could be offered than that which reminds
yourselves and us of the rapid fl,ght of Time and the near
approach of Eternity. . _

In onielii-Wr;e7,--iie earnestly pray that oar Heavenly
Father may in His own good time restore the one whom
we ell love and esteem to health again, enabling her to
continue her work end labour of love, though in another
portion of the Master's vineyard."
"St. Mary's Sunday Schools, Holcombe Regis, October
Hith, 11381.. .

The clock is a very handsome one, in black enamelled
case, with ormolu decorations, and chimes the onwtere,
having Westminster sad 101 l chimes, for which it can be
set. It beers the following inscription engraved on • plate
below:—" Presented to the Rev. Talbot and Mrs. Greases
by their Sunday School teachers and members of the Bible
class on the occaaion of their leaving this parish for
Clifton, in affectionate remembrance of 25 years' faithful
work amount them. Meloomb• Regis. September, 1881."
Mr. Butt, of Si. Alban's-street, supplied the testimonial,
which we. much admired.

The Rev. T. A. L °agaves, in the course of his
remarks, said,—My deer Coristian friends. Sunday School
teachers. and fellow lahourers in the Kingdom of God, you
will, I am sure, not take my few tete( and broken words
to-night as any index of the depth and reality of the
love and gratitude and interest with which I retard you
ell. I could not but feel to-night deeply humble at bearing
so much praise, -.which I felt to he so totally unmerited ; I
can truly say in the sight of God that the only merit I
claim amongst you has been this—l think I can say
to-night I have never swerved from therms grand aim and
object in my ministerial life—to lift up before you the
Crass of Christ (Applause.) I believe that that Crow has
been like the pillar of cloud in the wilderness— t has
been light to the people of God, and it has been dark to
those who have neglec-ei that crest saleatinn, but my
closing prayer shell be that those to whom hitherto the
Crow' has been an offence may from this time forth find
the Cross the refuge and the hope and the joy of their souls.
I do not know how enough to thank you all for those
tokens of affection, very little indeed in one sense, but
which will he very precious in another, and which have
put the seal and the crown to so many mete of love and
kindness' which you have shown to me for • piercer of a
century. And it is with strange and varied feelinea I
meet you to-night I dare not dwell on the whole ; it
would recall so many joys and sorrows, and 2.5 year. of
ministry I What a large portion is that, almost the whole
of a ministry. I feel that my ministry at Clifton meet
needs be • very short time, for I do not intend to minister
after I perceive any great loss of power; I GM only look
forward to a very few years of labour there, and I ean
only pray thtt the same meaeure of lebesing which God
has bestowed upon very feeble and unworthy labours here,
may be continued in that other work. I should like to
say two or three things to-nieht First, with regard to my
own beloved congregation at St. Marie. I cermet but
exprees my gratitude for the way in which thee have
listened to the same preacher for the put year.; I have
never teen any symptom. of weariness, but have been able
to point our ritusliatic friend., who says we must have
music and other things to attract the senses, to the a' ten.
lion which has been gained at St Mere& Ido not think
the interest hue flagged, and I think the congregation of
St Mares only desire now what they desired 25 years
age, the plain, simple, honest penclarnetion of Jesus and
His love, and meat earn ratty do I pray that whoever may
he appointed to this important post may come among you
in a prnfounl belief in the g ,spel • f Christ, so that homey
be under no temptation to supplement that by any
sled-ern of men, any high rites', any attempt to please the
seness—thet he may he strongly rooted in the cnaviction
that he 'menet of Jesus Crrist is the power- of Gad unto
eslyetion And I thank especially all our Nonconformist
friends; I can look back upon 25 years and ger that I
never received an unkind word or sew an unkind look
from &Nonconformist during those years. lam thankful
there has been a spirit of on ty between ne I must say
the opposition I hove met with his been from those who
are the enemies of the ernes of Christ, and I esteem their
enmity and opposition a& the greeted possible compliment
they could pay me. One word more, as to our fellow
labourers ; you hove ben good enough to express your
setisfacti on for what has been accomplished bets; but my
work has been principally done through my fellow
labourers, and to them, and not to me, be the praise.
Among the people of this parish I shall ever look forward
with joy to meeting the large body of fellow labourers who
have been twisting in the work of this large and important
perida, and whoever ortmes after me will end they will
rally round him and be the e'rength, the core, and the
support of his ministry in this plate. Them, as regards
the future, I wan in hopes I might be able to tell you who
had been selected to occupy my place, but the one to whom
it has been offered shrinks from the responsibility of the
post. Perhaps we mav take this as an intimation that
Owl will take the matter into His own hands. Men make
great mistakes patrons of livings sometimes make greet
mistakes, and lasil very often answers the prayers of His
People by putting it int the hearts of the wrong men not
I to come. And so do you earnestly c ontinue in prayer; do
notdeubt.don't he scatterel.do Der he cast down,and do not
sorrow. It is 3 hi-ter pain to me to intdct sorrow upon en
mane, and our dear friend made a mistake when he said I
had been led to seek a change of spleen'; I beg tee say I
never *ought • change, and I never would seek it, I
never would bake any post that was met thrust upon
me; I never wenld open a door for myself. The post
now offered me I pat aside, until it was made plain to
me that God int.nl.d me to till it. that I saw my stray
plain to this reparation Passing along my journey here,
saw whet havoc and destruction the great gale of
Friday had mule among the trees. Some of them IMMO
up easily with • ball of soil around their roots, as if they
had been often transplanted, while others had been
snapped off a few feet from the ground, and shown by
their decoy that they bad been dying for some time
before, year after year great limbs at teen broken f rorn
them, you by year the circle of their shadow grew
narrower and narrower. And then there were
some others—treeu which had reached, but had
net reseed th. iv prime, and anyone could gusto how
widely their ro-ots tied spread, awl how deeply into the
*oil they had penetrated, until the violent storm tore
them up and left a ()heeding wound, a crest gap in the
earth beneath. And I could not heln feeling how
these trees represented various change*. Some Christian
minister. are like tree.' frequently transplanted, they
come op easily when removed, with their ball of soil
around them' and there is no difference: and Perhaps
there may he come advantages in that 'system of frequent
removal which exists among our friends the Wesleyan';
it disttibtites more evenly ministerial Puccini or failure
throughout the countre , and it secures the more
thorough co-operstlon of the laity: hut on the other
hand there is not the same strong affection, the same
carrying on of the work of Christ in the souls around
them. Then there are mini.ters who 'eons to survive
their Iwighteat days, they Pelee if and leave • hollow
tronlc ; and yet there is a third class of ministers, those
eh.- hey. reached but have not pissed their prime; they
hens mita ned the maturity of age, they, have retained •
little of the fire of youth, and when they are removed, no
doubt their removal leaves a gap. And people say "What
good could it do to remove them r' Anti yet, perhaps%
a minister in ey feel that he has h•gion to drscend the hill,
and it nisy he his ambition an-I wieh that he atinuti pass
away from the people among- t whnru he has ministered
without witnessing decay and toee of prayer, of influence.
and of bleesing. And ro have I spent my heat days here,
I am thankful to pass away from amongst you without
having witnessed the deny of the work, and without
having to ray " i,it God withhold lie blessing?" I am
thankful that during the past lit months of trial and
sorrow, supperted by a vast amount of sympethy and
love, there has rotate' upon sermons peppered not In the
study, but in the sick room—there has Tested a Homing
epee that ministry of suffering, and I rejoices if, through
cur Lord Jesus Christ, we may be permitted. minister
and people, t rejoice toiretler in the kingd at of our
Lord an-I Savionr. Mee He, in His infinite mercy, bless
and trap you oil: may Ha work f Maen prosper in your
souls. and His glory at last be your resting place and
poor eternal home.
Tee CHAIRMAN then announced that. in order all might
see the address. end bid farewell to their worthy rector,
they might at the clots pass round in front of the table
and go out in order without Meetly...she, He thee
asked the Rector to conduct family prayer, after which
thee would dieverse.
The hymn 1535 was sung, commencing—
" From arthly [demure,
From every trannent joy.
and then the Rector engaged in forayer.
I The pertion of Soripture he read was the latter part of
' Arts xi.. descrihing dines meat affeetine teepee of the
parting of the Apostle Pall from his beloved Epheaian
; elders at Miletue, and the selection was deeply appro-
priate and touching. The It •ct ,CA prayer for the church,
and especially for a faithful and suitable pastor to be
peek WM ale, very earnest and appropriate and deeply
moving, awl at let. when be er.on 'need the benediction
for the last time, we are mare that the feelings elicited
; were too solemn to he here expressed.