The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-01-26 00:00:00

CHRIST'S CHURCH TEA.

The first Ma and social gathering of the friends who
worship at Christ's church. took place in the Assembly
Rooms, Royal Hotel on Wednft.dsy evening last. The
novelty of the gathering excited much interest, and it
was • perfect success. The large room and some adjoining
ones were filled from end to end with the tables, which
were at first found all too few for the numerous visitors.
The active minister, Rev. Mr. Gedye, seemed in all parts
of the room in quick succession, attending to the comfort
of his guests, and Mr. James Milledge. Mr. 8. 8. Ifilledge,
and Mr. S. Aiding were equally conspicuous
Amongst the ladies who kindly " gave tables" were Mrs.
Gest).., Misses Parker, Mrs. Gundry, Mrs. Andrews, Miss
Andrews, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Rabbets, Mrs.
Upward, Mrs. Coucher, Mn, Bagley, Miss Townley, Mrs.
I'. Dodson,
_Mrs. Monday, Mrs. Chubb, Miss Bridge Mrs.
Wedge, Mrs. Robertson, Mir SIUIII.OII, Miss de Winton,
Mrs. Otway, Mrs. Other, and amongst those who made
tea were Mrs. Oliver, Mrs Norman, Mrs. Kdby, kc., dc.
A number of very beautiful ferns and flowers, adorned
the tables, some met by Mr. Bascombe, York Villa,
About 401 visited the roost, and it was found necessary to
have • second making of tea but ill were in due time
satisfied.
The room was afterwards arranged for the public mast.
Mg, and was densely crowded.
The Rev. DIGIT Buss first offered a few words of prayer.
The Rev. Mr. Genre said he had smy much to regret
that, this being church night in the neighbouring churches,
some of the clergy if they appeared at all., were likely to
appear very late. The clergy were liable, like all of us to
thtoat affections, and these gentlemen appeared to be
peculiarly afflicted with throat affections now ; but never-
theless he trusted to see their faces by and bye. In the
meantime he trusted that, as Englishman, we should do
the best we could under the circutustances—(ap_plause).
The Choir: "Shall we gather at the river r Mir Proby
accompanying on the harmonium.
Mr. Haulm churchwarden, was then called on. He
was exceedingly pleased to see such an immense number
at this our first meeting, or social gathering, as we would
rather tall it. It was instituted for the purpose of defray-
hag certain expenses, and the number here tonight he was
ItaPPYto my, would far cover those e spasms —fapplasisel
Many of us are well aware of the heavy expenses of first
orming a home—(hear)—now he likened Christ's Church
congrexation very much to a newly-harried couple who
have just sufficient for the necessaries of lite, but who like
themselves, had not been fortunate enough to have an
endowment or a large fortune —llaughtar). But he must
not complain for one moment, and he thanked them all
very heartily for the manner in which they had supported
Christ Church from the beginning. Those from other
churches and chapels had supported them right and left,
and he. hoped that when their worthy rector returned,
they would be able to show that this Christ's Church woo
not built in is barren land, but that there were on the
right and left fathers and mothers willing to nourish the
infant in its infancy. The loxes now placed at the doors
would not, be hoped, be required any wore for the same
purpose. but that now he should be able to put another
notice over them —that the proceeds of the boxes will be
devoted to the purchase of an organ—Omar, and applause).
Mrs. I 'oneher then with touch sweetness lung " Ile
shall feed His then like a :shepherd," and received
merited applause.
the Rev. DIUNT BUSY motorised for coming before
them. He was a very poor substitute for the rector of
Trowbride, being one of his curates, for the rector was
especially great on thaw occasions Be WSW told that
church ton intotings are • lintti institution 'in Weymouth :
lot they differed very touch at Trowbridge, where they
had very valiant tea warriors indeed —(laughterl The
nutnber of cups 'owe of their old women took was very
elorming—(Laughter)—snd they declared that each was
better than the one before—llartghter). He hoped in
Weymouth, after this beginning they would advance in
this respect, and soon rival those at Trowbridge. If In
Weymouth they did not know much about Trowbridge,
In Trewbridge a great many knew Weymouth, foe many
of the poor people had only seen the sea when they came
dawn to Weymouth, and they were full of delight about
the town, the sea, and the pleasnres of going in the
steamer to Portland, awl one man said he felt so happy
and comfortable on the steamer's deck that he should hke
to sit there and just go on awl see his an in Australia—
(laughter). The speaker went on to talk of the civilising
influence of tea, thence to the Chinese from whom it
urines. Ile lad seen many t 'Line, In San Francisco, and
heart their music, which we should not like, as there is
no lurmony hut only a variety of sotuuls, as one man, a
grinding sound, a crunching «mud, a scratching sound,
and jingling sounds (laughter). Speaking of the spread
of the Chinese, he believul roost ther • would Ire few
except the white race and the yellow (Chinese) race the
others mould all die out. As they all went hotne to ebin.
to die, if they could, he saw in this a means of
bringing the gospel intimate upon the Chinese and
their country. Ho be lookol forward to the extension '
of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. and Pointed
out how grand a thing it is to expect the coining soon
, of that kingdom, now that, As the rib'', sail yesterday,
in the midst .•( the gloom that urinforts us, one thing is
risible, even. one is arMing.- Ile then turned their
thoughts to the everlasting kingdom of heaven, which
Christ has opened for us, and hid them look forward to that
, time when the kingdoms of this world shall be the king-
doms of our Cl and of His •
Chn d—(applause)
The Rev. Mr. Genre said the choir had onlo been
established three or four months, and they made no pre-
teheiehe 40 any greet heights of singing, but only wished
to fill up the time plasma*, as they were all amateur..
The choir then tang ...fortuity, Joyfully."
After this Kr. GROTE announced a five minutes'
Interval, "for • Chats" • Privilege freely used.