Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-26 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not hold oureavcs respon.siVe for the opinions of
our correspondents.]

THE FERRIES.

TO TnE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN DAMP TIMES.

rri,—l was very much struck with the suggestion of
your correspondent R. W. R. to place, during fogs, two
or three ancho•ed steamers across the river as guide
marks for the ferry-boats to make in succession. This
is well worthy thr consideration of the,autherities; and
they ought to elicit the unconstrained opinions of all the
men,belonging to, or who have belonged to, the ferry-
boats, and should ascertain what the great number of
retired ship-masters, who daily cross 'by the ferries,
third( on the subject. The point to.beulicited is, whe-
n very low speed and little noise, with finger-posts to
assist, in making
_proper allowances for the currants, is
safer and-otherwise more desirable than a direct clear
course across (kept clear of obstructions by heavy penal-
ties) with full speed and loud and eoutiuued din of
steam screamers, during fogs and thick weather.
'Your correspom.lent's idea is so. opposite to what
teems to have been heretofore the grand.panacea for all
the etvils fogs are parents to, that at first sight some
may be disposed to laugh at it. But I .remember the
them when the masters of the Woodside ferry-boats care-
fully made for vessel after vessel in their-tract:. and felt
their way, and heard every signal on the river. But
then a half hour was the usual duration of a fog voyage,
and accidents' did not then happen as now•-a-days.
The great evil now to be dreaded is the speed and
noise of the Woodside boats during fogs. The change
in the right direetion would be the.sithulta7cous depar-
ture, when the slip or stage is very crowded, of. two
boats, who should keep company across; and, during
foggy weather, always having at least four boats, with
steam up, ready at a moment's notice to take•their places
at the ferry. The telegraph under the river could
greatly aid in preventing interruption of the traffic, and
consequent accumulation of enormous crowds at either
side. But the great requirements are low speed, perfect
silence between intervals of short distinct sound signals,
and more uniformity with the Woodside Pier and the
Landing-stage bells. - 0. .

CONSECRATION OF A NEW CHURCH AT
BEB 1 NGTON

On Saturday last, 'Christ Church, Higher Bebington,
the foundation stone of which was laid more than two
pars ago, was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester.
There was a numerous and. most respectable attendance,
the clergymen rresent being the Rev. Joshua King
(Rector of Woodchnrch), Rev. Georp Troughton (in-
cumbent of the new church), Rev. T. F. Redhead, Rev.
11. J. Hosl:ing, Rev. Mr. Arthur, Rev. M.. A. Tatter-.
sail, Rev. Philip Robin (curate of Woodchureh), Rev.
Mr. Jones (Clattcrbidge Workhou.e), Rev. George
Teilden, and• Rev. Mr. Lowe. The =at consecration
service was read by the Rev. Mr. Troughton, the lessons
by the Rev. 'l'. F. Redhead, and the sermon was preached
by. the Bishop-of Chester.

His Lordship chose for his text, the first epistle of St.
Paul to the Corinthians, the 12th chapter and 26th verse,
in which it is written, " And whether one member suffer, all
the member's suffer with it; or one member ha honoured,
all the members rejoice with it."- Almighty God has
made of one blood all the nations Of the earth. He
has bound all mankind together, by ties of relationship,
as members Of One ;great family, of which he is the
universal father. He has thus given them an interest
in each other's happiness. He has made it their duty to
prOmote each other's happiness, and_ ho has made that
duty delightful in the performance. ITe has implanted
within us aprisseiple Of social sympathy which attracts our
hearts to each other and makes the whole world feel it
it one kindred. This is God's gracious gift. We say,
-when we compare mankind with the inferior creatures
of God's nature—we say, and say justly, that it is the
great prerogative characteristic of man to be endowed
with intellectual faculties, and with an immortal power
of distinguishingsbetween right and wrong ; but I think
we may count it no small part of man's prerogative
that' his heart melts with pity, and his eye over-
flows with tears for the suffering' and the sorroivs
of his fellow-men. For if reason makes human
nature noble, surely it is compassion makes it amiable.
Not only has Almighty God implanted this principle of
sympathy in us, but he has graciously annexed sensations
of delight and pleasure to its exercise. There is, as it
has been beautifully saWarniiiryin doing good—there
is a happiness in making othess happy ; and thus, by
this beneficent arrangement of God's providence, there
is a current of human kindness • ever circulating
through the heart, and our ears, our hearts, and our
hands are open to- the cry of sorrow and: the
wants of poverty. It is well when this proceeds merely
from the impulse of natural sympathy, but how greatly
it this exercise:of our benevolence heightened and sanc-
tified when it proceeds not from instinct merely, but
from a sense of religious duty—when it springs not
merely from .107 e of Man, but also from love of God
and love of Jesus Christ. - When we do good to
others from this higher principle, •our philanthrophy
is elevated' into religion ' • our alms to the -poor
become thankofferings to God ; our acts of charity
become services to our Lord Jesus Christ ; which
he has graciously promised that he will accept as
done unto himself, because done for his sake, and for the
benefit of those whom he loves. . But there is no need
for me, my friends, I know, to use many words in ex-
horting :you to exercise this liberality to the poor, and
to exercise On this high anA holy 'principle. I am per-
suaded that you do so at all times, and, it may be, more
particularly at this blessed season of the Christian year,
when obr Lord Jesus Christ was born into the world • at
this season, when all the tenderness of home affection
and of: Christian goodness, spread their genial warmth
over our hearts. My friends, almighty God has bleSsed
yen with affluence of worldly coinfortS ; I hope there is
peace and plenty in all yonr hotises, and happy faces shining.'
round your table and your cheerful fire—and I ens sure
you do not forget at such a season to let some part of
your abundance overflow into the dwellings of the poor,
where many a table is but half supplied, and many a
hearth-stone cold. But I will not dwell upon this
point, nor need I ; let me rather add a few words—for
the occasion seems to suggest them—let me rather add a
few words of exhortation to you to extend your
Christian benevolence to the spiritual as well as the
bodily necessities of the poor—to supply them with
religious comfort and instruction as well as with pecu-
niary assistance. This is trim Christian benevolence.
What is the gieiti cause of misery in human life ? Is
it poverty—is it:sickness—is it pain I don't deny that
there are causes of misery; but I have seen them all
endured with patience, with resignatien--ILwithout a
word, without a complaint, with undiminished trust in..
Cod's paternal mercy, with unwavering faith in Christ's
redeeming love, with a cheerful hope, of everlasting
peace in a happier world, where' sickness, and sorrow,
and pain, and avant, shall be known 'no more. I have
seen such examples of resignation, even in the humblest
dWellings of the poor. I have heard my prayer, for
GOd's blessing on patient suffering, answered. from
time to time, by a like prayer upon myself. Happy
Christian, however poor, who can thus findpeae, ;
all:
,
the weary who can thus find rest; happy the heavy I h
who can thus lay their burden down. ' Blessed are the
Heaven."
who die in the Lord, for theirs is the Kingdom of
Heaven." No, my friends, it is not poverty, it is not
pain, it is not sickness, bitter as these may be, that is
the great cause of misery in human life—it is sin ; that
is the blight that withers the bud ; that is the iron that
enters into the soul. Are we asked to point to the scene
where human nature issank to the lowest depth of de-
gradation and misery; it is to that squalid home, in which
the inmates are living in sin, in habits of sensuality, in
drunkenness, in uncleanness, in blasphemy, in discord,
in strife, lost to all sense of shame,, reckless 'of the,
decencies of life, living in contempt of God's word and,
in defiance of his law either in stupid apathy or in
dark despair—athere is human misery; not on the sick
bed, not in the
.poor home, but everywhere where there,
is sin reigning in the wretched hearts of the inmates.'
But, my friends, sad as things are, don't despair of the
reformation even of ' this wretched class; it may be
difficult, but with God all things are possible, and by
the blessing of His grace even we may be the instru-
ments in His hands for rescuing these outcasts from ,
perdition. There is no abode on earth so dark but the
light of God's truth and mercy may penetrate it—no
abode so dark but the eye of faith may see over the
entrance; even here there may yet 'be hope—never
despair. My Meads, I trust that in the district to belong
to this church there may be few—l hope there may be
no cases of such extreme degradation as I have spoken t

of, but I. know thise—tbat there is a large poptilafien of
Working men and their families for whom, •as yet, no
adequate provision has .been made for imparting to.
them religiousaknowledge and instruction, as in:the
More favoured parts of this large parish. They were,
understand, two miles distant from any church. I don't
say this is a groat way to. go when the heart is set upon.
relit-rim, but itis for the .very aged. and the .very young;
and even if any had gone to the neighbouring churches
there was not room there to accommodate :them. To"
supply this great want I know that fir some time there
has been a service on the Sunday •afternoon in the
church schoolroom, and I am gizd to hear. thatit has
'been,attended-.11, several of the more decent and better
conducted of the families of these.werking men, end I am
I also very glad to hear that the school itself, as a place of
education haaheen'well attended by. the•children. That
is ae great 'blessing, for the school is the porch of the
church. But, still these arrangements were far from
being sufficient for the want, and now that want will
be effectually supplied I trust. Through God's blessing
this church- ,nes been erected here, and new for' ever
dedicated to His holy name. This church has been
built with the lied consent of the rector of Bebington,
in Whose parish it lies, and with the hearty teciaeuerente
of the incumbent of the particular district, out of which
the new district for this church is to be taken. It has
been built by, the generous liberality of some few friends
who are thus modestly described in the inscription upon
the foundation stone. "The foundation stone of this
church, dedicated to our Holy and Blessed Salim", was
laid on Lammas day, in thd year of grace, -1857. The
land was the gift of the Rev. Joshua 'Ming, and
George King, Esq., and the funds were contributed
by a law individuals who considered it a privilege
to he enabled to erect a church for the glory of God
in this place." I feel, my friends, as you must feel,
that we should not fail to express our gratitude to those
kind benefactors -who have taken a leading part in this
great work—the Rector of Woodchurch, his brother,
and his nephew. it is mentioned that the land to
bild th hh i b h R f Wood—
church
the parsonage-house and gardens; and they gave all
the stone for the building of the church and the par-
sonage-house. The south aisle of this church has been
built at the entire expense of the Rector of Wooclehurch ;
the north aisle has been built- at the entire expense of
his nephew—Mr. Vincent -King—with the condition
attached to it, that when Seats are placed in it it shall
be for ever free for the occupation 'of the poor. The
' parsonage-house has 'been built at, the expense of the
Rev. George Troughton, the incumbent of the church
and its patron in perpetuity.. The Church Building
Society for the Diocese of Chester has granted £l5O •
towards the 'expense of the church, which
he paid down after the consecration. There are
some other kind gifts from individuals, and though they
may dislike mention of their names, I think it my duty
to name them; for it is a pleasure to do so. That-
beautiful font of Caen stone at the entrance of the church
was presented by the Rev. Mt. Robin and Mrs. Robin ;
the communion cloth, the cushion, and the linen for the
table have been given by some ladies whose names are
not mentio.neal and the church books are scat by the
Society:for Promoting. Christian Knowledge. That
beautiful east window of stained glass, which is a great
ornament to this very beautiful church, is The gift of a
much-respected gentleman—Mr. Spence; of Rock Ferry
—who, I believe, is an old and kind friend of the rector.
of Woodchurch. I don't know whether he is present,
but I am sure' the mention of his name in this place will
call up, in every heart a feeling • of respectful sympathy
for him in his sorrow under the. sad.bereavement with
which he haa 'been lately 'visited in his fantilya I
pray. to God that he will in mercy restore peace
to his mind and fill his heart, and the hearts of
the other members of his family, with Christian
comfort and Christain hope. Life in its pathway
is a chequered scene of light and shade. I looked for-
ward to this as a happy- day. It was a pleasure to me
to think this building was now completed, and that
another church. was, to be consecrated to the glory of
Almighty God. I was glad. when they said unto me
"I ant ready to go into the house of the Lord,'.' and it
was a pledsare fo me to think that this was an oppor-
tunity on which we should all testify our gratitude to
our kind friend and benefactOr—the 'Rector of Wood-
church—who has-taken on. himself so very largely of
the expense of building this new. church. And these
feelings do exist, and do prevail in my heart, and I ant '
sure in all your hearts ; but even. here there is a shade
cast over our pleasure, for we know that our kind friend
while he is rejoicing at the completion of his good
work, is grieving .at the same time at sad damage
'that has been done to his own old church at'Beth-
nal Green _by that destractive fire .that broke . out
there a few days ago, and consumed the whole
interior, leaving nothing standing' but the tower
and outer walls. I understand- the church was
insured, and for a considerable sum, and I hope that-the
money which will be. available from that source will go
a great way towards reinstating the church in its former
condition, and I only hope from.my heart -that if there
be need, .as I suppose there may be, for additional funds,
-that he who has shown so much liberality himself, will
not appeal in vain to the liberality of others.—Having
.announced that a collection would be made, his, lordship
concluded by praying that whatever they shouldhestow.
would be returned tenfold to them and to their families.
The collection amounfed t 0.42. 4s. Bd. - -
• Arter thn Service the Bishop ;christened the infant of
Rev. George Troughton, the incumbent of the church.