The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-06-12 00:00:00

THE AINTREE HOPWOOD BENEVOLENT
SOCIETY.

The members of this society met on Tuesday last to ce-
lebrate their thirteenth anniversary, at the house of Mr.
James Rossall, Aintree, where they formed in marching
order, headed by an excellent brass band, banners flying,
and proceeded to St. Peter's Church, near the Race
Course, where they were met by the respected minister,
the Rev. W. H. Vernon, from whom they heard a very
appropriate sermon. The reverend gentleman gave for
his text Ist Samuel, vii. 12, " Then Samuel took a stone
and set it between Mizpeb and Shem, and called the name
of it Ebenezer, saving, Hitherto hath the Lord helped
us." The rev. preacher enlarged on this interesting sub-
ject, and showed that a splendid deed may in the sight of
the Almighty be almost as strong an indication of a cor-
rupt heart, as a foul transaction, which all.would unite in
condemning; that a rich and costly offering may be made
on the shrine of religion—that an individual may bestow
half his goods to feed the poor—yet, if the motive which
prompted the deed be that of personal aggrandisement—
to promote his own, and not the glory of God—to display
his wealth, and not to evidence his charity—it becomes an
unhallowed transaction, while, on the other hand, a most
significant emblem. The prophet Samuel had experienced
manifest tokens of Divine interposition. God had dis-
comfited the host of Philistines who had gathered them-
selves together in battle against his chosen people. Sa-
muel, who was deeply affected at the great deliverance.
would erect some public permanent testimonial of the
loving kindness of the Lord, which should tell of his good-
ness to generations yet unborn. He set up a stone ; he
called its name Ebenezer, or the stone of help; adding
at the same time, " hitherto bath the Lord helped us."
The rev. gentleman proved very clearly that meditations
of this nature are at all times appropriate, and form a
most delightful source of Christian employment ; but that
it seemed particularly to solicit attention at the present
season, when they had been permitted by a gracious God
to arrive at the commencement of another anniversary.
He regretted to say that when he looked around upon the
respective members of this benevolent society, assembled
in this sanctuary, he could not avoid observing that there
was a chasm made in their number—that some who began
last year with them were not permitted to celebrate the
close ; but because the Lord hitherto helped and spared
them, they were there together to acknowledge His good-
ness, &c. &c. &c.
The most marked attention was paid throughout the
entire of this interesting and profitable discourse ; and
after the service was concluded, the members returned in
order to the club-room, headed by the chaplain, surgeon,
and other officers, where they sat down to an excellent
dinner, prepared by Host Rossall in his usual good style.
The chair was taken by the Rev. W. H. Vernon, sup-
ported by Robert Woods, Esq., surgeon.
The cloth being removed, the usual loyal toasts were
given—" The Queen and other Members of the Royal