Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-03-31
NO. 13.
Chmreh.Going AnImaIs.


[From All the Year Round.1
Two hundred years have gone by SINCE
Richard Dovey, Of Farmcotc, Shropshire.
charged certain cottages with the payment
of eight shillings a year to some poor man Of
Olaverly parish, who would awaken drowsy
members Of the congregation aud turn ont
dogs from the church, and the bequest is
still, or was fifteen years ago, applied to that
purpose. The tenants Of the Dogwhippers'
Marsh, at Chislet, in Kent, still pay, we be-
liove, ten shillings TO that functionary, aud
for all we know to the contrary, Mr. Jonathan
Pockard, who in 1856 succeeded Mr.. Charles
Reynolds AS dog-whipper ut Exeter Cathe.
dral, yet enjoys his sinecure appointment.
An Edinburgh minister officiating at
country kirk, could not understand the con-
greBation keeping their seats when he rose
10 pronounce the beuediction. He waited,
but no one stirred. Then seeing his embar-
ras7ment, and guessing its cause, the old clerk
bawled out Say ava, sir, say ava it's ioost
to cheat the dowgs" Experience had shown
that the dogs took the rising of the people as
the signal for departure, and acting upon that
idea disturbed the solemnity of the occasion.
They had, therefore, to be checkmated by
the people keeping their seats until the bless
ing had been given. Only the other day
Wesleyan minister, much scaudalized at the
appearance of dog at a watch-night service
not for dogs to worship in, and insisted upon
the animal being turned OUT finding no re-
sponse to the appeal, he was fan to leave
the pulpit aud do his own behest. DR.. Guth-
RE would have sympathized with the dog
abettors His companion, Bob, lying at
the head Of the pulpit stairs on Sundays, oc-
cupied place nearly as conspicuous as his
masters. The doctor may have been the
minister, and Bob the minister's dog, of
rul N1,,F Col, Al. 1
The first time the Queen went to Crathie
church, fine dog followed the clergyman up
the pulpit steps, TO remain reclining against
the door whilst his master preached. In con-
sequence of the remoustrance of the minis
ter in attendance at Balmoral, the next Sun
day the parson came to church unaccompan-
led. Dining at Balmotal day or two after
ward he was surprised by his royal hostess
demanding the reason of the dogs absence
from church. He explained that he had been
told the dogs presence annoyed her Majesty.
''Not at all, " said the Queen. "Pray let him
come as usual; l wish everybody behaved as
well et church as your noble dog"
Mr.. Broderip tells of Toby, a turnspit, who,
defying all preventive devices, always made
his way to church on Sundays, and esconced
himself in a corner of the reading desk un-
til, convinced hes good dog that goes to
church, the plrishioners gave the psrson to
understand they had no objection to the per-
sistent creatures company, and thenceforth
Toby was left to follow his inclining, and at
tend church as long as he lived. A Toronto
citizen owns dog that encourages no COM
pany, and INDUCES in no pastimes on Sun
day, but makes his way to church. Not
strange to say, with the family to which he is
attached; they are Presbyterians, while Car
10 has embraced Methodsm, and has fa-
vorite corner in the gallery OF the Methodist
church, which he invariably occupies, if he
Can manage to elude the vigilance Of the ush-
ers.
Dogs are not the only animals that have
found their way into church. The vicar of
Morwenstow, Mr.. Barring Gould assures u.s.
was usually followed to church by nine or
ten cats, which entered tho chaucel with him,
and careered about it during service. Whilst
saying prayers, Mr.. Hawker would pat his
cats or scratch them under their chins Orig
inally ten cats accompanied him to church,
but one having caught. killed and eaten a
mouse on Sunday, was accommodated,
and from that day not allowed within the
sanctuary" A pig once put in an appearance
at Methodist prayer IN Getting in Mobile, and
resisted all the sections endeavors to eject
him. As the man dashed down one aisle the
porker ran up another, the pastor watching
the chase with commendable gravity; but
when piggy rushed into the pulpit and took
his position at his side it was too much for
the minister, and he retired with precipita-
ton, leaving the pig master of the situation.
One dreary November Sunday robin took
refuge in the church at Pott. Shrigley, near
Macclesfeld It was sacrament Sunday, and
the hungry intruder hopped upon the table,
and after a song, would have helped himself
to some of the consecrated bread, but for the
curate covering it with his surplice. Mr..
Sumner repaired to the vestry, cut off piece
from loaf there, aud crumbling it on the
chancel floor, left Robin to enjoy the feast.
On returning for the afternoon service he
found his little visitor quite at his ease, ready
to pay for his meal by singing most heartily
to the delight aud distraction of the school
children. At night he was fed again, and
when be had eaten his fill, Mr.. Sumner let
Bob out of the chancel door. "Aud if ever
there was thanksgiving, that tuneful creature
poured forth his grateful Acknowledgements
in one of the sweetest lays ever sung by bird,
from the branches of the limetrees round the
dear old church"
A kindly hearted miller became on such
good terms with his geese that the whole
flock would follow him about in his walks.
On Sunday, they esped him on his way to
church, aud to his disnlay fell in procession
behind him. On reaching the church door
he tried to make his faithful followers under
stand that their company was not wanted in
side, but failed ignominiously. Finding talk
ing no use, and disinclned to employ more
forcible argument, the miller turned round
and went home again with his feathered
friends. Had his pastor been Of Mr. Hawk
er's way of thinking, perhaps he need not
have foregone church, for when a stranger
to the Vicar of Morwenstows peculiArities
a.ksd him why he did not turn dog away
from the altar steps, the Cornish churchuan
exclaimed; Turn the dog out of the ark
All animals, clean or unclean, should there
find refuge -