New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
BELLRIAGERS AND THEIR PRIVILEGE8.
ABUSES IN SOME ENGLISH CHURCHES.

From The Church Gazette
Of the incumbent and churchw ardens, but often
there are local uses and in respect to theSe
bellrngers in country places can make them
selves great nuisanceS Unauthorized use goes
on, though not merrily as OF yOre. can
remember one place where ringing was common;
there was a peal before it was fair day at G--,
a town seven miles away. deafennS peal was
rung because it was Farmer Jones's harvest
home because another farmer had COM
menced his autumn ploughing. Every baby was
welcomed into the world with gallant at
TEMPT to render il deaf for the rest OF its life.
have known triple-bobs vigorously rung be-
cause some one had been buried during the day.
and even account of some villagers giving
their annual randy a West-cOunlry term
for party. At these last, the ringers, their peal
finished. used to join the gathering, and be
repaid for their labor by such sports as they
supply of cider and beer II we may Judge Dy
churchWardens' accounts and still mere by ira
diton, no belringcr' ought to have spent pen-
ny in drink from one year, eHd 10 the other
In place, not So long ago, gallon OF ale
was sent to the belfry on all "authorized' oc-
casions by other of the churchWardenS
Occasionally tobacco was added. and but a few
years previously the custom was common in the
district. In one Midland village church | can
remember seeing the fingers gather each carry
ing his tin or stoneWare bottle. Just before the
service commenced the clerk used to sneak out
Of church and join them for minute; it was
a point Of honor to reserve hm heaker, Juse
"A drop. the clerks portion was fiat one and
lacking In distinctiveness. lie once offered me
a drain" but decr ed.
remember church where the ringing -loft
was approached by a separate doorway having
no connection with the church. The belfry was
little better than an unlicensed pubc-house. or
rather, informal club. Beer and tobacco were
plpn iful and tho loft formed the faNOrlte sunday
resort Of all the loafers round who could climb
the winding stone stairs. Cards were played
and there it that poachng ARRAYS were
arranged. Ill-acqLired articles. not convenient
for public inspection. were stored there, and the
place got deservedly bad name. | remember
one bellringers strike that took place not SO
long ago. Above the great arches ran an open
ornamental gallery looking down into the
church This was the resort of ringers wanting
to cool. As they did this I'm their shlrtsleeves
and sometimes pipe in mouth the congregatior
did not like it, A new parson had the entrance
to the gallery locked up and the ringers had ID
cool the top of the tower, which they dld
not like, they struck. Substitutes were OBJ
tanned ard one by the old ringers cams
back for when man has the itch oi
ringing he will submit TO much sooner than be
parted from his beloved bells. But attend SER
vice they would not: so the congregation were
disturbed by dozen men Gathering down III.
staircase at intervals and scurrying over the
transept floor. As it was hobnailed district.
any one can understand that the disturbance
was considerable. Again the parson interfere1.
and there was another strike.
One ringer | knew was overconscientious. IL
lived among the Welsh mountains, and the on.
bell his chur n possessed became too dilapidat'-1
for duty So before service he ascended to tie
roof. and chanted after the manner Of the muec'
dins There were three chief persons who cane
to church. ard the chant. sung In imitation ri
a peal consisted Of three names. John Evans
John Jenkins John Jones'" Soon John Evans
appeared when the call was narrowed TO Join
Jenkins John Jones John Jenkins. John Jones'
Then came the second, when there was a nono'-
onous cry of John Jones John Jones, john
Jones " tiII that worthy had entered. after which
silence succ, eded The rest of the congregation
cottagers and all. were not worth calling for.