The Blackpool Herald. — 1883-05-18 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

PETER'S PARISH CHURCH, FLEETWOOD.  Sunday last being Whit-Sunday, there was a celebration of the Holy Communion, and over 100 communicants presented themselves, Most of the confirmees attended this service for the first time, the female portion wearing white caps or veils. The congregation was unusuallY large, probably in consequence of the attendance of the military and volunteers,i the latter headed by their splendid band. Another feature of nterest was the dedication and opening of the new pulpit. Although in an incomplete state it looked very pretty indeed, and seemed in thorough keeping with the interior of the enlarged portion of the sacred edifice. Morning prayers were read by the Rev. A. W. Smith, curate, and the lessons by Mr. Geo. Curwen, licensed lay reader. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Pearson, M.A. The rev, gentleman, in the course of his sermon, founded on Matthew 3, part of 11th verse, gave some account of the origin of Whitsuntide as connected with the history of the early church, contreating the most ancient with the modern observance of it, and thelrespect paid to the commemoration by martyrs and confessors with the secular aspect under which it is now regarded. He deplored the worldly indifference of the present age, and the absence of any proper sense of religions obligation which alone is the foundation of outward morality. He r ointed out as an example of what ungodliness will lead to, the murderous deeds done and attempted by the conspirators in Ireland recently brought to justice, and said that in the present critical state of the country, our young men were to be congratulated in being banded together of their own accord for their country's defence, and in proof of their loyalty to our institutions and our , Sovereign. Should a worse crisis arrive, which might God prevent, it will only be upon the conscientious and catriotic that we can rely for success. If the country is in danger, and if the Church is in danger, the rising generation is that which wili suffer, and those who have been introduced to the Christian fold in early life, as those were who had recently been confirmed, and who had been admitted to full communion with the church by the chief pastor,will find the principles which the church instils, their fondest comfort, and their strongest safeguard. The preacher then made an appeal on behalf of the pulpit fund, and said that the new structure would bear comparison with any in the vicinity as a work of art and beauty, and he trusted that those who would be called to occupy it might be enabled to speak God's word with success and energy. The Rev. T. Meadows was the preacher in the evening, and in referring to the pulpit, he said— , Your offerings will go towards the payment of the cost to,'. this pulpit, beautiful even in its present unfinished condition. I deem it a privilege to stard in it on the first day of its consecration to its holy purpose. It is well worthy of being dedicated to the service of Almighty God. The curious handicraft, the chaste workmanship, of which it is a manifest proof, are such as beseem the sanctuary of the Most High. Let your offerings be in character and keeping with its costl;ness. May the feet of those who shall hereafter speak from it, be ever "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," and may the word preached therefrom be for the awakening of the spiritual slumberers, and for the building up of the true Christian in his most holy faith, so that he may he stablished, streng:hened, settled.  The pulpit has been mainly procured through the instrumentality of Mr. Curwen. The Vicar and Mrs. Pearson, as well as Mr. J. F. Marginson, have heartily seconded Mr. Curwen's efforts, having 'cured him several handsome subscriptions —The offertory for the day was towards the new pulplt, id amounted to £8 3s. Gd.