Old Parish Magazines

of St James A. & M.

Issue No 

May 1868

THE BREAM MAGAZINE.

FLOWERING SUNDAY
The Churchyard on Flowering Sunday presented a more beautiful sight than ever before. All the flowers were real, none being even gilded, as is the custom in a few places. There were daffodils and wall-flowers, flowering currant and anemones, heartsease and snow-on-the-mountains; with here and there some choicer plants, as cineraria, or lily of the valley. The weather was very fine; and altogether the appearance of the Churchyard was very comforting.
The long-wished for excavation behind the Church will now soon be finished. A walk will lead round by the two ends of the Church, and along the north side, then will then be carried up to the brow of the hill and the earth removed from behind the vestry will be spread on the farther side, sloped, and turfed. It will be an understood thing that funerals go by the chancel end to reach the new ground, in order to save trampling on the graves in the old portion. By degrees the new ground will look as cared for as the old, especially if some of the parishioners will take in hand pieces of ground close along by the wall, and will plant a few flower roots there. Small yews, too, may be planted not more than two feet from the walls.

THE CONFIRMATION
Was held on Wednesday after Easter, at 6. There were in all 115 persons confirmed, of which 56 were from our own parish; the others from S. Briavels, Parkend, Coleford, Redbrook, and Berry Hill. The clergy and choir met at the Parsonage and, according to the custom on such occasions, proceeded in front of the Bishop to church. On reaching the Churchyard, the hymn, "We love the place, O Lord," was sung, and lasted until the chancel seats had been reached and the Bishop had taken his place by the altar. The litany then said by the Incumbent, and most heartily joined in by a congregation which completely filled the Church. After this, hymn 134 was sung, and the Bishop made a short address to the candidates, reminding them of the solemnity of their profession, and of their inability to keep their vow, without God’s holy spirit helping them. The address was hardly heard in the farther corners of the Church, owing to the incessant coughing. The imposition of hands followed, the Church- wardens and Mr. Galland arranging the candidates in a way which prevented any unseemly crowding. After all had been confirmed, the Bishop made his second address; and the hymn, "Thine for ever," having been sung, gave the parting benediction.
Taking it as a whole, we never have had so delightful a service in Bream. The Church was well decorated with Easter flowers, &c.; and the chancel was brightened up by means of a new altar-cloth, presented by Mr. R. Witherby, and worked by Mrs. R. Witherby. Nothing could be more serious than the manner of the candidates, or heartier than the responding and singing. After reaching the Parsonage, the Bishop spoke a few kind words of encouragement to the members of the choir, which will not be forgotten.

VESTRY MEETING.
The old Churchwardens continue in office: Mr. R. Hewlett on the nomination of the Incumbent; Mr. Thomas Ames by the unanimous election of the ratepayers attending the meeting on April 16.

THE BREAM LETTER BAG.
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN LAST No.—
l. Feast of Dedication spoken of S. John x. 22. It answered to our Church anniversary.
2. That God’s wrath can as quickly "vex" or destroy His enemies, as a fire of thorns can heat a vessel put upon it. Or, that God’s enemies may indeed have a time of prosperity and success, but that it will only be as short-lived as the blaze of a fire of brambles. "Even as a thing that is raw" probably means "even while they are living."
3. -Jerub-baal (Judges vi); Ehud—Raameses—Issachar—Cyprus—Hermon——Obededom: JERICHO.
No. 1, by no one; No. 2, by E. Raddon; No. 3, by C. Bevan, E. Raddon, Bessie Worgan, A. Hayward. These questions seem to have been too hard.

NEW QUESTIONS, —
1. Name the chief points in which Our Lord is The Good Shepherd.
2. A Roman governor who was courteous to S. Paul; what the High Priest used to prophecy with; a king who took the advice of young men instead of old, and suffered for it; a place where S. Paul converted a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks; the first singing woman named in Holy Scripture :—The first letters make the name of a feast instituted by the Jews in captivity
3. What is the meaning of "The Collect?"

YORKLEY WOOD
A collection will be made on the afternoon of the first Sunday in every month, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the services, and of paying Mr. Adams for his trouble in preparing the Chapel for the same. A small contribution from each attendant will come lightly on all, and keep the Chapel clean and out of debt..

FLOWER SHOW OFFICERS.
At a public meeting on Wednesday, April 29, the following were appointed for the year :—President, Rev. C. Witherby; Vice -President and Treasurer, Mr. James Morse; Secretary, Mr. John Dobbs, Junr. Committee; Messrs. E. Howells, Henry Hewlett, Charles Jones, James Thomas, Thomas Batten, Thomas Ames, John Kear (Mark), E. Henderson, Matthew Kear.

BAPTISMS.
March 29, Arthur John, son of James and Maria Roberts, miner, Lydney Lane.
April 5, William, son of Joseph and Maria Brain, labourer, Bream's Tufts.
April 7 (in sickness), William John, son of James and Jemima Bishop, furnace. man, Bream's Eaves.
April 10, Clara, daughter of William and Fanny Watkins, collier, Bream's Woodside.
April 10, Henry, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Preest, miner, Bream.
April 14 (in sickness), Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Hewlett, miner, Lydney Lane.
April 19, Gertrude Mary, daughter of Henry and Sarah Phillips, Brewery, Whitecroft.

MARRIAGE.
April 13, by the Rev. C. Witherby, George Kear, Bream's Tufts, to Eliza Bevan, The Cottage.

BURIALS.
April 6, Louisa Dobbs, Sun Green, aged 18 years.
April 9, Martha Price, Bream's Eaves, aged 35 years.
April 24, Emily Croome, bream's Tufts, aged 2 months.