Newnham, St Peter's church Parish Magazine, December 1882

Vol, 1. December 1882, No,12

KALENDAR NOTES
December. 1st . Choir Practice 7.30
December. 4th . Debating Society 8
December. 5th . Juv: Temp: Meeting 4.15
December. 6th . Forester's Court, Schoolroom
December. 7th . Mothers' Meeting 2.45. . .
December. 7th . Missionary Working Party 4.30
December. 8th . Choir Practice 7.30
December. 9th . Fourth Saturday Popular Entertainment 7.30
December.11th . Mens Temperance Meeting 8
December.12th . Juv: Temp: Meeting 4.15
December.14th . Mothers' Meeting 2.45
December.14th . Application for Gifts 12.15
December.15th . Choir Practice 7.30
December.18th . Schoolroom Club 6. .
December 18th . Debating Society 8.
December.19th . Juv: Temp: Meeting 4.15 Sunday Closing Meeting.
December 19th . Missionary Working Party 4.30.
December.21st . Mothers' Meeting 2.45
December.22nd . Choir Practice 7.30
December.23rd . Fifth Saturday Popular Entertainment 7.30
December.26th . Juv: Temp: Meeting 4.15
December.27th . Distribution of Gifts of Blankets and Coal; Church 11.
December 27th . Miss Morgan's Benefit Concert, Town Hall, 8
December.28th . Mothers' Meeting 2.45
December.29th . Choir Practice 7.30

WEEKLY OFFERTORIES
" UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK LET EVERY ONE OF YOU LAY BY HIM IN STORE AS GOD HAS PROSPERED HIM"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£. s. d
All Saints Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. 4
22nd Sunday after Trinity. . . . . . . . . . .3.10. 5½
23rd Sunday after Trinity. . . . . . . . . . .3. 4. 3½
RE-opening of Organ, November 16th . . . . . 12. 9. 5
24th Sunday after Trinity. . . . . . . . . . .7. 4. 0
25th Sunday after Trinity. . . . . . . . . . .6. 7. 9½
S Andrew's Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 0

The offertories on November 16th and on the 24th Sunday after Trinity were given to the Church and Organ Restoration Fund, and on the 25th Sunday after Trinity to the S.P.G.

BAPTISMS
" ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM"
Lilian May . . . Daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Prosser
Mabel May. . . . Daughter of Edmund and Sarah Ann Bluett
Hubert George. . Son of Robert and Emma Brobyn
Edwin Arthur . . Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Price.

MARRIAGES
" THOSE WHOM GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER"
Holy Matrimony was solemnized between -
November 11th . . Frederick Williams, of the parish of Rodmarton, and Elizabeth of this parish
November 19th . . John James Ashfield of the parish of S. Mary, Cardiff, and Elizabeth Davis of this parish.

BURIALS
" BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD"
Thomas Hyett . . . . . . .November. 3rd . . . Aged 52 years
John Davenport Barrett . .November 18th . . . Aged 57 years
Louisa Harrison Maysey . .November 21st . . . Aged 41 years
Margaret Phillips. . . . .November 27th . . . Aged 56 years

PAROCHIALIA

THE members of the Schoolroom Club kept their Annual Day on Monday, November 6th. There were not many absentees, and business was protracted until after 5 o'clock. Then came a tea for members and their wives, of which nearly 100 partook. An entertainment followed - the Vicar still presiding. Mrs Hardemann, Miss Morgan, Gwynneth Morgan, Mr Carefield, Mr H Morse and Mr J Morgan - all kindly contributed to the amusement of the audience. Before the music, the Vicar gave a short address on the expediency of strengthening the basis of the Club by making some alteration in the rules, as to a reserve fund, and other matters. A committee was appointed to draw up a recommendation to this end, to be brought hereafter before a general meeting of members, specially summoned for the purpose. Two meetings of the Committee have been held already, and the rules of various Benefit Societies have been discussed. The Balanced Sheet is very satisfactory. There are at present 162 members, with a capital of £374.11s 6½d., a sum of £105.1s.8d. having been added to the value of the Society during the last year.

ON Thursday, November 16th, special services were held to commemorate the re-building of the Church in 1881, and to reopen the organ in its new position in the aisle. Holy Communion was celebrated at 7.30a.m. Morning Prayer, with hymns, and an offertory followed at 11am; and choral Evensong at 3.15 and 7.30. The Revs. B K Foster and P H Bowers, from Gloucester Cathedral intoned the services. The sermon in the afternoon was preached by the Rev W Miles Myres - vicar of Swanbourne, and in the evening by the Rev W A Scott - curate of Stroud. After afternoon service, sacred pieces were played by Mr A H Brewer - formerly assistant-organist of Gloucester Cathedral - who presided at the organ throughout the day, and solos from various oratorios were sung by Miss Morgan, and Mr W H Phillips, of Gloucester. The weather was unpropitious, and greatly affected the attendance a the different services; still we are thankful that the offertories amounted to £12.9s.5d.

ON Sunday afternoon, November 19th, the members of the 'H' Company, 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Volunteer Regiment - comprising the Newnham, Littledean, Lydney, and Bream sections under the command of Captain Maule, marched to Church, led by the Newnham town Band, to attend a special service at 3.15. There was a good muster of men, and a fairly large general congregation.

The first meeting of the Debating Society was held on Monday, November 6th. There were 39 members present. After the transaction of private business, the President delivered an inaugural address. The motion for debate was then brought forward. - 'That the town of Newnham has seriously declined from its former prestige, wealth and importance.' Most of the speakers opposed the motion; and on a division it was lost by 19 to 15. The following members took part in the debate:-
The Secretary (Haddington Burghs), Goldring, E. (Gatcombe),Jones W. (Jarrow), King, W H (Kington), Naule A H (Middlesex), Shiles J (South Shields), Thomas Arnold (Torquay), Wellington H (Wellington), Wintle, D J (Winchelsea), Wood, Sydney (Windsor), Woods SW (Woodstock).
On Monday, November 20th, the second night of the Session, there were 66 members present. At the close of private business it was moved - 'That Local Option would not be beneficial to the nation'. The following ammendment was proposed and seconded, but was not put to the House, 'That some further measure of licensing reform is necessary - that such a measure should give to the ratepayers, of each locality, a direct control over the licensed houses in their midst, with a restraining power on the issue and renewal of licenses: that such control would be best secured by the appointment of representative boards - elected for this special purpose'. A second ammendment involving a more direct negative, was lost by 21 to 15. Finally, the original motion was carried by 25 to 7. A rider, 'That the magistrates in Quarter Sessions, assembled, should have the power not only to refuse new licenses but to close unnecessary public-houses,' was adopted unanimously. The following members took part in the Debate: The President (Westminster), Vice-President (Greenwich), Treasurer, Secretary, Cadle,T.(Cambridge), Goldring,E., Jones,W., Maule,A.H., Pringle,A.D.(Perth), Shiles,J., Simmonds,T.,(Sunderland), Stranger,H.W.(Salisbury), Thomas, Arnold, Wood, Sydney, Woods, S.W., Wrenn, F.,(Wiltshire).

THE second of the series of Saturday Popular Entertainments was held at the Schoolroom on Saturday, November 11th. The room was very well filled. At the close of the entertainment, the Vicar who presided, proposed a vote of thanks to all who had so kindly contributed to the evening's recreation. They comprised the following - Miss Winter and Miss Maule - who played a pianoforte duet: Miss Butt and Miss Close, from Arlingham; Miss Morgan, Miss Urwick, Gwynneth Morgan, Mr. R Morgan from Blakeney, and Mr H Morse - who were all heartily applauded for their songs; and Mr Whatley and Mr Douglas Wintle - who gave readings.

THE third Saturday Popular Entertainment took place on the evening of the 25th. There was again a good attendance; and the programme seemed to give great pleasure to the audience. Miss Wintle played a piece on the pianoforte, and some members of the choir sang Chirsty's 'Dead in the street'. Miss Barling, Mr Dredge, and Mr F Simmonds each sang two songs. Mrs Hardeman gave one - 'The Better Land'. Mr Henry Morse contributed an amusing song, and Mr Maule a humorous Reading; Mr Whatley recited a fine poem, on the 'Death of Absalom', - and all were well received. The Archdeacon of Grafton brought the entertainment to a close with a short address, and the National Anthem was sung just after 9 o'clock.

ON Sunday, November 26h, sermons were preached by the Archdeacon of Grafton and Armidale, and the offertories were given on behalf of the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
On Monday, the 27th, a meeting - scantily attended - was held in the Schoolroom in aid of the same society. Before introducing the Archdeacon to the meeting, the Vicar gave some details of the support which the Society has received in this parish during the past year; he hoped to be able to send up a sum exceeding £30, as their annual contribution - an amount greater that any ever transmitted to the S.P.G. from this parish before. The sum is made up as follows:-

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£. s. d
Subscriptions and Donations. . . . . . . . . 11. 8. 0
Boxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. 5. 9
Offertories and Collections. . . . . . . . . .9.15. 6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .---------
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£30. 8. 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .---------

It may be interesting to know what was done here for the Society during the seven years preceding 1882.

. . . . . £ s. d.
1875. . . 6. 3. 5
1876. . .12.15. 0
1877. . .14. 5. 0
1878. . .19.13. 7
1879. . .27.18. 6
1880. . .27. 7. 3
1881. . .24. 9. 9

The Archdeacon dwelt specially on the condition of the Church in Australia, and tried to make his hearers realize their oneness with, and responsibility to their brethren in the distant colonies, and countries far away. The Vicar, in thanking the Archdeacon for his address, spoke of the efforts which are being made by he S.P.G. AND S.P.C.K., conjointly, to give intending emigrants every information that might be useful to them on landing in a new country, and to furnish them with letters commendatory from their clergymen in England to some clergyman abroad - that on landing among strangers they might still feel that they had not gone beyond the limits of the Church. Every emigrant would thus find a kind friend, and a trusty spiritual guide, when bereft of his home and pastor in England. The collection at the meeting amounted to £1. 0s. 6d

The Missionary Working Party has met twice; and it has been decided to join the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Branch of the Ladies Home Mission Association. A sale of work will probably be held, in this neighbourhood, in the spring of 1883, and it is hoped that some, who are unable to join the Working Party, will be able to contribute some articles of clothing for the benefit of the Mission.

During the dark days of winter, the Juvenile Temperance Meetings will be held in the Schoolroom at 4.15. on Tuesday afternoons. Children will thus have no reason for leaving their homes, or playing in the streets late in the evening. Payments into the Clothing Club will begin for next year on Tuesday December 5th.
It is hoped that in a very short time the Library will be replenished with books - which may be changed, fortnightly as before, at the afternoon meetings. Library Books may be taken out by any parishioner on paying a monthly subscription of a penny.

ADVENT

The season of Advent has been set apart from very early ages of he Church as a time of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord. Its length and mode of observance have varied at different times, and in different countries, but as long as Christmas Day has been kept as a great Feast, it has been thought right that some time of special preparation should come before - wherin men's minds might be specially directed to the wondrous miracle of the Incarnation For what is it we commemorate at Christmas? Is it not the First Coming of the long-promised Redeemer of the world - the Incarnation of the Eternal Word - the manifestation of God in the flesh - the Birth of the Lord from Heaven in our human family! Surely this infinitely great event does call for our holiest thoughts and our deepest thankfulness. And associated with the commemoration of the First Advent when the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity laid aside His Diving Glory - and in all lowliness and humility was made in the form of man - is the aweful remembrance of His Second Coming in power and great glory, to be the Judge of all mankind. The Church, in order to raise our thoughts, and excite us to rejoice with fear, and reverence at Christmas, unites with the meanness of His First Advent and the majesty of His Second. Are we all living in such a state as to be ready to welcome Him with joy - when He comes to us in the hour of Death, or in the Day of Judgement? But there is another reason why some special preparation for CHRIST'S human Birthday is necessary. On that happy morn Christians love to join with angels and archangels in singing the first holy Christmas Carol, 'Glory to God in the Highest', as they meet together to commemorate, before God and man, the Death of he Incarnate Son. Our true Christmas Feast is reverently and thankfully to participate in the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of CHRIST. Then all other Christmas Joys shall follow in their turn - and make the season a happy one indeed. Oh! that it were possible that on Christmas Day true peace and happiness might reign in every home in this parish, and animate the breast of every reader of the Parish Magazine, It were well for all to make some special use of the season of Advent, at Church and at home. It is not enjoined upon us by the Church as a time of fasting - as Lent is, in preparation for Easter, but it is a time of quiet meditation, true repentance, and thankful hope. If we daily trod in the steps of CHRIST'S holy life - and lived in the constant thought of death and eternity - a season of special preparation might not be needed: but if it is not so; we cannot afford to neglect any helps which may lead us to celebrate with more holy worship the Coming of the Eternal Son - the very foundation of all our hope - the only real and true cause of our happiness and joy.

AS notified in our February number, there will be some alteration this year in the matter of the distribution of Blankets and Coal - under the Will of Colonel Olney. Applications will be received at the Schoolroom, at 12.15., on Thursday December 14th. The names of the successful applicants will be posted in the Church Porch during the week before Christmas; and the gifts will be distributed at the Morning Service, at 11 o'clock, on S. John the Evangelist's Day, (December 27th).
Forty loaves will be given away to the poor and deserving - who are present at Divine Service, at 11 o'clock, on New Years Day.

It will be seen in the Kalendar Notes that a public Meeting, to advocate the necessity of stopping the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday, will be held in the spacious and comfortable Hall kindly lent to the Debating Society, for their meetings, by Mr. C A Goold, on Tuesday December 19th, 1882, at 7.30. p.m. Mr Henry Osborn, of Bristol, will attend as a Deputation, and will give an address in support of the objects of the meeting. The Vicar will preside. There will be no charge for admission; and as this is a question in which all are more or less interested, all are invited to attend.

E D I T O R I A L

At the close of the first year of its existence, we are glad to express our thankfulness that the popularity of the Newnham-on-Severn Parish Magazine has far surpassed our expectations. The monthly circulation has exceeded 300 copies; and its pages have been read far beyond the limits or our parish. We believe that it has been especially valued as a monthly chronicle of local events, and as a convenient medium for the diffusion of parochial information. We trust that in this particular its usefulness will never decline. That the stories contained within the general matter of the Magazine have afforded interest and amusement we have reason to believe; and we would fain hope that the deeper and more serious paragraphs have conveyed instruction and profit to our readers. We believe that the popularity of our Magazine is by no means on the wane, and that to discontinue its publication, at the close of this number, would cause regret and disappointment throughout the parish: but the serious question of ways and means cannot be set aside. The cost of printing the local matter, each month, has been necessarily very great - and would have fallen heavily upon the Editor had he not been kindly and generously helped in meeting the expense. Such help he cannot look for again; and the Magazine must be rendered, in some larger measure, self-supporting. We have considered the matter, and are of the opinion that out of the 300 subscribers to the Magazine, at least 100 might be found willing to pay in advance 2/- for next year - as this year they paid 1/-. It would then be possible to supply the poorer parishioners with their monthly copies at the old rate of a penny each. The sum of £5 thus secured would, with the slight profit made upon the sale of the general matter of the Magazine, furnish about of the sum necessary for the expense of printing the local matter for the year - provided this did not exceed four pages each month. The names of all who are willing thus to help the Editor in undertaking the production of the Magazine during another year - will be gladly received by the ladies who have charge of the distribution, or the Editor himself.

Any subscriber wishing to have the numbers for the past year neatly bound in cloth, may leave them at the Vicarage, during the first week in January, with their names, and a sum of 1/- for each volume - or may communicate directly with W.S. Fryer. In years to come, the Newnham-on-Severn Parish Magazine will form an interesting record of parochial events, recalling many varying memories, and possessing many valuable associations.

In taking leave of our readers, at the close of our first year of publication, we cannot but thank them cordially for the support they have accorded us; and wish then, in all sincerity, a happy Christmas and a bright New Year.

The Vicar would be glad to give 1/- each for about 6 sets of Magazines, in good condition, if brought to the Vicarage before the end of the year.