One hundred years ago-March 1912

Post date: Feb 12, 2012 2:32:58 PM

Continuing a series of extracts from the Wateringbury Parish Magazine, a 100 years ago:

CHURCHWARDENS' FUNDS.—It will be remembered that two years ago the voluntary rate for Genera! Church Expenses and the subscription list for Choir and Organ expenses were abolished by the decision of the Vestry, who decided that in future the Churchwardens should rely entirely upon annonynmous offerings through the regular collections in Church service, eight additional Sundays in the year being assigned to this purpose. The Churchwardens now report that they estimate that, apart from the collection on the 31st inst., the total expenses of the current year, ending at Easter, will exceed the total amount of collections by about £22; and they ask the congregation to give sufficiently liberally to the collections on the 31st to make sure of wiping out that deficit. The amount required (£22) is considerably less than was asked for last year under similar circumstances, and they are of opinion that the decision of the Vestry to abolish the voluntary rate was a wise one; but they realise that unless the congregation increase their regular offerings thoughout the year this request on the last Sunday of the financial year, to meet a deficit by a special collection, must be repeated annually.

A Sacred Concert is announced for March 12th, when the Choral Society, under Mr. E. A. Smith, will perform "The Hymn of Praise " by Mendelssohn.

CONCERTS.—The football and cricket concerts were both good, and both well attended. At the former the members of a Men's Quartet which hails from Maidstone, and in which our old favourite Mr. J. Neame sings the top part, which suits his voice admirably, sustained the greater part of the programme. The cricket concert was described to the Vicar (who regretted his inability to attend) as one of the best concerts ever given in Wateringbury. Among the performers were a professional Soprano, and a good Men's Quartet from West Malling, who gave their services, and Miss Lambert also kindly sung a couple of songs.

CHURCH DEFENCE.—The sum of £1 7s. Od., collected at the meeting held in the Rooms on Jan. 25th, has been sent to the Central Church Committee and acknowledged.

WANTED.—A Mrs. Spencer is enquiring for the address of "Elizabeth Tree." supposed to be living in this parish. The clergy are unable to trace her.

The following contributions have been received for publication: —

COUNTY COUNCIL LACE CLASSES.—The Pillow-lace Classes, which are held on Friday afternoons in the Church Rooms, are flourishing, and Miss English will be pleased to receive between 3 and 4 o'clock any visitors who may like to see the members at work; also to send patterns and samples of lace to any one interested. The girls are beginning to receive orders for lace, and are very grateful for them.

MASHONALAND MISSION.—The Rev. G. Broderick has recovered from his illness and gone out again to Rhodesia. He writes on Nov. 14th, 1911 :—"I write this from St. Augustine's Mission, Penhalonga, as I am hung up here for a few weeks owing to small-pox at Bouda. However, we expect that district to be out of quarantine very soon, and I hope to get there by Dec. 8th. I am glad to tell you that I have seen the Bishop and had a long talk with him about Bouda, and he has consented, to send me another man. As, at present, there is no clergyman available, he is sending Brother Shervan, who has been on the staff of St. Augustine's for the last 14 years. He is quite used to building huts and such houses as we use in this country and is skilled in gardening, carpentering and every kind of ' odd jobs,' which are so pressing in an up country station. Besides which he has been trained for preaching, and so will be able to go out to visit the out stations and keep me in touch with them when I am unable to go myself. I am most thankful that he is to be with me and am sure his work will be much blessed. I hope now you will allow me to claim your oiler of £10 a year towards his support. I can see the problem of finance looming very large for 1912, especially as Bouda has now nine native teachers. The work has grown very much since my leaving for England, and I hope to send you an account of what I find there after Christmas. Please remember me to all those who have taken Bouda into their prayers; please tell them how much we need their prayers and prayerful support. May I at Christmas write a letter to the children?— Yours, GEORGE BRODERICK." Miss Cator is glad to say that if the boxes come to as much as they did last year, she will, with the promises of subscriptions she has had, be able to make up the £10.

MISSIONARY ENTERTAINMENT.—The G.F.S. gave an entertainment on Monday, February 5th. The first part, consisting of tableaux performed by G.F.S. members and candidates, was designed to show a little what Central Africa was like before the Central African Misson went there and what it has become since ; how great is the change for the better that has taken place. One very successful item was a realistic game of football played by the candidates with a ball stuffed with hay. " Farmer Grumbletou," a missionary play acted by the members, followed, and the evening ended with a short morality play called "The little Pilgrim." The rooms were crowded. The G.F.S. Associates and members subscribed amongst themselves to pay for all expenses connected with the entertainment, and in consequence every penny received from the sale of the tickets and programmes goes to the two Missions for which it was performed.

KING'S MESSENGERS.—The children's sale held on Nov. 29th last realised the sum of £12 6s. 3d.