June 1898

June

THE Jumble Sale in behalf of the Parish Club was very successful. Fortunately the day was very fine. the garden looked beautiful, and about three hundred of the parishioners came in during the afternoon. The Sutton Band played, and altogether a pleasant time was spent. The expenses amounted to £2 13s., and £10 17s. 4d., was taken, so that £8 4s. 4d., has been paid into the Bank to the account of the Parish Room. We are indebted to all those who so kindly helped to make the whole a success DURING the coming month we hope to take the Sunday School children to the sea-side. Mrs. Thornton is also going to take her Sewing Class for an outing, possibly to London, but dates have not been fixed yet.

THE Government Inspector's Reports of the-Day Schools, have been received. They are fairly good, but it is not the fault of the teacbers that they are not better. The complaint of the Inspector is that the attendance of the children is so irregular as to make it impossible for the schools to be really successful. He advises that in future, parents be summoned for employing their children under the legal age, and then instead of a fine of five shillings, one of a pound at least would be imposed. Now it is highly undesirable that the attendance Officer from Ely should do anything of the kind, for no one can afford to pay these fines, at the same time something must be done to secure regular attendance. Again we appeal to the good sense of parents to send their children regularly. There are now children who have been away more often than they have been present. There are others who are absent two days in the week, or two or three afternoons in the week. The Managers are quite helpless, and if the atttendance Officer suddenly issues a number of summonses, the parents will have themselves to blame.

MR. ZACHARY is going to Scotland and will be away till August 3rd.

WE hope that all devout people are now praying that God will bless the harvest. At a time like the present, we feel how utterley dependent man is. A harvest which has seemed so full of promise, in the course of a few days is sadly changed-rain, rain, rain and wind, and the heavy crop sinks under the weight of water. The wind bends it further, and it lies to rise no more. Our prospects are so blighted, and our hopes are soon blasted; to whom can we turn, but to the Giver of all good gifts. Surely it is a time for private prayer, and also a time for assembling of the saints together to ask God as a family to give them their daily bread. People should be more regular now than ever at church, and cast their care upon Him.

IT may perhaps be some comfort and encouragement to the faithful, if at a time when a good deal is being said about the Church, partly true, and partly untrue, by wise and well instructed people, and by foolish and ignorant people, if we say a few words about the Church. To begin with there never was a time during the 1880 years of her existence, when she was not" despised and rejected of men" ; "oppressed and afflicted," still this is as it must be; the Church is the body of Christ, (He is the head of the body, the Church), and we know holy they treated Christ's body, and how He suffered. Still as they never could destroy Christ, neither can they destroy the Church. Hence the folly of all those who revile the Church, and say bitter things about her. Surely they are like the Jews who cried, "crucify Him, crucify vHim;" Hence you find that such are always bitter and unhappy. Now, every minister in the Church, whether Bishop, Priest or Deacon, is bound by the Prayer Book and Thirty-nine Articles. These were settled, not by Parliament, but by Convocation, that is the Church's own Assembly; and the Queen, who is called "the Defender of the Faith," has promised to protect and enforce these decisions of tho Church by her Parliament. Hence we must not omit anything of the directions of the Prayer Book, nor add anything. Now there are many things commanded there which some people do not like, and hence they abuse the Church. Next month we will name some of these things. At present suffice it to say, that the Clergy have all solemnly sworn" to give faithful diligf1nce to minister the doctrines, sacraments and the discipline of Christ," and they must be true. Nobody is obliged to belong to the Church. If, for instance they don't believe in Sacraments and Discipline, they can withdraw from it ; but surely it is hardly a dignified position for such to turn round, and abuse doctrine and Sacrament and discipline; to revile those who teach these things which they have sworn to teach, and thus begin to treat the Church, "the Body of Christ," like the Jews treated Christ Himself. As for ourselves we should like to be guided towards those who" follow not after us" in the spirit of S. Mark, ix. 38 and 39. As to the Church's work, we would venture to suggest what Gamaliel said" If this counselor this work be of men, it will come to nought, but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." (Acts v, 38-39.)