October 1897

October

Two more Harvest Festivals have been added to the offering of thanksgiving for a beautiful season and a prosperous harvest in this parish. At Pymoor, we kept the feast on Sunday, October 3rd, and a very large congregation united in making it a real thanksgiving. Many flowers and vegetables had been sent, and the collection at the service amounted to £1 13 8.'

AT S. Owen's, great pains were taken to add by gifts of vegetables and flowers, &c., to the solemnity of the Thanksgiving Service. The people at S. Owen's excelled all others by a contribution of 104 eggs. These must have been a most acceptable gift at Addenbrooke's Hospital. The collection amounted to £18 8. 61. It must be a source of true joy to all who have helped, to feel that they have contributed from their own prosperity towards the wants of those who are in pain and trouble.

WE are now approaching the season of our parish teas. Wednesday, November 3rd, has been set apart for the tea at Pymoor. The tickets will be as usual, sixpence each, and we hope a great many will be bought. The expenses will be very small, amI the profits will be devoted this year to prizes for Sunday Schools. After tea, admission will be threepence to a Magic Lantern Entertainment. The subjects will be-The Jubilee Procession in London, the Naval Review, and the Progress of the Queen's Reign.

THE Tea at Downham in conjunction with S. Leonard's Day, will be held on Tuesday, November 9th. The ladies who have kindly undertaken to give trays will also sell tickets. Admission after tea for the concert will be threepence. The concert will be a very good one, and all the proceeds will be devoted to the purchase of prizes for the Sunday School children. We hope, as in former years, a great many people may be there, and no doubt they will spend a very happy evening.

THE Tea at S. Owen's will be on the following evening, November 10th. Preparations are already being made for It. The new piano which has been bought for S. Owen's will make its first appearance on that evening, and we think it will be approved. It has been decided to give the proceeds of the tea towards paying for it. This contribution, together with what has already been collected, will, we think, pay about half the price of the piano. The remainder must be collected as we can get it, by entertainments and otherwise. Ticket for tea and entertainment will be sixpence, and admission after tea threepence.

IN accordance with the wishes of the Government Inspector, a Night School was opened for the winter on Wednesday, October 27th. About fourteen young men put in an appearance. We trust this number may be doubled by next week. The Night School will be open from ten minutes to seven to nine o'clock on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Mr. Vallis will conduct the Night School.

WE have now been able to balance the account for that portion of the restoration of the church which has been done since 1893. The total sum spent has been £695 3s. 2d. Towards this, Mrs. Sharp has been by far the largest contributor. Everything done up to the present has been paid for, with the exception of £1 14s. lId. due to the bank. Of course, the restoration of the remainder is very desirable indeed. About £650 more would probably completely finish what remains to be done. This is a large sum, and we cannot aspire to get the work done at once. Still we always keep it. before us, and as we rejoice at the change that has already been made, so we hope that in time we may present the church fully restored, as an offering of love to God Whom we worship in it.

MR. HAYES FISHER, who is so well~known to all the people of Downham, and is now a member of the Government, has given us a great joy by writing to the Rector as follows :-" At last I feel myself in a position to make you a definite promise to place in Downham Parish Church an East Window to the memory of my father, at a cost of £150. I hope it may be completed by next Easter." This memorial to the life and work of Mr. Fisher, to whose benevolence so many owe a debt of gratitude, we feel sure will be very popular.

MR. ZACHARY will hold a Bible Class for young men at the Clergy House, every Monday evening at 7 o'clock. A large number should eneavour to benefit by it.

S. LEONARD'S Day falls on Saturday, November 6th. The commemoration of our Patron Saint will begin at 7-15 a.m., with Celebration of the Holy Communion. Matins will be said at 8 o'clock, followed by a choral Celebration .at 9 a.m. Evensong will be said at 7 p.m., when what is known of the life of S. Leonard will be read for our encouragement.

AGAIN the solemn season of Advent is approaching, and soon again we shall be forcibly reminded of some of tne most solemn truths connected with our religious life. The first coming of our Lord is past, still an everliving sermon of its purpose to save sinners. The second coming of our Lord must follow. "Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching."-(St Luke xii, 37.) .