this in our second issue last week, but the license arrived too late on Saturday for that to be done. It sufficiently shows, however, the eagerness with which the Bishops permit was accepted that on the next (Sunday) morning no fewer than 340 persons assembled in the building and there engaged in divine service according to the ritual of the Church of England. And notwithstanding so large a congregation at such short notice, it was conjectured that nearly one hundred persons were unable to gain admittance. The Rev. Mr. Stuart read prayers and the Rev J.A Colpoys preached an eloquent and impressive sermon, the effect of which was to move more than one person to outward manifestation of feeling. The evening meeting was equally large, and on that occasion the Hon. and Rev. E.V. Bligh delivered an excellent discourse, in which the uncertainty of human life was dwelt upon as instanced in the deaths by drowning on the previous Sunday. The services will continue to be held every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., and it is understood that arrangements are in progress by which a larger congregation mar be accommodated.
St Leonards parish, months ago,
Was famed for ministrations Low:
The music mild, the preaching low
Marsh level all decidedly.
But now we see another sight.
Good natured folk start up and fight
And does begin to bark and bite
Who dozed before so quietly.
Meetings were held, a stir was made,
We called the Bishop to our aid,
And Chapel-Wardens, once so staid
Forgot their calm propriety
Then shook the boards with stampings riven
Then rose the loud appeals to Heaven
The strong press'd on, the weak were driven;
No place for cold neutrality
But hotter still our wrath shall glow
And not a soul of us will go;
The old church to that lies below,
Till all be ended peacefully.
'Tis sad, yet we will not be done.
Struggles like these are sorry fun;
We know that in the longer run
We beat the short breathed enemy,
The int'rest deepens. Now we have
Th' Assembly rooms, and all we crave;
And not one partide we'll waive
of rights we've won so wearily
A few excursionists may meet
And think St. Leonards Church a treat.
But in the old accustomed seat
Where are the ancient worshippers?
