CHURCH ANNIVERSARY, OXFORD.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 155, 2 December 1874, Page 2

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY, OXFORD.

The anniversary of the opening of St Andrew's Church, Oxford, was celebrated on Monday last, and passed off most successfully in every way. The day having been kept as a festival day for some years by the Episcopalians of the place, it has now come to be regarded as a general holiday, and on Monday the various business places were closed, and a good deal of bunting was displayed in different parts of the township. For several years the celebration of the festival has been unfortunate in having bad weather, but the clerk of the weather on this occasion was more kindly disposed towards them, and a beautiful fine day induced a very larjre number of persons from the township and surrounding districts to favor the proceedings with their presence. The day was commenced with morning service in the church, which had been very prettily decorated by the ladies with evergreens and ferns, the Rev F. T. Opie, the incumbent, reading the prayers, and the Rev Canon Dudley preaching from the Gospel for the day. The musical portions of the service were nicely rendered by the choir, Mr W. Wollstem pre- , siding at the harmonium. During the early part of the afternoon a Christmas tree was erected in the Oxford Assembly Rooms, and was soon covered by busy fingers with a variety of fancy articles, which were all disposed of during the day by art union. We also heard of some larger prizes being liberally given, including a cord of firewood, five gallons of beer, &c, which were also raffled for, and so turned into money, The

tree was presided over by Mesdames Opie and Dudding, who had for their assistants Messrs Sedcole and Paul and Dr Weld. _ A match between the married and single cricketers of the place was played during the day, and resulted in favor of the single, the scores being —Married, 36 and 26, total 61; single, 47 and 15, with two wickets to go down; total, 62. In the evening a tea meeting was held in the Assembly Looms, the tables being provided by Mesdames Sedcole, Pearson, Lough, and Meyers, and Miss Dohrman, who supplied an excellent tea, which was patronised to a very large extent, as many as 2HO persons sitting down to tea. At intervals during the day the proceedings were much enlivened by the Oxford brass band, which, although only recently started, played a number of popular airs in a very creditable manner. The band was under the leadership of Mr Prestney, and, being their first appearance, it attracted a good deal of attention and made a very favorable impression upon their audience. The tea tables havingbeen cleared away, an entertainment of vocal and instrumental music was given by the Rangiora singing class under the leadership of Mr Merton, and assisted by Herr Biinz. The room was well filled with an attentive and appreciative audience. The programme included two instrumental pieces by Herr Biiuz (violin), Mr Merton (violencello), and Mrs Caffry (piano), which were very nicely nicely given, the latter one, overture to "Guy Mannering " being encored. Herr Biinz also also played a violin solo in his usual efficient manner. The glees were "All among the barley," "Swiftly from the mountain's brow," " Hail, smiling morn," "Where winds breathe soft," "March of the men of Harlech" (encored); Messrs C. and G. H. Merton and Hunnibell sang "Life's a bumper," and " The winds whistle cold ;" a quartette, by Messrs Merton, Hunnibell, G. H. and A. J. Merton, " Evening," was encored ;" Messrs Merton and Hunnibell sang the "Larboard watch," and Mr Merton gave three songs, " Never mind the rest," " The village blacksmith," and " Man the lifeboat;" Mrs Burrows and Mrs Caffry each sang a song, and Mr E. R. Good sang " Take it Bob," in character, and being encored, responded with, " I'm so volatile." At the conclusion of the programme the Rev F. T. Opie rose and moved votes of thanks to the ladies who had assisted during the day at the Christmas tree and the tea, also to Mr Merton and the ladies, and gentlemen who had come up to Oxford Tvith him. Mr Eiggins, M.P.C., seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Merton having returned thanks, and in doing so complimented the Oxford people upon their having a brass band, the meeting terminated with the National Anthem. We learn that the amount realised was more than was anticipated, being about £4O, and that it will be used to clear off the debt on the parsonage, which it will accomplished. To wind up the day's proceedings a display of fireworks was made in the evening, much to the amusement and wonder of the little ones, and thus pleasantly ended one of the most successful festivals ever held in Oxford,