Throwing Dice on the Communion Table.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 290, 15 August 1888, Page 3

Throwing Dice on the Communion Table.

A oi'Kious custom was recently observed in tlie paiLsh church ot St. Ives, Hunts. Dr. liobovt Wilde, who died iti August, 1678, bequeathed the sum ot £50, the yearly interest of which was to be expended in the purchase of six Bibles, not exceeding the price of 7s 6d each, which s-hould bo ' east for by dice ' on the communion table o\ery year by six boys and si\ gills of the town. A piece of ground was bought with the £50, and is even now appiopi lately known as 'Bible Orchard.' The legacy alto provided for the payment of 10s yeaily to the ■vicar for preaching a seinion on the occasion 'commending the excellency, the perfection, and Divine authoiity of the Holy Sciiptuies.' This singular custom has been regularly observed in this chinch .since the death of the tcstitor, but iepresentalion& having been made to the Bishop of the diocese, the practice of thiowing the dice on the Communion table was discontinued some years ago, and the lailling now takes place on a. table erected at the chancel steps. Tho highest tin ow this year (three times, with tlnce dice) was thirty-&c\en, by a little girl. The vicar (Rev. F. Tottenham) preached a suitable sermon from the words, ' From a child thou hast known the Holy Sculptures.' <