CHURCH NEWS.

THE 12th of October was a day long to be remembered in the parish of Idehill, near Sevenoaks, Kent. Being the occasion of the opening of new Schools, the day was observed as a general holiday. These buildings, capable of holding 160 children, have been erected from designs by Mr. Street, at an expense of some £800, exclusive of fittings, fencings, &c., which have yet to be supplied. The services of the day commenced with morning prayer at half-past eleven in the little Church, built some fifty years ago by Bishop Porteus, who was struck by the great beauty of the spot, and determined to build a Church and Parsonage, and provide for the spiritual wants of the people by endowing the living. The sermon was preached by Archdeacon Harrison from S. Mark iv. 26, 27, 28, and the collection afterwards amounted to nearly £40. The Holy Eucharist, we regret to learn, was not celebrated, an omission which in these days is somewhat rare, and the offering of which should, we think, be above all things deemed of greatest moment on such occasions as this.

After matins a procession was formed (the Clergy in surplices and hoods) to the new Schools, which were beautifully decorated with heath, and fern, and garden flowers. On the route the 150th Psalm was chanted by the choir and children. Here special prayers were offered, and an appropriate anthem expressively sung. Afterwards rich and poor sat down together to a substantial luncheon provided by the Incumbent of the parish, to whose indefatigable exertions the parishioners are indebted for the blessing of such excellent schools. The mothers of the school-children were not forgotten, being treated to tea by their wealthier neighbours.

After tea the assembled company again proceeded to the Church, where Canon James preached from S. Matthew v., the latter part of the 5th verse. The party, which contained many of the neighbouring schoolmasters, then dispersed homewards. Everything, says a local paper, tended to the real enjoyment of a true Church holiday: an idea we are apt to fancy as sometimes only of times long past, but which we believe really

never to have been carried out in any age with the same Christian spirit, seasonable mirth, and freedom from excess, as is done daily in such well arranged festivals, as that we have now the pleasure to record. Amongst the company were Lord and Lady Holmesdale, Sir Samuel and Lady Hancock, Archdeacon Harrison, Canon James, &c.

The opening of the Training College for Schoolmasters at Exeter is an event which demands more than a passing notice at our hands. The importance of having Diocesan Training Schools for Masters cannot possibly be overrated, and the opening of every such institution is an evidence of restored diocesan operations under constituted authority. Every such building shows a conviction, which has been gradually growing for some time, that each Diocesan Church must have within herself the means of discharging her duties, and be furnished with every weapon to carry on the great battle against “sin, the world, and the devil, and to set forth CHRISt Jesus and Him crucified." But beyond the general interest that attaches to such institutions, there is much of a special nature attaching to the one so solemnly opened at Exeter. It is a standing monument of what patient continuance in well doing may effect-it is a proof that suspicions will die away before straightforward consistency of action-that coldness will be warmed into zeal, and hatred into love, when men will calmly pursue a great work, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left. A more remarkable instance of this we do not know than the institution, the opening of which we now record. Some sixteen years ago the Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese determined to open a Training School for Schoolmasters. This was done in some buildings near the Cathedral on the 1st of January, 1840. In due time Government held out inducements to assist such schools, but on applying for aid the Diocesan Board received for an answer, that suitable buildings must be erected. An appeal was therefore sent out in 1848, and in 1853 the foundation stone of the new College was laid by Sir John Kennaway, Bart., the sermon on the occasion being preached by Chancellor Martin. The funds were considerably increased by the friends of

Synodical action, who contributed largely in commemora tion of the Exeter Synod, with the view of building a wing, to be called the Synod wing. This intention, in deference to the wishes of many, was subsequently abandoned. But though the foundation stone was laid, large sums of money were still needed, and Chancellor Harrington pursued his labours as Secretary, in conjunction with Mr. Force, with such unwearied energy and assiduity as to lay the Church at large under no ordinary obligations to one, who had deserved well of her before for his invaluable writings, and to crown his efforts with abundant success. The execution of the work was in#trusted to Mr. Hayward, who designed a substantial building of Middle-Pointed character. The whole design is peculiarly adapted for the purpose, and we hope that sufficient funds will be raised to secure its completion by the addition of the Chapel. The building of College, &c., has cost between ten and eleven thousand pounds.

On the 18th of October the College was formally opened. The old city of Exeter presented a gay scene on the occasion, and banners, flags, &c., were plentifully displayed. Divine service was celebrated in the nave of the Cathedral, which was filled by a large and attentive congregation, that showed what use the naves might be turned to, and with what advantage, if we had a select body of Cathedral preachers with learning and piety to command attention, and sufficient physical power to endure the labour. Exeter, we believe, is peculiarly fortunate in its possession of such. The anthem, "Sing we merrily," sounded most gloriously, and filled the hearts of hundreds with feelings which will not be easily obliterated. The sermon was preached by the Bishop from 1 S. Peter iv. 10: "As every one hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of GOD." We shall not attempt to convey our imperfect recollection of so eloquent and touching a discourse, and to paint our own feelings as we looked upon the countenance of that great champion of the faith, and listened to the clear impassioned tones in which he delivered his noble thoughts. May GOD long preserve him to his Diocese and Church,

will be the fervent prayers of those many who midst anxiety and doubt have been comforted by the example of one, who hath so long contended for the faith, once for all delivered to the saints. A large sum was, we believe, collected at the close of the service.

When the divine offices were ended the Cathedral bells rang out a merry chime, and a procession was formed, the way to the College being crowded by hundreds of spectators. On reaching the building the 23rd Psalm was sung and special prayers said by Chancellor Martin, the blessing being pronounced by the Bishop, who in presenting the key to Mr. David the Principal, alluded to the manner in which he had won it, not merely by his appointment, but also by the able, energetic manner in which he had discharged his duties as Principal, and the services he had rendered the Church. In addressing the pupils, he eloquently warned them of the peril of pride of intellect, as most dangerous to man, and the spirit of discontent, as a stratagem of the devil. Those who like ourselves stood near his Lordship, and heard his solemn words, will not readily forget themwords which, we doubt not, sank deep into the hearts of those to whom they were specially addressed.

After the dinner, occasion was taken to present to Chancellor Harrington and Mr. Force a testimonial of the respect, which their unwearied exertions have won for them.

Without any great appliances for educational purposes, the Diocesan College has won a high position amongst similar institutions, and we doubt not will soon be placed in a position second to none. The course of education is such as is calculated to make good, useful, sound Church schoolmasters. May it flourish, fidelis," to the Church, and Church's faith.

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Mr. Hugall has brought to a successful termination his able restoration of the fine old Church of Faringdon. The opening services were of a cheering character; the sermon in the morning being preached by the Lord Bishop of Oxford; and that in the evening by the aged and venerable Dr. Marsh, one of the Trustees of the Living. At the luncheon, the architect received the thanks of all, for the careful and judicious manner in which he had conducted his work.

ANNA PATELLARI had spent the night in restless misery. It was not that she feared so much for herself;-death she would have welcomed but too gladly;-from dishonour she doubted not that her husband's name alone would protect her. But she returned again and again, with cruel pertinacity, to the idea, that, but for his arms and counsels, the city would not have been reduced to such tremendous straits,-that his name was never mentioned in Constantinople without a curse,-that she was regarded for his sake with scorn and detestation, that whether the defenders or the assailants of the city prevailed, she must be equally an outcast, equally miserable. -She had fallen into a broken sleep, when the roar of the assault aroused her to the consciousness that the

crisis of the city was come. She rose directly;-refused all offers of refreshment from Barlaam; and, as the morning wore on, she determined, in impatience of the event, to go forth into the streets. She did so,-and they were nearly deserted; the one or two women that she saw were hastening to the Great Church, and thither, almost instinctively, she also bent her way.