Part 3: Billy at Worship - 1898-1899
Sunday 6th March 1898 (Back in Horsham)
Today, made my first appearance in public as a reader and singer,
both great events of course. The first was at the monthly Sunday
School service taken by Mr Tarring this afternoon and I read a
short piece, Bern doing likewise. The second being at a “Social and
Recreative Hour” after evening service. Bern and I sang “The Holy
City” and “Rest in the Lord” respectively. The event of the evening
was a description by Mr Busch of a visit to Chile and other South
American countries.
Sunday 27th March 1898
Chapel this morning and Sunday School in the afternoon but this
evening took into my head to go to the Parish Church, mainly to
hear the Anthem. Was rather taken in as it did not happen to be a
very pretty one. Thought the choir very poor, especially the
trebles, very thin and flat. Afterwards attended choir
practice.
Sunday 1st May 1898 (Hampton Court)
Felt rather tired so laid till 10 a.m. and after breakfast went to
the service at the Temple Church. Enjoyed that very much. The place
itself is very interesting. Belongs, I find, to the Middle and
Inner Temples who apparently don’t stint their church of money or
support. Very fashionable congregation, seats separated, but as
good an Anglican service as I’ve been to for some time. Quite did
away with my idea that the present tendency to overdo Ritualism was
the last and only resource of the Church to make herself acceptable
or palatable. Certainly the music was very good here as in the
“high” churches, but all through the congregation could join in as
they felt disposed, very elaborate sets of books being
provided.
Temple Church, The Queen’s London,
1896, p.30.
Sunday 30th October 1898 (Horsham)
Miss Dorothy Baker[1] at Chapel for
first time. At first her behaviour was all that could be desired
but later on was overcome by the popular tendency of the present
day to b(r)awl in church. Consequently, she shared the fate of
Kenset and other disturbers of public worship by being promptly
ejected.
Sunday 6th November 1898
Went to tea with Humphrey Nash with the purpose of recording the
Sunday School collection taken on September 25 last. It consisted
of 1 half Sovereign, 1 Crown, 8 Half Crowns, 89 Florins, 23
Shillings, 19 Sixpences, 8 Threepences and 4 Pennies. Total of
£4.5.10. A very creditable collection from so small a congregation.
I don’t suppose the like could be gathered in any other place of
worship in the town.
Billy joins the Committee of Horsham
Free Church
Friday 17th March 1899
Had a fine choir practice this evening, quite a treat. As a sequel
to the meeting of C.W.W. last Sunday evening, Margaret Gardner
suggests that we should practice and have ready a few songs,
quartets etc. for such occasions. ’Twould be a good thing to do,
I’m sure. Should be only too glad of the chance. ’Twas only a week
ago tonight that I knew I was wanted to sing on the Sunday evening
and, of course, had nothing ready. But Bern and I went up to Mr
Martens on Saturday evening and he kindly ran us through a song or
two. At the meeting, which was in the form of an informal
discussion on “books that have helped”, Bern sang “Rest in the
Lord”, Miss G. an air from the “Messiah” and I “Nazareth”, all I’m
afraid in a more or less indifferent way.
- [1] Dorothy was Bernard
and Annie Baker’s new baby.
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