A PREFACE. S the year draws to a close, we have again to thank our subscribers for continuing to support us, and for the assistance which they have rendered by contributions to the pages of the last twelve numbers. With this number our Twentieth Year is completed. It is an extensive series of volumes to look upon, as they stand before us on the shelves; but, as we can do so with satisfaction, we are again ready to start on the labours of a new year, hoping for the same support and the many kindnesses which have encouraged us hitherto. London, Nov. 1870. Saints' Days, 10 a.m., Matins; 7.30 p.m., Evensong. Sermon. Wednesday, 10 a.m., Matins. Litany. Friday, 10 a m., Matins. Litany. Holy Baptism will be administered every Sunday at 4.30 p.m., every Wednesday and Saint's Day at 10 a.m. Churching of Women before or after any Service on Sunday or Week-day. Sunday, 3 p.m., Prayers and Sermon. PURTON. N.B. In order to prevent any misunderstanding it will be well to apply direct to the Curate at the Chantry, or at the Church. In the case of Funerals coming from Wanswell, Halmore, Purton, Sanigar, and that side the Parish, the whole Funeral Service can be said at the Cemetery; but this is entirely at the option of the Friends. They have a right to come to the Parish Church and have only to notify their wish to do so to the Curate. We cannot let this first number of our Parish Magazine for 1870 go forth, without wishing the Subscribers a happy new year. The one just past has not been an uneventful one for our Parish. The Confirmation, which was held here by the Bishop of the Diocese in the spring, when a large number of young persons renewed their Baptismal vows, the Bishop's presence and Sermon on the following Sunday,the leaving of the Rev. J. C. Norman for Highworth Rectory.—the Harvest Festival with its hearty gathering of all classes, -and the two magnificent Sermons then preached by Rev. R. W. Randall, and the Bishop of Winchester, are all events which must have made an impression. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist weekly, the Afternoon Sunday Service at Purton, -the addition of Matins and Litany on Fridays, -the paying off of the Church rate due last Easter, and the establishment of the Weekly Offertory, are all subjects for thankfulness. On the 23rd of last month, Charles Henry Heaven, aged 10 years, was buried in the Cemetery. His is the first death in the Choir since its formation. All the Choristers attended; the six eldest boys were pall bearers. The Hymn "Brief life," was sung in procession on entering the Church, and "When our heads are bowed with woe," at the grave. He was vested in his surplice in his little coffin, and a cross of white flowers made by a kind hand was laid on his breast. He was a general favourite. All said "He was a good boy." BAPTISMS. Dec. 6.-Bertha Anne, daughter of George and Elizabeth King, Ham. 8. Ellen Louisa, daughter of Alfred & Emma Cole, Peddington. 13.-Ada Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Jones, Berkeley. BURIALS. Mary Susanna Savage, Sharpness Point, aged 3 years. Elizabeth Woodward, Berkeley, aged 54 years. DURSLEY. The amount collected for the Church Restoration Fund on Dec. 26th was £3. 15s. 1d., which, with the sum of £5. 13s. 4d. collected on Advent Sunday, has been paid into the bank to the Treasurer's account. The deficiency on the work already done stands thus at the close of the year 1869 -- Due on Contracts 2 and 4 (i.e. on the Restoration of the ... d. £ s. 15 10 9 29 6 2 Total deficiency.... 44 16 11 This amount is no overwhelming sum to be cleared off, and the year 1870 now begun will see, we trust, not only the debt liquidated, but also more work done-floor tiles laid-carving executed-and a new and more efficient warming apparatus obtained. A very beautiful Altar Cloth, embroidered by Miss Maria Gresley, and presented to the Church by her, was first placed upon the Holy Table on Christmas Day, and, together with the Christmas Decorations, marked that happy Festival in a very appropriate manner. The embroidery has special reference to the Dedication of the Church. Historians differ as to whether the Nave and Chancel are dedicated to the Holy Trinity or to S. James. But it seems certain that the ancient Chapel at the East end of the North Aisle was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Tanner's Chapel to S. James. Accordingly there is in the centre of the Super-frontal of the Altar Cloth and also twice on the Frontal itself, the double equilateral triangles, emblematical of the Holy Trinity, surrounded by the circle, an emblem of eternity. On branches, emblematical of Victory. Beneath on the Frontal is the Cross with the Sacred Monogram in the centre, and in the side compartments White Lilies, the emblem of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The whole is worked on rich crimson velvet. On the two last days of the year the Sunday Schools, according to custom, received their annual rewards. All the scholars were presented with a bun, and those, who by their regularity of attendance and good behaviour had deserved it, received some book or article of clothing. The annual sermons in behalf of the Additional Curates' Society will be preached on Sunday, January 9th, in the morning by the Rev. W. G. Abbott, B.A, Travelling Secretary of the Society; and in the evening by the Rev. W. Kerry, Vicar of S. Jude's, Bristol. Mr. Abbott will also deliver a lecture in the National School-room on Monday evening, January 10th, at 7.30 p.m. The subject of the lecture will be "Mission Work in Bristol." It may be interesting to some readers of the Magazine to know that two Dursley "tokens" have come to light, apparently belonging to the reign of Charles 2nd. They are both of copper, one a good deal worn, and the other very much less. The oldest and most worn bears on one side the inscription OBADIAH WEBB, with a device in the centre of the coin which was probably his crest-a horse suspended by its middle. On the other side are the words OF DURSLY MERCER, while in the centre are the W three letters O E The other "token" bears on one side the inscription WILLIAM · PARTRIDGE, and in the centre, what is rather an eccentric representation of an ill-favoured fowl, which was probably intended for a partridge, but the clumsiness of which shows that the proverb "you are a man of Dursley" was not ill-deserved by some of our former townsmen. On the other side is the inscription again of DURSLY · MERCER, with the three letters Neither bears any date. Р We find that an "Obadiah Webb" was a Bailiff of Dursley in 1655, and a "William Partridge" in 1661 and 1677, and it is natural to suppose that the "tokens" were coined by these Mercers in order to pay their workmen, the King's money being scarce. It was certainly a common practice to do so. The P on the 2nd coin is perhaps the initial letter ofPræpositus" or Bailiff; but any light which can be thrown on the meaning of the letters will be welcome; also as to whether any other "tokens" of Dursley are in existence. BAILIFF'S ANNUAL BANQUET.-According to time-honoured custom the Bailiff, Mr. John Morse, received the Clergy and Aldermen at a public breakfast at the Old Bell Hotel on New Year's day; and afterwards, in his robes of office, attended by the Clergy and a goodly array |