St Peter’s Magazine September 1901

Harvest immanent, holidays gone!

As our readers open the September magazine, and think that we have entered upon another month, and call to mind as we look around us upon the ripening harvest, God’s goodness, there is much to awaken thankfulness and praise.

So wrote George Edgcome, Rector of St Peter’s, as the Boer War drew to a close. As he said in his homily for the month,

we are anxiously looking forward to the decision of those who remain in arms against us… and hope that counsels of prudence may prevail.

Building on the motto for September (There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob - Rom.11, 26), he discusses how there is a parallel between war in South Africa and men’s spiritual conflicts. Having explained that ‘the Lord Jesus Christ is anointed to deliver His people whenever they need His aid,’ he reflects that ‘men look to this great general, or that skilful commander in the time of their conflicts with other nations, and the Christian, in his spiritual conflict, does the same.’ He argues that the Lord Jesus helps us not only in spiritual conflicts but in temporal ones too, and suggests we should seek the Deliverer first, not second, in such circumstances, relying on Him with confidence in every trial.

A considerable proportion of the magazine was taken up with a report of the annual choir outing for Choir boys which went to Skegness in 1901, and a listing of all those from the parish who contributed to its costs. The highest amount individually contributed was £1, and this was given by each of six men, including the Rector and the two churchwardens. The lowest amounts contributed were 2 shillings (by a woman) and 2s 6d (by five women and four others, only one of whom can definitely be identified as male). This seems to indicate a gendered differentiation of disposable income available in 1901 in the congregation.

A full column advertisement forewarned of the sale of work that was to take place in October, (about which more next month). It was a major fund raising event for the church that took place every year, but this year (1901) sought to raise well in excess of £200 (SPM 10/1901).

However the social and spiritual outreach work of the church was apparently seriously short staffed.

We are greatly in need of district visitors in our Parish and teachers in our Girls’ Sunday school. Several districts are without lady visitors and the dearth of teachers in our Sunday schools causes a heavy pressure on those who are at present carrying out the work. It is earnestly hoped that some ladies in our congregation will kindly volunteer for one branch of the above and so lighten the labours of those who are at present working so hard…’ (SPM, 09/1901).

The Band of Hope (for children) was also asking for helpers at the start of its winter season, as was the Penny Bank.

Hugh Busher

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Last revised 15th September 2001