The Autobiography Of An Old Church Window.

would seem we ought to rejoice in the untouched condition in which we now find it . But earnestness is stronger than sentiment . ¦ We may admire this beautiful production of the best period of Gothic art , and rejoice that its lines and

mouldings have not been made smooth and neat and straight by the matter of fact care of a modern mason . Yet we cannot but grieve to see this house , dedicated to the service of God , so dilapidated that its very existence seems endangered . Surely , it cannot be

that an ancient monument , where for centuries our ancestors have worshipped , where queens and barons , knights and men of low degree have met together with one consent to offer prayers and praises to their common Maker , it cannot be that such a

monument be allowed to crumble to the ground for the want of an earnest effort to save , a determined will to mend . " To this appeal , I answer that I am determined to make the needful effort ; and such faith have I iu the generosity of English church men , and of all lovers of ancient monuments , that I feel assured it will be no vain effort .

Hie church is in a very dilapidated condition . The lead on the roof is in such a state that the rain comes through freely , making pools of water on the floor . In consequence of this the timber of the roof are fast decaying . The floor , in some places , is in holes ; the pews are of all

sizes and shapes ; and the whole church is in a deplorable condition . I purpose to take off the lead from the roof to put the timbers iu good substantial repair , and then to recover it with lead ; to do away with the present barn-like roof

of the chancel , aud to provide one of oak iu its stead , raising it to the ori ginal pitch , and covering it , as now , with slate ; to scrape the stone-work , and put the walls in substantial repair ; to provide benches for about 200 persons ; to tile the floor where

not occupied with scats ; to provide a carved oak pulpit , and an approved warming apparatus ; to repair screens , font , south dnor , and sunchy other matters , and , if sufficient sums are forthcoming , to provide a small organ .

The plans and specifications have been submitted to the parish vestry , the archdeacon and the bishop of the diocese , and have received their approval , on condition that funds be raised to execute any portion

The Autobiography Of An Old Church Window.

of the work , before such portion be taken in hand . To do this , and to make the church decent , comfortable , and fit for its purpose , a sum of from about £ 1 , 500 to £ 2 , 000 will be required ; and towards this your

help is hereby solicited , Subscriptions may be sent to me by cheque or post-office order payable at Stowmarket ; or the 3 may be paid to Messrs . Oakes & Co . ' s Bank , Stowmarket , to the " Westhorpe Church Restoration

Fund . " It is proposed to hold a bazaar in September , in behalf of the fund , towards which contributions of drawings , photographs , illuminated texts , and other fancy articles are solicited from ladies and

others . Collecting books will also be supplied to any persons who may volunteer to collect small sums among their friends . Receipts will be sent for all contributions in money or kind , besides which they will be acknowledged in the "Ipswich Journal "

, the " Suffolk Chronicle , " the " Bury Post , " the" Bury Free Press , " and the " Stowmarket Courier . " Trusting that this may meet with the most favourable consideration of the public , and that I ma 3 succeed iu restoring this

ancient church to the glory of God and the delight and use of his people , I leave it in the hands of those to whom I appeal . J . J . FARNHAJI , Curate-in-Charge of Westhorpe . Westhorpe Rectory . April , 1875 .

Freemasonry : Its Origin, Its History, And Its Design.

FREEMASONRY : ITS ORIGIN , ITS HISTORY , AND ITS DESIGN .

BRO . DR . A . G . MACKE Y . THE public ceremonies which were inaugurated a few weeks ago by the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons

of New York will very naturall y attract the attention of what Freemasons call , in a technical and not offensive sense , " the profane world , " to the historr , the character , and the objects of the Blasonic institution . But there needs no occasional event , how-