CHAPTER XXIII.

OPENING OF THE NEW WATER WORKS AT THE COMMON; RETURN OF CHOLERA MORBUS TO THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD;

TEA-MEETINGS, AND OTHER INFORMATION.

"JUNE 14th, 1849. The foregoing statement of nuisances at Warminster Common, which was circulated in this town, met with a considerable measure of concurrence, upwards of a hundred pounds was soon promised, and April 16th, 1849, the work was commenced. The annexed Advertisement and Address' will give the desired information as to the perfecting of this much-needed and very important undertaking. No language can ever describe the heartfelt gratitude which I feel, and hundreds more, for this most gracious, most seasonable, most invaluable gift of Almighty God, to the needy and numerous population of Warminster Common. The work altogether seems too good to be true-it is more like a dream. The conceiving of the grand idea and the perfecting of it, did not occupy but about five months. Truly it must be said, it was altogether the special gift of Him who alone can do all things. We had but small opposition during its progress. 'Sanballat the Horonite and his few friends,' occasionally interfered, (NEHEM. ii. 19.), but they could not stop the work. What is equally marvellous is, as we advanced we met with a new and precious spring, quite unknown before, which will furnish a hundred hogsheads of purest water every twenty-four hours. The moment it burst out it hastened at once in the direction of the Common, refusing to be hindered, and seemed glad to be

liberated from its long and unprofitable imprisonment, now and for ever destined, we hope and trust, for such new and very important purposes. When I first beheld the invaluable boon, how truly did my heart rejoice, and my tongue praise Him, who alone we trust moved our minds to this great and glorious work. During the whole of its blessed progress, I have been in the spirit of sweetest communion with Him, and never did I more rejoice in any undertaking: so that I call it all the Lord's,-begun, continued, and ended in His great name. Sweet emblem of that pure river of water of life referred to REV. xxii. 1, clear as crystal evermore proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. All honour, power, and praise, all glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high.

The children's meeting was all but overwhelming; four hundred and thirty drank tea-scores applied for tickets which could not be granted,-numbers could not get into the chapel even to stand. The delightful services, in and out of doors, occupied six hours.

'God's goodness view, enjoy, adore, proclaim,
And everlastingly extol His name.'

The cost of the undertaking so far as it has at present advanced, is a hundred and seventy pounds nineteen shillings and ninepence; we hope hereafter to see it extended farther.'

66

ADVERTISEMENT AND ADDRESS,

Devizes Paper, June 29th, 1849.

WARMINSTER.-The inhabitants of Warminster Common having for a number of years past been suffering from a lack of pure and wholesome water in their dwellings, some individuals recently formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of endeavouring to supply this important want. The result of the efforts made has been, that a new channel has been opened for the stream of water supplying the place, in passing through which it will not be subject to become defiled, as was the case before. The channel, which is a mile

in length, was opened on Thursday last, on which occasion a meeting was held on the large area in front of the old work house, from fifteen hundred to two thousand persons being present. An address was read to the inhabitants, of which the following is a copy:

Friends and neighbours, inhabitants of Warminster Common.-We are met this afternoon, on a very important occasion. Very long, and very much, have your forefathers, for the most part, unfortunately suffered under the reproach of moral degradation, ignorance, and vice: little or no friendly aid ever having been afforded them in their low estate. Among manifold other evils endured, that stream of water, of which they daily drank, sent by a kind Providence to bless you and them by its purity, has been hitherto all but spoiled, by the numerous defilements, which, in its progress, it has always contracted.

For some years past, your sad condition led many of the inhabitants of the town, in a variety of ways, to sympathize with you, and to help you:-your moral and social condition, has been thereby greatly improved, you are already risen to a state of comparative respectability and enjoyment; and, though poor, we are happy to say that many of you are virtuous.

Your hearty and grateful reception of the good already afforded, has inclined your friends to offer you more. This day, you are, for the first time, called to partake of the unspeakable benefit of having pure spring water brought near to your habitations ;-an article highly necessary at all times, and of the utmost importance, for the improvement or preservation of your health and comfort;-a lasting blessing, which will no doubt raise you and your posterity still higher in the scale of advancement. As its purity will be permanently preserved, we are bold to affirm, that a greater temporal gift than this, can never be conferred on you.

The duty incumbent on us all, at all times, unquestionably is, first-to know our mercies: next

to be thankful for them. We are called upon therefore on this highly-interesting occasion, above all things, humbly and devoutly to acknowledge the goodness of Almighty God! and to give Him thanks and praise, who is the Great Author and Sustainer of life-natural, spiritual, and eternal,- from whom alone, all good counsels and all just works do proceed ;' who, among a thousand other benefits daily conferred, now gives us this water to drink.

PSALM Civ. 10.-' He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.'

PSALM CVii. 35.-' He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.'

ISAIAH xlix. 10.- Even by the springs of water shall he guide them.'

PSALM cvii. 31.- Oh, that men would praise

the LORD for his goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!'

We therefore propose singing the following appropriate Psalm of praise-(117th Psalm)-as a small but grateful token of the sense we entertain of the new and great obligation laid on us, evermore to adore, love, and obey Him.

'From all that dwell below the skies,
Let the Creator's praise arise;

Let the Redeemer's name be sung,

Through every land by every tongue.

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord,.
Eternal truth attends thy word;

Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Your lofty themes, ye mortals, bring,
In songs of praise, divinely sing;
The great salvation, loud proclaim,
And shout for joy the Saviour's name.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

As further proof of your sincerity herein, you must also more than ever resolve, by His help, to shew

your gratitude and love, by keeping His commandments. The chief of which are-loving His great name and truth-walking in His ways-loving His ministers and ordinances-keeping holy His sabbaths. To be also good neighbours and friends-always doing each other good, so far as you have ability. Good subjects-not only are we to Fear God,' but to 'Honour the king' (or queen) and all that are in authority under her: to be subject, willingly, 'for conscience sake,' to all established civil laws and ordinances gladly to obey magistrates. To be good servants and labourers-humble and thankful; thereby pleasing Almighty God, and blessing man. Good parents-training up your children in His loving fear and truth, so that they may be a seed coming up to serve Him in their day and generation, and thus insure still greater blessedness. And also, good children-honouring and obeying your parents in the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.'-EPH. vi. 1—3.

And, finally, you are called upon to shew your gratitude to those benefactors, who have so kindly responded to the important call, and come forward to defray the expenses of this laudable undertaking. We therefore propose, That a vote of thanks be now given, and that it be shewn by the holding up of all hands; and that a communication to that effect be sent from this meeting, to those friends who have thus so kindly cared for you, respectfully requesting them to accept your humble, but grateful acknowledgements, for this important gift. We will conclude by singing the National Anthem.'

After this address was read, thanks were given by acclamation, in the following order :

1st. To her ladyship the Marchioness of Bath, for her prompt and valuable patronage in this undertaking. To the Marquess of Bath, the noble lord of the manor of Warminster, who will soon be among us, we trust, a real blessing, a lasting honour to his family, to this neighbourhood, and to the whole kingdom.'-This