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ing been said, the Rev T J M Townsend, who was received with great applause, said that it would probably be the last opportunity he would have of speaking to his parishioners on a public occasion, as they all knew he had decided through increasing infirmities, to ask permission of the Bishop of the Diocese to allow him to relinquish the Vicariate of Searby cum Owmby. He had now reached the age that the Psalmist said was allotted to man, and for 44 years he had humbly endeavoured to do his duty to his Master, the church and to his parishioners. During his charge of the parish 88 souls had passed away to give account of themselves to their Maker; of these 67 have departed in full communion with the church. During his prolonged Ministry he had had much to be thankful for. He was shortly going, as they had all heard to reside in the city of Lincoln, and in its Cathedral he should often pray for his dear old parishioners. The Bishop of Lincoln said he could not allow the opportunity to pass without expressing his regret at Mr Townsend feeling obliged to resign the charge of his parish. He had been a faithful priest, a kind neighbour, and he felt sure he had done his duty as a Minister of God's Church for the long period of forty four years. He thought it a beautiful thing that, when clergy through advancing years were obliged to seek rest from more active labours, they should go to the Cathedral city of the Diocese, where they had the noble Minster, with its frequent services to which they could resort and pray for their friends and former parishioners, a bond of union being thus maintained between their old Vicar and the friends he had left behind in Searby. The Rev T Field, Rural Dean, also paid a high tribute of respect to Mr Townsend, whose work he had known and appreciated for nearly a quarter of a century. Evensong was sung in the church as 7pm. The clergy vested in the school room, and the procession marched to the church (singing "Onward Christian Soldiers") in the following order :- Crucifer - Mr Kirkby, Caistor; Euphonium to lead the singing - Mr Murfin; the Sacristan - Mr Jeffreys; the Revs H C Brewster, South Kelsey; T F Quirk, Grasby; G R Clarke, Claxby - bearing the banner (embroidered with the figure of St Nicholas); Hawkes Mason, Searby; F W Westbrooke, Caistor; W Goold, Somerby; T Field, Bigby; T J M Townsend; and F T H Chambers, Deacon, Barnetby - bearing the Pastoral Staff; and the Lord Bishop, vested in cope and mitre. On arriving in the Chancel, the Bishop was conducted to his seat on the north side of the Sararium, and the Vicar commenced the office. The Vicar of Caistor read the first and the Rector of Bigby the second les

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