SERVICE OF SONG—On Tuesday, in the Temperance Hall, a service of song, entitled "The Creation," was given, under the able management of Mr. W. Packwood. The connective readings were given by the the Rev. E. E. Bradfield. The singing was very creditable, and reflected credit upon Mr. Packwood, as a teacher.

RUSHDEN - TEMPERANCE—On Monday evening the Rushden Church of England Temperance Association held a meeting in the New Infant Schoolroom, under the presidency of the Rector, the Rev. J. T. Barker, to arrange a programme for the coming season. It was resolved that the society have a tea at Whitsuntide, and a trip further on in the summer.

CHURCH TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION—On Tuesday, the Rev. Mr. Hull, of All Saints', Northampton, preached in the Parish Church on behalf of this association, and subsequently a public tea meeting was held. The following ladies presided at the trays:— Mrs. Barker, Mrs. Currie, Mrs. W. Packwood, Mrs. G. Packwood, Miss Packwood, Miss Treen, Miss Butcher, Mrs. Burton, Mrs. Plummer, Mrs. Parker, Miss Wrighton, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Revis, Mrs. Whity, &c. About 150 drank tea together, and the company would have been greater but for the unsettled state of the weather, which also, unfortunately, put a stop to the promenade concert which was to have been held in the Rectory grounds. The Rector of Rushden and the Vicar of Higham Ferrers delivered addresses, and in the evening the National School room was set apart for dancing, the musical portion of the proceedings being excellently conducted by Mr. Bacon.

RUSHDEN - SUNDAY EVENING ADDRESS—On Sunday evening last, Mr. Paton delivered an address on the Green, in support of Teetotal principles. Mr. Bull, of Finedon, presided, and the meeting was opened by singing and prayer. Mr Paton spoke of the conscientious exercise of power. The heathens believed that the strong should rule the weak, but our Saviour taught that the strong should consider the requirements of the weak, and govern them in a way which would most conduce to their personal benefit. As an instance of the way in which power ought not to be exercised, he drew attention to the appointment of justices of the peace. Gentlemen were chosen to be magistrates not by the ratepayers but by the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, and magistrates had the power to grant licences for the sale of intoxicating drinks, according to their own discretion. He (Mr. Paton) maintained that the magistrates should be elected by the ratepayers, as Members of Parliament and the local authorities were elected, and concluded by appealing to his auditory to support the Permissive Bill. The Doxology was then sung, and the meeting terminated.

Anniversary of the Temperance Society— On Wednesday evening, the 38th annual meeting of the Rushden Temperance Society was held in the Temperance Hall. About 50 of the members sat down to a capital tea, after which the annual meeting for the transaction of business was held. Mr. David Darnell (in the absence of the Rev. R. E. Bradfield, through illness), presided, and there was a large attendance, several of the founders of the society being present. After the formal opening of the meeting, the Treasurer read his report, which shewed a balance in his hands of 1s. 9d. the annual report was then read by the Secretary, mating all the business of the past year. Mr. E. Knight moved that the report as read be adopted. Mr. Burton seconded, and added a vote of thanks to the Secretary, which was carried by acclammation. Mr. Claridge, in responding, said he was always willing to do what he could, and he should like to see a committee formed to carry out the Temperance Hotel scheme. The following election of officers for the ensuing year took place:— President, Rev. R. E. Bradfield; Vice Presidents, John Jacques and D. Darnell; Treasurer, F. Knight; Secretary, J. Claridge; Collectors, J. T. Colson and J. Sargent: Female Collectors, S. J. Colson and E. Sargent, Committee, W. Clarke, C. Bayes, J. Colson, G. Denton, J. Cave, W. Claridge, sen., A. Corby, J. Bull, and H. Packwood. After some further discussion with regard to the Band of Hope relations with the society, the meeting terminated.

TEMPERANCE HALL—On Thursday a lecture was given on "Temperance," by Mr. Greggson. Mr. J. Jakes presided. The attendance was not encouraging.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETY—On Sunday last a children's service was held in the Temperance Hall, conducted by Mr. Jabez Inwards, when an audience of about 500 attended. On Sunday evening Mr. Inwards gave an address in the same place to a fairly good audience. Subject: "John the Baptist."

UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE—On Wednesday evening, a meeting in connection with the Alliance was held in the Temperance Hall. The Rector of Rushden was prevailed upon to preside, in consequence of the death of the late President of the Temperance Society—Rev. R. E. Bradfield. The Chairman spoke highly of Mr. Bradfield, and expressed himself willing to do his utmost to diminish intemperance, though he could not go the whole length of the Alliance. He could not agree with all that Mr. Gladstone said, but he shared Mr. Gladstone's views with regard to local option.—Mr. Mart, of Derby, attended the meeting as a deputation in support of the Alliance, and advocated its principles in an able speech. The attendance was not large.

OPEN-AIR MEETING—On Wednesday evening, a meeting was held on the Green. The Rev. W. A. Davis presided, and the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Mart and Brambley, deputation from the United Kingdom Alliance. The meeting was but thinly attended.