lg A DORSET WORTHY. 



At that period, and indeed until about 35 years ago, Wim- 

 borne Minster was in the somewhat peculiar position of having 

 at the same time three "Presbyters," or "Ministers," or 

 " Preachers," with equal authority, each of whom, with his 

 oun clerk, was responsible every third week for the services 

 at the Church. 



So highly were the character and abilities of young Stone 

 esteemed by the good people of Wimborne that they were 

 desirous that he should become one of their Ministers. And 

 accordingly, in 1641, " as soon as his age permitted," and there 

 was a vacancy on the staff of clergy, " he was appointed to 

 preside over the church of Wimborne, his native place, in 

 satisfaction of the earnest desire of the people." 



An entry in the Church accounts for the year 1641-2 shows 

 that, in accordance with the usage of the time, a hood was 

 provided for the new clergyman at the cost of the parish : 



s. d. 



Paid for a Hoode for Mr. Stone 186 



He remained at Wimborne, and ministered with much 

 acceptance to the spiritual needs of the parishioners for some 

 four or five years, before being, as we learn from a contempor- 

 ary Journal, expelled from his benefice and compelled to leave 

 the country, as a consequence of his allegiance to the Royal 

 cause. The following is the introductory article from Mer- 

 curius Academicus for March 2nd, 1645 (-1646).* 



" You have heard of Mr. Peters the mad Preacher ; If you have not 

 yet heard of Mr. Ford the fighting Preacher, you may take notice of him 

 now. This Ford is a captain under Colonel Bingham, and though an 

 inferior officer to Lieutenant-Colonel Barrett Lacy (commanding at 

 Wareham) and Major William Skutt (commander of the Poole garrison) 

 yet their superior and attended by them in his divine rhapsodies. Yes, 

 Sir Anthony Cooper, too, the baronet, and his brother Major George 

 Cooper think it no disparagement to be disciples of this new Illuminate ; 



* M<rcurius Academics, " The twelfth weeke, Monday, March 2, 

 1645, pages 109, 110. [Bodleian Library, Hope Add., 1133]. 



