By the Rev. Thomas Miles. 



115 



purple. The communion plate presented by the Topps, consists of 

 two massive flagons, which stand a foot high, on each is the arms 

 of Topp. On the covers is inscribed "Deo et Ecclesiao," and round 

 the bottom of each, "The gift of John Topp, the elder, Esq., 1640." 

 The chalice and paten were presented by another member of the 

 Topp family. These are also massive ; the chalice stands nine 

 inches high, and on it is engraved the arms of Topp, impaling 

 argent, on a bend voided, three fusils ermine ; and this inscription, 

 "Ex dono John Topp, Esq., to the Church of Stockton in the 

 County of Wilts." A handsome silver alms basin was presented 

 to the church by Mr. and Mrs. St. Barbe in 1844. 



Stockton Church contains more monuments than are usually 

 found in so small a church. There are six in the chancel. The 

 oldest is on the north end of the east wall. It is a black marble 

 slab, enclosed in a frame of alabaster, formerly painted and gilded, 

 supported by a small cherub. It has this inscription : — 



" If men should be silent, this stone shall speak the due praises of God's 

 grace in John Terry, lately a faythful, paynful, vigilant and fruitful Minister 

 of God's truth in this Church of Stockton. He was bom of substantial parent- 

 age at Long Sutton, in Hampshire ; bredde a well deserving Member of New 

 College in Oxford ; freely presented to this charge by the Right Rev. Bishopp 

 of Winchester, Cooper, An. Dom. M.D.X.C., and now in his ripe age of LXX. 

 An. Do. M.DC.XXY., May xxx., sleepeth happily in the public Cemetary of 

 this Church, till the last trumpet shall awake hitn to a joyfull resurrection in 

 Christ ! 



He lived, he learn'd, he wrat, he tought, 



Well, much, truly, duly, he brought 



Hoame the lost sheep, which Christ's Blood bought, 



Against Hell's power he stoughtly fought. 



Terrse Terra datur, Ca?lum sed spiritus ornat, 



Mundus habet famani, lusa Gehenna fremit." 



On the north side of the wall is a stone monument to the Rev. 

 Samuel Fyler and his wife. It was originally placed before the 

 centre-light of the east window, and the cherub which supported 

 it remained there till the wall was rebuilt in 1840, when it was 

 placed on the outside of the wall, over the window. The monument 

 was removed by Mr. Good, to the centre of the north wall, and 

 from thence it was removed to its present situation, when the 

 chancel door was made in 1832. The monument is thus inscribed :— 



