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diff --git a/39271-0.txt b/39271-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7de27f --- /dev/null +++ b/39271-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8199 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Edward Hoare, M.A., by Edward Hoare, Edited +by John Hume Townsend + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Edward Hoare, M.A. + A record of his life based upon a brief autobiography + + +Author: Edward Hoare + +Editor: John Hume Townsend + +Release Date: March 26, 2012 [eBook #39271] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EDWARD HOARE, M.A.*** + + +Transcribed from the 1896 Hodder and Stoughton edition by David Price, +email ccx074@pglaf.org + + [Picture: Photograph of Edward Hoare. Lankester Photo, Tunbridge Wells. + Jenkins Heliog, Paris] + + + + + + EDWARD HOARE, M.A. + + + A RECORD OF HIS LIFE BASED UPON A + BRIEF AUTOBIOGRAPHY + + * * * * * + + EDITED BY THE + REV. J. H. TOWNSEND, D.D. + _Vicar of Broadwater Down_, _Tunbridge Wells_ + _Author of_ “_Spiral Stairs_; _or_, _the Heavenward Course of the_ + _Church Seasons_” + + * * * * * + + _WITH A PORTRAIT_ + + * * * * * + + London + HODDER AND STOUGHTON + 27, PATERNOSTER ROW + + * * * * * + + MDCCCXCVI + + * * * * * + + * * * * * + + _Printed by Hazell_, _Watson_, _& Viney_, _Ld._, _London and Aylesbury_. + + + + +PREFACE + + +It was on the 20th of August, 1864, that the Rev. Edward Hoare, on the +deck of the steamer from Boulogne to Folkestone, spoke kindly words of +sympathy to a schoolboy returning home after a great bereavement in +Switzerland. How little then could either of them have imagined the +future relationship of Vicar and Curate, the long years of happy +friendship afterwards, the deeply solemn funeral sermon, and, finally, +the sacred task of editing the Autobiography and writing the brief sketch +contained in the following pages! This work has been undertaken with the +greatest diffidence, partly owing to the many duties of a somewhat busy +life, and still more from the anxious wish that such a character as that +of Canon Hoare should be depicted by one who had known him from earlier +years. Another difficulty has been to compress the volume into the small +limits desired by the family. + +To write a large volume would have been easy, but to read a considerable +correspondence, together with closely written volumes of journal, and +give a digest of their contents, has required care and thought. It has +also necessitated the putting upon one side of much that was interesting +and profitable. Amongst the things unpublished have been many powerful +letters upon various burning questions of the day during the past forty +years; most of these subjects have now burnt themselves out, and it +seemed unwise to rake up the ashes. + +It is, moreover, better to say too little than too much, and those who +knew him best will acknowledge that the latter error has been avoided. + +A man possessing such qualities as those which Canon Hoare +exhibited—great kindness and affection, wide views of men and things, +strong convictions, ruling powers, commanding intellect, and deep +spirituality of mind—was one who could not live without influencing +visibly all with whom he came in contact; but it has been the desire of +the Editor so to picture this life as it appeared to him, and with the +one desire that God may be glorified by the narrative as He was magnified +in the life of His servant. + + J. H. T. + + + + +CONTENTS + + PAGE + CHAPTER I +EARLY LIFE AND BOYHOOD 1 + CHAPTER II +CAMBRIDGE 18 + CHAPTER III +RELIGIOUS STATE, AND EXAMINATION FOR DEGREE 30 + CHAPTER IV +VISIT TO IRELAND, AND PREPARATION FOR HOLY ORDERS 41 + CHAPTER V +ORDINATION AND FIRST CURACY 50 + CHAPTER VI +RICHMOND 70 + CHAPTER VII +HOLLOWAY AND RAMSGATE 92 + CHAPTER VIII +TUNBRIDGE WELLS 120 + CHAPTER IX +WORK IN VARIOUS PLACES 133 + CHAPTER X +DOMESTIC LIFE AND FOREIGN TOURS 143 + CHAPTER XI +PAROCHIAL MISSIONS 161 + CHAPTER XII +PARISH WORK 173 + CHAPTER XIII +THE BORDERLAND 187 + CHAPTER XIV +BOOKS AND SPEECHES 198 + CHAPTER XV +BLINDNESS AND SECOND ILLNESS 217 + CHAPTER XVI +REMINISCENCES 251 + CHAPTER XVII +PROMOTION 263 + CHAPTER XVIII +TRIBUTES 267 + + + + +CHAPTER I +_EARLY LIFE AND BOYHOOD_ + + +It is a common practice amongst remarkable men to leave on record some of +the circumstances which have led to the formation of the leading features +of their character. + +But as the greater part of mankind is not remarkable, I think it just +possible that some may be interested, and possibly some profited, by a +few details of the life of one whose life has not been marked by incident +so much as by abundant mercy, who has been led on step by step in the +happy life of a parochial clergyman, and who at the close of it can say +with reference to the past, “Surely goodness and mercy have followed me +all the days of my life,” and can add with reference to the future the +blessed hope and determination of David, “I will dwell in the house of +the Lord for ever.” + +Of all the many mercies of my life the one that must ever stand first and +foremost is the gift of my beloved father and mother. No words can +describe the blessing of such parents, and I never can look back on the +unspeakable privilege of such a parentage without adoring the sovereign +grace which placed me under their parental care. When I observe the +carelessness of some parents, the inefficiency of others, and the +terrible training for evil to which I see multitudes of poor children +exposed, I can only adore the sovereignty of God which on June 5th, 1812, +committed me as a sacred trust to the very best of parents. + + * * * * * + +My father, Samuel Hoare, was a banker in the City. Both he and my +mother, Louisa Hoare, {2} had been brought up in the Society of Friends, +and had not formally left it at the time of my birth, so that I was +registered by that body, and at the time of my ordination I had to apply +to the Westminster Meeting for a certificate of my birth. But they were +both greatly influenced by the ministry of some devoted Evangelical +clergymen, such as the Rev. E. Edwardes of Lynn, and the Rev. Josiah +Pratt, and I believe it was very soon after my birth that they were +together baptised. We young people were therefore all brought up as +members of the Church of England, though, as my father never completely +lost his early Quaker prejudice against infant baptism, we were not +baptised till about the age of fifteen, when we were considered able to +judge for ourselves. + +It was probably the result of his own Quaker education that my father had +a strong objection to public schools; so that his plan was to engage a +private tutor, some young man from Cambridge or Oxford, to educate us at +home till we attained the age of fifteen, and then send us to a private +tutor, preparatory to our going up to Cambridge. This arrangement +answered well so long as there were four of us boys at home, and some of +our cousins were united with us both in the schoolroom and playground; +but as the elder boys went off, there was a sad want both of healthy +amusements and intellectual stimulus for those that were left behind. I +was the third, and I remember how difficult it was for my dear brother +Joseph and myself to keep ourselves well employed when our elder brothers +Samuel and Gurney had been placed under the care of the Rev. H. V. +Elliott, the most able and gifted tutor to whom we three eldest brothers +were sent, and to whom we were all indebted far more than I can describe. +He had a wonderful power of bringing the interest of the University to +bear on the education of his pupils, and I never can forget the effect on +my own mind, for I never really worked till the day I entered his house; +but I began then, and I have never been habitually idle since. He was a +grand illustration of the principle, that the great office of an educator +is not merely to cram a boy’s head with knowledge, but to kindle a fire +in his soul, which will go on burning brightly when the tutor himself has +long since passed away. + +But though there were great disadvantages in our home education, there +were also immense advantages. It was not so effective as my dear parents +hoped it would be in preserving us from impure and defiling information, +and to this day I rarely pass the back door of what used to be my +grandmother’s house without a sense of loathing at the wickedness of her +corrupt old butler, who on that spot did his utmost to pollute my boyish +mind with filthy communication. + +But in many other respects I have never ceased to feel the blessed +results of those years at home. In the first place, we were all brought +under the constant influence of our father and mother. He was a man of +great strength of character, and of marvellous perseverance in all that +he undertook. He was deeply interested in the improvement of prison +discipline, and was one of the “Governors” of the “Refuge for the +Destitute.” This he used to visit once a week with the utmost +regularity, rising early so as to be able to complete his visit before +his attendance at the Bank, and I have seldom seen a more affecting sight +than when he used to ride off week after week in all weathers, even after +the Lord had laid him so low by an attack of paralysis that he could not +attempt to ride beyond a walking pace, and it was indeed unsafe for him +to ride at all; but he was a man _tenax propositi_, and nothing would +turn him from his purpose. It was his determination of character that +made him a most valuable coadjutor with his brother-in-law, Sir T. F. +Buxton, in the great anti-slavery struggle, as may be seen in the graphic +account given in the Life of Sir Fowell of the great debate which +virtually decided the question. Sir Fowell himself was a man of +courageous determination; but it was my father that, during that debate, +sat under the gallery of the House of Commons and upheld his hands by his +decided and unwavering judgment. It was a great privilege for us boys to +grow up under the influence of such a character. + +Once a week, on the day of his holiday from the Bank, he used habitually +to visit the schoolroom, and hear us repeat what we had learned during +the week; and every Sunday afternoon he used to read with us some good +religious book. I fear sometimes one at least of his pupils greatly +tried his patience by supineness and inattention, but there were not then +the same interesting books for young people that there are now, and such +books as Wilberforce’s “Practical View” or Doddridge’s “Rise and +Progress” were not calculated to attract the attention of a set of boys +whose hearts were set on cricket. + +Then my dearest mother was one of the most lovely women of the day. +Beautiful in countenance, gentle in her manners, pure in her thoughts, +and most loving in all her intercourse with her family, she exercised +over us all a most sacred and refining influence, and one of the most +abiding sorrows of my life has been that, when she was teaching me +something, I was so negligent that I caused her to shed a tear. + +Besides that, she had great intellectual charm. First-rate men such as +Chalmers and Wilberforce delighted in her society. She was an excellent +English writer. Her letters to her sons at College are perfect models of +such compositions, and her admirable little book “Hints on Early +Education,” containing the principles on which she brought us up, +continues to this day, passing through edition after edition, +unsurpassed, if I may not say unequalled, by the many more modern efforts +to throw light on that most important subject. + +It is to her that I am indebted for my first intelligent acquaintance +with the Gospel. She used to have us boys to read the Scripture with her +every morning at 7.15. Nothing can ever efface the lovely impression +made on those occasions. There she used to be by a bright fire in her +little room, in her snow-white dressing-gown, looking as pure and lovely +as was possible in woman. I fear we boys were often late and sometimes +inattentive. But I never forget one morning when she asked me if I knew +what faith was, and, finding that I was utterly ignorant, proceeded to +teach me those sacred lessons of a Saviour’s grace which have been life +to my soul from that day till now. Oh, mothers! what an opportunity you +have of sowing a seed which will never die! + +Another great advantage in our home education was that we became +interested in missionary work. Drawing-room meetings were not the +fashion then as they are now, and my father and mother, without waiting +for the fashion, threw open their large drawing-room to various devoted +men. Thus we boys used to enjoy the no small privilege of becoming +personally acquainted with many of the most devoted men of the day, as +well as of being educated into an interest in missionary work. + +But parental influence was not all, for one of the tutors engaged for our +instruction was the Rev. R. Davis, of Queen’s College, Cambridge, a +devoted young man, and deeply interested in the Church Missionary +Society. It was he that enlisted the interest of my father and mother, +so that I find, in turning to the report for the year 1820, the following +entry, which was the sum-total of the then Hampstead Association:— + + _£_ _s._ _d._ +Contributions by a few children 2 8 0 +Rev. R. Davis 1 1 9 + 3 9 9 + +Having been one of those few children, I remember well the interest that +the subject excited in our minds; and as that interest never died out in +those beloved ones now gone to their rest, and as I trust it will never +do so in myself, I realise how much I owe to that young man, and I see +how much may be done by a young man who carries with him wherever he goes +the unceasing desire to be engaged in his Master’s service. + +This home education was continued until I reached the age of fifteen, +when I was sent as a pupil to the Rev. H. V. Elliott of Brighton, where +my two elder brothers had been before me. Before I left home +arrangements were made for my baptism. That admirable man the Rev. +Josiah Pratt kindly undertook my instruction, and I used to ride down to +him at his residence in Finsbury Circus. He was a remarkable man, firm +in his principle, faithful to the Gospel, true to his Saviour, zealous in +Missions, and of remarkable soundness of judgment. I am not sure that he +was altogether the best instructor for a spirited lad, but I never shall +forget the venerable man, sitting on one side of the fireplace, finding, +I fear, considerable difficulty in eliciting much response from his +pupil. But I learnt one practical lesson from these interviews, which +has been a help to many a lad under similar circumstances:—I was at that +time thoroughly in earnest about my soul, and I looked forward to my +baptism with great seriousness. It was a matter for much prayer and +close examination. But my dearest mother showed me Mr. Pratt’s letters +respecting me, in which he said, “I hope there is something at the +bottom, but I find it very difficult to bring it to the surface!” How +often have I thought of these words, when I have been preparing my young +people for Confirmation; and when I have seen them nervous, agitated, and +with small development of feeling, I have thought of myself and of Mr. +Pratt’s letters, and remembered how earnest I was at the time, although +he could discover but little trace of it. + + * * * * * + +The day of my baptism was a very solemn one, my cousin, the late Sir +Edward Buxton, being baptised at the same time in St. Stephen’s, +Coleman’s Street, and I think it was the next day that we left our homes +together and went to Brighton, to enter upon a new mode of education. I +cannot say how thankful I am that my father sent me to Mr. Elliott. He +was a first-rate man in all respects, and he had been the means of +kindling an intellectual fire in my eldest brother, who was passing +through Cambridge at the time with high distinction. He (Mr. Elliott) +had a faculty for inspiriting his pupils for work. I had been an idle +boy until I went to him; but I had no sooner crossed his threshold than I +felt an ambition for University distinction, and lost very little time +when I was under his rule. As he took only six pupils there was the same +difficulty that we found at home in getting good play, first-class +cricket. + +But there were other great advantages. There were some very choice lads +amongst the pupils, one especially whom I can never forget—namely, Henry +Goulburn. He was small in stature, but of marvellous ability: for quick +perception, clear understanding, for never-failing memory, and a power of +seeing through a subject, such as I never saw in any man. I shall never +forget his influence when he first joined us as a pupil. There was at +that time a good deal of quarrelling amongst us. There was one young +fellow who was rich, but very foolish, who became the butt of his +companions. I remember well one day, when Goulburn had just come amongst +us, and we were all like a pack of hounds upon that young fellow, +Goulburn got up from the table, walked round to him, and put his hand +upon him, saying, “I will be your friend.” That act of his had such a +power over the whole party that similar unkindness entirely ceased. I +never saw a repetition of it. + +But, besides the pupils within the house, we had the immense advantage of +the friendship of Mr. Elliott’s mother and sisters, who lived close by. +That mother was one of the most charming old ladies I ever remember. She +was the daughter of Henry Venn, Rector of Yelling, the grandfather of the +late Henry Venn, Secretary of the Church Missionary Society. She grew up +amongst her father’s friends, Berridge, Fletcher, and Simeon in his early +days, and nothing could be more charming, more delightful, than her +reminiscence of the early struggle of those devoted men. It wanted a +good deal to draw me from the cricket field, but she had the power of +doing it. I could not have had a greater treat than to listen for +half-an-hour to her anecdotes. + +Then again it was one of the privileges that we enjoyed at Brighton that +we attended St. Mary’s Church. Mr. Elliott’s preaching was valuable, +full of truth, and most beautiful in composition. I used to listen to it +with great interest, and from it I first learnt the great and blessed +doctrine of justification by faith, which I have had the privilege of +preaching throughout my ministry. I never can forget one sermon of his +in which he pointed out that there were three great trials of Abraham’s +faith: (1) His Call (Gen. xii.); (2) The Promise given him (Gen. xv.); +and (3) The Sacrifice of Isaac (Gen. xxii.). He then pointed out that +the first and last of these three trials involved immediate action, but +that the middle one demanded no action at the time, but required simply a +believing reception of the promise of God, and it was of it that the +statement was made (Gen. xv. 6): “Abraham believed God, and it was +counted to him for righteousness.” + +There was a fresh blessing given me in St. Mary’s. It was there one +sacred day when Robert Daly, afterwards Bishop of Cashel, was preaching, +that I was led by the Spirit of God to give myself up to the ministry. I +do not remember exactly what he said; but I am sure that a permanent +impression may be often made without any distinct recollection always of +what has been uttered. So it was in my case, while that noble man was +preaching; and I there and then gave myself up to the ministry of God, as +I told him many years afterwards. I said nothing about it to anybody for +a year, because I wished my determination to be thoroughly tested. At +the end of the year I told my father. He informed me that there was a +place open for me in his Bank, but at the same time he gave his cordial +approbation; and so with his full consent and that of my dearest mother, +I regarded myself from that day as one set apart to the sacred ministry. +That must have been nearly sixty years ago, and never for one moment have +I had reason to regret the decision. + + * * * * * + +From Mrs. Hoare to her son at Brighton:— + + “_August_ 22_nd_, 1829. + + “How continually have I thought of you, dearest Edward, since you + left us, with the truest pleasure and I hope thankfulness for the + happy time we have passed together, with the greatest interest in + your present settlement and earnest desire and prayer for your + well-doing in future! You have, my love, gained the confidence and + excited the sanguine hopes of your parents, and if you do not turn + out the _decided_, _noble_, _upright_, and _effective Christian_ + character, we shall be disappointed. I consider the present juncture + in your life very important. The more I consider the case, the more + I am sure of Mr. Elliott’s intrinsic value to you, and the more I am + convinced of the wisdom of giving up yourself in the present to his + wishes; if you secure his friendship, you secure a treasure for life. + In this as in every situation, you will have something to bear. + + “1. Don’t stand on your own rights too much or be tenacious in + little things. + + “2. Be _very slow_ in taking offence or fancying any disrespect or + want of favour is shown to you. + + “3. Never _complain_ of anything to your companions. + + “4. Encourage a spirit of content, and _be determined_ (there is + much in this determination of mind) to be comfortable. + + “5. Promote, as far as possible, the pleasure of your companions by + yielding in little things. I believe, dearest Edward, you are + sensible that, to act with true wisdom, we must seek this precious + gift from above, and day by day ask for help and strength and grace + for the day. + + “6. Write to me intimately, and the letters may be _entirely private + whenever you wish it_. + + “The books could not be despatched at once. Sam says the Shakespeare + is a bad bargain, but we will talk it over again—oh how I should + enjoy a half-hour with thee over this nice library fire!” + + + +Early Letters. + + +There are some interesting letters of this period, which have been +carefully preserved. The earliest of these, written when he was eleven +years old, is characteristic. It is addressed to his mother, who was +away from home, and begins with an apology for not having sent her a +letter before: this is based upon an accident at cricket, which he +describes graphically, the ball “ascending to a great height” having +fallen upon his thumb and so disabled him, etc., etc.; but the pathetic +narrative is followed by a burst of honesty—“however, as that happened +only yesterday it is not much of an excuse”! Another, a year later, +written from Ryde, after describing a boating and fishing expedition, +relates further a conversation with the boatman, whom they saw doing +something to the dogfish that they had caught. “He replied” (and here +the young scribe phonetically renders the local pronunciation), “‘O Lar, +I’m only tormenting ’em.’ We asked, ‘Why?’ ‘Because ’em has a pisonous +prick on ’em’s back.’ We asked him how they could help that. ‘Oh, I +knows ’em needn’t have it if ’em didna like!’” + +The letters that follow were written from Brighton, and describe his +arrival at Mr. Elliott’s house, and sundry events that took place from +time to time; they are full of affection to his mother, and abound +likewise in touches of humour, but they show also a diligence and +steadiness of purpose, and a liking for good things, remarkable in a boy +of that age. Subjoined are a few extracts as specimens:— + + “I suppose Jack told you of the famous hunt we had the other day when + we were going out riding and met the hounds, half by accident? We + had a run of above an hour, and the hounds were in full cry all the + time; but, alas! the other day a bill came in from the horse-keeper, + which informed us that we were to pay a pound for each of the horses + because we had been with the hounds. . . . I like Abercorn {15} very + much, but he is excessively idle, as my shoulders will bear witness, + as it is his great delight to get up and thump Ted Buxton and me on + the shoulders; but fortunately he is tired of hitting me, as I repay + the blows tenfold with a singlestick, and the consequence is that + poor Ted gets double his former allowance.” + + “We have capital walks on the Downs almost every day, which are very + pleasant, and capital exercise, as we go a considerable distance; the + other day we went nearly to the Dyke. Before seven [a.m.] we three + have delightful readings together—we have nearly done Matthew; at + seven we come down and read till breakfast, and after that till two; + we then go out for our walk till dinner. . . . On Thursday we are to + have our debate about the battle of Navarino, in which I am going to + be exceedingly eloquent—only there is one great barrier to my + eloquence, which is that I can think of nothing to speak about. + Robert and Jack are going to attack the battle; and Ted, Abercorn, + and I are going to defend it. I think they have got much the best + side.” + +This extract, written in a boyish hand, is dated February 19th, 1828. +The next, on October 4th in the same year, is remarkable for its +transition into the formed hand of the young man, and its resemblance to +the writing of all his later years. He was then sixteen. The letter is +full of manly thoughts, kind sympathy for some relatives in trouble, +great thankfulness to God for restoring him to health after an illness, +and then the schoolboy reappears towards the close as he longs for a +share in the partridge-shooting which his father and elder brothers were +enjoying at that time, and “the plumcake after church, and then the walk +on the lighthouse hills” at Cromer, concerning which he winds up by +saying: “I do not know two things that live so pleasantly in my mind. +How far superior to all the strutting finery of Brighton!” + +The letters written during his residence in Brighton show that Mr. +Elliott, besides being a very kind tutor, had the gift of inspiring his +pupils with great diligence and love for their work. The year 1830 was +the last spent under his roof, and they testify to a great deal of hard +reading, with the University constantly in view. + +At the end of a letter dated “Brighton, September 20th, 1830,” young +Hoare writes:— + + “I may tell you that this is the last letter you are ever likely to + receive from me from Brighton. My two years and a half (that but + yesterday I thought would never end) are now nearly come to a close; + I am sure if I had time I ought and could write a long letter of + gratitude to you and my father for having given me such opportunities + of improvement. Oh that I had made full use of them! what a capital + fellow I should be! At all events, of this I am quite certain, that + if your sons turn out either rascals or blockheads (the latter of + which I fear is the case with the third {17}), it can never be laid + to your charge. And so, with regard to the course we are now likely + to enter upon, I feel that every reason which ought to influence a + person in the strongest degree binds me to read with thorough + diligence and perseverance, and I only trust that I may be enabled to + show my gratitude for your kindness by taking thorough advantage of + it.” + +“O si sic omnes!” is the thought that rises to the mind after perusing +these schoolboy letters; they contain the germs of all the +characteristics that made Edward Hoare the power that he afterwards +became—manliness, gentleness, remarkable diligence, reverence for +religion and the Bible, a loving and thankful spirit, and, last but not +least, a keen sense of the humorous side of things. + + + + +CHAPTER II +_CAMBRIDGE_ + + +In the year 1830 I went to Trinity College, Cambridge, one of the finest +places for education. My dear brother Gurney was there at the time. +Goulburn followed a year afterwards. Canon Carus was in his years a +Fellow of Trinity, and my beloved friend Bishop Perry was there as a +tutor. I had many friends, and we were a happy party. I have outlived +almost all of them. I owe more than I can express to my College life. I +read hard, and I have often observed that hard-reading men look back upon +their College days with the greatest pleasure. I was surrounded by a set +of steady men, and, above all, I had the advantage of Mr. Simeon’s +ministry. There was something very wonderful about his preaching; it was +not eloquence, and he had none of the brilliance of Mr. Elliott. But it +was as clear as a noonday; his statements of truth were unmistakable. He +was raised up to preach at Cambridge the great Evangelical doctrines of +Scripture. And he taught them with a clearness, a distinctness, and a +courage such as could not well be surpassed. Many and many a time did I +return to my rooms after church, “sport” my door, and kneel down in +earnest prayer under the solemn conviction produced by his most spiritual +and awakening ministry. Thus the three years of my University life +passed rapidly by. I was very eager in boat-racing, and very keen at the +game of cricket, although I could not play much of it, as it took too +long a time. But I am thankful to say I had the ministry always in view; +and I remember well that on the morning I went into the Senate House for +my degree, I knelt down to pray for success, and I thought at the time +how much higher gifted I would be if the Lord would make me wise to win +souls. + + + +University Letters. + + +Although the autobiography contains but a brief reference to his career +at Cambridge, it seems a pity to pass too hastily over this most +important time of a young man’s life. A great many of his letters to his +mother were written at this period, and, like his boyish letters, they +are all carefully stitched up into a series of sets, as if his parent +foresaw that one day they would be valued by others. They form +delightful reading, and it is unfortunate that want of space forbids more +than a summarising of their contents and a few extracts. + +The first of these, written to his mother, October 22nd, 1830, two days +after he had taken up his residence at Trinity College, describes the +purchase of cap and gown, the first dinner in Hall, the rooms in which he +was settled, the prospects of College life, which he greatly relished, +and the determination to keep clear of “harum-scarum fellows.” A +characteristic sentence is worth quoting: “There is only one point I +really dislike, which is the profane manner in which the Lessons are +gabbled over at chapel, so that you can only hear a hurried mumble, and +not one word of the sense.” + +Various incidents enliven the letters at this time: descriptions of his +friends, a very nice set; allusions to some “glorious sermons” of Mr. +Simeon, who was then the great power at Cambridge; his resolution to join +a boat; and the excitement caused “by an attack on the Anatomy Schools, +when the Vice-Chancellor sent round to the Colleges to call the men out +to fight, which summons we obeyed with great alacrity, though little +necessity.” Surely the last item must make Cambridge men of this +generation envy their predecessors of sixty years ago! On his nineteenth +birthday young Hoare thus writes to his mother:— + + “I don’t know whether you recollect that I shall never again see + nineteen years. So I am now entering a new year—oh how earnestly I + do hope that, through His grace who alone can keep me, it may be a + year of profit and advancement in holiness! I have thought a good + deal about it, though not so much as I could wish. How many + blessings I have to be thankful for that I have received during the + past year, when sorrow and affliction have been scattered all around + me! How wonderfully all of us have been preserved in perfect health + and enjoyment!” + +A few months after this, in a letter from Hampstead, he mentions walking +across the fields one Sunday morning to St. John’s and hearing a sermon +from Mr. Noel that greatly impressed him; the subject was “The necessity +and efficacy of diligence in religion.” + + “He really seemed as if he had meant it for me, for I had been + thinking a great deal how far more diligently I pursued my + mathematics than my religion.” + +Yet at this time he was teaching in a Sunday School every Sunday—rather a +rare thing for an undergraduate in those days. + +Here occurs an allusion to one who was destined to occupy a warm share in +his affection during years to come:— + + “I met the other day Perry, who was Senior Wrangler and fifth on the + Classical Tripos, and finding that he was going to take pupils I have + engaged him for next term, provided my father intends to be so + liberal as to let me have a tutor.” + +For over sixty years the friendship was strong and deep, and after Bishop +Perry’s resignation of the See of Melbourne their intercourse was +frequent and loving up to the end. In the Lent Term of 1832 he writes:— + + “I have been getting on this week tolerably in my reading, and + intolerably in my rowing, having been bumped by the Johnians on + Thursday for the first time in my life, and that too when we might + have got away with the greatest ease if all our crew had exerted + themselves.” + +Half a century afterwards his curates were often exhorted to work +together with a will, and the exhortation was enforced by allusions to +the disasters experienced by a crew whose members were not absolutely one +in “go” and sympathy. + +The following letter from his father has reference to College events at +this time:— + + “LONDON, _March_ 19_th_, 1832. + + “DEAR EDWARD,—A hasty opinion is not always worth having, but you may + safely take my advice and try the new boat, bump the first Trinity, + and wait for further orders. Let your mother’s letter compel you to + watch yourself, and if you find the effects of rowing at all + prejudicial give it up, but if you find your health and strength on + the wax go on, tempering your zeal with moderation, and I will do my + best to make peace at home—a work which I shall accomplish with more + ease and in less time than you will be at the head of the river. It + came across me that, after having vanquished all Cambridge, you might + wish to carry your victorious oars to Oxford!” + +A fortnight after the last quoted letter from the young collegian, there +was another which recounted that, although his boat, of which he was +stroke, had gone down as low as fifth, yet on the last race-day it had +recovered its old place of second. Then follows a groan concerning the +difficulties that attended his post as captain over a discordant body of +twenty men: “The crew, when successful, get all the credit, and in the +time of misfortune make me their scapegoat.” + +Fortunately he did not adhere to his original intention of resigning the +captaincy, and ultimately his boat attained the proud position of head of +the river. Edward Hoare’s success in rowing did not make him idle, +however: nothing could do that; into whatever he undertook he threw his +whole heart and soul, and the very next letter, a few weeks later, May +4th, 1832, begins thus:— + + “Here I am a scholar of Trinity safe and sound, as the master calls + it ‘discipulus juratus et admissus,’ and not a little pleased am I at + the thought. But what pleases me most of all is that, so far from + being last of all, as our list declares, I have come in very high on + the list. I do not know exactly where I am, but, as you wish for all + the reports, I tell you one which I don’t quite believe, which is + that I was the second in both years. I beat all the third year, and + all my own except the great lion Stevenson, and I got within a + respectable distance of him, and Peacock says I have gained upon him + since the last examination, whereas I never expected to get within + miles of him. In fact I am altogether happier than I can express, + and really think that I never spent so joyful a night and day in all + my life.” + +Referring to this success his father writes again:— + + “HAMPSTEAD, _May_ 8_th_, 1832. + + “MY DEAR EDWARD,—Of advice and congratulations you will partake + abundantly without an addition from me, but your mother wishes me to + write, what I have no doubt Sam has already written. What may be the + best course for you to pursue I have not made up my mind, but as you + are at Cambridge it is as well to remind you that a man may be happy + without mathematics, and that the glory of being Senior Wrangler + (supposing the possibility of such an event) may be purchased at too + high a price. I attribute the greatest proportion of your late + honours to solid understanding and reading, some part to good luck or + accident. Had you not then better see the result of the class + examination before you take the plunge? With the blessing of God you + will be rooted more deeply than ever now in all our hearts, and, what + is far beyond extending growth here, you attain that eminence which + is quite out of the sound of wrangling. + + “I am most affectionately yours, + “S. HOARE.” + +A few days later he receives the news of the sudden death of a relative, +Mr. Powell, {24} and various letters describe the effect that this event +had upon him. His sympathy was warmly expressed for all the mourners; +and then, as was natural to a thoughtful mind, the remembrance of the +shortness of life made itself felt. Strong and athletic as he was, he +too might be cut off suddenly: was he ready for the call? + +But his recent success at the scholarship examination, and his future +hopes, seem to have had a strange light thrown upon them by this +bereavement, and he began to ask himself the question which some of us +have had to face in hours of success or failure—“What _are_ College +honours? Are they an end, or only a means?” He writes thus:— + + “I never felt so strongly as I do now the utter worthlessness of the + objects at which I have been aiming with so much zeal. What does it + signify whether I am fourth, fifth, sixth, or anything else in this + examination, when at one stroke all one’s honour and all one’s + learning may be dashed from you? It has impressed me very strongly + with the feeling that to read because it is my duty and because it is + an admirable preparation for after-life is a glorious object, but to + read (as I must confess I have done) for a place and a place only, + and slur over higher things for it, is indeed vanity of vanities.” + +The summer of 1832 was spent with a reading party in Wales. The start +was made from Highgate, where the coach “Wonder” took in its passengers +and conveyed them to Shrewsbury “with _wonder_ful rapidity,” the journey +commencing at 6.40 a.m. and the destination being reached at 10.30 p.m., +or one hundred and fifty-six miles in nearly sixteen hours! + +Thence sometimes on coach, sometimes on foot, they made their way to +Llangollen, Llanrwst, Conway, and Bangor. The beautiful suspension +bridge was an object of immense interest. The travellers went over to +the Anglesea side, and down into the chambers and passages of the rock +where the chains are fixed that uphold the structure; the letter +recounting this visit contains diagrams descriptive of it all, showing +the fascination that it exerted on the mind of the writer. Various +accounts of the magnificent scenery fill pages in these interesting +letters, and also allusions to the kindly way in which Welsh tracts were +taken by the people, and the excited gratitude which the gift sometimes +caused. At last Barmouth, the “ultima Thule” of their wanderings, was +reached, lodgings were taken, and the party set steadily to work. + +They were fortunate in the parish clergyman, whose name was Pugh, and +young Hoare’s letters often speak with gratitude of the guidance from +above which led them into the parish of this excellent man. Michaelmas +Term found them back at Cambridge, and now his younger brother Joseph +{26} joined the party, and Edward’s feelings with regard to his duties +towards him are expressed in a letter to his mother, of which nearly the +whole is taken up with a loving interest in his brother’s plans and +prospects. He writes:— + + “I most earnestly hope that I may be able to assist him, and, what is + far more, that he may have that far better assistance which can alone + be all-sufficient. . . . I have had a most happy vacation, and + cannot say how I have valued it. I only trust that I may be able to + repay a hundredth part of your and my father’s kindness to me by + fraternal affection towards Joe. My motto with regard to him is— + + “‘Men must be taught as if you taught them not, + And things unknown proposed as things forgot.’” + +During the month of September, in the year before this, his elder brother +Samuel was married to Miss Catherine Hankinson. {27} There was a warm +attachment between the brothers. Edward often writes in terms of great +admiration of “Sam,” and now the new sister was received with equal +affection into his heart. It was a feeling which grew and strengthened +to the last day of his life, and was returned by her, being specially +manifested in the tender care which she bestowed upon his motherless +children more than thirty years afterwards. This, however, is +anticipating, and it is suggested only by a letter from Cambridge dated +November 9th, 1832, full of delight— + + “at the joyful news of the week. I am highly proud of my new + avuncular honours. I begin to feel quite a strong affection to my + new niece, which I never expected to do, at all events till I had + seen her!” + +The same letter writes thankfully about the interest which he had been +able to arouse in the University in connection with the British and +Foreign Bible Society. + +There had been one collector in Cambridge previously, but young Hoare set +to work and had the gratification of sending in more than a hundred +guineas, fifty of which came from Trinity. He says, “I only hope that +this success will encourage us to work hard during the next year.” His +interest in the Society never waned, and it did well many years +afterwards in making him one of its Vice-Presidents. + +We have an insight into a College Sunday in one of his letters at this +time:— + + “We have had a delightful Sunday, and a most edifying sermon on the + Conversion of St. Paul. After Hall I had a large party in my rooms, + and we read one of Blunt’s Lectures on St. Paul. Our party after + Hall has become rather a burden to me, it has grown so very large, as + I have invited any persons who I thought would come and employ their + time better than elsewhere; and now I feel that it is an opportunity + which ought to be employed to good purpose, and I don’t know exactly + how to go to work to do so.” + +In a letter written early in 1833 he refers to all the dignities of the +third year upon his head, and his desire to use them aright; it will +probably be the opinion of any who read the extracts above quoted that +the young collegian rose nobly to the ideal which he had set before him. +There are those now living who can testify to the rich harvest of good +which sprang up in his generation from the seed of manly Christian +influence so freely scattered round him in those undergraduate days. Yet +a crisis in his life was approaching, which we must leave to the next +chapter to describe. + + + + +CHAPTER III +_RELIGIOUS STATE_, _AND EXAMINATION FOR DEGREE_ + + +A few months after Edward Hoare took up his residence at Cambridge he +commenced to keep a journal, which practice he continued for more than +thirty years. Into its pages he poured his thoughts and communings with +God, and, as he says in different parts of the journal, he did so that, +looking back from time to time, his faith and love might be increased by +noticing the way in which God had led him. + +At the same time he was determined that there should be no repetition in +his case of the grievous mistake which has been made by some well-meaning +biographers; over and over again therefore he has inscribed upon the top +of a page the word “Private”; and at the end of the first volume, written +at a time when he thought that he was very near his end, he distinctly +directs that his journal is not to be published. His wish has been +carefully observed; no one has read the journal except the editor of his +Autobiography, and he only to get a clearer view of the character which +he wishes to place before the reader, with the one object laid down in +the closing words of the volume referred to—“Let nothing be done with it +or said about it except to extol the goodness of God by the weakness of +the creature.” + +It is evident from a perusal of the journal at this time that he was +dissatisfied with his spiritual state, and a letter to his mother, dated +July 21st, 1833, gives such a particular account of the remarkable crisis +through which he passed that it is here given in full:— + + “You have often expressed a wish that I would write you a full and + intimate letter about my own religious feelings, but I have not done + so hitherto, because I lament to say they were too feeble to + authorise any expression, but I have had a time of very deep interest + since my return, and I do not like to withhold it from you. + + “When I arrived at home, I ought to have been smarting with a guilty + conscience, but I had succeeded in stifling things, and though I + cannot say I felt irreligious, I was far from a Christian walk with + God. On Sunday morning Dr. Chalmers preached his sermon upon the + enjoyment and preparation for heaven, and told us that the fruition + of heaven was already begun in the Christian’s mind by the work of + sanctification and regeneration in his heart. I began to think how + this work was going on with me, but I found it so difficult to bring + my thoughts to bear upon the subject that I carried the process of + examination very little way, but that little brought a whole array of + irreligion before me. I felt that my heart was not right with God, + that I had not that love towards the Saviour, nor that detestation of + sin, which it appeared to me that any one must feel who had in truth + participated in the Christian covenant, and I was surprised and + horror-struck at finding that I had been guilty, not only of neglect, + but of some actual violations of God’s law. Still, with all this I + could not bring my mind to dwell upon its own state, and my serious + thoughts were constantly supplanted by others of a trivial nature. I + tried to go and pray as an offending sinner, but I could not collect + my thoughts, and though I daily said my prayers they were heartless + and cold, and did not at all reach the deep sensation of need which I + every now and then experienced, and I felt that I was making no + progress, though I was growing very anxious. Every now and then my + faith almost gave way, and I thought that I had resisted the Spirit + so long that God had taken it from me. Then again I thought of some + passages such as these: ‘It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you + the kingdom of life,’ and those beautiful verses in the third of St. + John, ver. 14; and I heard Dr. Chalmers’ morning reading upon the + generality of the Gospel offers, when he dwelt upon the words + ‘whosoever’ and ‘every one,’ and I thought too upon the great + Sacrifice that had been made for sinners, and I had times of + alternating hope and despondency, but I was never happy because I + found I could not pray with my whole heart in faith, and I did not + think I was under the influence of the Holy Ghost. This went on till + Sunday evening. I then heard an excellent sermon from Mr. Fisk about + the enthusiasm which a Christian must feel towards God and the + Saviour, and I felt that the state of my own heart differed widely + from this description. I came home very unhappy, but even then I + could not get rid of wandering thoughts, by which I was so + discouraged that I began to think that God had cast me off. Then I + thought of the promises, especially ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labour + and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’; but then I felt that + I could not number myself with them, for if really burdened with sin + I could think of nothing else. I walked about my room for a long + time and I knew not what to do, for my faith was so weak that I felt + a fear of approaching God. At last, however, I felt that I could + offer a silent prayer to Him to teach me to pray, and He heard me. I + knelt down and felt as if a thick cloud had been removed from me, and + I was enabled to approach God and entreat Him to pardon and to + sanctify me. Oh, dear mother! I cannot describe to you the joy I + experienced when I felt that God had vouchsafed once more to hear me. + + “I afterwards went and told Goulburn all that I had been going + through, and was cruel enough to wake him up in the midst of his + night’s rest. He satisfied me very much upon the generality of the + promises, and I went to bed full of joy and thankfulness. The next + evening we met together and read the ‘1st Ephesians,’ and he offered + up a most satisfactory prayer that the Holy Spirit might manifest + Himself in our hearts, and I am most thankful to say I do believe his + prayer has been heard. We have continued to read and pray together + every evening, and I have found it perfectly invaluable, and I trust, + dearest mother, I have been able to cast the whole burden of sin upon + the Cross. I feel still, however, that my heart is corrupt before + God, and I feel a want of devotion towards Him, but I can pray that I + may be strengthened with might in the inner man, and I know I shall + be heard. Oh how unspeakable is the love of God! Oh may Christ + dwell in my heart by faith, that I, being rooted and grounded in Him, + may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the length and + depth and breadth and height, and to know the love of Christ that + passeth knowledge! I need not say that this letter is perfectly + private. I should, however, have no objection to my father or + Elizabeth seeing it if they wish. I will include too Sam and + Catherine, but I don’t wish anybody to be told about it. + + “Believe me to be + “Your most affectionate and grateful Son, + “EDWARD HOARE.” + +Just at the same time in his journal he chooses as his “text for life” +St. Peter’s words—“Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for +you.” But a great sorrow was at hand. Shortly after those lines were +written his eldest brother Samuel was struck down by a hæmorrhage, and in +less than three months he had passed away peacefully. This was a sore +trial to Edward, and his letters abound with messages of deepest sympathy +with his brother and the young wife soon to be left a widow. The words +which he writes to his mother read like the experience of an advanced +Christian, and the firm trust inspired by the “text for life” breathes +through them all. The examination for his degree was rapidly +approaching, so that study could not be neglected. This year the reading +party went to Derbyshire, and the letters thence give delightful accounts +of visits to the Peak, etc., but the coming cloud casts its shadow across +all his thoughts; yet even so faith triumphs, and passages like the +following, in a letter to his father, occur from time to time:— + + “Oh what a thing it is to think that the Peace which can never be + taken away is not only bestowed upon you and upon him here, but that + if it should please God to realise our fears, it will soon be + bestowed upon him in perfection above! Sometimes when I think of his + prospects, as far as he is concerned, I can scarcely wish him well + again, and, if it were not for all of you, could almost desire to go + with him.” + +On Sunday, October 23rd, 1833, the beloved brother passed away, and the +journal records that Gurney and Edward sat beside him all through the +night and to the end. Early in November Edward Hoare was back at +Cambridge. His first letter is full of sympathetic thoughts concerning +the bereaved ones at home, and it is not until the last paragraph that +there is any mention of his work; this, however, is particularly +interesting from one point of view. The great anti-slavery struggle was +nearing its climax; and, considering the prominent part which Sir Fowell +Buxton took in the movement, it was not remarkable that his nephew should +have thrown himself warmly into it. Accordingly we read:— + + “I believe you were interested in my declamation. I have not got the + prize, but they put me up on the paper as having made a very good + one. The other three men, however, made better. I believe if I had + not been so hot about slavery I might have got the prize, for at the + time they expressed their great dissatisfaction at what I said about + it.” + +Even as a young man he was not afraid to champion a cause which was +unpopular with some who were in authority. + +As the year draws near its close he describes his position as one of +“overwrought excitement” when his mind dwells upon the approaching +examination, which gives way to “a state of despondency” as a single +thought of his sad home passes before him. Either this depression or the +natural humility of his character makes him now “expect to take a fair +second-rate degree”; when within a fortnight of the examination his mind +becomes calmer, and he is enabled to make a good forecast of the result. + +“I have good reason to hope,” he writes, “for a place upon which I shall +look back with pleasure and gratification all my life. . . . My own +desire is to get into the first six wranglers, and if I accomplish that I +shall be delighted. . . . I am not sanguine, but neither am I anxious. +I desire to leave it altogether in the full assurance that I shall get +the place which is best for me, whatever that place may be.” + +Surely the influence of the “text for life” is visible here! And those +who knew him in later years will remember that this was his leading +characteristic to the close of his life, making every preparation, using +every endeavour, and then leaving the issue tranquilly in the hands of +Him who “careth for you.” + +Christmas Day was spent with his Uncle and Aunt Gurney, and two or three +days at the beginning of the New Year given to his home, to turn away his +mind entirely from mathematics for the last day or two before his +examination. Then two letters appear in the carefully preserved bundle, +one to his mother at Hampstead:— + + “I have not time to write much, but I have the unspeakable pleasure + of telling you that I am 5th Wrangler and Robert Pryor 4th. I cannot + say how thankful and happy I feel about it.” + +Written hastily, and in suppressed excitement, the date at the head of +the letter—“December 17th, 1833”—is wrong both in the month and year (as +the postmark testifies). The same day he writes more fully to his father +in London; to this letter there is no date at all. Never surely in all +his life did he make either of these mistakes again! (The postmark on +this is the same as on the former letter, viz. January 17th, 1834.) + + “I have had a hard fight to-day in the bracket, the result of which + is that I am 5th Wrangler, and Pryor 4th. I cannot say what + unqualified pleasure and gratitude I feel at this result of my + College labours, and the pleasure is not a little increased at Robert + being the person to beat me; there was no person in the examination + to whom I would so willingly yield a place. I have had a hard fight + to-day in the brackets. I was well aware, from the failure I made in + two of the problem papers and the first class, that I was hard-run by + some of the men in the bracket, so that I felt rather dismayed at + finding myself with a good prospect of being 8th, whereas 6th had + been my ambition. However, I set to work steadily and well, and, as + I have since heard, gained three places, for I began at the bottom of + the bracket. Peacock is very anxious that I should go in for the + Smith’s prize, as most men of my standing generally go through that + ceremony. The list of our bracket is:— + + Pryor + Hoare + Main + Bullock + Bates.” + +Robert Pryor, his “twin cousin,” as he used to be called, was Edward +Hoare’s playmate from his earliest years. Educated together, together +they entered the University, and came out, as we have seen, side by side +in the list of wranglers. Pryor went in for the scholarship, but failed, +and in a letter at the time his successful cousin writes of him as +“behaving nobly,” thinking nothing of his failure, and only setting to +work twice as resolutely as before, with the happy result above noted. + +Here follow letters of congratulation from the relatives with whom he +spent the Christmas before his examination. The event to which they +refer may well terminate a chapter of this book, as it certainly was the +close of an important chapter in his life. + +Congratulatory letter on his success at Cambridge from J. J. Gurney:— + + “NORWICH, _June_ 18_th_, 1834. + + “DEAREST EDWARD,—I think it would be very flat of me not to + acknowledge the receipt of thy letter. I understand from Geo. + Peacock’s letter to Hudson that the examination took an unfortunate + turn for thee, or thou wouldst have been still higher; however, I am + sure thou art quite high enough—and we have nothing to do but warmly + to congratulate thee on thy prowess and well-earned honours. + Certainly I for one should withhold all congratulation, did I not + feel assured that thou hast aboard thy vessel plenty of good ballast + in the shape of humility, simplicity, and Christian principle. + Therein I do and will rejoice, more than in the flag of victory. I + should now advise a polite treatment of thyself—a journey—a frolic—a + good long holiday, yet not absolute idleness, which is good for + nobody. + + “I am thy truly affectionate Uncle, + “J. J. GURNEY. + + “My congratulations and kind regards to Rob. Pryor. I told thy + mother that I was ready to be £50 towards thy expenses, shouldst thou + take a journey—to be had at Overend’s any day, on my account.” + +Congratulatory letter from his aunt:— + + “UPTON, 1834, + + “I must, my dear Edward, add one line of expression about my pleasure + in hearing of thy success; my only fear for thee seems to be lest + thou mayst not feel humble enough, and continue to remember from whom + thou gained thy excellent talents and powers of perseverance. To Him + thou art, I know, desirous of dedicating them. I am writing by my + dear John, who unites with us in our feeling for thee, and begs to + unite in love to thee; thou wilt, I am sure, have felt for him in + this trying relapse, but we desire to be enabled to believe it is + permitted in mercy, and the favourable recovery from the operation is + very cheering to us. Thy uncle with Sarah and Prise dined at + Hampstead yesterday; the dear circle there as well as one could + expect. + + “Thy very affectionate Aunt, + “E. GURNEY.” + +Letter of congratulation from his cousin:— + + “UPTON, 1834. + + “MY DEAR EDWARD,—We are all so much interested and delighted at + hearing of thy capital success, that a few lines must go to tell thee + how warmly we congratulate thee, and how heartily we rejoice in it; + it was most kind of thee to write and let us know of the result of + the battle; we were longing to hear, the uncertainty of yesterday’s + report being so disappointing. It is pleasant to hear of Robert + Pryor’s doing so nobly, though I must confess my cousinly feelings + would have been quite as well satisfied if you had changed places. + Kitty desired me to give her love most particularly, and to tell thee + she had set off directly to tell the Frys and the Listers about thee. + Thou wilt have heard of the great anxiety we have gone through lately + on dear John’s account; we have now the great comfort and mercy of + seeing him recovering as well as possible from this attack. The + horses are at the door for a ride, and all the party waiting for me, + so I must say no more. + + “Thy very affectionate Cousin, + “S. GURNEY.” + + + + +CHAPTER IV +_VISIT TO IRELAND_, _AND PREPARATION FOR HOLY ORDERS_ + + +When a young man distinguishes himself by taking a brilliant degree, the +question is asked, “What profession is he going to adopt?” No doubt many +were curious to know how Edward Hoare intended to make use of the talents +that he possessed and the position which he had attained, and the +following letter to his father, dated “May 17th, 1834,” supplies the +answer:— + + “. . . Now as to plans. With respect to the opening in business, I + feel quite satisfied in declining it entirely. I am well aware that + it might lead to an extensive field of usefulness and to many and + great advantages in every point of view, but still I have long looked + to the Church as my profession, and feel every day more and more + decided in my desire to devote myself to it; and I earnestly hope + that I may be strengthened in the feeling, and that when, if ever, my + hopes should be realised, I may be taught to be a useful minister + both to myself and others.” + +In reply his father writes as follows:— + + “Your letter conveyed the intelligence which I fully expected to + receive. I have only to pray God to bless you and make you a bright + and shining light in His sanctuary. + + “You have chosen the better part, and I confidently hope and expect + that a blessing will rest upon it, and although you may not be + blessed with the fat of the land, that you will be with the springs + of living water springing up into everlasting life.” + +This was a distinct turning his back upon wealth, and perhaps social or +even future Parliamentary distinction; but he had made up his mind. “The +joy of the ministry” was the object of his young life, and surely +thousands have had good reason to thank God for his choice, for thousands +by his means have become sharers in that joy. + +He did not, however, seek ordination at once. Being still too young for +Holy Orders, and having been strongly urged to read for a Fellowship, he +determined to set to work for another year of diligent study, and +arranged at once to take a reading party of undergraduates to Killarney +for the summer. + +Many entertaining letters describe this period. We are rather alarmed in +these days by the Race to the North between the trains of rival railway +companies; the same spirit was not unknown sixty years ago, and showed +itself in racing coaches! + +The first letter describes such an event: two opposition coaches raced +down a Welsh valley; one passed the other at full gallop, but soon began +to sway fearfully, and at last went over with a terrible crash. +Providentially and most marvellously no one was injured; had it happened +a few yards farther on several lives would have been lost. Our +travellers were deeply thankful for their escape, and proceeded on their +journey _viâ_ Holyhead to Dublin, and thence, after a short stay in the +Irish capital, which they much admired, travelled southwards to the +famous lakes. The exquisite scenery made a great impression upon the +young Englishmen. “Fairy-land” was the first brief summary of opinion, +and they agreed that it had surpassed all their expectations. + +Great thankfulness is expressed frequently for the excellent parish +clergyman, Mr. Bland, and his sermons are often described with interest. +All were reading steadily, but frequent excursions were made, and rowing, +fishing, and climbing of mountains kept them well occupied. One +difficulty not met with on former occasions was the great hospitality of +the surrounding gentry, who would have entertained them at dinners and +balls every evening of the week if they had been disposed to go. Some of +the young men could not resist the social charms of the place, and their +chief writes a little despondently of the responsibility upon him of +managing so large a party. He does not shrink from it, however, and the +first letter mentions the regular “family reading” every day, to which +they invited their landlord and his family. The condition of the poor +Celtic population around served to excite at different times feelings of +amazement, humour, and almost of disgust. It must be remembered that +some considerable changes have taken place in the manners and customs of +the poor of Ireland since then; still much that is said in the following +letter is true, not only of that neighbourhood, but also of large +portions of the South and West; and yet, as he used often to remark in +later years, this ignorant, pauperised, and superstitious population have +proportionately more representatives in Parliament than the intelligent +artisans of England! + + “I had no idea of such want of comforts. You may travel for miles + and yet meet with scarcely any one whom a Brewhouse Lane pauper would + condescend to speak to. I do not complain of their having no shoes + and stockings, because that is not their misfortune but their choice, + but what few clothes they have are a mere bundle of rags: you see + women about in worn-out men’s coats, and the men do not cast them off + till no strings can hold them together any longer. And then their + cabins! you never saw such places; they generally consist of one + room, though sometimes there are two. In the better sort there is a + hole in the side by way of a window, but nowhere any glass in it; + then there is a large aperture above the fire, which I believe is + intended for a chimney, but the smoke decidedly prefers to proceed + (after it has spent some time with its masters) by the more + fashionable entrance of the door. This is a great convenience, as + they smoke all their dried meat on the ceiling instead of in the + narrow passage of the chimney. Their furniture consists of perhaps a + table, two or three low chairs, a long box which serves for a bed for + two or three by night and a seat by day, and a long bench for the + younkers. Besides this there is some straw in one corner for those + of the family who have no room in the box, and in another for the + pigs; a large coop to fat the young chickens in, and some bars across + the top which serve to dry the hams on and as roosting poles for the + hens. In the third corner they may stow a young lamb, and in the + fourth throw a heap of potatoes. I went to a place arranged as I + have attempted to describe. At first I could not see for the smoke, + but was soon told that if I were to stoop low enough I could breathe + if not see; I accordingly sat me down on the low form, and when I was + accustomed to the darkness I perceived the form of my hostess, + bustling about with no shoes or stockings, and scolding hard at all + the little urchins. Then there ensued a conflict with the pig, who + could not understand on what grounds he was to be excluded, more + especially when he saw the woman pour out a whole pot of hot potatoes + on the table, and give a basin of goat’s milk to each of us, which I + can assure you that we and the chickens feasted on with no + inconsiderable relish. Now for mathematics! + + “Your most affectionate Son, + “EDWARD HOARE.” + +Men who have not forgotten the sensations of College life will recollect +the rapid way in which age accumulates at the University! This comes out +amusingly in some of the Killarney letters, _e.g._:— + + “There could not be a place better suited to our purpose, nor a party + better suited to each other; the worst of it is I feel such an old + man in comparison to the other two. Still we get on uncommonly + well.” + +And again:— + + “I am not reading hard, for we have all agreed that, as we have come + so far, we will see the country well, and that I am too old and the + others too young to fatigue ourselves with reading.” + +A vast gap of about two years separated the leader of this reading party +from his juvenile companions, and though the outer world may not +recognise much difference between young fellows of twenty and twenty-two, +University men will recognise at once the historical accuracy of the +feeling and its expression! It is very hard to put aside all the amusing +letters written at this time, with their picturesque descriptions of the +exquisite scenery, their accounts of duck-shooting and stag-hunts and +expeditions of various sorts, and their droll description of novel +experiences in his present surroundings. The following extract from a +letter to one of his sisters must suffice as a specimen:— + + “I must tell you of our evening yesterday. I was reading away as + hard as could be when I heard the bagpipe in the next room. I found + it was Gandsey, the celebrated piper, and all the village crowded + into the house to hear. However, the ladies who had him would shut + the door, because, as our landlord said, ‘one of them was a dumpey,’ + _i.e._ deformed, and did not wish to be seen, so that we were + disappointed. When he had done with them we thought that we must + give ourselves and all the listeners a treat, so we said he must play + for us too; and as our room was not large enough for the party, we + adjourned to the kitchen, which, though a large room, was soon as + full as it could comfortably hold. We had several famous tunes, to + the great delight of all parties. As I felt my own feet quite + a-going with the music, I proposed that those who wished should have + a dance. We soon had some volunteers, and a famous Irish jig was the + consequence. The partners were to me so un-tempting, as by far the + best was the cook-maid, that, though I longed to dance too, my pride + would not come down, and I looked on. Upcher and Merivale, however, + danced hard with two of the maids, but they could not learn the jig, + so the latter gave up. Upcher, however, went on with more + perseverance than skill. But I can assure you it was a grand scene—a + fine old blind man, the best piper in Kerry, playing with all his + might, and the more active dancing in the middle of the room to + correspond, and, if any by chance had a pair of shoes, taking them + off to be the more active; while all along the walls were the ragged + Irish watching the dance and sucking in the music with the greatest + animation. Now just think what a difference there is between our two + situations: you sitting quietly in the comfortable library with my + father and mother, and I giving a ball in the kitchen, with nothing + but a clay floor and naked walls; with scarcely another sound coat in + the room except our own!” + +The summer at Killarney passed pleasantly, and October found the +travellers back at Cambridge, Edward Hoare reading steadily for +fellowship, but with a growing desire for the work of the ministry +evidently uppermost in his thoughts. There are hardly any letters at +this period, but his journal is full of the holy aspirations of the young +man’s heart. + +The following June (1835) found him at Keswick intent upon his studies, +and at the same time full of increased longing to help others in +spiritual things. Writing thence to his mother, he alludes to a brief +visit to his rooms at Trinity, where he spent a busy week preparing and +collecting papers to take with him. Almost all his old friends were +gone, but his influence had reached men of junior standing, and the +consequence was— + + “I was quite delighted and touched by the warmth of affection which I + received there. Goulburn and Merivale were both out, but I could + compare my reception to nothing but the prophet’s in Israel. I + thought there were no friends left, but there were nearer seven + thousand, and most affectionate they were. Mr. Simeon especially was + full of love and kindness; he spoke of you with the deepest interest, + and said he longed to see you, and that he thought he could be a help + to you as the messenger of the Gospel; and he spoke to me most + beautifully about the Three Persons of the Trinity all assuming to + themselves at different times the character of our Comforter, as also + upon the fellowship existing between Christians through the Saviour.” + +In the same letter, speaking of Keswick, he writes:— + + “I regard this opportunity as likely to be one of great usefulness, + and I look forward with great pleasure to the prospect of quiet + repose, withdrawn from all active service, as a preparation of my own + mind and a thorough sifting of the foundations, before I enter upon + the more active duties to which I trust it may please God before long + to call me.” + +He was not content with mere meditation, however. Being desirous to give +some help to the parish clergyman, he was asked to take some cottage +lectures in a neighbouring farmhouse. As an old man he often referred +with great joy to this time as the beginning of his ministry. The +farmhouse was an old building with low rooms, having great deep beams +running across the un-ceiled kitchen. The tall young figure could not +stand erect in the low-pitched room, except by _fitting his head between +the beams_! + +But the difficulty and humour of the scene were both forgotten in the +sight of the crowded, attentive listeners, and the evident signs of the +presence of the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst. Long, long +afterwards Canon Hoare revisited the place, found the farmhouse, entered +the very room, and was overjoyed to meet some who had never forgotten the +addresses of the earnest young collegian more than fifty years before. + + + + +CHAPTER V +_ORDINATION AND FIRST CURACY_ + + +Having failed in his fellowship examination, Edward Hoare was in +perplexity as to the right course for him to pursue. His heart longed +for the ministry. On the other hand, his former College tutor and many +old friends urged him to stand again, saying that it was impossible for +him to fail in obtaining fellowship. For three months he was in sore +perplexity, looking for guidance, sometimes inclining to one plan, +sometimes to the other. At last the leading came. The Rev. E. G. Marsh, +Incumbent of Well Walk Chapel, Hampstead, called upon him, and his +conversation settled the matter at once; the fellowship was given up, and +Edward Hoare began to think of a curacy and speedy ordination. + +Just at this time, and as if to try and hinder the young earnest heart +from entering upon active work, the great enemy of souls assailed him +with vehemence. + +There was a long struggle, dark and intense. Probably the most faithful +have had to go through terrible times of testing, and have known what it +was to endure dark hours, aye, and days and weeks, “when neither sun nor +stars appeared, and all hope that we should be saved was taken away.” It +may be a comfort to many who in his ministry have been upheld by the firm +faith of their teacher to know that Edward Hoare once passed through a +time like this. It is no breach of confidence to give here the following +lines written in his journal at this time:— + + “Forsake me not, my God! my heart is sinking, + Bowed down with faithless fears and bodings vain, + Busied with dark imaginings, and drinking + Th’ anticipated cup of grief and pain: + But, Lord, I lean on Thee; Thy staff and rod + Shall guide my lot; + I will not fear if Thou, my God, my God, + Forsake me not. + + “Forsake me not, my God! + Though earth grow dim and vanish from my sight, + Through death’s dark vale no human hand may take me, + No friend’s fond smile may bless me with its light; + Alone the silent pathway must be trod + Through that drear spot— + For I must die alone—oh there, my God, + Forsake me not! + + “Forsake me not, my God! when darkly o’er me + Roll thoughts of guilt and overwhelm my heart; + When the accuser threatening stands before me, + And trembling conscience writhes beneath the dart, + Thou who canst cleanse by Thy atoning blood + Each sinful spot, + Plead Thou my cause, my Saviour and my God! + Forsake me not! + + “Forsake me not, O Thou Thyself forsaken + In that mysterious hour of agony, + When from Thy soul Thy Father’s smile was taken + Which had from everlasting dwelt on Thee: + Oh by that depth of anguish which to know + Passes man’s thought, + By that last bitter cry, Incarnate God, + Forsake me not!” + +But the storm passed, and was followed by “clear shining after rain.” +The adversary meant it for harm, but God overruled it for good; and +surely one of the secrets of Edward Hoare’s great power of helping +troubled souls, for which he was so remarkable in after-life, lay in the +fact that he had passed through the time of spiritual darkness, and had +come out into the light. + + + +Autobiography (_continued_). + + +After taking my degree at Cambridge I continued to reside there for a +time, taking mathematical pupils and reading for a Trinity Fellowship; +but not having succeeded in my first examination, and being anxious to be +at work in the great calling of my life, I could not devote another year +to the study of mathematics. So I threw my whole heart into immediate +preparation for the ministry. + +In those days there was no Ridley or Wycliffe, and I was thrown upon my +own resources for my study; but I worked hard and brought all my +Cambridge habits to bear on the great subject of theology. If I had +learnt nothing else at Cambridge, I had learnt never to be satisfied till +I got a clear view of what I was about, and that habit of mine, acquired +through mathematical study, has been of the greatest possible benefit +throughout my life. + +During those important months, to use Cambridge language, I “got up” some +of our best books, such as Butler, Pearson, and Hooker. What I learnt +from the latter especially has been invaluable to me through life. +Butler’s “Analogy” has again and again been helpful to me, when there has +been a tendency to a shaking of the faith. But that which helped me most +during that time of preparation was the study of great doctrinal truths +from Scripture itself. I took up such subjects as _The Divinity of our +Lord_, _Justification by Faith_, _Baptism_, _The Lord’s Supper_, +_Election_, and _Final Perseverance_, one at a time; and I read the whole +New Testament through with especial reference to the one subject which I +was studying, carefully noting every passage referring to it. I then +analysed and grouped those passages, keeping careful records of results. +Having thus dealt with one subject, I went on to the second, then to the +third, and so on. I have no words wherewith to convey the immense value +these studies have been to me throughout life. They have told upon the +whole of my ministry. After more than fifty-two years I am habitually +using the results first obtained in that preparation period. + +I cannot speak too strongly, therefore, of the vast importance of our +young men, when preparing for the ministry, devoting themselves to the +careful study of theology. I see dear young men, full of zeal and holy +earnestness, who seem, indeed, so zealous that they cannot wait to study; +and they are to my mind like men who are in such haste to fire their guns +that they cannot wait to put any shot in them! The result is that, when +they are sent forth as ministers of the Gospel and as teachers of the +truth, they are themselves ignorant of the clear definitions of the truth +they are going to teach, and, while they can make fervent appeals, are +utterly unable to build up others in great fundamental truths of the +Gospel. It is not fervour only that makes a minister valuable, but a +fervent exhibition of truth; and if we are to be able ministers, we +_must_ be able ministers of New Testament truths. + +I consider, therefore, that an immense benefit has been conferred upon +the Church of England by the foundation of Ridley Hall at Cambridge, and +Wycliffe Hall at Oxford. How thankful should I have been myself to have +been under the teaching of either of the two able Principals of those +Halls; and how earnest should we all be to secure to our young men the +benefit of these institutions, and not to let them go forth as +evangelists or scripture-readers, to be giving _out_ before they have +taken _in_, and to be teaching _others_ before they have learnt +themselves. + +At length the day came for my ordination, and I had the inestimable +privilege of being ordained as curate to my revered and beloved uncle, +Mr. Francis Cunningham, Vicar of Lowestoft and Rector of Pakefield. An +ordination in those days was a very different thing to what it is now. +At that time Bishop Bathurst was Bishop of Norwich, and too infirm to +undertake his own ordinations. He therefore gave his candidates +dimissory letters to the Bishop of Lincoln. + +I cannot say that much was done to deepen the impression on the minds of +the candidates. As we all had to go to Norwich first for examination, +and to Buckden for ordination, it was necessary to show some +consideration for us, as there were no railways then. I often think that +the Chaplain showed a great deal of good sense in his examination. It +began on Wednesday morning, and he told us that he should give us hard +questions at the beginning, that they would grow easier and easier during +the three days of the examination, and that he should let us go as soon +as he was satisfied. So we had a good stiff paper on various subjects at +the first sitting, while he walked about the room and looked over the +papers as we were writing, but having nothing to look over from a great +many of the candidates. It was a great satisfaction to me, when that +first sitting was over, to be told that I might go, and that I should +find the necessary papers at Buckden. + +Most of us Norwich men had to put up at Huntingdon, as the little inn at +Buckden was full of the men from the Lincoln Diocese; and as I imagine +that the Bishop did not like to have the Norwich men in addition to his +own, he gave us no share of any of the privileges that his own candidates +may have enjoyed. We signed our papers, etc., on the Saturday morning, +and were told that we Norwich men were not wanted any more till the next +morning. Accordingly the next morning we were in the church at the +appointed hour, and that evening, to my great joy, I read prayers at the +parish church of Huntingdon. How wonderfully different is the careful +pains taken by all our present Bishops ere young men are admitted to the +ministry, and what a wonderful improvement has taken place in this +respect! + + * * * * * + +Letter from Rev. E. G. Marsh, on his entering the ministry:— + + “HAMPSTEAD, _February_, 1836. + + “MY DEAR FRIEND,—Knowing with whom you are connected in the great + work which you have now undertaken, I feel that I might fairly excuse + myself from saying anything to you upon an occasion so interesting to + all your friends; and my natural indolence would readily yield to the + suggestion, and withhold me from interfering where others are more + competent to advise. Yet on the whole I could not be quite easy if I + suffered you to enter upon an office, far too high and holy to be + approached by a sinner, but for that infinite condescension and love + of our Saviour which has called us to it, without saying to you, in + the words of St. Paul to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which + thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it!’ This is indeed + a solemn charge, even more so than that which you have just received + from the Bishop. I can add nothing to its weight, and can only pray + my God to forgive all our deficiencies, and to supply all our need, + according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Nevertheless there + are one or two hints which I will venture to suggest, in case they + should help you in taking a practical view of the obligations thus + laid upon you. In the first place, although this is a work which can + only be successfully prosecuted in the spirit of prayer and in the + strength of the Saviour, it is very desirable that the greatness of + it should not dishearten us, or render us insensible to the duty of + doing what we can. My simple advice to you in the beginning of your + ministry is this—never to let a day pass, if it be possible, without + doing some act in fulfilment of it. I mean some act having respect, + not to your own personal salvation, but to the salvation of those to + whom you are an ambassador for Christ: to your parishioners, while + you are among them; to others, when you are absent. And this act, + whatever it be, should be made the subject of special prayer. My + second advice is to give sufficient time to each act, that it may be + done properly, and rather to let many be neglected than to do any one + perfunctorily, for on that which is performed indifferently and + without due attention we cannot consistently expect a blessing. To + do one thing at a time is the only way, either in spiritual duties or + in temporal, to do many things well. Do not, therefore, attempt too + much at once. Many break down and are discouraged by this error. + Again, I would say, ‘Attend more to the living than to the dying.’ + However important may be the clinical department of ministerial duty, + we must always be greatly on our guard against encouraging the notion + that the work of religion may be done, as doctors’ degrees are + sometimes taken, _per cumulum_, or that anything can be done by a + clergyman at the last hour which can reasonably be expected to + produce a change in the spiritual condition of a person who has + neglected to seek it before. Thus the ministry which you have + received may be continually carried forward, independently of those + occasional calls, caused by the alarm of sickness or the apprehension + of death, which are most valuable seasons indeed, but on which too + much stress may be easily laid, to the neglect of more hopeful + opportunities. I hardly intended to say so much, and indeed, on what + I have now said you may naturally ask me whether these have been my + maxims in the course of my own ministry. But, alas! my dear friend, + I do not propose myself as an example to you. I rather wish to see + you avoid my errors and supply my defects; and happy shall I be if, + in the arduous duties on which you are now embarking, you can derive + the least aid from a single word of mine. Commending you to God and + to the word of His grace who alone can make you an able minister of + the New Testament, + + “I remain ever, my dear friend, + “Your faithful and affectionate fellow-labourer, + “E. G. MARSH.” + +From Mrs. Hoare to Mrs. Catherine Gurney on Edward Hoare’s first sermon:— + + “_March_ 8_th_, 1836. + + “I must send thee one line, dearest Catherine, to tell thee what a + remarkable day of interest we passed on Sunday. Our dearest Edward + read the service in Well Walk in the morning and in the evening + preached. It was deeply interesting, and I longed to have my heart + melted in love and gratitude. Such heartfelt satisfaction to have + this dear child so devoted, and adorned with so childlike, lovely, + and devoted a spirit, and thus enabled in our own chapel, amongst our + friends and neighbours, to proclaim with grace and fervour the great + salvation of the Gospel of Christ! This appeared to me to be + remarkably the case with him, and, independent of a mother’s + feelings, his countenance and manner, his manly grace and childlike + humility and simplicity, were striking. The congregation had, I + believe, much fellow-feeling with us, and the expression of it from + different friends has been touching to us. Never was I less disposed + to boast, and deeply can unite in that expression ‘Where is + boasting?—It is excluded’; and yet I _long_ to say with the Psalmist, + ‘My soul shall make her boast in the Lord,’ and in the blessing He + has been pleased to vouchsafe. Of course we feel the prospect of + parting with Edward; one of the many cheering points in the prospect + is his vicinity to Earlham, and to thee and our dearest brother. How + kind has Joseph been to him, and what an opportune visit was his last + to Earlham! + + “I went to see Anna Tooten yesterday at Tottenham, as I had left + Upton before the arrival of thy letter. Catherine has been very much + cast down lately, and I am but a poor helper. The dear babes are + with me to-day, while their mother is in Devonshire Street. + + “My dearest brother and sister, nephew and niece, and dear Rachel + included, I know they will all unite with us in the interest of + Edward. + + “Your truly affectionate + “L. H.” + + + +Autobiography (_continued_). + + +It was not long afterwards that I went to my curacy. Pakefield was a +bleak village on the top of a cliff, and I never shall forget what the +guard on the coach said to me as I was approaching it for the first time. +I had complained of cold, and he said to me, “Don’t talk about the cold +yet; wait till you get to Pakefield—there you catches it genuine!” And +so we did. Aye, and I witnessed many a gale of wind, and during the year +that I was curate, there were no less than fifty shipwrecks off the coast +of my own parish. + +But no words can express my thankfulness to God that He placed me at the +outset of my ministry in that village. My dear uncle had laboured there +for more than forty years. In his day there were none of the new plans +for evangelisation; the high-pressure system had not yet dawned. He had +worked hard with parochial work, and he had faithfully preached the +old-fashioned Gospel. There was no particular brilliancy about him; his +sermons were not equal to his character, but they were like himself, full +of Christ, and he and his most remarkable wife lived such a life of +Christian holiness in the midst of those rough fishermen, that the late +Rev. Henry Blunt once told me that he considered Mr. Francis Cunningham +and Mr. Haldane Stewart to be the two holiest men he had ever met with in +his life. And what did I find in that village? I found large +congregations of fishermen and their families; but more than that, I went +diligently about from house to house, and was soon acquainted with every +house in the parish, and there I saw unmistakable evidences of the +blessing that had rested upon my uncle’s ministry. + +There were noble men among the fishermen, nobly working for God and for +the cause of truth, and there were refined and well-instructed women in +the different homes, many of whom had been brought up in those schools. +There was a most marked and unmistakable difference between the converted +and the unconverted, so that it was impossible for a young man to go from +house to house without seeing with his own eyes the manifest results of a +faithful Evangelical ministry. I have no words to express what the +benefit was to myself. I learnt in that village what I was to expect, as +well as what I was to do. + +I saw in Mrs. Cunningham the most beautiful example of a clergyman’s +wife, and I saw in numbers of young women of the parish the conspicuous +evidence of God’s blessing on her work amongst them. + +There were amongst those men fine, noble, rough, powerful fellows—men +who, till Mr. Cunningham went there, had been living without God in the +world, but now devout consistent believers, and splendid men for dashing +through the surf to save life from shipwreck, knowing not what fear was, +yet who would kneel together in devout Communion at the Table of the +Lord. I never can forget one fearful snow-storm accompanied by a heavy +gale. Two of these true men, Nath Colby and Robert Peck, brought in +their boats through the gale, wet, cold, and half-frozen, but there I saw +them at the service on the Thursday evening, drinking in the Word of +Life, and evidently regarding it as their greatest pleasure to be able to +be present on that occasion. + +That was the last time I ever spoke to dear Robert Peck. He went out +again in command of his large fishing boat, and early in the following +week I heard that his boat had been found bottom upward. It was my +solemn duty to walk through the village, where, everybody being so awed +by what had happened, no one spoke a word, to go up to that cottage to +tell the poor woman her husband and her son were gone. As I went up the +alley where she lived, I heard voices in one of the cottages; turning in, +I found some Christian friends assembled there, praying for the poor +bereaved woman. I then went into her cottage, and I suppose she read in +my face what had happened, and she said to me, ere I could open my lips, +“Then they are both lost?” Then she added: “‘A bruised reed shall He not +break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.’ These were the last +words that Robert spoke to me—and I am sure the Lord will never fail me!” +Oh that every young curate had the opportunity of learning as much from +his Rector, and his Rector’s family, as I did from Mr. and Mrs. +Cunningham! I do not hesitate to say that their example, and the +blessing which God gave to their ministry, have given character to the +whole of my own ministry for the last fifty-two years. + +These were not the only advantages I enjoyed in Pakefield, for I was +within easy reach of Earlham, the seat of my dear Uncle Joseph John +Gurney. He was a very remarkable man, and his home was one of the most +charming homes in England. He used to collect there many of the most +distinguished men of the day. Nothing could be more delightful than the +great gatherings under his hospitable roof on the occasion of the Norwich +Meetings which were held every autumn. + +I had a horse at that time which taught me a great lesson in practical +life. It was a splendid trotter, but pulled like a steam-engine if I +pulled against it; but if I treated it gently and with confidence it was +as gentle as a lamb. How often have I seen the same effect produced +amongst mankind! Try to force them, and they resist; deal gently with +them, and they will be your most active and kindest helpers. So I used +as often as possible to ride over to Earlham. + +There I had three friends. There was my uncle, who was far in advance of +the Quakers of his day in theological knowledge, being a good Biblical +critic and well made up in the great doctrines of the Gospel. The great +point in his conversations with me was the Divinity of our Lord and +Saviour. It was he that taught me of the goings forth of the +pre-existent Saviour with the Name and Attributes of Jehovah. Then there +was Mr. William Forster, the father of the late statesman, who was most +earnest with me on the importance of definite theology. He recommended +certain books for my study, and at his advice I purchased Brown’s +“Natural and Revealed Religion,” Guise’s “Expositor,” and Dwight’s +“Theology,” which three books have been of the utmost value to me +throughout my ministry. The latter book indeed has been made the +text-book for my son’s theological students in China. Thus is Mr. +Forster’s advice being still acted upon in that far distant region. + +Besides these two men was my very dear friend the Rev. Robert Hankinson, +at that time Curate of Earlham. He was a man of remarkably sound +judgment, as well as fervent piety; and never can I forget the profitable +hours which I spent with him in the Earlham Parsonage, learning from him +maxims of practical wisdom to carry home for my ministerial work. + +But that was not all that happened to me at Pakefield; for while I was +there it pleased God to take home to Himself my dearest mother. My dear +brother Sam had died of consumption in the year 1833, and she deeply +mourned his loss—nor could we wonder, for he was a noble young man, full +of high principles, dutiful to his father and mother, and devoted to the +Lord. His influence over us his younger brothers was of infinite value +to us all, as we had ever before us a spotless example. He had married +most happily, was settled in his home near to our father’s house, when he +was suddenly seized with hæmorrhage, and very rapidly sank, full of faith +in God. I remember well, when I sat up with him on the last night of his +life, how he spoke to me of the bright hope of the coming Resurrection, +how he exhorted those around him to be ready for their Saviour. + +I believe it was the shock as well as the sorrow of parting with him that +so deeply wrung my mother’s heart. She was in his room with him on the +morning of his death, and thinking that his dear wife required attention, +she went out for a few minutes to see after her, and when she returned, +to her surprise, he was gone. That was in the autumn of 1833, and for +nearly three years we saw her gradually fail, till at length in the +summer of 1836 the end came. + +There was something most interesting in the character of my mother. She +was not one of those who spoke much of present salvation and present +peace; such subjects were not spoken of so much throughout the Church in +those days as they are now. Good men in those times seemed to think more +of the future than the present salvation. I am not sure that we have not +drifted rather too much into the dwelling on the present, to the +forgetfulness of the future life, and surely it is important for us to +keep the balance. But while there was very little of the modern language +of assurance, there was in its most perfect form the great reality of the +hallowed Christ. I can never forget the language of that dearest mother +to me as I stood by her bedside during her dying illness: “I can +reverently say, with the deepest humility, ‘Lord, Thou knowest all +things, Thou knowest that I love Thee.’” And she did love Him with her +whole heart and soul. How well do I remember her words in the garden at +Hampstead in the afternoon of her son’s death! While she wept over his +loss, she exclaimed, “How little it is in comparison with sin!” {66} + + + +Pakefield Letters. + + + “PAKEFIELD, _June_ 20_th_, 1836. + + “MY DEAREST MOTHER,—Having paid my bills and seen after the schools, + I commence my usual Monday’s letter. . . . As for myself, it is + needless to give you my history, for you know it already, the life of + a country curate not being subject to much external variation. The + internal changes, however, are indeed numerous—more frequent and + uncertain than those of our most changeable climate. I never had an + idea how many ups and downs there are attendant on the ministerial + work. At times it is delightful; all seems easy and pleasant, and + the only difficulty is to keep within bounds. At others there is a + deadness and barrenness which words cannot describe. I speak under a + very vivid recollection of this low estate, for I was down at the + very bottom yesterday. I fought my way pretty fairly through the + morning sermon (on Isa. xxviii. 16), but in the evening I had a real + trial of my faith. I had good notes, and had well considered my + subject. But as soon as I began it all appeared to leave me. I was + much in the position that Robert Hall was when he broke down, and I + thought I must have stopped. There were my notes, but they seemed to + tell me nothing, and I had the pain of going through my lecture + hardly knowing while I was delivering one sentence whether I should + ever find another to follow it. You may easily imagine, from such a + description of the performer, what was the character of the + performance. However, I can look back to it, painful as it was, with + great thankfulness: for (1) I know that in weakness He is strong, and + the good done may perhaps be greater than that which would have + followed a clear and well-delivered lecture; and (2) if it did no one + else any good, it was a fine lesson for myself, and one that I + wanted. I knew I wanted to be kept down, and had prayed for it. + This was the appointed means.” + +Writing to his mother at various times upon his work at Pakefield there +occur passages such as these:— + + “Preaching is becoming more and more a pleasure to me. The great + difficulty of addressing people appears to pass away. The knowledge + of all the congregation is partly the cause, and also the + encouragement derived from visiting.” + + “You see there is a good deal doing here, but what is it all if the + Spirit of God be absent?—a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. It is + there that the difficulty lies. Nothing is easier than to get + through the duties of a parish, and to get through them, as man + thinks, well; but to go to your work in the Spirit of Christ, + carrying with you the unction from the Holy One, there is the + difficulty. May God forgive my great shortcomings! Sometimes I + dread Jeremiah xlviii. 10.” + +Upon the spiritual life he writes to his sister:— + + “The characteristic of the new life is that we have fellowship with + the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ; it must therefore follow + that all interruptions will increase a deadness of faith, and total + separation cause death. It is one of the privileges of my office + that all my work is for God (though He only knows how little I keep + this end in view), and therefore the busier I am the more I am + compelled to pray. This, however, is not sufficient, though + delightful. We cannot live without that ‘freedom of speech,’ + translated ‘boldly’ in Hebrews iv., in which we pour out our heart + before Him. When we know that we know in truth that God is a refuge + for us, this is the balm of Gilead that can heal every wound, the + power that can say to the troubled waters, ‘Peace, be still!’ In + order to the attainment of it let us allow nothing to impede our + private communion with our God.” + +Writing one Sunday evening to his mother he says:— + + “I have had somewhat to contend with in myself from very cloudy views + of the doctrines I was preaching. At the same time I have found + comfort in the recollection that the work is not mine nor dependent + upon my own feelings. I began work at a quarter before nine by + opening the boys’ school; at ten I was really refreshed and humbled + by just dropping into the prayer-meeting; there was a most beautiful + spirit amongst them, and they were praying most delightfully for me. + I left them deeply impressed with the sense of their far greater + fitness to teach me than mine to be their minister.” + +In the postscript of a letter dated August 1st, 1836, he writes: +“Congratulate Uncle Buxton upon the glorious events of this day.” An +entry in his journal dwells joyfully upon it also—and well might his and +every Englishman’s heart be stirred by the thought that from that day +every slave standing on British soil was free! + + + + +CHAPTER VI +_RICHMOND_ + + +But my Pakefield curacy was soon to terminate. Whether it was the cold, +or whether it was the pressure of ministerial interest, which I have +often known to break down young men in the outset of their ministry, or +whether it was the death of my dearest mother, or the three together, I +cannot say; but I had a bad cough, and I went away for a time to my +father’s home to nurse it. I had no idea at the time of leaving +Pakefield, but my kind and valued friend the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, +brother to my Rector, recommended me, without my knowledge, to the curacy +of Richmond, Surrey. + +He was a true friend to me and to my family. He was a very different man +to his brother; he had taken a high degree at Cambridge, and he was a +polished scholar, one of the best writers of the English language that I +ever met with, an admirable friend as a scholarly critic to a young man +entering the ministry. I am much indebted to his advice, and only wish I +had followed it more carefully. It was his doing that introduced me to +the Rev. W. Gandy, Vicar of Kingston and Richmond; and through him the +curacy was proposed to me. + +I must say that it was a desperate experiment on his part, for there were +peculiar circumstances connected with the position, and I had never run +alone in the ministry, but always had the friendship and counsel of my +beloved Rector. + +The position of the parish was this. There were four parishes lying +together along the banks of the Thames—Kingston, Petersham, Richmond, +Kew—all in the gift of King’s College, Cambridge. It had been thought +desirable that there should be only two Vicars instead of four, and +therefore it had been arranged to group them, two and two. Of course the +most natural arrangement would have been to have put together the small +parish of Petersham and the large parish of Kingston to which it was +adjacent, and the small parish of Kew and the large parish of Richmond +which also adjoined. But in those days there used to be a good deal of +jobbery, and, for some reason or other which I never could explain, it +had been decided to unite together the two large parishes, Kingston and +Richmond, skipping over Petersham; and the two small parishes, Petersham +and Kew, skipping over Richmond; so that the Rev. Mr. Gandy was Vicar of +Kingston and Richmond, while another gentleman was Vicar of the other two +smaller ones. + +Mr. Gandy was a man altogether incompetent to have the charge. He was a +most interesting man, and a deep student of Scripture—a man of heavenly +mind, one in fact who seemed so occupied with heavenly views that he was +unfitted for the practical business of this lower world. Mr. Simeon once +said of him, “All of us are going stumping along on the surface of earth, +but Mr. Gandy rises right into Heaven!” + +It may easily be imagined that he found his great double charge far too +much for him, so Mr. Cunningham advised him practically to give up +Richmond into the hands of some trustworthy curate, who should find his +own assistant, and undertake the entire responsibility of the work. This +was the charge to which I was called by the providence of God in those +early days of my ministry. I have just said it was a desperate +experiment, and looking back to that time I can see plenty of mistakes, +and I learn from my own experience that it is a possible thing to mistake +the irritation produced by our own blunders for opposition to the Gospel +which we preach; a man may be true to the Gospel, but he may not +infrequently make very great mistakes in his mode of putting it forth. + +In looking back to those days I am thankful to believe that I went to +Richmond true to my Master, and I am profoundly thankful for the help +given me; but I should make a great mistake if I were to lead anybody to +suppose that, in my earnest desire to exalt my Saviour, I never did +anything to irritate. At one time I had great difficulty with one of the +churchwardens, which led to a considerable correspondence. I kept that +correspondence carefully, and after ten years I looked it over. That +revision taught me a great lesson, for I found that in the heat of the +controversy I had written very differently to what I should have done in +the calmer review of ten years afterwards. That was one of the lessons I +learnt at Richmond. + +That which I look back upon with the greatest thankfulness is a +confirmation by my Richmond experience of the great lesson I learnt at +Pakefield respecting the results to be expected from the ministry. Mr. +Gandy had been Vicar for some twenty-five years, during which time he had +appointed a series of curates, the first of whom was the Rev. Stephen +Langston, who resigned the curacy about twenty years before I was +appointed. But when I set to work in the parish, the first thing that +met my observation was a body of Christian men and women who owed their +conversion, through God, to Mr. Langston’s ministry. There they were +living consistent lives and most truly glorifying God, in some cases +under sharp opposition, and the twenty years that had elapsed since Mr. +Langston left only tended to confirm their faith and establish their +character. + +Both in Pakefield and Richmond, therefore, it was my unspeakable +privilege to see the effects produced by the faithful ministry of the +Word of God. And yet the two cases were entirely different. Mr. +Cunningham was an admirable pastor, but not a particularly interesting +preacher; Mr. Langston was a poor pastor, but the grandest preacher I +ever heard. I have heard many able men preach many excellent sermons, +but there was a richness, a fulness, a power about Mr. Langston’s such as +I never met with in any other to whom I have listened. The two +instruments, therefore, were entirely different, but God made use of them +both. They were both blessed by Him; and it taught me the lesson that I +must be prepared to meet with great differences of administration, but in +the midst of those differences it is our privilege to look for a +blessing. God did not withhold from Mr. Cunningham His blessing, because +he had not the preaching power of Mr. Langston; nor did He withhold His +blessing from Mr. Langston, because he had not the pastoral zeal of Mr. +Cunningham. + +The lesson taught me was not the only blessing bestowed upon me through +the friendship of those excellent people. I had in it the enormous +advantage of the ripened experience and tried wisdom of some of the most +excellent Christian people living. Never can I forget the friendship of +Sir Henry and Lady Baker, of Dr. Julius and of Mrs. Delafosse, to whose +loving sympathy and Christian counsel I used continually to resort; and +amongst the humbler classes there was Mrs. Abbott, a grand old Christian +who had loved the Lord before she heard the preaching of the Gospel, and +the moulding of whose faith was drawn from the Prayer-Book. She often +used to express to me her astonishment that when people were brought to +Christ it did not make them love their Prayer-Book more. + +And down a row of cottages at the bottom of Water Lane there lived a +blind woman named Mrs. Woodrow, whom I shall ever regard as one of the +best of my many friends. I had been preaching one day on the importance +of praying for the ministry, and when visiting her a few days afterwards +I said, “I’m sure you pray for me.” “Indeed I do,” she replied with +great emphasis, “morning, noon, and night.” She spoke with such +earnestness that I could not refrain from asking her what she prayed for, +when she said, “They tell me you’re a very young man, so I pray that you +may be kept from the sins of young men.” How much do I owe to the +prayers of that blind widow! + +In addition to these advantages I enjoyed the intimate friendship of my +beloved and honoured friend the Rev. James Hough, founder of the +Tinnevelly Mission. After his return from India he had settled in the +incumbency of Ham, and I never can forget his first visit to me. I had +taken a lodging just beyond the bridge, and I had scarcely finished my +breakfast on the first day after my arrival when the venerable man +entered the room. He spoke very kindly to me, and before he would say a +word upon any other subject, he told me that many Christian friends had +been praying that the right appointment might be made, and afterwards for +me when they heard that I was appointed, and that he had come on the +first possible occasion to commend me solemnly to the Lord. He then fell +on his knees and pleaded for me before God that I might have grace and +wisdom for the difficult post to which I had been called. His subsequent +intercourse with me was in harmony with that beginning. His house was +always open to me, and whenever I wanted counsel I always used to go to +him, as I never failed to find in him one who seemed to bring his wisdom +fresh from the throne of grace. + +With these advantages I set to work. I wonder at the grace of God that +kept me from making more blunders than I did; for having had no +experience I had not the slightest fear of difficulty. Things in those +days were very different to what they are now. Ritualism had not then +been invented, nor had that loose vague system now so popular under the +name of Undenominationalism. + +Among those who professed to be Churchmen there were only two +classes—those whose Churchmanship consisted in maintaining things as they +were, who were living for the world; who, if they cared for their own +souls, were utterly unconcerned about the souls of others; who showed not +the slightest sympathy in any Christian object, and who seemed to +consider that anything that disturbed them must of necessity be +unorthodox. To avoid such disturbance one of those gentlemen stumped out +of church every Sunday morning as I went up to the pulpit, and others +used to take refuge in the chapel of Archdeacon Cambridge on the other +side of the river. + +On the other hand, there was a body of people, drawn from all classes of +society, who “had passed from death unto life,” who had been quickened by +the Spirit of God, and who were taking their stand nobly on the side of +their Saviour. Thus there was a much wider line of demarcation between +the converted and the unconverted than we meet with in modern times, and +a clergyman’s work was simpler than it is now, inasmuch as there was much +less to entangle and confuse the application of the message to individual +souls. + +But there was in some cases sharp opposition. It may seem extraordinary +to some that at the visitation of the late Bishop of Winchester, {77} +then Archdeacon of Surrey, I was publicly presented before the Archdeacon +by one of the churchwardens for having been guilty of giving a Wednesday +evening lecture in the infant schoolroom! What was more extraordinary +still was that, when I was called up before the Archdeacon and all the +clergy to answer for my fault, the Archdeacon said with great solemnity +that it was an important matter, and he must refer it to the Bishop. And +what is more wonderful still, in consequence of that reference I had to +give up the lecture. + +The Bishop was in a great difficulty. He thoroughly approved of such +lectures, and had advocated them in a charge recently delivered, but he +believed that they were not strictly in accordance with the Act of +Uniformity, so that he felt it impossible to support me, while at the +same time he did not at all wish to have the responsibility of stopping +me. This led to a somewhat painful correspondence with that excellent +man, and after full consultation with my dear friend Mr. Hough, I thought +it best to give up the lecture, stating that I did so in obedience to the +Bishop’s wish. One blessed result of that whole transaction was that a +bill was carried through Parliament distinctly legalising all such +services. + +But of all those whom God raised up as counsellors and friends, there was +no one to be compared to the beloved one whom God gave me to be my loving +wife, {78} on July 10th, 1839. She combined the ability of her father +with the devotedness of her mother, and it is perfectly impossible for me +to say what she was to me in the parish, in her home, and our own private +intercourse. One thing only I would especially mention respecting her, +viz. that it was to her that I owe what I believe to be the most useful +characteristic of my ministry—I am thankful to say that from the very +beginning I always quoted a great deal of Scripture in my sermons, but I +used to do so interweaving those texts with my own composition. But she +taught me the use of proof texts—she said that my preaching was not so +profitable as that of the Rev. H. H. Beamish, to which she had been +accustomed, and instead of merely quoting a passage, he used to give a +chapter and verse, and allow the people time to look it out in their +Bibles. + +As he was constantly engaged in the exposition of the Word of God, and +laid a solid foundation of the truth taught, I was thoroughly convinced +of the wisdom of her words; and for the last fifty years I have +systematically acted on her advice, so that, although I never heard Mr. +Beamish in my life, I have always regarded his ministry as the model on +which my own has been formed; and when I have seen the blessing which the +exposition of Scripture has been made to very many souls, I have never +ceased to thank God for that dear young wife who did not shrink from +pointing out to her husband his defects. + +It was during the period of my Richmond curacy that I had the high honour +of being invited by my dear friend the Rev. Henry Venn to become a member +of the Committee of Correspondence of the Church Missionary Society. I +think it was in the year 1844. I am not quite sure respecting the date, +but I have no hesitation in expressing my thankfulness to our Heavenly +Father for the wisdom, the fidelity, for the true missionary spirit with +which the affairs of that great society have been conducted during the +many years of my intimate acquaintance with its business and its leaders. + +My love for it when I was at Richmond once brought me into a serious +difficulty with the late Bishop Wilberforce, and taught me his marvellous +power in controlling the minds of men. He was at that time Archdeacon of +Surrey, and as such he proposed a scheme for doing away with all especial +interest in particular societies, and to raise one general fund to be +laid “at the feet of the Apostles,” and divided by them according to +their discretion. + +We did not exactly know who the Apostles were. We thought that probably +they were to be the Archdeacon and the Bishop, as they were to be the +distributors. + +Against this scheme the friends of the Church Missionary Society rose as +one man. We held a meeting to consider what should be done. We decided +that we would all attend the Archdeacon’s meeting in order to oppose the +plan, and engaged conveyances accordingly. When the morning came I had +such a headache as I never remember to have suffered from, either before +or since, and I was utterly unable to leave my bed, so off drove the +others, full of zeal and holy courage. But what was my astonishment when +they returned in the afternoon, and one of the most faithful, earnest, +and trustworthy of the whole party came to tell me the result. He said +they had found the plan was not so objectionable as they had thought, and +at length reluctantly acknowledged that the Archdeacon had not allowed +them to separate till he had made every one of them, dear old Mr. Hough +included, sign a paper agreeing to the introduction into their own +parishes of the Archdeacon’s scheme. + +So then I stood alone, and thanked God for the headache which had saved +me from the fascination. + +But Richmond was the parish that was doing more than any other in the +rural deanery for Missions, and it was most important for the success of +the plan that Richmond should be included. So nothing was left undone +that could induce me to join the others. But I was still free, as all my +other brethren began to wish they were, and I stuck to my point. I was +invited in the most cordial manner for a visit, with my dearest wife, +first to Alvenstoke and then to Farnham Castle. I was addressed in the +language of warm affection, not only towards myself, but to my beloved +mother. But I considered that by the Providence of God I had been +preserved from the fascinating power, and that my only wisdom was to keep +clear of it when I was free; so we went on independently till the next +visitation of the Bishop. My heart was filled with thankfulness when I +heard him announce in his charge that he had advised his beloved friend, +the Archdeacon, to give up his scheme. + +This curacy I held for more than nine years, for seven of which I had the +unspeakable help of my dearly beloved, most faithful, and most able wife. +During the time I had different livings offered to me, and I believe +that, if I had regarded my worldly interest, I should have accepted some +of them. But I had a great conviction of the importance of my position, +and strong belief that the Lord had called me to it. So we both agreed +that we were most likely to do His will if we persevered in the curacy. + + * * * * * + +To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham at Lowestoft Rectory:— + + “RICHMOND, _February_ 19_th_, 1837. + + “MY DEAREST UNCLE AND AUNT,—You will be glad to hear that I am myself + very comfortable. Of course there is a large field of enjoyment from + which I am wholly excluded; I am no longer a social being. In all + the difficulties and responsibilities of this place I am absolutely + alone. I have no dear Rector within two miles, whom I may consult + over all my affairs and discouragements. I compare myself to a ship + finding its way alone across the ocean, and sometimes well-buffeted + in the journey. I certainly miss friendship wonderfully, and I + cannot say how greatly I long after you all. My heart this day has + been full of tenderness to Pakefield. I think of that attentive + congregation at Kirkley, of the prayer-meeting, of the schoolroom + lecture, and of that close and, I trust, heavenly bond of union which + God permitted us to enjoy, and I know not how to bear the thought + that we are separated. However, the more I look at my present + position, the more am I satisfied that the change is of the Lord. + The need of this place is grievous. The little flock is scattered + and disheartened; the poor have been totally neglected, the sick + unvisited, and the societies are all fallen to decay. The short time + that I have been here has not been without its encouragements. Our + tender Father has been pleased to favour me with some cases in which + my private ministry has been greatly valued, and I hope blessed. I + think also He is with me in the pulpit; the evening congregation is + rapidly increasing, and we have had some very solemn occasions. All + this is encouraging, but I desire not to build upon it, for I well + know that such encouragement has not strength enough to bear weight. + In health I think I am better than I have been since August. I find + my power for work increases, and the cough is gone. Join with me in + praising a merciful Father. ‘Praise God, from whom,’ etc.” + +To Mr. Cunningham:— + + “RICHMOND, SURREY, _September_ 24_th_, 1838. + + “MY DEAR UNCLE,—You ask how we are getting on here, and you must know + how difficult it is to answer such a question. I think that, + whenever God permits encouragement, He sends at the same time some + drawback, as if to prevent encouragement lapsing into + self-confidence, and self-gratulation taking the place of a spirit of + thankfulness. And this is just the case with our parish: there is + much to call forth the most unfeigned thanksgiving—great kindness + amongst the people, large congregations, a capital collection + yesterday for the Pastoral Aid Society—but on the other hand a + continual worry about our schools, and, what is most of all to be + considered, very little evidence of the regenerating power of the + Holy Ghost in individuals. I see that the messenger has a far wider + influence than he once had, but I do not see the message itself + attended with the same saving power. This is a cause of great sorrow + to me, and the more so because I fear it may be in a great measure + explained by a want of spirituality in myself. There is a + wonderfully close communion between the power of preaching and the + power of feeling, and when a man’s own heart is very dead, he is not + likely to produce much life in others. I think, moreover, there is + great danger of spending our energy on our machinery. I am doing all + I can to work the parish efficiently, and set all the machine in + active operation, and I feel the effect of it in a forgetfulness of + the spiritual end of the whole. It is something bordering upon + leaving the Word of God to serve tables. However, in the midst of + all, I trust there is a real progress. I find unspeakable comfort in + Hebrews xii. 2, and whether a want of spirituality in myself or a + want of spiritual power in my ministry be the cause of sorrow, I find + the universal remedy in ‘looking unto Jesus,’ and I believe that to + be the whole of the Christian’s secret. The more we can keep our eye + on Him the stronger shall we be in every point of view, and one + moment’s forgetfulness of Him must produce weakness, if not a fall.” + +To his uncle:— + + “_December_ 7_th_, 1838. + + “I should be inclined to question how far it was well to leave a + curate altogether to himself, so as not to know what he is doing. + There seems to me a great difference between keeping him under + orders, and so checking his independent action, and by constant + intercourse maintaining a vigilant superintendence. The plan that I + adopted with —, —, and Frank himself was to point out clearly at + first their line of duty, and then to leave them entirely to + themselves in the discharge of it, at the same time making the + pastoral ministry a subject of constant conversation, so that I + always knew exactly what each was doing. By this means you get (1) + the advantage of division of labour; you (2) know exactly what is + going on, which parts are comparatively neglected, and which have an + extra supply, and, like a general, you can by a recommendation apply + your forces just where they are wanted. There is another thing which + I should be inclined to suggest, especially with a beginner, viz. + that you follow out the territorial system and assign him a district. + My own plan is this. I divide my visiting into the aggressive and + the extraordinary. By the aggressive I mean the regular stated + visiting from house to house. By the extraordinary I mean those + visits which I pay in consequence of some providential call, such as + sickness, affliction, religious impression, etc. I then divide the + parish into two parts, and give — the whole aggressive work for one + district, and take it myself for the other. For the extraordinary I + make no local divisions. I find then in practice that the calls are + sufficiently frequent to keep a measure of connection with the whole + parish, while the limitation of the aggressive brings each district + tolerably within the compass of its minister, so that he is able by + perseverance to gain an influence.” + +To Mr. Cunningham:— + + “RICHMOND, SURREY, _March_ 14_th_, 1839. + + “MY DEAR UNCLE,—I am always greatly rejoiced to hear of your + well-doings at Lowestoft, but I am more pleased than ever now, for I + have something of a parental as well as filial interest—filial + because I was trained amongst you myself, and parental because Frank + stayed six months with me. I have no doubt that the change of + ministry is likely to prove a real refreshment to your people, and I + should not be surprised if it were to be the means of calling out + some, and leading to true conversions. You must not let all the + ladies turn Frank’s head by flattery, of which there always appears + to me great danger for young clergymen, for good people seem to + suppose that religious interest gives a licence which is allowed in + nothing else, and make the Gospel an occasion, rather than a check, + for unwholesome conversation. I have felt the danger of it very much + here, and though I have been very much preserved by a culpable want + of sentimentality, I fear that I have suffered from the evil. I find + that I often return from my intercourse with them thinking better of + myself instead of worse. I was much interested by your remarks about + the country. How completely does it prove that ‘Christ is the head + over all things to the Church’! Men appear with wicked designs and + ungodly purposes, but Christ is Lord, and when they are just ready to + strike He paralyses their aim. I regard these failures of wicked men + not so much as the effect of a state of society as evidences of the + controlling power of the Lord. He allows them to form their wicked + schemes, and just when all is ready for an explosion, He defeats + them, that so He may prove His power and their nothingness. Thus it + is that these very men who are most opposed to the Church of Christ + become the occasions for adding to its strength, for they call forth + the protecting power of God, and so increase faith by experience. I + have been inexpressibly cheered lately, amidst the sins of this + ungodly world, by the thought of the final triumph of the Church. + ‘The God of Peace shall bind Satan under your feet shortly.’ It is + therefore certain that the day will come when Satan and all his + agents will be overthrown, when we shall no more suffer from sin and + its effects, and then all the elect people of God shall be visibly + gathered under one Head, enjoying a perfect union with each other and + with Christ. All this must take place. Popery, atheism, infidelity, + and the spirit of schism may unite their unholy ranks and lend all + their strength for the overthrow of our Lord’s kingdom, but ‘the + gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ How is it that our + hearts are not filled with holy joy at the prospect, and that we do + not ride triumphant over all the fears, the sorrows, the sins, with + which on every side we are beset? + + “Your most affectionate Nephew and Curate, + + “EDWARD HOARE.” + +To Mr. Cunningham:— + + “HAMPSTEAD, _April_ 6_th_, 1839. + + “MY DEAR UNCLE,—How are the mighty fallen! I am going to be + married!! I have been spending a delightful week with the Brodies, + and am come home engaged hard and fast to Maria. I am exceedingly + happy, though I scarcely can believe it. I have the greatest hope + that the thing has been undertaken in a prayerful spirit, and that we + may look for God’s abundant blessing on us. We both particularly beg + that you will marry us. + + “Your most affectionate Nephew, + “EDWARD HOARE. + + “Give my dearest love to my aunt, Frank, etc.” + +To Mrs. Cunningham:— + + “RICHMOND, SURREY, _May_ 30_th_, 1839. + + “MY DEAREST AUNT,—As for myself, I am exceedingly happy, though so + unusually busy that I hardly know how to think much about my happy + prospects. Never was a person less loverlike, for I am expecting a + confirmation here next week, and having more than one hundred and + thirty young persons under my care, I am so busy from morning till + night that I find my whole mind occupied. I think it is a good thing + for me, for it fixes my thoughts upon my work, which otherwise they + would be very much disposed to wander from. I am every day more and + more happy in the thought of my marriage, and more and more thankful + for the prospect of a wife who, I fully believe, has given herself to + God. There is not a single feature in the whole thing that I could + wish otherwise, and, besides all living circumstances, the + recollection of my dearest mother’s wish makes the connection to my + own mind quite a hallowed one. I only hope that we may be enabled to + devote ourselves unitedly, as we have desired to do separately, to + the service of that Heavenly Father who has laden us with so many + blessings. We expect to be married on the 2nd of July, about ten + days after their return; we then hope to go to the Isle of Wight for + a fortnight or three weeks. I do not wish to take a long holiday, + because of the expense, and because I am very anxious to take the + lady into Norfolk and to Lowestoft in the autumn. I doubt, however, + whether I shall be able to accomplish it.” + +A letter from one of his sisters describing the wedding:— + + “BROOM PARK, _July_ 9_th_, 1839. + + “Here we are in peace and safety, Edward shut up with Maria, Kate and + I looking tolerably neat in white poplin, having just dressed in our + little room, our only misfortune being that we have no gloves. We + found dearest Edward most bright and sweet; the drive down with him + has been not a little pleasant; nothing could have answered better + than our journey with him, and we did quite enjoy it. Here is Maria + come for us! She looks so quiet, and is so nice, only she has got a + bad cold. When we went downstairs the Buxtons were just arriving; + they had joined our phaeton party, and all arrived together. The + only mishap has been that by going to London for her gown Miss + Foreman entirely missed them, and we are fearful that there is but + little hope of her arrival now; it is most provoking and quite a + tribulation. Caroline arrived from Bury Hill, looking most sweet + with a beautiful bouquet of orange flowers. Lady Brodie very kind + and like herself, Sir B. B. detained in town by patients. When we + had had a satisfactory tea, some went back to the drawing-room, + others for a walk; the party consisted of all our own clan, and, as + in most parties, there was a flock of girls in white, the belle on + the Brodie side being Miss Beamish, on ours of course Chenda. Mr. T. + Hankinson arrived in the middle of the evening, having stopped to + climb up Box Hill and ford a rivulet. The house is beautiful, and + the whole place pretty and cheerful. Maria behaves herself + capitally—so much spirit, yet so quiet, and thinking little of + herself; she looks two years younger than when we saw her last. _We_ + are in Mr. Brodie’s room, and, as Laydon says, there is so much + _shooting tackle_ ‘she don’t know where to put away our things.’ + Edward is most happy; it truly is a pleasure to look at his beaming + face. How I wish you could see them both together, dearest sister; + it is most interesting. . . . The party now assembling for church + all in good heart; Mr. Hankinson making the eight bridesmaids and + about six other ladies laugh in the dining-room, the rest dispersed. + . . . Half-past five o’clock (in the room which we had at Gurney’s + wedding). After the above followed a lengthy waiting—people + arriving, but no Bishop. Maria and Lady Brodie appeared, quite + ready, but had to abide for a long time till the Bishop had arrived + and arrayed himself. About eleven o’clock we went to the church, six + bridesmaids in one carriage, and two with Caroline in another, all + the gentlemen having walked previously and were ready at the + churchyard gate to receive us; four bridesmaids with their gentlemen + stood on each side of the path till the bride had passed and then + closed in behind her. In the church the positions were capital—the + relations round the altar, and her bridesmaids standing on a step + behind her. The Bishop read the service beautifully, and they both + spoke very clearly—she was perfectly composed. Signing and kissing + as usual afterwards, with the bells ringing, and home as we came. + After some congratulating in the drawing-room we all sallied forth + for a walk, stimulated, as in everything, by Mr. Tom Hankinson. + Maria then went in to rest awhile. We gathered in a group round Mr. + Hankinson (in the garden) and heard all the poem about Sir Rupert and + Lorline; then down to the water, where all the eight bridesmaids were + put into the boat and our dear bridegroom (taking off his coat) rowed + us about. This filled up the time capitally till the breakfast, for + which we were very ready, though we had to wait some period for the + Bishop, who was lost on the strawberry beds. The breakfast was very + nice and _very amusing_. The first health was proposed by the Bishop + in a most nice little speech; it was of course ‘Mr. and Mrs. E. + Hoare.’ Our sisterly vanity was amply satisfied, and how I wish you + could have heard Edward’s reply. It was so gratifying and nice to + have him make such a truly nice speech, which he ended by proposing + ‘Sir B. and Lady Brodie.’ A most feeling reply from Sir Benjamin, + speaking so highly of both bride and bridegroom, but he could + scarcely get on once or twice from feeling it so much. He proposed + the Bishop of Winchester, and that was greeted by another three times + three; which he thanked for, observing that ‘he had not expected to + make so much noise in the world.’ Then Gurney proposed ‘The + Bridesmaids,’ and Mr. Goulburn thanked for us, though, alas! he + nearly stuck. Then ‘Papa’—and he made such a nice speech in return, + observing that his three daughters-in-law being an increasing and + untellable blessing to him, he had no small reason to rejoice in his + new acquisition. Breakfast done, we went away, Maria to dress. The + parting scene with her father and brother (in tears) upstairs was + trying; but she passed by all of us who were waiting in the hall and + went off very brightly. But I must leave off, though I fear this is + an unsatisfactory history, though in all the muddles we have done our + little best. Ever, dearest Sister, + + “Most affectionately, + “C. E. H.” + + + + +CHAPTER VII +_HOLLOWAY AND RAMSGATE_ + + +In the year 1846 the time came for a change. My friend the Rev. Daniel +Wilson wrote to invite me to the Incumbency of St. John’s, Holloway, +about to be vacated by my dear and honoured friend the Rev. Henry Venn, +one of the wisest, the ablest, and the most trustworthy men I have ever +known in this life; and there were many circumstances, amongst others the +illness of my beloved father residing at Hampstead, that led both of us +to the conclusion that we ought to accept the offer. It was one of deep +interest in many respects, more especially in consequence of its +connection with the Rev. Henry Venn. In early days he was curate or +lecturer at Clapham, when he used to attend the Committee of the C.M.S., +and was urged by some of the fathers of those days to undertake the +Secretaryship; but his heart was devoted to parochial work, so he +accepted the living of Drypool, near Hull, and so broke away altogether +from the work of the C.M.S. And then it pleased God that he should meet +with, and ultimately marry, a lady of some property, in consequence of +which he was no longer absolutely dependent upon his profession for his +maintenance. He was led, however, to return southward, where the Vicar +of Islington offered him the Incumbency of St. John’s, Holloway, a new +church just built out in the fields. To the interests of that parish he +devoted his whole great energy, and he returned, as might have been +expected, to the old committee room in the C.M.S. There his power was +felt more and more, while his own heart became more and more drawn into +the deep interests of missionary work, till at length he decided to give +up his parochial work, as he could now live without the income derived +from it, and devote the remainder of his life, without one farthing of +salary, to the sacred work of the Secretaryship of the Society. + +I felt it a great honour to succeed such a man under such circumstances, +as it was a great privilege to be brought into closer contact with him, +as he continued to reside within the parish. The time at Holloway was +not one of encouragement. I met with a great deal of kindness, and I had +most interesting Bible classes—not merely one for the young people, but +one for the gentlemen after their return from business in London—but +still I longed for more of that marked decision which I had left behind +me at Richmond. Evangelical truth was “the proper thing” at Islington, +so that it was very generally preferred; but I often wondered how far it +was a reality in the souls of the people, and sometimes I used to think +that the spirit of antagonism at Richmond was really more healthful than +the spirit of assent at Holloway. It certainly brought out more decision +of character. + +But I have learnt many lessons respecting that period. I have often said +that I regarded that year as the most fruitless period of my ministry, +but as I have gone on in life I have met with so many who have ascribed +their conversion to the ministry of that short period, that I have been +taught the lesson that a clergyman is utterly unable to form any estimate +of what God the Holy Ghost is doing through his ministry. + +However, we were not to remain there long, for the Lord Himself made it +perfectly plain that it was His will for us to remove. My dearest wife +was very unwell, and I was lame in the right knee. My father also was +quickly gathered to his rest in Christ Jesus, so that one of the great +motives in going to Holloway was removed. Though I had great difficulty +in walking, I was able to ride, and one day I rode in to call on my +father-in-law, Sir Benjamin Brodie, whom I consulted respecting my knee, +and he said to me,— + +“I tell you what, Edward; you must go to the seaside.” + +“Well,” said I, “I did think of going for a short trip after Easter.” + +“Oh, I don’t mean that,” said he. “You must go to the seaside for a year +at least.” + +“But what,” said I, “is to become of my parish, my work, my family?” + +“I don’t know,” he replied, “but this I know, that if you don’t go to the +seaside for at least a year you will die, and so what will become of it +all then?” + +This was indeed a very heavy blow to me, and I rode home that day +solemnised in spirit, and thinking how I should tell my dearest wife what +her father had just said to me. + +It was a very solemn and sacred ride that I had that morning, but on my +arrival, before I went upstairs to her, I opened my letters that had +arrived during my absence, and almost the first one was from my friend +John Plumptre, in which he said that he was one of the trustees of a new +church nearly complete at Ramsgate, and it would be a great satisfaction +to him and his colleagues if I would undertake the first Incumbency. To +describe the mixed emotion with which I went upstairs to tell my wife, +both of her father’s opinion and Mr. Plumptre’s letter, is impossible. + +But the remarkable coincidence did not at first thoroughly satisfy the +sound judgment of my friend Mr. Venn. When I spoke to him on the +subject, he said that the text which had guided him in his important +decisions was Prov. xvi. 3: “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy +thoughts shall be established.” He said that at first he would +frequently be divided and perplexed in judgment, but that as he went on +waiting on the Lord for guidance and trusting Him, the whole matter would +gradually appear to him so clear that it left no possibility of doubt. +How often, acting upon his advice, have I found it true, so that I have +seen my way perfectly clear in cases in which there seemed at first +nothing but perplexity! Was not this the secret of that singular wisdom +which he showed in the affairs of the C.M.S.? and is there any one who +sat with him habitually in the committee room who does not remember the +frequency with which he put his hand over his eyes, without doubt +“committing his works unto the Lord”? But his thoughts, which were as +mine, were established with reference to our removal to Ramsgate, and we +never had reason to regret the change. + +Letter to his Uncle Cunningham:— + + “HAMPSTEAD, _November_ 28_th_, 1844. + + “MY DEAR UNCLE,—I quite agree with you that it is a bad thing never + to write to those we love. Real good, strong affection can stand the + long lack of communication, as strong plants can stand a long + drought, but it is an unwise thing to put it to the test. . . . + + “I fully sympathise in what you say of the Church. I can imagine + nothing more deplorable than the foolish men, both curates and + bishops, scattering the very best of the laity from her fold, and all + for their empty, worthless baubles. Oh, what a blessing it would + have been for our Church and country if people had spent half the + strength in lifting the Cross and spreading the Bible that they have + wasted over surplices and ubrics! But it is not mere waste. As far + as I can see, it is downright suicide, a wilful destruction of the + Church’s influence over her people. But do you not think God is + teaching us a lesson? Are not His waiting children taught by all + this to rally round their risen and reigning Lord, and to cease from + man whose breath is in his nostrils? Is not the Church always + exposed either to pressure from without or delusion within? And are + not those the two great instruments by which He keeps His elect + people pure? Oh, may God grant that we may be amongst the Lamb’s + faithful followers! . . . + + “In our parish we have had but little visible encouragement since our + return from Norfolk. Before we went out we were blessed with several + interesting cases, but since our return we have not known of one. It + is a great sorrow to me. I hope, however, the Lord is really owning + His word. We are desiring to honour Him and to set forth Christ + crucified, and though our labours are most miserable, I delight to + think that from the inmost soul it is our desire to honour Christ in + them. I have just finished a course of four practical sermons on the + Bible, in which I found great interest, and am now preparing another + course for Advent on the following subjects: _How our Lord will + come_; _when_; _what to do_; and _what we should be doing till He + comes_. Our prophetical meeting this November was one of the most + delightful hours I ever knew. It was so sober, so serious, so + practical, and so full of Christ that I think all felt it a time of + true blessing to be there. I never heard anything more completely to + my mind than the addresses of Mr. Auriol and Mr. Goodhart on the + ‘practical bearing of the expectation of future reward.’ . . . + + “Your most affectionate Nephew, + “EDWARD HOARE.” + + + +Autobiography (_continued_). + + +The position was one of the greatest possible interest. The +circumstances of the town were quite peculiar. The Vicar of St. George +was a High Churchman who did not hesitate to employ curates who went far +beyond himself in their opinions, and the result was that two of them +went over to Rome. There was an amiable man in Trinity Church who had no +sympathy with St. George’s, but yet had but little power in satisfying +the hearts of those who loved the Gospel, and the result was that many of +the most devoted people in the place were driven either into the +dissenting chapels or into general unsettlement of mind. Meanwhile Mr. +Pugin {98} was erecting a large establishment on the West Cliff, and the +chapel was already opened, and an active priest at work amongst the +distracted and unsettled flock. + +Then it was that God raised up a very remarkable man with wonderful +energy to erect the new church. He formed a small committee, but he +himself was the moving spirit and the one centre of power. He was a +lieutenant in the Royal Navy, with no general acquaintance and nothing of +what the world calls influence, but he was God’s powerful instrument. I +refer to Lieutenant (afterwards Commander) Hutchinson, R.N. As he knew +nothing of Church matters, he wisely took counsel with Mr. Plumptre, who +put him in communication with some London lawyer, I forget who, who might +direct him in the use of what was then called the Church Building Act; so +he served the proper notices on the Vicar and patrons, and having secured +to trustees the patronage of the new church which he proposed to build, +he set to work single-handed to raise the funds and to complete the +undertaking. He wrote countless manuscript letters all over England. He +was a man of wonderful energy, as he afterwards proved by reducing +Balaclava to good order, and all that energy he devoted with unsparing +zeal to the great work to which God had called him. How many letters he +wrote I do not know; I know that I received several. His first letter +would be a general application; if that brought him a contribution, it +would be quickly followed by another rejoicing that the work was so much +appreciated, and asking for a second gift; but if it brought no reply, +then came a second convinced that the only reason for delay was the great +importance of the work, and earnestly appealing for the help which he was +sure was contemplated. Thus letter followed letter in quick succession; +the contract was signed on his own responsibility, and Christ Church was +quickly reared as a monument to show what might be done by one man whose +heart was in earnest, and who, like Mr. Venn, “committed his works unto +the Lord.” + +It is not to be supposed that these letters written were in a very +complimentary strain with reference to the existing order of things in +the Parish Church, nor were they likely to make Christ Church acceptable +in the eyes of the Vicar or his staff. I myself went to the Parish +Church in the afternoon previous to the opening of Christ Church, and I +heard a sermon descriptive of the persons who would attend the new +church, upon the text “He went away in a rage,” and I there heard my +future congregation all classed with Naaman. But apparently there were a +great many such Naamans in Ramsgate, for the church was well filled on +the 7th of August, the day when it was consecrated by Archbishop Howley, +and I may say has been so ever since. + +I found Ramsgate to be a most interesting sphere of ministry. There were +three great sources of interest. First, the shipping. My original +Pakefield interest in the English boatmen was more than revived by my +acquaintance with the “hovellers,” two hundred of whom were dependent for +their bread on helping ships in difficulty off the Goodwin Sands. I fear +that some of them thought more of their own earnings than they did of the +lives they were so brave in saving. I can never forget the reply that I +received from one of the best of them when I asked him one bitterly cold +winter’s morning how he was getting on; upon which he replied that now +they had got all their lights, and buoys, and chain cables, there was +nothing left for an honest man to do. He said: “There we were at the +south end of the sands about three o’clock this morning, when up came one +of these foreign chaps, and was running as pretty upon the Goodwin Sands +as ever you’d wish to see, when, all of a sudden, he saw one of these +here nasty staring buoys—port helm and off!” + +But though it was a pretty sight to them to see a foreign chap go +straight upon the Goodwin Sands, it was a magnificent sight for any one +to witness the skill and daring courage with which they handled their +luggers and dashed through the breakers in order to save the lives of the +shipwrecked men. They were noble fellows, and when their hearts were +touched by the grace of God, they were fine, manly witnesses for Christ. + +Then there were the sailors on board the various ships that put in for +shelter. As the harbour was at that time free, it was sometimes crowded +with vessels, and I used to have a grand opportunity for out-of-door +preaching. At first I used to go down in my cap and gown on Sunday +afternoons, but I found that a sermon out of doors, combined with a walk +on the pier, was more agreeable to many people than either Church or +Sunday School, so I had to give it up, and seize such opportunities as +wind and weather permitted. But I never was at a loss for a large +congregation, and when I took my place on the poop of one of the ships, I +had the deep interest of seeing crowds of people, some on the pier and +some on the tiers of ships and some on the rigging, amongst whom I had +the sacred opportunity of scattering the seed, without the least idea to +what point the wind would carry it. + +On one occasion I was greatly solemnised. I selected the ship best +suited for my purpose, and the Captain and his men gave me the kindest +possible reception; the only inconvenience to which they put me was that +they would insist upon my preaching against the wind, as they did not +consider it sufficiently dignified for me to stand in the hold of the +vessel. There they listened most attentively. In the evening the wind +changed, and all the ships hurried out of harbour, and how deeply +affected was I to hear next morning that the one on which I had received +so kind a welcome had been lost with all hands during the night. + +The advantage of the harbour was that throughout the winter months there +was always something going on in it, so that we could not settle down +into stagnation. One morning, for example, my friend the harbour-master, +Captain Martin, sent up to me to say that he expected a crew of +shipwrecked emigrants to be very shortly landed; so I hurried down to the +harbour, and there I saw one of the most piteous sights I have ever seen +in my life. There was a small schooner just entering the harbour, with +one hundred and sixty German emigrants crowded together on the decks. +Their ship had been wrecked over-night, and one boat containing seven +women was sent off soon after the wreck, but was supposed to have been +lost in the breakers. The remainder were subsequently taken off by the +schooner that brought them into Ramsgate. There they stood, huddled +together, in the clothes in which they had sprung from their berths on +the striking of the ship—that is, almost in a state of nakedness. The +sea had been breaking over them from the time the ship had struck, and +they had no food. What was to be done with them was indeed a question, +but all parties set to work with vigour. + +An infant schoolroom was set apart for their accommodation, and another +large room was obtained in connection with one of the public-houses; so +they were very quickly housed, and such vigour was shown by the ship +agents, consular agents, and all connected with the harbour, that +something warm was provided for every one of them, even upon their +landing. + +But they were still unclothed, and to meet this difficulty bills were put +out, so soon as possible, to request gifts of clothing, cloth, or +flannel, and also the help of any persons who could assist us in making +up clothing. It was wonderful to see the zeal and liberality with which +piles of goods were poured in upon us. These were not always very +suitable, and I remember seeing amongst the goods sent _some muslin +ball-dresses_! There was a great quantity of good useful clothing, added +to which numbers of ladies came together and worked hard all through the +day, while the various agents laboured at the distribution, so that I +believe that not one of those hundred and sixty emigrants lay down that +night without having some warm, comfortable piece of clothing provided +for him, and without being well fed with a comfortable meal and well +housed for the night’s rest. + +For this they were most grateful, and I had a grand opportunity of +preaching the Gospel, as they stayed with us about ten days. But here, +alas! was the grievous difficulty, that I did not know German; but this +was met by the ready help of two young ladies in my congregation, to whom +German was as familiar as English, and, as far as preaching and other +addresses were concerned, a great difficulty was removed. + +At length, however, there arose one for which I was not prepared. The +poor emigrants, in the fulness of their hearts, were not satisfied with +the service provided for them in the schoolroom, but were anxious to come +together to the Holy Communion. But here a fresh difficulty arose. They +could not be satisfied to come to the Lord’s Table without first coming +to confession. This appeared to me to be a matter of mere formalism, as +they insisted upon it that it would not make the slightest difference +whether or not I understood their confession, nor did they even see any +objection to their confession passing through the medium of the young +lady who was kind enough to act as my interpreter; and I fear they were +but partially satisfied when I told them that confession to a priest was +not required in the Church of England, but that in it we were taught to +confess direct to God. + +I have seldom known a more solemn and sacred service than when we all +knelt together in one spirit, if not in one tongue, to commemorate the +dying love of that blessed Saviour who shed His precious blood that +whosoever believeth in Him should receive remission of sins. The next +day they were sent off to London, and I have never heard of any of them +since. But I believe the record of those days to be written in heaven, +and I must say I took great delight in the testimony borne by the German +Government to the zeal and hospitality of the good people of Ramsgate, +more especially as particular mention is made of that dearly beloved one +to whose zeal and loving-kindness the whole movement was chiefly due. + +But the chief interest was in the sailors themselves. I was deeply +impressed at the hardness of the life of those engaged in our coasting +trade, and I met with many who, living in the midst of every possible +temptation, seemed wholly abandoned to utter recklessness, both for time +and for eternity. But they all appeared to have a heart, and some of +them were eminently Christian men. + +I never can forget one fearful Sunday morning, when it was bitterly cold +and blowing such a north-easterly gale as it can blow at Ramsgate, before +church I went on to the cliff to see what was going on, and there +opposite the mouth of the harbour I saw one ship sunk, not very far from +the entrance of the harbour, with its crew clinging to the masts. Our +brave hovellers were doing all they could for their rescue, and I saw +another smaller vessel, “with sails ripped, seams opened wide, compass +lost,” struggling if possible to make the harbour. Oh, how I longed to +run down and take my part in the efforts that were being made for their +rescue! and I cannot answer for my thoughts during the time that I was +obliged to be at church. No sooner was the service over than I was again +on the cliff, and not a trace could I see of the sunken ship or crowded +mast. It had fallen before any help could reach the poor fellows who +were clinging to it, and all hands had been lost; but the little sloop +was just entering the harbour, and I cannot describe the scene I +witnessed when I went on board. There were five poor fellows completely +worn out, wearied, hungry, cold, and frost-bitten, and I never shall +forget the master of that vessel. As long as he was in the harbour I had +a great deal of most happy intercourse with him, and in the course of it +he gave me the following narrative of his voyage. + +He said he had one very dear friend, the mate of a collier brig, and they +were together at Sunderland. His friend came to him in the evening of +Christmas, and they had a delightful evening together, till at length his +friend returned to his ship, and both vessels sailed for the South. All +went well with him till he reached the mouth of the Thames, where he was +caught by the gale and took shelter behind the long sand; but after a +time the wind shifted, and his position became one of the utmost danger. +He found his only hope of escape was to pass by the end of the sand, and +he doubted whether this would be possible, and he knew that if once +stranded on it he must be lost without a hope. The first thing was to +hoist a sail, but in order to do this they had to clear the ropes of ice +with their axe. They then hauled in the anchor, and the little vessel +was soon in the midst of the boiling surf. The master himself took the +helm, and said to the crew that their only help was in God, and bade them +come and kneel around him while he steered and prayed. Very soon a huge +wave appeared to lift the little ship right upon the bank, and let her +down with a fearful scrape upon the sands. A second followed, which did +the same, and then came the third, which seemed to carry them with still +greater fury than either of the others; but when it let them down, what +was their joy when they found that the spur of the bank was passed, and +that their vessel was safely afloat. Their Heavenly Father had heard +their prayers and saved them. But though immediate danger was past, +everything was so shattered that the ship was almost unmanageable, and +they were driven about in the Channel for some three or four days before +they could reach Ramsgate Harbour. + +And what was the sorrow that awaited my excellent friend when he found +himself safe. As he entered the harbour he passed through the wreckage +of the vessel I had seen before church, but when he learnt the +particulars he found that it was the ship of that dear friend with whom +he had spent that happy Christmas evening, and that he was one of those +who had perished in the wreck. But in the midst of it all he was kept in +a calm, hallowed, peaceful communion with God, which proved indeed how +the Lord sitteth above the waterflood, when the Lord can give peace unto +His people. + +It was one of the sorrows connected with Ramsgate that we seldom saw +those brave men a second time. So my friend stayed awhile till his ship +was refitted and his men cured of their frostbites, but the wind shifted +and she was gone, so that we parted never more to meet till we stand +together before the throne of the Lord. + +Another great object of interest at Ramsgate was the conflict with Rome. +I had had some little experience in the controversy when at Richmond, as +a zealous man had given some controversial lectures there in favour of +Romanism, and so compelled me to get up the subject. This had led me to +preach a course of Sunday Evening Lectures, which I afterwards published +under the title of “Our Protestant Church.” I have had reason to +believe, with great thanksgiving, that God has made them useful to +others, as, I thank God, He made the study of the subject exceedingly +useful to myself. I remember a remark of Dr. McNeile, that nothing +tended more to set forth the glories of the Gospel than the dark +background of Popery. + +At Ramsgate the conflict was in full activity. A chapel had been +recently erected through the liberality of Mr. Pugin, and the Roman +Catholic party had all the enthusiasm of a new and hopeful enterprise; so +we were soon brought into collision, sometimes in private conversation, +and sometimes in public lectures, in which I freely invited any one who +could to answer me. + +And there are four lessons which I learnt and which possibly may be +useful to my brethren. Firstly, the Romish controversy does not require +a great amount of learning. The Romanists themselves are exceedingly +ill-instructed in the principles of their Church, and there are very few +points on which their convictions rest. Secondly, it is of essential +importance to be perfectly accurate in every statement made and every +quotation given, so as to be able, if need be, to give proof of that +accuracy. Thirdly, it is essential that all quotations should be made +direct from the original documents, and not taken second-hand from any +Review, Catechism, or Handbook. Those books may be extremely useful for +our own instruction, but they are worse than useless if we are in +conflict with a Romish controversialist; if we wish to be strong on such +an occasion we must appeal to the “ipsissima verba” of some authoritative +document, such as the decrees of the Council of Trent, or the Creed of +Pope Pius IV. Fourthly, we must bear in mind that numbers of those who +are led away by Rome are truly and conscientiously seeking peace. I +believe that there is no state of mind so open to the persuasions of Rome +as when a person is awakened but not at peace in Christ Jesus. It is +then that Rome steps in with a promise of peace, and the more earnest the +awakening, the more dangerous the seductive power. + +I had one fearful instance of this at Ramsgate, in the family of one of +our tradesmen, who had taken sittings in my church. I heard one day that +his daughter was in habitual attendance at the Roman Catholic chapel. So +I went at once to pay a pastoral visit to the mother, and she confirmed +all that I had heard, and more than that, she told me that on the Sunday +following her daughter was to be publicly received into the Church, and +that her dress was already prepared. “Oh,” I said, “how I wish I could +see her before she joins!” and I invited her to come to me that evening +at eight o’clock. The mother said she would give my message, but did not +think it very likely that her daughter would come. + +However, at eight o’clock precisely the bell rang, and the daughter was +there. She was a woman between thirty and forty years of age, fine +features, and strong in intellectual expression of countenance. She +confirmed all that her mother had told me, and when I asked her what had +led to it, she informed me that she was engaged to a young man of very +superior position to her own, that when walking together one evening the +year before they had turned into Christ Church, and there heard a sermon +that had made them both so uneasy that neither of them had ever been +happy since. They were afraid to go again, for fear that their trouble +should be increased; so they had wandered hither and thither, seeking +rest and finding none, till at length somebody told them that if they +only joined the Church of Rome they would be at peace. She added that +the young man had joined already, and that she hoped to be received on +the Sunday following, when she trusted that both their hearts would be at +rest. + +It was clear that the poor thing was really anxious about her soul, so +instead of saying one word to her about the Romish controversy, I asked +her the question, “_Must you be holy first_, _or forgiven first_?” She +was very much surprised and almost affronted by my asking her anything of +so simple a character. “Of course I know that,” said she. “I daresay +you do, but it will do you no harm to tell me what you know.” “Of course +I must be holy first,” was the reply. “Then there is the secret of all +your difficulty: you have been for the whole year striving to be holy, +and you have utterly failed, so that you have had no peace, and could +have no peace in the forgiveness of sin.” “Do you mean to say then,” +said she, “that I can be forgiven first?” I said, “That is exactly what +the Scripture teaches,” and I set before her a series of passages, +showing first how the forgiveness is bestowed through the perfect +propitiation of the Son of God, and then how it is granted at once, +before the fruits of faith can possibly be developed. The poor thing was +amazed, and I believe that that very evening, before she left the house, +she was enabled to trust her blessed Saviour for the present perfect +forgiveness of all her sins. + +She left the house declaring that nothing should induce her to join the +Church of Rome, and now followed the most fearful struggle that I ever +met with in the whole course of my ministry. + +The young man had been already received, and the more she saw of her +Saviour, the more she felt the impossibility of their union. What was to +be done? She could not go forward to unite with him, and he would not go +back to be one with her. Rome brought all its armoury to bear upon her. +Bishop, priests, and Romish friends united all their strength in +persuading her to give way. But God helped her to stand firm, and though +she passed through a most fearful conflict, she lived and died in great +peace of soul, resting in Christ Jesus. The young man became a Jesuit +priest, and died suddenly when officiating at the mass. The case taught +me the lesson, which in fact I had learned before, that in a great number +of Romish perversions there is a real desire for the peace of God, and +that our wisest course is in all such cases to go direct to that one +point, instead of perplexing the mind with the erroneous points of Romish +teaching. + +But the chief interest of all consisted in the blessed privilege of +carrying the Gospel of salvation to a number of persons who were really +hungering for the Word of Life. There is no class of persons in the +world that has a greater claim on those who know the Lord than that +consisting of real inquirers after the way of life. Now I met at +Ramsgate with many who had had sufficient knowledge of the truth to make +them utterly dissatisfied with the Tractarianism in the Parish Church and +the Chapel of Ease, but who were longing for something more than they had +already found. It was most interesting to see them flocking back to the +Church of England after having been driven hither and thither, and I can +never forget a conversation I had with one of the curates of St. George’s +some two or three years after Christ Church had been opened. I was +remonstrating with him on the bitterness which was still shown toward us, +but he justified it by saying that we were working against the Church of +England. + +This was too much for me to take in silence, so I asked him whether he +would bear with me if I told him plainly what each of us had been doing +since our residence at Ramsgate. And I then told him that I had been +occupied in winning back to the Church those whom he had driven away from +it. This surprised him very much, and he replied, “Yes, they will come +to hear you preach, but not become communicants,” to which I replied that +I could not speak with accuracy, as I had never counted, but that it was +my firm belief that on the previous Sunday I had administered the Lord’s +Supper to no less than fifty persons who had been driven from the Church +of England by the teaching of St. George’s. My friend was deeply +impressed by that fact, and our future relationship was of the most +friendly character. Would that all clergymen would consider what they +have to answer for, when by their own erroneous teaching they scatter the +flock committed to their charge. + +But if it was a joy to see the dispersed of the flock brought back to the +Church of their fathers, how much greater was the joy of seeing precious +souls brought into living union with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and +this, through the great mercy of God, we were permitted very quickly to +do. They were of two classes. There were many who had looked forward in +earnest hope, and often prayed for a blessing on the new church, and we +cannot be surprised that, when the church was opened, they received that +for which they had been praying; but there were others who had no such +expectation, but were rather prejudiced against the Gospel, and +altogether astonished when for the first time they heard its blessed +language. + +Let me give two cases in illustration of what I mean. About two miles +off there was a mill, at which was working a young man named John +Brampton. On the day of the consecration of the church, he left his work +to attend the service, and in that service it pleased God to open his +heart, so that he received the blessed message of life in Christ Jesus. +He became at once one of the most active of our helpers, and was amongst +the first, if not the very first, of the teachers in our new Sunday +School. During the whole of our residence at Ramsgate he was a zealous, +faithful fellow-labourer, and when we moved to Tunbridge Wells, and I +wanted a Scripture-reader, I considered that there was no one who would +help me more effectually than my zealous young friend from Ramsgate, so +invited him to join me, which he did with his whole heart, labouring most +diligently till after twenty-four years the Lord took him to his rest. +He had had no experience as a Scripture-reader before he came, but the +Lord taught him, and he was most effective as a helper. He identified +himself so completely with all that we were doing that he would sometimes +entertain those who did not know him by speaking of “our house,” “our +field,” “our grounds,” etc., etc. It was a pleasure to me to hear him, +and it was an evidence of that oneness of heart which he felt with us in +everything. He was indeed a helper to his Vicar, and for many a long +year have I had to thank God for the gift bestowed on that young man, on +occasion of the first service ever held in Christ Church. + +The other case was altogether of a different character. I have already +mentioned the bitter hostility that some persons showed toward the new +church. This was manifested not very long after the consecration by some +bad fellows, of whom we know nothing except that they wore the coats of +gentlemen, climbing over the iron fence by which the church was +surrounded, breaking down the young trees which had been recently planted +in the enclosure, and throwing several stones through the windows into +the church. The outrage excited, as might be expected, a great deal of +conversation in the town, and a few days afterwards I was told that +Colonel Williams and Mrs. Williams had called to see me. I had no idea +who they were, and on my entering the room he told me, with that +remarkable honesty and directness which characterised all his +conversation, that he had come as the representative of several of the +Parish Church congregation to express their extreme disapproval of the +recent outrage. He told me also that he was a great friend of the Vicar, +and had extremely disapproved of the erection of Christ Church. He also +added that, in order to show the sincerity of his protest, he intended to +take two seats in the church, and that possibly, as he then lived in the +neighbourhood, he might sometimes attend, but that he had no intention of +doing so habitually, and merely took them to assure me of his sincerity. + +I assured him that I did not require any such evidence, but the seats +were taken, and it was not very long before I saw him seated in one of +them, and I was deeply interested that his attendances became more and +more frequent, until at length one day he was again announced as calling +at the house. But this time he wished to see me in my own study, so he +came, evidently full of deep emotion. He opened the conversation by +saying that he was not come to ask for help, as he did not want it, but +to tell me what the Lord had done for his soul. He said that he had been +deeply impressed by something he heard in church, and for the last six +weeks had passed through agonies of soul. He had been walking all over +the Isle of Thanet, earnestly seeking peace, till at length God had +brought him to see the fulness that is in Christ Jesus. Now he had come +to me to ask me to unite with him in giving thanks for the blessed peace +which God had bestowed upon him in Christ Jesus. He then fell on his +knees, and we both poured out our hearts in thanksgiving to God for the +wonderful mercy which He had shown, and the blessing of His salvation in +Christ Jesus the Lord. From that day forward he took his part boldly as +an earnest advocate for the truth. He was a man of strong convictions, +and, when convinced, he carried out those convictions with prompt and +firm determination. So he did on this occasion. To myself he became one +of my most warm, faithful friends, and in the support of every good and +holy work carried on at Ramsgate, for the rest of his life, he was the +faithful and unwavering standard-bearer. + +Thus the wicked outrage of those men who violated the sacredness of our +church was overruled by God to the giving to me one of my most faithful +friends and efficient helpers, and to the town of Ramsgate one of its +most active, energetic, and faithful maintainers of the great Protestant +principles of the Church of England. + + * * * * * + +The schools at Christ Church were built by Mr. Hoare when at Ramsgate. +The Seamen’s Infirmary and General Hospital in that town also owes its +existence to his exertions.—ED. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII +_TUNBRIDGE WELLS_ + + +But these bright and stirring days at Ramsgate were at length brought to +a close by Sir Charles Hardinge inviting me to undertake the living of +Holy Trinity, Tunbridge Wells, in the year 1853. + +At first I thought very little of the offer, as I expected Sir Benjamin +Brodie to put his veto upon my removal from the sea. But when I went to +consult him upon the subject, I was not a little surprised by his saying +that, as in 1847 he had judged it necessary for me to go to the seaside, +so now he considered it very desirable that I should leave it. So that +impediment was removed, and I had to face the question whether I was +called to remain where I was or to remove. + +It was a very difficult question, and I was greatly perplexed as to the +decision. But, according to Mr. Venn’s principle already referred to, my +thoughts were ultimately established, and I have never seen reason for a +single moment to regret the change. I can scarcely imagine a better +sphere for the ministry than that which I have been permitted to occupy +for nearly thirty-six years. I have had a large parish, which, after +four parochial districts have been taken from it, still contains more +than six thousand persons, the population consisting of a +well-proportioned mixture of gentry, tradesmen, and poor. I have had in +my church a stream of visitors from all parts of England, and not from +England only, but from India, Australia, and America. I have had very +many most kind, faithful, and affectionate friends ready to help me in +everything, so that, on the whole, I believe we have been able to keep +pace with the rapid growth of population; and I have had an excellent +church, which, though I do not suppose it would satisfy the +ecclesiologist, I have found to be most commodious for the worship of +God. There are three things in it quite at variance with modern fashion: +instead of an open roof to generate cold in winter, heat in summer, and +echo at all times, we have had a flat ceiling to protect us from all +changes of the climate; and instead of having the people spread far and +wide on the ground floor, there are deep galleries along three sides of +the church, containing nearly six hundred persons, all within ear-shot; +and instead of a low pulpit scarcely raising the preacher above the heads +of his hearers, there is an old-fashioned “three-decker” of sufficient +height to enable the preacher to see the whole of his congregation. + +At Tunbridge Wells was much less to excite than at Ramsgate. There were +no shipwrecks, and no such activity on the part of the Church of Rome, +but there was a great increase of solid pastoral work, and I firmly +believe that our removal was of the Lord. In no period of my life have I +experienced greater mercies. + +After ten years of happy work together, it pleased the Lord to take from +me my dearest wife, at which time He showed His abundant mercy in so +strengthening her faith, that she gave a glorious testimony to the power +of that Gospel which she had earnestly desired to teach, and which had +been the subject of our whole ministry. She was kept at perfect peace +through a long and suffering illness, and fell asleep in full and +unbroken trust in the blessed Saviour whom she loved. Shortly before she +died, she quoted to me the words of Mr. Standfast: “I have loved to hear +my Lord spoken of; and wheresoever I have seen the print of His shoe in +the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot too,” and He was faithful +to her to the end. + +But, speaking of mercies at that period, I must not omit to mention the +help He raised up for me in my valued friend Dr. Richardson, and my +beloved sister-in-law Lady Parry. Dr. Richardson was the greatest help +to me in the management of my large family, and would come in again and +again as a friend to give me any advice he thought necessary, and tell me +whether he thought it important I should call in medical help, and again +and again has he told me that they wanted no more than their faithful +nurse could give them. As for my dear sister, she was everything that a +widower could desire, tender, wise, considerate, the best of counsellors +and the truest of friends. What she was to me at that time of my +bereavement no words can ever describe. + +Then amongst my many mercies at Tunbridge Wells I must reckon the severe +illness which I had ten years afterwards, which I am thoroughly persuaded +my Heavenly Father sent me as a blessing. It called forth the same +unbounded loving-kindness from my parishioners and fellow-townsmen which +I am now experiencing while dictating this sketch of my history, and I +felt at the time that it brought us into a closer relationship with each +other than we had ever known previously. But, above all, it burnt into +my heart those words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy i. 12: “I know whom +I have believed.” Those six words contained the whole of my religion as +I lay for weeks unable to think and pray, for they do not say, “I know +_how_ I have believed Him,” nor do they refer to any qualification in my +own faith, but simply to this qualification as taught in the following +words, “And am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have +committed unto Him against that day.” It was the entire persuasion of +His perfect sufficiency that kept my soul at peace, and has made me ever +since thankful to God for having brought me into the happy experience of +that sufficiency for one who, like me, was altogether insufficient in +himself. I enjoyed also many proofs of the Lord’s providential care, one +of which was so remarkable that I think it ought to be recorded. + +After my degree in 1834, I continued to reside at Cambridge and took +mathematical pupils. One summer I took a long-vacation party to +Killarney, and in the course of our residence there a young man came over +from Cork to see me. He had a great wish to go to Cambridge, and having +heard that there were Cambridge men at Killarney, he came over in order +to obtain information. The result was that he came up the next October, +and I was glad to help him in his work, in which he made good progress. +But after some time he told me that the expenses had exceeded his +estimate and that he feared he should not be able to complete his +University career. If richness be measured by the proportion of income +to expenditure, I was a richer man then than I have ever been since, as, +in addition to my father’s allowance, I received a considerable income +from my pupils. I therefore told him that he must go on to his degree, +and with the help of my dearly beloved friend Henry Goulburn gave him a +cheque which he considered would be sufficient. The result was that he +took his degree and left Cambridge. After that I altogether lost sight +of him, and wondered what had become of him. + +Thus twenty-six years passed by, and I was very much interested at +Tunbridge Wells in the erection of St. James’s Church, and had issued a +circular requesting that all subscriptions might be paid in by January +1st, 1862. But though the world gave us credit for being extremely rich, +my account at the bankers was so low that I found I could ill afford the +£100 which I had promised. That 1st of January was therefore to me a day +of real anxiety, and in the early morning I committed the matter solemnly +to God, and my Heavenly Father was “thinking upon me” when, after our +family worship, my letters were brought to me, and there was one from my +young Irish friend in which he said that, though I regarded the money +given at Cambridge as a gift, he had always considered it a loan and now +wished to repay it, so enclosed a cheque of £100. It was that cheque +that I paid into the bank with a thankful heart that morning, as my +contribution to St. James’s Church. So my young friend was employed by +my Heavenly Father to take care of the money until the time when I should +require it. + +In addition to the deep interest of my own parish, the proximity to +London brought me into contact with various movements of a more public +character. This involved a conflict between my duty to the parish and my +duty to the Church of which I was a member. But I firmly believe that +the parish was the gainer, not the loser, by my interest in those general +objects, and nothing tends more to wither up a man’s ministry than such +an isolation as brings him into contact with his own limited +surroundings, and leads him to stand aloof from the general work of the +Church of God. + +Then it has been my desire to attend as far as possible to diocesan +interests, those connected with the rural deanery, the archdeaconry, and +the diocese, such as ruri-decanal meetings, visitations, and diocesan +conferences. It has appeared to me that when, by our position, we have a +right to attend on such occasions, we ought to do so, and that if we hold +back from taking our legitimate part, we have no right to complain if +things are said and done of which we disapprove. + +On the same principle I have attended Church Congresses, and have been +thankful for the opportunity of publicly maintaining those great +principles which are inexpressibly dear to my own heart. I have never +hesitated to state what I have believed as clearly as I knew how to put +it, and my experience is that, if a person will attend them in the Name +of the Lord and as a witness for Christ, and will speak without either +reserve or compromise, he will not only receive courteous treatment from +those in authority, but will find a grand opportunity of spreading the +truth through the length and breadth of the land. + +I have myself received letters, from all parts of England, thanking me +for words which I was enabled to speak at one of the Church Congresses, +and I have known more than one instance in which words so spoken have +been blessed to the permanent peace of conscientious inquirers. + +I have been deeply interested in the large lay and clerical meetings of +the Evangelical body. When I was quite a beginner I listened to an +address at the Islington Clerical Meeting, by the Honourable Baptist +Noel, which has affected the character of my whole ministry. He was +speaking on the subject of spiritual power, and said that, whenever any +attempt at ornamentation became apparent, power ceased. On those words +of his I have acted ever since I heard them, and I am persuaded that +those meetings are frequently the means of making permanent impression on +many of those who are brought together by them. Thus I have always +availed myself of every opportunity of attending such meetings. In the +course of fifty-four years I have missed the Islington Clerical Meeting +only three times, and then from no choice of my own, and they have led to +a very sacred relationship with many of my beloved and honoured brethren +in all parts of the country. + +But I have known none that I have regarded as a greater privilege than +our own Aggregate Clerical Meeting at Tunbridge Wells. From that I have +never been absent, except when detained by severe illness, and nothing +can exceed the sacred privilege which I have enjoyed in those happy +gatherings. We have met as brethren in the Lord Jesus, as one in the +great privileges in which we live, as fellow-labourers in our happy +ministry, and as fellow-partakers of the grace of God. We have often +taken counsel together, and though in the course of thirty-four years +almost all the original founders have passed away, there is still the +same spirit of brotherly harmony, and the same loving interest in each +other’s welfare. I often wonder how it is that some dear brethren appear +to me to undervalue such gatherings of those who fear the Lord. + +But of all the objects away from home there was none that called forth my +deepest interest like the Committee of the Church Missionary Society. I +do not know exactly how long I have been a member of it, but I was +invited by Mr. Venn when I was Curate of Richmond to join the Committee +of Correspondence, and as I left Richmond forty-three years ago, I +consider that I must have been at least forty-five years a member of that +body, and I regard that membership as one of the great blessings of my +life. + +It has been the practice of its management to be always on the look-out +for men who had distinguished themselves and could bring to the Committee +their own experience of the work of the Gospel in those countries where +their lot had been cast, and the result has been that there have been in +that committee room a body of men, many of whom have filled highest +positions under the Crown, but who gladly gave their time and talents to +the patient consideration of the many difficult questions that have +arisen in the progress of the work. + +I can quite believe that the business of the Committee might be conducted +with more despatch, and I have myself desired to see some changes in that +direction, but for calm, patient, and prayerful consideration of the +business before them, I have never known anything to exceed the conduct +of the C.M.S. Committee. I cannot express the confidence that I feel in +the fidelity of that Committee, and when I have heard men finding fault +with their decisions, I have often wished that, before finding fault, +they would attend our deliberations and see for themselves the prayerful +process by which they have been led to their decisions. Again and again +have I known them kneel down in the midst of their business, and plead +with God for His guiding hand. And although it would be absurd to +expect, upon every difficult question, forty or fifty independent minds +should think exactly alike, yet I do not remember ever to have known an +interruption of the unity of spirit, and there are few things that I have +felt more, since it has pleased God to lay me very much aside, than the +necessity of quitting my place in that committee room, and losing the +privilege of uniting with such a body of men in such a work as that of +the Church Missionary Society. I trust God will bless them with His own +rich and abundant blessing. They have a noble work before them, not +merely in spreading the Gospel amongst the heathen, but in uplifting the +banner of truth at home, and I trust it may never happen again that dear +brethren, in their earnestness for the maintenance of a pure Gospel, will +ever think of weakening the Church Missionary Society by forsaking it, +and so rejoicing the heart of the great adversary of souls. + + * * * * * + +With these words the brief Autobiography is closed, and it is +characteristic of the writer that his faithful heart, like the +compass-needle ever pointing to the North, should, after a brief +deviation to his personal affairs, turn finally to the contemplation of +the glorious work of that Society whose cause he loved to plead. + +It is, however, impossible to close the volume at this point. The +forty-one years of ministry at Tunbridge Wells were the most fruitful and +important of his life, yet their events are barely noticed in the last +pages that he dictated. We must therefore devote some space to the work +and character of Edward Hoare in that sphere where he became best known, +in which he bore the greatest trials of life, and whence from pulpit and +press that teaching flowed forth by which the Holy Spirit blessed +thousands of anxious souls. + + + +Extract from the Journal, May 1858. + + +_Thoughts about Personal Holiness_.—Nearness to Christ. Likeness to +Christ. Singleheartedness to Christ. + +_The Whole Work of the Holy Spirit_.—In Christ. With Christ. For +Christ. + +_Peculiar Importance to Ministers_.—Because we are acting under a strong +religious stimulus which may be mistaken for true holiness. + +Must not expect to draw souls nearer to God than we are ourselves. “Be +ye followers of me.” + +Because by-ends mar and impede God’s blessing. “My glory will I not give +to another.” “Ye ask and ye receive not,” etc. God has too much regard +for the minister to trust him with success. + +By-ends strike at the root of faith. “How can ye believe?” etc. + +Nearness to God carries a man humbly through success, and peacefully +through discouragement. + +If we live in Christ we shall be carried through the dying hour. + +_The Visible and Invisible Life_.—Men see Christ’s Gospel in us. We are +the visible representatives of an Invisible Presence. Thousands read us +who never read their Bibles. + + _Questions_. + +Is there the same desire for salvation of souls when others preach? + +Is there never pleasure in finding others less than ourselves? + +Is there real gratification in the progress and success of others? + + * * * * * + +“Search me, O Lord” (Psalm cxxxix.). “Cleanse the thoughts of our +hearts.” Lev. xxii. 2: “Profane not,” etc. + +“Pardon iniquity of our holy things.” “Be ye clean, ye that bear the +vessels of the Lord.” + +Pardoned sinners the only witnesses to converting grace. + + + + +CHAPTER IX +_WORK IN VARIOUS PLACES_ + + +Those who knew the subject of this memoir only in his later years were +often struck by his physical strength and vigour. Yet from his earliest +years and up to middle life there were signs of constitutional delicacy +which caused anxiety. On various occasions he was laid by through +attacks of illness, and it is plain from passages in his journal that, +although physically an athlete, he quite expected that his life would be +a short one. But God had other plans for His young servant: true, he was +to be disciplined by frequent illnesses—Pakefield had to be resigned in a +year owing to delicacy of the chest; his work at Richmond (where he +caught smallpox in his parish-visiting), and Holloway, and Ramsgate, was +interrupted by periods of ill-health; but these were perhaps the training +by which faith was strengthened and spirituality deepened for the great +work of middle life, and a hale and saintly old age. + +The close and topical study of the Scriptures to which allusion is made +in the Autobiography, and in which, no doubt, the mathematical training +of the University was a great assistance, gave him a clear view of the +doctrines of the Church of England; combined with this was an intimate +acquaintance with the formularies of the Prayer-Book and the writings of +the Reformers, also the result of years of careful reading,—consequently +Mr. Hoare was in great request all over England to speak at gatherings of +the clergy and devotional meetings of various kinds. Soon after his +appointment to Tunbridge Wells, we find in his letters, of which a few +extracts are given in the following pages, references to these journeys; +in fact he literally seemed to go up and down the country speaking and +preaching. It was no unusual event for him to address great audiences in +remote towns on the same day. + +The following letter, written to one of his daughters just after her +Confirmation, for which he had prepared her, alludes to this kind of +work, but it is inserted here more particularly as a specimen of his +tender interest in the spiritual welfare of his children:— + + “YORK, _May_ 28_th_, 1856. + + “I do not yet know whether or not I shall be wanted at Pontefract + to-morrow, and if I am not I may reach London as soon as this letter; + but you have been so much in my thoughts lately that I cannot forbear + sending one line of affectionate remembrance. + + “I have felt the last three months to have been a profitable time for + us both, and I trust it has brought us into a closer union with each + other than we have had before. I consider that as dear girls grow up + they become not merely the children, but the companions and + fellow-helpers with their parents, and therefore I rejoice at all + that brings us together, as I believe the Confirmation has done, and + as I believe that our uniting together in the Lord’s Supper will yet + further tend to do. I cannot tell you with what a deep feeling of + interest I look forward to the joy of receiving you as a Communicant + on Sunday next. I trust that it may be a help to you in drawing + nearer to God than you have ever yet done, and in feeding on Christ + by faith to the very end of your course. I am sure of this, my dear + girl, that there is no joy like that of knowing Christ, no place like + that to be found in His love, no happiness like that which springs + from His grace, and it is no small comfort to me to rest assured that + you feel this yourself, that you have not merely felt the importance + of it, but have also known something of the joy. It is a great thing + to have the knowledge of our real and great necessity, but that + cannot give us peace; it is the sweet assurance of His sufficiency + that can really give rest to the soul. That sufficiency, dear girl, + is for you, freely offered to you in Him, without money and without + price, and I trust sweetly enjoyed by you through the teaching of the + Holy Spirit. May He lead you forward day by day, and graciously + prepare you for His kingdom! + + “Since beginning my letter the post is come, and your letter with it. + I knew the good news before I came away; but I am not quite sure + whether I shall come, for I do not know whether I am wanted here. + Tell your mother I am very well, and am taking the greatest care of + myself. I got on very comfortably yesterday, and was not overdone. + This afternoon I go (D.V.) to Leeds. I am quite concerned about + baby. Dear love to your mother. + + “Your most affectionate Father, + “E. H.” + +His love for the Church Missionary Society made him ready to go anywhere +in its service, and in 1862 Mr. Hoare visited Cork for this purpose; some +mistakes appear to have been made about dates by local friends, and +accordingly there were one or two days in which there was no work for him +to do. This, which would have been a natural source of vexation at all +times, was at this juncture particularly hard to bear. Mrs. Hoare’s +serious condition had just been discovered. It was therefore with +considerable unwillingness that he had consented to leave her at all; but +when, through the mistakes alluded to in the early part of the following +letter, some days had to be spent in doing nothing, it is easy to imagine +how his spirit chafed at what appeared to be a needless absence from +home. Yet this had its compensation, as it gave him more of the company +of his host, a venerable saint of God. + +Not only so, but Mr. Hoare used to tell of the remarkable way in which +his aged hostess comforted him concerning the great trouble which was +just beginning to overshadow his life. Making him sit beside her on the +sofa, she persuaded him to open all his anxiety and grief to her; and +then, in a motherly way, gave him such loving advice and deep consolation +that he was enabled to look forward more calmly to the sorrow, and +returned home strengthened in faith to meet the trials which were +thickening around him. + + “CORK, _May_ 26_th_, 1862. + + “ . . . However, I am repaid by the affection of the dear old Dean + {137} and Mrs. Newman, with whom I am staying. I have greatly + enjoyed my visit, and she has been most loving and sympathising. + Indeed she has done me real good, and given me valuable help by the + way. It is a pleasant and profitable thing to be with those whose + race is nearly run, and to hear their views of life, when they look + back on it from the borders of eternity. She seems to take a + different view of it to what I do, who am in the midst of all the + cares of my pilgrimage. + + “I thought of you and home all day yesterday with much affection, + though without much time for especial prayer, for I was about all + day, having preached twice, and been two hours in the afternoon to + hear Mr. Denham Smith. I must tell you all about it when I get home; + but it is a curious thing that I heard him tell precisely the same + stories about conversion that Miss Saunders mentioned. There was + something very pleasing about it all, and parts of it were very + powerful. But I confess I did not see wherein lay the secret of that + remarkable success which God seems to have bestowed on him. Perhaps + he is more in prayer than we are. But let us be thankful for what + God has done, and take courage. + + “I fully hope (D.V.) to be at T. W. on Saturday, but I shall not + expect any of you dear daughters to meet me then, as I expect to find + the house thoroughly uncomfortable, and shall most probably take up + my quarters with some of the people. I rejoice to think of our + settling at home again before very long, and am quite of opinion that + the change home may do your dearest mother as much good as the change + away. But how we are to take care of her and prevent her + overfatiguing herself I know not. Of one thing, however, I am + sure—viz. that we have dear, loving, and most helpful daughters, + whose delight will be to be helpful. Most fully do I appreciate it, + and most heartily do I thank God for it. Give my dearest love to + all, and most especially to your mother; to Gurney also if he is with + you. I am quite delighted at his Greek. + + “Most affectionate + “E. H.” + +It must not be supposed, however, that the parish suffered because other +places profited. On the contrary, these brief trips were fitted in +between his parochial duties, and by his work for others fresh energy +seemed to be diffused into things at home. The newspapers might record +his name at a meeting at the other end of England, but the following +evening would see him at the night school or in his pulpit, or at what he +seemed to love best of all, his Men’s Bible Class. He had a genius for +teaching; whether it was children, or ladies, or undergraduates, or +working men, it made no difference—the instruction was suited skilfully +to every sort of mind. Many a former curate who reads these words will +remember the Men’s Bible Class on Tuesday evenings. “All sorts and +conditions of men” were there, a score or two at least: labourers, +shop-assistants, artisans, clerks; there perhaps an ex-Indian judge, here +a medical man; beside the Vicar sat his curates, who were always present; +and then, after a hymn and prayer, the subject of last week was resumed, +and in a simple conversational way the story of Abraham, or some other +Scripture character, seemed to make the individual stand out before us +like a man of our acquaintance, with difficulties and temptations which +we felt were like our own. + +There was no reading round, but a little friendly questioning to bring +out the thoughts of the men. + +On one of these occasions an elderly man of remarkable appearance made +some striking observation on the subject of the evening; subsequent +inquiries revealed a former student for the priesthood in the Romish +Church, who, being unable to “swallow” the dogma of the Immaculate +Conception when first promulgated, had been turned out of the College in +Rome and afterwards joined the Church of England. + +Mr. Hoare loved to address men, and was never more at home than when +preaching at Cambridge to the undergraduates or addressing meetings of +clergy, or, best of all, speaking in his own church at the monthly Men’s +Services on Sunday afternoons. His choice of subjects and of texts was +very striking, _e.g._ to the Mayor and Corporation upon “The wisdom that +delivered the city,” to the Fire Brigades upon “Escape for thy life, lest +thou be consumed,” to the Volunteers upon “Soldiers of Christ,” to the +Friendly Societies on “A workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” etc. + +These discourses were delivered with a solemnity, earnestness, and simple +eloquence peculiarly his own, and were accompanied by gesture and tone of +voice that made them intensely striking. No one who heard these +addresses could ever forget them. + +At the close of the first ten years of work in Tunbridge Wells came the +great sorrow of his life. + +Mrs. Hoare had been his truest help in the family and the parish, +bringing up her ten children with wise and loving care, ruling her +household and holding open house for every guest, and yet holding +mothers’ meetings and visiting the sick and dying of the large parish of +Holy Trinity (which then included the whole town). No one ever saw her +in a hurry, none who wanted advice were turned away, and not a single +duty seemed ever forgotten. In 1862 alarming symptoms appeared. Medical +advice was taken; treatment and rest were tried, but in vain; the disease +rapidly progressed, and after a cure was pronounced to be beyond medical +skill, Mrs. Hoare resumed such of her parish work as was still within the +compass of her strength, with the remark that, since rest was useless and +her time was now short, she must work so long as power lasted! The loss +of such a wife was indeed a deep sorrow, and the entries in his journal +testify to the grief that wrung the husband’s heart. + +On July 27th, 1863, she passed away, her last words calmly uttered—“Lord +Jesus, receive my spirit.” + +The journal ends with her last message to her children: “I shall look for +you at heaven’s gate.” + +A few months afterwards Mr. Hoare wrote a touching and beautiful sketch +of his beloved wife entitled “Sacred Memorials”; it was not published, +but had a large circulation, finding its way even beyond this country. + +The one great consolation in this overwhelming sorrow was, however, able +to uphold him. The same truths which had strengthened her for an active +life sustained her in suffering, and gave her unruffled peace to the end. +The peace, the presence, and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ gave +power to the faint and made him strong in the Lord. For twenty-four +years they had worked side by side, and in the thirty-one years that +remained he sometimes gently spoke of her as present though unseen, and +joining in prayer for his work. + +Towards the close of the year, when sending a line of welcome to his +eldest daughter on her return home, he closes with these words, which +have a pathetic power when read in the light of the recent bereavement:— + + “T. W., _November_ 27_th_, 1863. + + “If there is so much pleasure in meeting those dear to us after these + short separations, what will be the joy of the great reunion at the + coming of the Lord!” + + + + +CHAPTER X +_DOMESTIC LIFE AND FOREIGN TOURS_ + + +It was a delightful thing to see Mr. Hoare in the midst of his family. +Some of us remember only the later years of his life, but the enjoyment +which he then took in the company of his grandchildren was very charming +to witness. Those, however, who recollect the time when his ten boys and +girls were growing up around him, speak with much pleasure of the way in +which he threw himself into all their feelings and pursuits, and the +skill which he evinced in drawing out their characters. He tried hard, +as he touchingly says in one of his letters, to be “father and mother in +one.” In the bringing up of his children religion formed such a bright +part of their life that allusions to it came in quite naturally into +ordinary conversation. On one occasion, five years before Mrs. Hoare’s +death, he makes the following entry in his journal:— + + “_September_ 19_th_, 1858.—Very much interested to-day by — [one of + his younger boys]. I was talking at dinner about the great + geological periods of creation. He said, ‘But it took place in one + week.’ I answered, ‘Those days were probably long periods, as it + says, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand + years as one day.”’ He said, ‘I thought that meant that with the + Lord we should be so happy that a thousand years would seem like one + day, they would pass so quickly!’” + +How God blessed his efforts is known to all who are acquainted with his +family. + +The following letter refers to these happy relationships:— + + “T. W., _March_ 3_rd_, 1864. + + “MY DEAR DAUGHTERS,—I cannot say how often we think of you, and how + pleased I was to hear of your safe arrival and enjoyment at Oxford. + I know few places in all England with more objects of interest than + Oxford, and I have no doubt you will thoroughly enjoy your week + there. We are getting on comfortably, though I have had rather too + much of clerical meetings, having one on Monday and one to-day. But + I hope it has been in the Lord’s service. On Monday we went through + Romans xi., and I certainly thought that the Prophetics had studied + the chapter better than the Clericals. But I was quite confirmed in + the exposition at the Prophetical. I suppose Annie has told you of + all our home doings. We really have got on very comfortably, but it + seems very strange to have seven away out of the ten. I suppose, + however, if God preserves me, I must look forward to more than that + in future. The course of life seems to be that a person begins + alone, and then, when God gives him the blessing of such a union as I + have had, the house fills year after year, till at length the tide + turns and the dispersion begins, till at last sometimes the question + arises who shall be the companion of the aged father. But we have + not come to that yet, or near it; and when it does come, if it ever + does, I am sure it will be to draw us heavenward, and wean me more + and more from earth to heaven. I am sure I have been far too much + tied down below. Truly I may say, ‘My soul cleaveth unto the dust’; + but I think I already feel something of the weaning power, and I + trust I may feel it more and more. However, I scarcely ought to + write so to you; but rather to thank God for the present mercies, for + the past lovingkindness, and for my dear, dear daughters, who, I am + sure, do all that daughters can to make my home happy. Dear love to + you both, and to your uncle and aunt. + + “Your most affectionate Father, + “E. H.” + +In 1864 Mr. Hoare, accompanied by a brother and two of his sons, went for +a tour in Switzerland. It was on their return that the first meeting +took place between the writer and his future Vicar (as has been intimated +in the Preface); and Mr. Hoare used to say, with reference to the +mournful circumstances connected with that day, that he often asked +himself, “Why should I be permitted to bring my boys back in health and +strength, while this other father brings back only one of the two who +went out on their holiday?” + + * * * * * + +The following letters were written at this time:— + + “LUCERNE, _August_ 4_th_, 1864. + + “MY DEAR GIRLS,—We failed in catching the night train at Paris, so + were obliged to come on yesterday by day to Basle, and to-day to this + lovely place, which looks more beautiful than ever. I certainly + think it is the most beautiful place I know in the world. To-morrow + we strike into the mountains. . . . Everything thus far has + prospered with us, but my heart hungers after home; and I don’t know + how it is, but I always feel my loss most when I am away. I hardly + knew how to bear it at Plymouth. I suppose the reason is that the + thoughts are always dwelling on home and all its interests, so that + all connected with it is more felt than ever. The boys are very + bright and very agreeable, Edward being full of his conversation with + the French, to his own great delight, and their great amusement. He + travelled many hours yesterday in a carriage away from us, in order + that he might ride with a large French family who had a compartment + to themselves. Gurney is not so conversable, but has every + appearance of being pre-eminently happy. We are now preparing to go + up the Rigi for the night, and the whole party are gone to purchase + alpenstocks. Would not you like to be going with us? But, oh! if it + lasts so hot, I wonder how much there will be left of us when we + reach the top. Dear love to all. Tell Lily I hope she will look + after my garden as well as her own, and tell the bees we are getting + on well, and met with excellent honey. Also you may tell — of this + as the right time of year to plant some Melilotus Leucantha, and also + some good strawberries. Let me know how the sunflowers are, and the + rose-cuttings. + + “Dearest love to all. + + “Most affectionate + “E. H.” + +Family-letter from abroad:— + + “ST. LUC, _August_ 16_th_, 1864. + + “MY DEAREST SONS AND DAUGHTERS,—‘Homeward Bound’ is always a pleasant + sound, and so it is on this occasion, however pleasant our journey + may have been, for I have been quite homesick for some days, and, + like a schoolboy, have been counting the days till my return. I + fully hope to be home on Saturday, but I cannot say at what time, as + we have lost all reckoning as to hours. Indeed we may fail + altogether, as we are acting contrary to my general rule, and propose + to travel by the last train all the way from Basle, so that if + anything fails at any point we shall be thrown out altogether. But I + trust we shall arrive all right, and dear uncle with us. . . . I + hope we may be home by the 6.20, but I cannot say positively, as I + know nothing. + + “I cannot say how I rejoice at the good accounts I hear from you. I + have thought of you all with the utmost interest, and prayed for you + with a father’s love. Tell the dear boys how pleased I have been to + hear such good accounts of them. They little know how they have + added to the pleasure of my journey, for if I had felt an anxiety + respecting them, I could not have enjoyed even this beautiful + country. Tell — and — likewise how very much I have been pleased + with your report of them, and thank — and — for their letters. + + “We had a splendid week last week, and many sacred remembrances of + our happy journey together, and when we came to Zermatt it seemed so + like old times that I could almost have looked out for you. The + mountains seemed more beautiful than ever; but there they stand + fixed, and know nothing of the changes that have taken place in the + hearts and homes of those that look at them. But there is one thing + more fixed and more permanent than they are; I mean the love of God + in Christ Jesus. In it therefore we will seek to trust more and + more, and I am sure He will never fail us, as He has never done yet, + and we shall never be disappointed. I have accepted the Archbishop’s + invitation, and I hope — will enjoy her visit. As for myself, I had + sooner remain at home. But it is clearly right to go, and indeed I + propose to make an effort and go out more than I have done lately. + The boys send their very dear love, though they do not seem much + disposed to express it on paper. That they leave to me. If any very + nice person turns up who may be disposed to preach once on Sunday, it + would be very acceptable; but I hope to reach home prepared. + + “Dear love to all. + + “Most affectionate + “E. H.” + +Letter to his sons:— + + “SIERRE, _August_ 16_th_, 1864. + + “MY DEAR BOYS,—I have been so greatly pleased by the good report that + I have had of you that I must write one line to tell you so. I am + quite thankful for it, and I have no doubt you have had a happy + holiday in consequence. I made some lines on the mountains to show + that the way to be happy is to seek each other’s happiness:— + + “‘When all begin to seek their own, + Then each must seek it quite alone; + But when all seek to please each other, + Then each is helped by every brother.’ + + “We have found this to be quite the case in travelling, for it is + quite necessary when we travel to think of all the party, and strive + to please every one. But I must not moralise, but tell you something + of our journey. We have not had many adventures; but we have climbed + up some terrible hills, and I can assure you it has been hard work. + Up, up, up; puff, puff, puff; grunt, grunt, grunt; and still the + farther you go, the mountains grow higher and higher. You think + sometimes you are near the top, and, when you get there, you find + another top higher still, and then another, till you get quite tired + of tops. And coming down is hard work too. The mountains are + covered with great loose stones, so that by the time you are at the + bottom you are glad enough of a resting-place. We go to bed very + early, the boys about eight, and I about nine. But then we make up + for it at the other end, and by five o’clock, when you are all fast + asleep, we are all moving, and sometimes almost off. The middle of + the day is so hot, as our hands and faces will prove to you, that we + can scarcely travel in the middle of the day, unless we be high up in + the mountains, where the air is so beautifully fresh that we can do + almost anything. We meet with a great many travellers, many of whom + are wandering over the glaciers. They are a queer-looking set, with + immense boots with large nails in them, with wideawakes and green + veils tied over them, with a long pole in their hand with a spike at + one end and an axe at the other. Then you see their guide marching + behind with a similar axe, and a long rope on his back, which is used + to strap the whole party together if they cross any dangerous place, + so that, if one falls, the others may hold him up. And tremendous + slips they sometimes have. A few days ago four men slipped and slid + four hundred feet, more than twice the length of our garden, down a + steep piece of ice with a huge precipice at the bottom, so that they + would have been dashed to pieces if they had not stopped. But + happily two of them struck their axes into the ice just in time, and + so they hung on, close by the edge of the precipice, and were saved. + I suppose some time or other I shall hear of you two being Alpine + travellers. Gurney and Ted seem quite ready to begin;—but my time is + past, and I must content myself with going only to those places where + I can climb with poor wind and old legs. However, at Zermatt we met + with Mr. and Mrs. —, who had been wandering over the highest + glaciers, she being strapped by a rope to the guides. I suppose she + liked it; but I am not sure it was quite the right place for a lady. + + “Well! I hope we shall all be together, if God permit, on Saturday, + and bring all our things with us, but some are already left behind, + and others are waiting for us on the road, as we have taken hardly + any luggage, so that a good many of our preparations were of no use + at all. Since Monday morning we have had only a knapsack between us, + so you may imagine we have not been very smart, and our evening dress + has not been of the gayest kind. I fear also it has not always been + of the cleanest, for we have not had things enough to change nearly + so often as we should have liked. But we look forward to a glorious + wash on Saturday. But one disadvantage of our having so little + luggage is that we cannot bring home any Swiss curiosities. We have + had enough to do to get our own absolute necessaries across the + mountains; so we shall be obliged to come back quite empty-handed. + But we shall come not empty-hearted, but full of love to all my dear + ones. Good-bye. May God bless and keep you! + + “Most affectionate + “E. H.” + +The following letters have an individual interest of their own:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _February_ 1_st_, 1866. + + “I am sure it is very profitable as well as pleasant to have an + occasional change in those we hear, and on the strength of this + conviction I propose to take a weekday holiday for next seven weeks, + as Mr. Burgess is to preach for me next Wednesday, and other brethren + during Lent. So I hope to buckle to and get through Pusey on Daniel, + if good friend Jacques is not reading it. I quite enjoy the thoughts + of it, though really I ought to be thankful for our Wednesday + evenings, though I must admit they are an effort to me.” + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _May_ 20_th_, 1867. + + “We have been getting on capitally, and had really a very pleasant + Sunday. Campbell’s sermon was quite first-rate, and made a great + impression on all who heard it. But I greatly fear he will not come + as curate. I should esteem it a very great favour if the Lord were + to send me some one who would give a little fresh fire to me as well + as the people, for I sometimes find my own energies flag, and greatly + desire to have some fresh zeal infused among us. Numbers of people + wandered to other churches, but I believe no one regretted their + worship in the Hall or Schoolroom. {151} We sang the hymn ‘Jesus, + where’er Thy people meet,’ and I believe we beheld His ‘mercy-seat.’ + The girls are going to Mr. — this evening with Brodie. I am going to + stay at home, for I do not like the thought of sitting there for + three hours. How strange it is the people think two hours too long + for church, but like three hours for a lecture! I suppose they enjoy + the one more than the other, and that makes all the difference. I am + afraid they will find Heaven very dull.” + + “WOODFORD GREEN, _September_ 5_th_, 1867. + + “It has been a great joy to me to hear such good reports of all the + party, and I hope you will tell them all so. There is no text in the + Bible which I can enter into more fully than this, ‘I have no greater + joy than to know that my children walk in truth.’ To hear of and to + witness your well-doing is the greatest joy I have in life, and if it + please God to grant that we may all be one together for eternity, it + will take eternity to express my thankfulness.” + +On hearing of the sudden death of a friend:— + + “YORK, _May_ 24_th_, 1869. + + “How rapidly and how unexpectedly do the greatest dangers take place! + Truly we are living on the brink of eternity, and a few hours may + find us in the midst of it. May the Lord keep us with our loins girt + and our lamps burning, and we ourselves as those that wait for their + Lord. I am thankful to say I have got on very comfortably, but I am + too old to talk all day, and nothing suits me so well as home. I + sometimes think I must give up travelling altogether; but then when I + find how much my poor services seem to be valued I have my + misgivings. We have had really noble collections, no less than £78 + in one little church holding little more than two hundred persons, + the richest of whom were shop-keepers and professional men; and £60 + in another church where the congregation, though rather larger, was + very much of the same character. We have therefore still much to + learn at home, and none more than I have. It seems that we are only + at the beginning, at the very threshold of heavenly knowledge, but + what we can see on the threshold is enough to fill the soul with + praise and gratitude.” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _April_ 26_th_, 1870. + + “I have really been regretting your absence from the feast of fat + things which we have lately been enjoying at home, for I consider we + have had privileges of a very high order. + + “Our Passion Week services were most profitable, and following as + they did on Mr. Langston’s Lent sermons, they tended, I trust, to put + a seal on impressions already formed, though I cannot say I have yet + had the joy of discovering any cases of marked conversion as their + consequence. I have, however, met with those who I think have been + aroused to further progress, and who acknowledge the help given with + real thankfulness. + + “I trust also that our C.M.S. anniversary may be regarded as a token + of progress. There has been an amazing amount of interest amongst + our younger parishioners on the subject of the African Bishop, {153} + so that yesterday the Mission-room was quite full, and again both the + Trinity rooms in the evening. There were so many last night that + there were several standing by the door of the girls’ room, and a + collection of £14, containing an immense amount of copper. I confess + I was anxious about our collection in church, especially when I found + that we had not exceeded that of last year in the morning, but we + picked up nobly in the afternoon and evening. In the evening alone + there was £45, so that before we left church the collection reached + £120, and there were £11 additional sent on Monday morning. I hope I + may regard it as the fruit of all the admirable sermons that we have + lately heard, and if so I shall regard it with peculiar thanksgiving, + as showing that there has been not merely religious excitement but + true religious principle at work amongst the people. And this is + what we all want. It is to be living under the combined influence of + principle and emotion, of deep feeling produced in the soul by strong + conviction of Christian truth. + + “I have been very much urged to go to Cheltenham, and if I go I + should immediately set out for my long journey. But I do so enjoy my + quiet work at home that I sometimes think I must never go out again. + I ought, however, to be thankful for the privilege of being permitted + to do the Lord’s work anywhere.” + +In the autumn of 1870 Mr. Hoare, accompanied by one of his daughters, +crossed the Atlantic, and spent nearly three months in a pleasant tour +through the United States. It was a delightful holiday, and was the +means of greatly strengthening and refreshing him for work at home. He +had many good introductions, and went about seeing all that he could of +the people, public institutions, and Church work, but beyond an +occasional sermon Mr. Hoare made it a time of rest. No letters appear to +have been preserved relating to this tour. + + * * * * * + +To Lady Buxton, after her son’s death:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _August_ 22_nd_, 1871. + + “I have thought of you so much lately and so affectionately that I + must send you one line of loving remembrance, for I know how pleasant + a thing it is to be remembered by those we love, especially when the + remembrance leads to prayer. I am persuaded that very many have + prayed for you under this very heavy sorrow. There are so many who + feel the bitterness of it, all of whom connect you with it so + intimately that I am persuaded there has seldom been a mourner more + generally or more affectionately remembered before God. + + “I think that solemn day at Fox Warren was, on the whole, very + satisfactory. To me it was inexpressibly affecting to be surrounded + by all the beauties of the most charming place, with his mind + speaking in every brick and almost in every tree. I was so glad that + I had paid him a visit there only a few weeks before—such a pleasant + visit, and so remarkable for the charm of his society, although, poor + dear fellow, I confess I was terrified about his health. But now all + that is over, and, oh! how it does bring before us the overwhelming + interest of the Heavenly Home! + + ‘“My Heavenly Home is bright and fair; + No pain or death can enter there.’ + + “I never remember to have felt more deeply the difference between + things which can and which cannot be shaken. Oh, who can tell the + blessing of an unshaken hope, an unshaken safety, an unshaken + inheritance, and an unshaken home, all resting on unshaken promises + and the unshaken covenant of God! These things which cannot be + shaken must remain, and they will remain when all fair homes of this + pleasant world are passed away for ever. May God keep us by His own + grace grasping them with an unshaken faith, that, when Christ either + comes to us or summons us to Him, we may meet Him without surprise + and receive an abundant entrance into His Kingdom.” + +Extracts from family-letters:— + + “PATTERDALE, _September_ 14_th_, 1871. + + “I have received two very earnest invitations to Edinburgh, and one + to Australia. I do not suppose that I shall accept either of them, + certainly not the latter until my return; but if I accept the former + it will delay my return a week. But I do not think it likely. + + “Our journey thus far has been most prosperous. We have had + beautiful weather, and a very happy party: Keswick and Derwentwater + on Tuesday, Helvellyn and Ambleside yesterday, and Bowness and + Patterdale to-day. As usual we have had several affectionate + greetings, amongst others one from Sir — —, whom we met at Keswick. + We were both very friendly, but it was impossible not to feel that we + were both under constraint from the sense of great divergence. We + both scrupulously avoided any points of difference, but both showed + clearly that there were too many rocks on which we might split at any + moment. And yet I feel reproved by the zeal he had shown in his + endeavours to do good to his guide. I am sure there are many lessons + which we may learn from those who widely differ from us, and the more + we value the blessed truths which God has made known to us, the more + humbled we ought to feel at the want of fervour with which we + endeavour to maintain them. + + “To-morrow we hope to reach Carlisle, and I hope I may be prospered + there. But I find it very difficult to work up much zeal about the + Jews. What I do feel is entirely the result of Scriptural + conviction, and not of any personal interest. The Jew in Scripture + is certainly a much more interesting character than the Jew in + Petticoat Lane. But we profess to act on Scriptural principles, and + therefore ought to persevere, even though it be in the dark.” + + * * * * * + + “CROMER, _September_ 28_th_, 1871. + + “I am greatly pleased by your letter of this morning. It was indeed + a most profitable sermon of Mr. Edmonstone’s, and I have felt the + powerful influence on my own mind of it and the life of Agnes Jones. + I trust, therefore, that my Cromer visit has been thus far really for + good, and I feel, myself, a fresh stimulus for the sacred work to + which the Lord has called us.” + + * * * * * + + “ELY, _October_ 7_th_, 1871. + + “I have been thinking of you all day in your return to the dear old + home, and have almost felt disposed to envy you, for I am satisfied + with holiday-making and begin to long for home. However, I have + consented to return to Cromer from Nottingham, to pay a visit of a + few days to your Uncle Richard, so that I expect to enjoy the + hospitality of three of my brothers, which is very satisfactory to + me. Nothing could have exceeded the kindness of all parties, and I + am not without a hope that there has been some blessing on my + ministry. But I cannot say it has been a time of rest, and I feel + the want of repose more than I do at home. I suppose this is why I + write so slowly, so badly, and with such difficulty that I am sure I + never should do for Secretary to the C.M.S. {157}: the first long + letter would knock me up for the day.” + + * * * * * + + “NOTTINGHAM, _October_ 10_th_, 1871. + + “I have been venturing on a speech this morning in which I think the + Lord prospered me. I desired to speak for Him, and I was certainly + most kindly received.” {158a} + + * * * * * + + “CROMER, _October_ 16_th_, 1871. + + “You need not be at all frightened about the Dean, for it is on + Wednesday the 25th that he comes to us. The sermon, etc., is on the + 26th, and on that day we ought to have an S.P.G. luncheon. I think + it would be well to ask the Committee soon. The list may be found in + the S.P.G. report, under the head ‘Local’ on the top shelf. + + “I feel doubly interested in the thought of my return, and trust it + may be with a greater realisation of our completeness in Christ Jesus + and of the blessedness of working not merely for Him but in Him. I + felt this most remarkably at Nottingham, and I believe it resulted in + power, at all events on one occasion referred to in the paper which I + have asked — to send to you. + + “The Congress was very interesting, but too exciting. The week was + one of great exhaustion, though I am thankful I was there, and I + believe God gave power to those who were endeavouring to be witnesses + for the truth. I cannot doubt but on the whole they did well and + carried the people with them. With only one exception, they spoke + with wisdom and power, like men who were being prayed for, as indeed + we all were by many in the Hall. But the close attention, the hot + room, the many friends, and the anxiety as to the issue took a great + deal out of me, so that I am to-day really enjoying a quiet morning + over my letters. + + “Amongst others I saw a great deal of the Bishop of Sydney, and found + him very strong about the Australian idea. {158b} He says it is the + very thing that he has long desired for his own diocese. But I do + not yet see the call of God sufficiently clearly to have my judgment + really inclined to it. If the Lord makes His way plain, I hope to be + ready to go, but God forbid that I should go one step without His + orders.” + +From the Archbishop of Canterbury:— + + “ADDINGTON PARK, CROYDON, _September_ 24_th_, 1868. + + “To REV. ED. HOARE. + + “DEAR MR. HOARE,—It will give me very great pleasure if you will + accept the office of Honorary Canon of Canterbury, to which your + standing in the diocese and the services which you have rendered to + the Church by your zeal and ability in the discharge of your + ministerial functions amply entitle you. + + “Believe me, dear Mr. Hoare, + “Very sincerely yours, + “C. T. CANTUAR.” + +The offer of an Honorary Canonry in Canterbury Cathedral, made in 1868 by +Archbishop Longley, was the only dignity which he ever received; why this +should have been the case is a question that has often been asked, and to +which no satisfactory answer has ever been made. Canon Hoare would have +made an admirable Bishop: he was a born ruler and administrator; his +intellectual powers and wide sympathies (for which those who knew him +superficially gave him no credit), together with his power of inspiring +enthusiasm in all his subordinates, would have been good qualities for +that high position, and not the least advantages which he possessed were +a fine presence and commanding personality. + +But he neither sought nor wished for promotion, and remained to the last +what he loved to be, a pastor in the midst of a devoted flock, with more +opportunities of preaching the Gospel of Christ at home and throughout +England than fell to the lot of most men, and, as one remarked to him +when the subject happened to be referred to in a newspaper, “Man has not +promoted you, but God has, by permitting you to be the means of bringing +blessing to more souls than any one whom I know.” Looking at the subject +in that aspect, it is impossible to deny that his exceptional talents +were specially suited to the sphere which he adorned, and thus we may +believe that God overruled the apparent neglect of men for the greater +advancement of His truth. + + + + +CHAPTER XI +_PAROCHIAL MISSIONS_ + + +Five-and-twenty years ago parochial missions were in a different position +from that in which they stand at present. + +There were very few mission preachers, and they had a good many +difficulties to contend with. Some looked askance at the new movement +and thought it savoured of Rome; others deemed it “exciting,” and +unworthy of the calm atmosphere of the Church of England. + +It had not then been reduced to a science: missioners adopted their own +individual methods, as seemed best to them. Canon Hoare at an early +stage of the history of the movement recognised its vast possibilities, +and believed that it was just what was wanted to save the Church from +stagnation, and arouse men from that dangerous respectability which +enables them to repeat the General Confession, but which declines to +particularise. All through his ministry his aim had been to reach +individuals, and he saw the opportunities of so doing in the work of a +mission. + +The first invitation which he accepted was that given by the Vicar of +Holy Trinity, Nottingham, on the occasion of a general mission throughout +that town in 1872. Being his first, it was a time of the most intense +and thrilling interest, and the letters describing it are therefore given +at more length than those that refer to later missions. Not that this +work lost any of its freshness to him; during the twelve years that +followed he undertook similar missions frequently, sometimes twice in a +year. The opportunity was always fraught with the deepest and most +prayerful interest to the preacher; his congregation, moreover, will +remember how he used to return to them after such occasions, not wearied, +but fresher than ever, and all aflame with spirituality, power, and love. + +His scheme of subjects for a mission was very wisely drawn up; some of +these have been printed, and evince great knowledge of human nature. The +writer well remembers how that, when he was going to undertake a mission +for the first time, Canon Hoare sent for him and said, “Tell me your +order of sermons and Bible-readings.” It was mentioned in detail; he +replied, “I see very little about the ‘New Life.’” He was referred to +the subject of “consecration.” “Well,” said he, “if you will take my +advice, you will leave that out. I say little about ‘consecration,’ +because that is man’s work. Make the life which is God’s gift one entire +subject; its necessity, its source, and its reality; and consecration +will follow.” His advice was taken, with the happiest results. + +To his daughters:— + + “TRINITY VICARAGE, NOTTINGHAM, _February_ 6_th_, 1872. + + “I think I may thus far give a thankful report of my journey. As I + passed through London I had a most interesting and encouraging + conversation with Mr. —, and a pleasant journey down to this place + with —. We arrived just in time to have a hurried cup of tea, and go + off to the public prayer-meeting in the Exchange Hall. This was a + wonderful sight: the large Hall was crammed full, and many were + unable to gain admittance. It was a very striking contrast to the + busy market outside. There was a great deal of singing from a very + nice little book of the S.P.C.K., and a remarkable address from old + Aitken. The best part of it was an exposition of Asa’s prayer: the + rest was awakening, and, I hope, profitable, very earnest and very + affectionate, but it did not move me, though some people said it + almost threw them into hysterics. I offered a prayer myself, and + three others besides Aitken. I liked them all thoroughly, and came + away, I hope, the better, though the meeting had lasted nearly two + hours. So having come here and received a most warm welcome from my + pleasant host (Rev. Allan Smith) and hostess, I lay down and awoke + fresh and happy for the Sunday’s work. Mrs. Smith is daughter of my + old friend Mr. Linton of Oxford, and even you could not make me more + comfortable than she does! + + “Well! Sunday dawned upon us, and at 10.30 service began. The church + is not so large as our own, and was not so well filled, but they were + pleased with the attendance. I preached on the deep sleep in Isaiah + xxix., and I believe the Lord was with us. They were attentive all + through, and towards the close many of them were much affected, so + much so that I gave notice I would have a Bible class in the church + at 3.45 p.m. for a re-consideration of the subject. The Lord’s + Supper was very solemn, and many were in tears, especially two old + gentlemen whom I hope to be able to see during the week. So we went + home thankful. + + “The Bible class in the afternoon was well attended. There must have + been more than a hundred present, including several gentlemen, so + that I was well repaid for the effort, though very tired when it was + over and scarcely up to the Evening Service. However, when the time + came I was fresh again, and I believe the Lord helped me. There was + a larger congregation than in the morning, but I did not see the same + evidence of impression. I preached on the old subject, Exod. xii. + 23, and, though there was deep attention, I did not perceive the same + emotion. Then followed the prayer-meeting: this was most + interesting. The large room was quite full, and during certain + periods of silence I heard the sound of weeping in many parts of it. + Mr. Smith gave a short address and offered prayer; I did the same, + and longed to know how to manage such a meeting. After a time I + dismissed them, and invited any to remain who liked. But they all + seemed unwilling to go, and it was some time before they began to + move. But at last the room was cleared, and then what should I see + but two clergymen with their faces covered, in trouble about their + souls. One proved to be a most deeply interesting case. He told me + his difficulties without any reserve, and at length went away + declaring himself satisfied. I really believe he learned the way of + peace. + + “Meanwhile Mr. Smith was speaking to four adults one by one, and I + then found a row of five young people waiting for me. In three of + them, especially one, I thought there was great reality, but I had + not time to speak with them separately, and I cannot say I was + satisfied with the interview. I hope to see one of them again + to-night, when I trust there may be more decisive results. + + “All this quite freshened me up, so that I was ready and in good + heart this morning to start off for the service in Adams’ Factory at + eight. The place was quite full, so that there must have been about + three hundred present. As they all dispersed immediately to their + work, I had no opportunity of any personal intercourse, but they + listened with great attention, and I can only hope the Lord gave His + blessing. + + “I am now enjoying a quiet morning, writing, reading, thinking, and + praying; remembering with great affection my dear friends at home who + are praying for me, and most especially the three dear daughters left + at home to help their father by their prayers and each other by their + mutual help. May the Lord be with you!” + + * * * * * + + “TRINITY VICARAGE, NOTTINGHAM, _February_ 9_th_, 1872. + + “I can hardly tell you what an interesting week I have had. It has + been without doubt the most encouraging in my whole ministry. I + never knew so many persons awakened under my sermons in so short a + time, and I am thankful to say that many of them, and many more who + have been previously anxious, have been brought to see the way of + life in Christ Jesus their Saviour. I cannot say how deeply I thank + God for it, or how it has stirred me up to look out more hopefully + for a great blessing at home, and also amongst the young men at + Cambridge. I hope you all continue to pray for me. + + “Last night I had first a strong middle-aged man come to speak to me + under deep conviction of sin; and then a most respectable woman who + had no peace in her soul. These two took so long that I was obliged + to send for another clergyman to come and help me with the remainder, + as there were sixteen waiting in the outer room to see me. + + “The greater part of the morning has been occupied by my Bible class, + but I had one hour for inquirers, during which there came one of the + leading gentlemen of Nottingham, and a most interesting inquirer who + had been in deep anxiety for years, and who, I believe, through God’s + mercy left the vestry at peace in Christ Jesus. Oh, what can I + render unto the Lord for all His goodness to me! Dear love to the + dear sisters and to all who pray for us.” + + * * * * * + + “CAMBRIDGE, _February_ 12_th_, 1872. + + “I hope to be home, if it please God, to-morrow by express, and look + forward with the deepest interest to my return. One thing is clear, + and that is—we must seek to go forward, and look out for far greater + results than ever. + + “Saturday was a sacred day. I went in the morning on my way to + church to see some of those who had been awakened, and found them + peacefully trusting in their blessed Saviour. + + “I then went to the church to see any that might come to me, and my + whole hour was filled up by most interesting cases, one of a most + touching character. At 11.30 I gave a short parting address in the + church to about a hundred people, and at twelve left for the train, + after the most kind and grateful farewells from numbers of people who + wished to thank me for my ministry. It has been a new era in my + life, and I trust has done me great good. + + “I arrived here after five o’clock, swallowed some dinner, and + hurried off to the gownsmen’s meeting, which began at six. I did not + know how to turn my mind to a new subject, but still I hope the Lord + helped me, and it gave me the opportunity of inviting the young men + to meet me on Sunday night. + + “Well! Sunday came, and I believe the Lord was with us. There was a + large morning congregation, and many of the people were deeply moved. + Oh, how I longed to ask them to come and open their griefs! but the + Vicar would not give me leave to do so, so I was obliged to leave + them to God, and perhaps that was better. + + “In the evening I stood up in dear old Simeon’s pulpit. The church + was crammed with gownsmen, and I believe the Holy Spirit was with us. + I then had a cup of tea in Carlos’ rooms, and went off to the meeting + of gownsmen. The room was quite full. I gave them an address on + Justification and Sanctification, illustrated by some facts in my + Nottingham experience. I believe that I might have had many coming + to me for help if I had only invited them; but I was stupid, and did + not do it. + + “But one dear fellow seemed as if he could not go away: he came and + took me by the hand, and would not let go. The others all left the + room, and then he poured out the troubles of his soul. I thank God + his difficulties were removed, and we walked home together blessing + and praising God. Oh, what shall I render unto the Lord for all His + goodness to me!” + +The following extract describes a return visit three months later to the +scene of his first Mission:— + + “NOTTINGHAM, _May_ 30_th_, 1872. + + “But I have no words to describe the interest of my short visit here. + Nothing could be more satisfactory. I found almost all those in whom + I trusted a work was begun standing fast and thankful in the Lord. + Many of them were so transformed from the look of gloom and + depression which they had in February to a look of peaceful, + confiding thankfulness, that I could scarcely believe they were the + same persons; and their affection, their gratitude, and their + pleasure in meeting me again were truly touching to my heart.” + +Leeds Church Congress:— + + “LEEDS, _October_ 8_th_, 1872. + + “In almost an hour I am going down to the battle, as weak as David, + but I hope to find the help of David’s God. There is an enormous + gathering for the Congress, and people of all classes will be there. + Oh, how earnestly I hope and pray that the Blessed Spirit will rest + on all there who are called to speak for their blessed Saviour!” + +Mission at Hull:— + + “HULL, _November_ 25_th_, 1872. + + “Many thanks both to you and — for your letters, for I delight to + hear from you, and think of you with most heartfelt and loving + prayers. + + “I had a very pleasant, quiet, unfatiguing journey, quite by myself + all the way from London, so that I had no temptation or obligation to + talk. At Tranby I had a most affectionate and brotherly welcome, and + came on here on Saturday, full of hope and thanksgiving for the + privilege of speaking to so many people about their souls. + + “Immediately on my arrival I went to a meeting of Communicants, very + much like our own, and then to a very uninteresting conference of the + clergy; so we did not really begin work till yesterday. In the + morning there was a fine congregation, and in the evening one still + larger, with a prayer-meeting after it, in a large hall which was so + full many could not get in. As a mode of intercourse with the people + it of course completely failed, but as an indication of their + interest it was very encouraging, and I am happy to say that, one way + or another, I have already met with several persons anxious about + their state, and I am thankful to be able to add that some of them + have gone home with the expression of great satisfaction to their + souls as the result of what they have been taught. + + “I have therefore great reason to be thankful for a beginning, and + from what I have seen of the first droppings of the shower I cannot + help hoping that there is a real blessing in store. + + “Immense pains have been taken all over the town, and much prayer + offered, so that we have a right to look for great things. + + “My throat is not at all the worse for yesterday, and, if anything, + better; but I tumbled about all night with a very hot head after the + excitement of the day. + + “My host and hostess are most kind and agreeable: they make me + exceedingly comfortable, and are people quite able to carry out their + hospitable intentions, so that I am very well off; but I am not sure + that Thorold is not wise in going into a lodging, so as to avoid the + necessity of conversation, for I really believe that talking fatigues + more than preaching, and I sometimes long to be alone, or at all + events to be able to get away into my own study just when I please. + But I ought not to say so, for I am as comfortable as man can make + me. Pray for me, that I may have wisdom and power given to me.” + +Specimen of one of Canon Hoare’s “Mission Subjects”:— + + ST. DUNSTAN’S MISSION.—_November_ 12_th_ _to_ 22_nd_, 1880. + + _Nov._ 12_th_.—To Communicants. Psalm cv. 40: “He satisfied them + with the bread of heaven.” + + _Nov._ 13_th_.—Prayer-Meeting. Psalm xcvii. 5: “The hills melted + like wax at the presence of the Lord.” + + _Nov._ 14_th_.—_M._ Jonah ii. 9: “Salvation is of the Lord.” A + Divine Saviour; Salvation; Revelation; Application. + + _E._ Gen. xlii. 21: “We are verily guilty.” Conscience—may be + seared, 1 Tim. iv. 2; defiled, Titus i. 15; aroused, John viii. 9; + purged, Heb. x. 22. + + _Nov._ 15_th_.—_M._ Propitiation: (1) Divine, Rom. iii. 25; (2) + Complete, Heb. ix. 12; (3) Final, Heb. ix. 28; (4) Satisfies + conscience, Heb. ix. 14; (5) Sufficient, Heb. x. 18. + + _E._ Heb. xii. 24: “The blood of sprinkling.” Speaks of complete + atonement, full remission of sin, Heb. x. 22, ix. 22. + + _Nov._ 16_th_.—_M._ Forgiveness: (1) Present, Psalm xxxii. 1; (2) + Complete, Micah vii. 19; (3) Dependent on atonement, Rom. iii. 25; + (4) First gift of the New Covenant, Jer. xxxi. 34—“for.” + + _A._ To Mothers. Heb. ii. 13: “I will put my trust in the Lord. . . + . Behold, I and the children whom Thou hast given me.” + + _E._ Job ix. 29: “If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?” (1) + The difficulty; (2) The remedy—“the Daysman” or Mediator, ver. 33. + + _Nov._ 19_th_.—_M._ Justification, Rom. v. 1–10: (1) Five blessings + from, vv. 1–5; (2) Through reconciliation, ver. 10; (3) To whom + given, vv. 6, 8, 10; (4) When given, vv. 6, 8—“yet.” + + _E._ John v. 28, 29: “The hour is coming.” (1) The voice; (2) The + resurrection; (3) The separation. + + _Nov._ 18_th_.—_M._ The New Birth, John iii. 1–16: (1) The + necessity, ver. 7; (2) A spiritual change, ver. 6; (3) By the + sovereign power of the Holy Ghost, vv. 5, 8; (4) Found before the + Cross of Christ, vv. 14–16. + + _A._ To Church-Workers. Zech. iv. 1–10. (1) “By My spirit”; (2) The + mountain removed; (3) Christ will finish His work; (4) Small things; + (5) Christ the King and Priest supplies all, ver. 3. + + _E._ John v. 25: “The dead shall hear.” (1) Dead conscience; + affections; hope, etc.; (2) The dead hear; (3) The dead live. + + _Nov._ 19_th_.—_M._ Sanctification: (1) In the heart, Psalm xl. 8; + (2) The standard, 1 John iii. 3; (3) The difficulty, 1 John i. 8; (4) + Progressive, 2 Peter iii. 18; (5) By the use of Scripture, John xvii. + 17; (6) By the sight of the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. iii. 18; (7) Must + follow, not precede forgiveness, Jer. xxxi. 33, 34. + + _E._ Matt. xxvii. 46: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” + (1) The imputation of sin to Christ; (2) The certainty of complete + satisfaction; (3) The burden of unforgiven sin. + + _Nov._ 20_th_.—Prayer-Meeting. Psalm xxxiv.: The song of the + delivered. + + _Nov._ 21_st_.—_M._ Psalm cxix. 94: “I am Thine.” (1) By the gift + of the Father, John xvii. 2; (2) By redemption through the Son, 1 + Cor. vi. 20; (3) By the life-giving power of the Holy Ghost, John vi. + 63; (4) By personal surrender to God, Rom. xii. 1. + + _A._ To Men only. 2 Cor. vi. 18: “I will be a Father unto you.” + + _E._ Exod. xxi. 5: “I love my master; I will not go out free.” (1) + The new master; (2) The old master. + + _Nov._ 22_nd_.—Jude 24: “Him that is able to keep you from falling.” + + Summary: (1) Finished propitiation; (2) Free gift; (3) Life-giving + power of the Holy Ghost. + + + + +CHAPTER XII +_PARISH WORK_ + + +Some men are in great request as preachers and speakers outside their +parishes, but for some reason or other they are not very useful at home. + +It was not so with the subject of this memoir. The prophet in this case +was honoured in his own country. On Sunday mornings, three-quarters of +an hour before service began, many aged and poor parishioners might be +seen making their way into the church to secure good seats. In Holy +Trinity the free seats are more in number than those that are +appropriated, and some of the former are in the best part of the church; +all these were filled long before the hour for the commencement of +service. As eleven o’clock drew near the congregation were in their +places, and the aisles were filled with strangers in every available spot +waiting in the hope of some possible seat. It was a common thing in the +summer for as many as a hundred to go away unable to get accommodation. +The writer well remembers the profound impression which the Sundays used +to make upon his mind. The old Vicar and his curates were in the vestry +in good time robed and ready; {174} having knelt in prayer, there was a +silent interval, and exactly to the moment when the clock in the tower +struck, the vestry door was opened and they passed out into the church. + +Sometimes this was a slow work, as the people stood close together; some +were sitting on the pulpit stairs, and the clergy had to thread their way +to the chancel rails. + +When service began the cushions at the rails were all occupied by +worshippers kneeling upon them. Canon Hoare generally took part in the +service, which was conducted in the simple old-fashioned way, read, not +“toned down” in the manner now so prevalent. + +When the preacher ascended the high pulpit it was an impressive thing to +see that great congregation, over sixteen hundred in number, ranged +beneath in the body of the building and around him in the deep galleries, +waiting for his words. His prayer before the sermon was a very striking +one, and it was always in the following words: “Almighty God, our +Heavenly Father, who hast purchased to Thyself an universal Church by the +precious blood of Thy dear Son, and hast promised that the Holy Spirit +should abide with us for ever: may we now enjoy His sacred presence! May +He direct the word which shall now be spoken, and apply it with Divine +power to all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” + +Those sermons were wonderful, delivered so well that few could believe +them to be written discourses, which they were; with changes of tone +which made the sentences impress themselves upon the memory; the manner +so solemn, as befitted the ambassador, and yet so pleading, as became the +father. The eloquent language attracted the intellectual mind, and the +remarkable simplicity of expression appealed to the simplest +understanding. The _matter_ of these sermons was, however, their great +charm. + +The atonement wrought by Christ was their great theme. Many preachers, +when enlarging upon other subjects, bring in this doctrine at the close +of their discourse, but with Canon Hoare the great foundation of our +faith, viz. the substitution of Christ for the sinner, and His finished +work of propitiation applied by the Holy Spirit, was always visible, not +as a thing to be brought in at the end, but _already there_, as the +centre and pivot of all that he said; hence no doubt the power of his +words, and withal as a thing much to be observed was the extraordinary +freshness with which he was able to present, Sunday after Sunday, the old +story of the Cross, old but ever new. + +Very powerful were those discourses, for they were full of teaching. The +preacher was a deep student of his Bible,—“After diligently working down +into it for fifty years,” he used to say, “I am still only scratching the +surface!”—and he possessed moreover an unusual power of imparting +knowledge; he was pre-eminently a teacher, and among the many privileges +which his curates enjoyed none was so great as the Scriptural teaching +which they received in their Vicar’s sermons. After the preacher had +concluded there was a short prayer, followed by the blessing, and then, +with nothing to take away the impression of the solemn words to which +they had listened, the congregation dispersed. There were three or four +services in the Parish Church every Sunday, besides the shortened Morning +Service in the hospital and Mission Service in the large Parish Room; +there were also five Sunday Schools, and many classes on the same day for +old and young men, women, and senior girls. + +Though in his vigorous days he always preached twice, he was in the habit +of opening the principal boys’ school every Sunday morning, and in the +afternoon visiting one or other of the various schools and classes, +finishing all by slipping into the afternoon service in time to hear the +sermon preached by one of his curates. By these means he kept in touch +with everything going on in the parish. + +The weekday work was enormous and varied. The Parish Room, so +called—really a large building containing a hall and different rooms—was +occupied nearly every hour of every day in some part or other; and in the +parish at large every conceivable kind of agency for the temporal and +spiritual good of rich and poor was to be found, all animated by real +energy and spiritual power. Many a time have the workers heard from +their Vicar’s lips, “Let us not be content with machinery; what we want +is _Life_.” + +The Sunday Evening Services in the Parish Room were deeply interesting. +For half an hour beforehand the volunteer choir sang hymns to attract the +people in, and workers went into bar-rooms and common lodging-houses to +bring in any who would come. + +It was a very moving sight, about three hundred people, some of them +degraded in vice, packed close together, joining in the familiar hymns, +and listening with attention to the speaker. Canon Hoare often said +that, intensely as he delighted in the opportunity, it was at times more +than he could bear to realise the depth of sin in which many lived who +were gathered together at these services—the responsibility of the +preacher seemed on such an occasion to be so enormous. + +Except as occasional workers, he never would allow the regular +church-goers to attend the Mission Room services. “This service is not +for you,” he used to say; “it is a stepping-stone to the church.” And +such it was. The process of transformation used to be watched with +interest in those cases where some poor degraded creature, either there +or at the Temperance meetings, was led to “take the first turn to the +right, and then go straight on,” as Bishop Wilberforce once tersely put +it. Soon the ragged clothing improved, the whole appearance altered; +after a while it might be said of such that, clothed and in their right +mind, they sat at the feet of Jesus; and then by degrees moving on to the +church, they might be seen at the Lord’s Table, or sitting in the adult +Confirmation Class in preparation for that sacred privilege. + +There were low slums in that parish, but, as Canon Hoare used often to +say, “The Church of England can and does reach the lowest of the low, and +can bring the Gospel to bear upon the vilest, _without the aid of a +fiddle or a flag_!” One practical difficulty met him at first in the +Parish (or Mission) Room services. Many a poor tramp, weary and +footsore, used to say when asked to come in: “I have eaten nothing since +the morning. Can you give me food? I want that more than the service.” +When these answers were reported to him Mr. Hoare used to say, “And if I +were in their place I should make the same reply.” It then became a +matter of consideration what could be done to remove this difficulty, and +yet not give anything like a bribe to induce people to come to these +services for a paltry motive. After a great deal of thought and +consultation with the workers, it was determined to give a slice of bread +and cheese to any poor hungry ones who were not residents, but passing +through the place, and in the cold weather a mug of coffee was added. +This plan worked admirably; only a few asked for the food, but those +received it, and what had been a very real hindrance at the first was +satisfactorily removed. + +Most if not all of our Religious Societies were well supported in the +parish, but the three in which Mr. Hoare seemed to take the warmest +interest were the Church Missionary Society, the Church Pastoral Aid +Society, and the Irish Church Missions. For the first and last of these +three there were, besides the Great Hall meetings, crowded gatherings for +the poorer parishioners in the Parish Room. Canon Hoare was an +incorporated member of the S.P.G., and had an annual sermon for that +society, but of course the Church Missionary Society had the love of his +whole heart. What he was to that society every one knows, and he infused +some of his missionary enthusiasm into the town, and especially his own +parish. + +The Church Missionary Society anniversary was indeed a “field-day.” Long +prepared for, it was anticipated with keen interest; the best deputations +came down, and nearly every church in the town joined in the celebration. +Canon Hoare generally preached in the old Chapel of Ease in the morning, +but always occupied his own pulpit in the evening of that day, and what a +thronged congregation there was on these occasions! The whole soul of +the preacher seemed to go forth in his subject, and his hearers were +thrilled by the trumpet call of that missionary sermon. In later years +the thought of his dearly loved son and daughter working for God in China +brought a special and personal interest into his words—not that he spoke +of them, but somehow one could feel that they were in his thoughts. The +collections on these occasions were very large; in former years £100 was +thought the proper thing as the result of the Anniversary Services in +Trinity Church, but gradually the amount crept up until about ten years +before his death, when on one anniversary, in his absence through +illness, it was suggested by the evening preacher that it would be a +cheer to their beloved Vicar if £200 were reached; and right liberally +was the appeal answered. After the sermon two gentlemen came into the +vestry to inquire the amount collected, “for,” said they, “whatever the +deficit may be, we will make it £200”; but their kindly help was not +needed, as more than that sum was already counted out upon the vestry +table! + +From that day £200 was looked upon as the proper sum from Trinity Church +for the Church Missionary Society anniversary. + +The parish schools for boys, girls, and infants were all first-rate, and +Canon Hoare prided himself upon having the best boys’ school in the +diocese; but he was not content with the welfare of his own schools—it +was his wish to strengthen all Church schools in the town. We hear now a +good deal about the confederation of Church schools. More than +twenty-five years ago the Vicar of Holy Trinity started such a +confederation. Every Church school in Tunbridge Wells elected its +members, and sent them to the periodic meetings, where matters of +interest were discussed, weak points strengthened, and preparation made +for dangers that threatened. This was only one of the many things in +which his statesmanlike ability showed itself; Edward Hoare was one of +those “men that had understanding of the times, to know what (the +spiritual) Israel ought to do.” The power of such men is readily felt +and acknowledged. “All their brethren are at their commandment.” + +It would be impossible to write about the work in Holy Trinity parish +without alluding to the Ladies’ Bible Class. This was a remarkable +feature of his ministry, and, like most of his works, was going on before +it had been suggested or thought of in other places. + +This was not a Bible-reading, but a class for teaching by preparation +beforehand, and at the time by question and answer. The answering was, +of course, not compulsory, but nearly every one present in the large +assembly of ladies took part. + +The teaching was marvellous; sometimes it was a topic or a life in +Scripture, sometimes a portion of the Prayer-Book or the Articles. The +mastery of the subject and the power of conveying the same clear +knowledge to other minds were very striking. Some have even said that +they considered this class to have been his greatest work in Tunbridge +Wells. The enthusiastic letters which have been received during the past +thirty years from generations of young people who, having been taught by +him, went forth into life educated and fortified in religious truth, +testify to the fact that these classes formed in many an instance the +real turning-point of life. + +Twice in the period that he was Vicar of Holy Trinity a Parochial Mission +was held, the respective missioners being the Rev. Rowley Hill, +afterwards Bishop of Sodor and Man, and the Rev. H. Webb Peploe. Each +time it was a grand success, greatly owing, under God, to the prayer and +preparation which preceded it. The second mission was remarkable for the +number of men whom it reached; at the services for men only there used to +be two thousand listeners crammed into the church. Being well followed +up, these missions left a glorious mark in the parish. Canon Hoare used +often to quote the words of some foreign pastor, “The Church of England +is the best in the world at throwing the net, but the worst at drawing it +in,” and he always added, “Let _us_ not fall into that error, but draw in +the net”; and so he did. How familiar to the ears of his old curates +were the words that he often said on Sunday morning from the pulpit at +the close of some instructive sermon, “If there are any who would like +this matter explained further, I shall be glad to see them this afternoon +in the Parish Room at a quarter past four”; and he has often remarked, “I +have never given this notice without getting some earnest souls who +wanted help.” + +“Pray for people and look out for God’s answer,” was the direction that +he used to give to his workers, and in this lay surely one of the secrets +of his great success as a pastor. The characteristic of Holy Trinity +parish was “Life”; the Holy Spirit was manifestly at work in the place, +blessing the various agencies among rich and poor, young and old, +arousing, renewing, converting, and edifying. + +One of his loving fellow-workers thus recalls an experience of this in +the earlier years of Canon Hoare’s ministry at Tunbridge Wells:— + + “I recollect well a great spiritual movement that took place over the + whole parish, then undivided except by St. John’s. People, men and + women, came to us, chiefly of course to him, asking for help in their + spiritual state—people who had been living entirely secular lives. + There seemed to have been no special cause for it—no mission—no + exciting preaching; it was caused by his careful parish work and + ministry. This went on for, I think, about two months; we kept it + very quiet, spoke of it only to a few prayerful people, but they were + praying for it; at length, however, it got out, and a few unwise + persons—some of whom were Church people and some were not—got down + Revivalists and hired the Town Hall to throw excitement into the + work. Immediately it ceased! I build no theory or argument upon the + fact, I merely say what I noticed.” + +The same writer continues thus:— + + “About that time we began the Evening Communion, and I recollect well + our astonishment at the result. Such a number of new faces whom + either we did not know or never saw at Holy Communion! Servants, + lodging-house keepers, wives of working men, whom practically we had + been excommunicating by having the Holy Communion only at the hours + when we had hitherto celebrated it.” + +All who had the sacred privilege of working with Canon Hoare in his +splendidly ordered parish will agree in this, that two clauses of our +Church’s Creeds were ever before his eyes: one was the note of all his +preaching; the other, the motive and reward of all his work. + + “I believe in the Forgiveness of Sins.” + + “I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life.” + +This chapter, which describes some of the parochial work of the parish, +would not be complete without a reference to a great organisation which, +though not of the parish, yet annually assembled in it, viz. “The +Aggregate Clerical Meeting.” Shortly after his appointment to Tunbridge +Wells, at a time when no conferences of clergy, now so common, had been +thought of, the idea of the great spiritual benefit to be gained by such +an annual gathering made Mr. Hoare determine to try the experiment. +Having consulted with some friends, he sent invitations to the members of +seven “Clerical Societies” in the neighbouring parts of Kent, Sussex, and +Surrey, to assemble in Tunbridge Wells in the month of June for a series +of meetings, not for the public, but for themselves, lasting over two +days, with a sermon in Trinity Church on the evening of the first day and +a celebration of the Holy Communion in the morning of the day following. +All invited guests were given hospitality in the houses of kind friends. +The Conference thus assembled met annually for about forty years, and +from the first to the last meeting Canon Hoare was its President, +although on two occasions illness obliged him to depute another as the +chairman. From its small beginning it soon spread, sending its +invitations through the South-East of England, although drawing the +greater part of its members (who numbered altogether nearly five hundred) +from the three counties named above. Laymen too, “introduced by a +clergyman,” were invited to attend, and gladly availed themselves of the +opportunity. Most of the great Evangelical men have preached at its +annual gatherings, and papers and addresses of the greatest possible +interest have been given at these meetings. All however who have +attended on these occasions will agree in this, that the one thing to +which every one looked forward was the closing address of the President. +Precious words were always given him to speak, full of spiritual +experience and loving exhortation. + +The value of conferences like these is now acknowledged everywhere, but +it is only due to the one whose memory we affectionately cherish that the +credit of originating them should be here given to him whose foreseeing +mind recognised the blessings such meetings would confer. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII +_THE BORDERLAND_ + + +The most important crisis of Canon Hoare’s life was now drawing near—a +time which, though it seemed to be full of trouble, was really a period +of blessing to himself, to his congregation, and to a far wider circle +than his own devoted people. + +In a former chapter there was a reference to the invitation which, +issuing first from his old friend Bishop Perry of Melbourne, was taken up +by other Australian prelates, viz. that Canon Hoare should visit +Australia in about two years’ time and make a mission tour throughout +their dioceses in the principal towns. The project assumed a tangible +shape, and details began to be considered; the whole thing, including the +journeys each way, was calculated to take ten months. He _was_ absent +from his parish for almost exactly the very period, and at the very same +time during which the Australian tour would have taken place, but his +absence was due to the consequences of that Roman fever which nearly cost +him his life. When Canon Hoare first spoke of this to the writer it was +with the deepest solemnity; he said: “I am never quite satisfied in my +mind as to whether the Lord had not a specially humbling message for me +in that fever; the Australian plan was given up because I thought I ought +not to be so long away from my parish, and it has sometimes seemed to me +as if He, by laying me by for the very time that I should otherwise have +been away, may have meant me to learn that my presence here is not so +important after all, and that He can carry on His work by other hands.” +This is thoroughly characteristic of the way in which our beloved friend +seemed always on the alert to detect his own weak points, as well as to +gain from trial its intended blessing. Australia was given up, and +several months afterwards he decided to take a short holiday in Rome +during part of Lent. + +The following letters describe his enjoyment of the place, but at the +same time we can detect signs of the penumbra of the dark shadow that was +swiftly approaching. + +To his eldest son:— + + “ROME, _March_ 3_rd_, 1873. + + “So after all my misgivings, doubts, and hesitations, here I am + really in Rome, and already profoundly interested in the place. We + arrived on Friday evening and put up at a new hotel opposite the + Russie, where alone we could find a resting-place; and to-day we have + moved into some lodgings at the top of one of the highest houses on + the top of the highest hill in Rome. We have been triumphing in the + thought of our fresh air, but the conceit of some of us has been a + little diminished this morning by being told that there is nothing so + unwholesome in Rome, that nothing is so healthy there as a low and + crowded situation, and that no Roman would accept our privileges for + love or money; but this we keep to ourselves. + + “On Saturday K— and I went to St. Peter’s, and my expectations were + more than realised by the magnificent area and perfect proportions. + There is something most solemnising in the magnitude and vast open + space perfectly uninterrupted by any arrangement for worshippers, and + a second visit this afternoon has only confirmed my first + impressions. I thought to-day that it appeared to have grown since I + saw it on Saturday. + + “Then we went to the Forum, which I have been feasting upon again + to-day. I imagine that the excavations have been extended since you + were here, but I doubt whether in the Forum much has been discovered. + And really nothing is wanting. But how strange that the villain + Phocas, whose edict has led to so much discussion, should be the one + whose one column should stand out by itself in the best preservation + of them all! But all one’s ideas of human greatness are dwarfed by + the Coliseum. What must the place have been when crowded with + people! It must have contained all the inhabitants of the city, and + a good many over, and must have illustrated St. Paul’s expression ‘so + great a cloud of witnesses.’ I suppose that Christian martyrs did + not much care for lookers-on, but had their minds wholly absorbed by + their God and the wild beasts which were to devour them, but it must + have been an awful ordeal to face such a host of enemies, and how + inconceivable it is that such thousands could be brought together for + the pleasure of seeing their fellow-men torn to pieces! Truly man is + a fallen creature, born far above the beasts, but fallen far below + them! + + “I was greatly entertained by an American gentleman, who said to me + that as they had gone so far in America as to give the suffrage to + every man, they had better go a little further and give it to all the + horses, for intelligent persons might drive them to the poll, which + they could not do with ignorant men.” + +To his eldest daughter:— + + “ROME, _March_ 16_th_, 1873. + + “We have all been greatly interested by your report of the + ordination. {190} It seems to me that everything was ordered for us + exactly as we could have wished, and if I had sat down to plan it for + myself I do not think I could have planned anything more completely + to my mind. So blessed be God for the abundance and carefulness of + His mercy! How I have thought of our young clergyman to-day! I + wonder whether he has been preaching. He has not written much to me, + but I cannot be surprised at that when I consider the absorption of + his mind. What a delightful birthday for him! + + “I am sorry to say I cannot give a very good report of myself. Rome + has thoroughly disagreed with me, and the disagreement has brought on + so much pain in my back that between the two I have had very little + power of enjoyment. Still there has been so much to enjoy that, + notwithstanding everything, I have enjoyed a great deal very much + indeed. But the thing I should enjoy more than anything in the world + would be to get home, and I am very much disposed to turn my steps + homeward instead of going on to Naples. But nothing is fixed at + present, or even discussed. It is only a floating idea in my mind, + and may come to nothing. + + “It has been strange to spend a second Sunday in retirement. I was + engaged to preach both days, but could not venture on either, and now + I should not be surprised if I left Rome without opening my lips in + public. How different God’s plans are from ours! My plan was that I + should be so very useful, and carry on here the same blessed work the + Lord granted at home. But God’s plan was to keep me still and to let + me learn quietly by myself. And I really hope He has been teaching + me, and that these two Sundays especially have not been without their + blessing. I am quite sure that those who teach most have the + greatest need of learning the deep things of God and the secret + windings of their own hearts. + + “I have not told you about Rome, for you know a great deal about it + better than I do. The great, grand old ruins stand out as + magnificent as ever, speaking witnesses to the failure of the world’s + greatness. ‘Broken greatness’ seems written on them all. And modern + Popery goes on its way, I should really think, more idolatrous than + ever—the most vulgar, tawdry travesty of the simple Christianity of + the Catacombs. But I am not going to write a book, so hoping that + God has been teaching you at church as I believe He has been teaching + me at home, and wishing you every one every possible blessing, + + “I remain, etc., + “E. HOARE.” + +Mr. Hoare returned to Tunbridge Wells for Passion Week, and was stricken +down by the deadly fever which had taken hold of him in Rome. For +several weeks he was desperately ill. Sir William Jenner came down two +or three times to see him, and the daily bulletins were looked for by the +whole town with the deepest anxiety. A daily prayer-meeting was +instituted, and was thronged by those who joined in the most earnest +supplications to Almighty God for his restoration. He recovered, being +to all appearance simply prayed back to life by his people. The +physician before named considered it a most remarkable case, for his +patient had lingered too long on the Borderland to make recovery seem +possible. In the summer, so soon as he could travel, he was taken away +for change, and he did not return until the autumn, nor even then to +work. + +The following letter from Archbishop Tait was one of very many that +poured in upon him at this time, and the Aggregate Clerical Meeting, +which he had instituted several years before and of which he was +President, presented him with an illuminated address signed by some +hundreds of clergy, in which they thanked God for his recovery and +welcomed him back to health. + +From Archbishop Tait:— + + “STONEHOUSE, ST. PETER’S, THANET. + “_June_ 6_th_, 1873. + + “THE REV. CANON HOARE. + + “MY DEAR MR. HOARE,—Your long and trying illness has made us feel + much for you and your family. I trust that now our Heavenly Father + is restoring you to health. May He long continue to you and to us + the blessing of your preservation in health and usefulness amongst + us; and may He in health and sickness give you every support from the + Holy Spirit. + + “Yours sincerely, + “A. C. CANTUAR.” + +To one of his daughters:— + + “HAMPSTEAD, _August_ 13_th_, 1873. + + “You and I have had so little correspondence lately that you must + almost forget the sight of my handwriting, and though, I am sorry to + say, the want of practice has led to a great disinclination to exert + myself or to take any trouble, I really must begin again. + + “We are still here, and not at sea, as we proposed to be, for last + night it was so stormy that the family in general and your uncle in + particular decreed we should not go by ship. I do not think K— is + sorry. So now we propose to go by train, which I always declared I + would not do. But the pair of sons and daughters is more than any + resolutions can withstand, so (D.V.) we go to York to-night and + Newcastle to-morrow. + + “On Sunday I hope I may hear Gurney preach: when shall I be doing it + again myself? It seems sometimes as if I had forgotten how. + + “Remember me very particularly to the Parrys. I have often thought + of the Bishop’s {193} visits to me when I was ill, and sometimes + regret that I did not invite more good ministers to visit me. But I + doubt very much whether I was capable of receiving much good. Indeed + I am humbled to find even now how little power of receiving I appear + to have. I have been talking to people with a view to my own + improvement, but I am very stupid. Some things I cannot understand + at all, as, _e.g._, this new doctrine of ‘Perfection.’ I cannot + criticise it, for I have not yet discovered what it is or what its + advocates really mean. I have been talking to E—, A— G—, and Mc— + about it, but I do not know that I understand much more in + consequence; and I have been reading a very interesting American + biography, but that has not helped me much more. So I begin to think + I must be content with the old paths, those blessed paths in which so + many saints of God have walked and followed Christ. Let me and my + dear ones be found walking there in the new and living way, and we + may well indeed be thankful. May nothing ever turn us to the right + hand or to the left, but be taking a step forward! For what other + purpose has this sickness been sent? Oh, thanks be to His Name!” + + * * * * * + + “CROMER, _October_ 2_nd_, 1873. + + “I do not suppose I shall reach home till Friday or Saturday. I am + not surprised at your feelings about yourself, for we have all had a + shake which must leave its loosenings. Besides which we are not + going home as usual to full work and happy activity, and it is + impossible not to feel the difference. But there is no reason why we + should not be returning to a winter of peculiar enjoyment. There is + a joy in work, but there is great peace in quiet, and if the Lord + grant His presence we may be more happy together than if we were + under the full pressure of the ministry. I believe that we shall all + be of one mind in the Lord, as we have ever been in former times, and + I am looking forward to very great enjoyment. + + “It is delightful to me to hear how much God has blessed Mr. Money’s + ministry, {195} and most pleasant to find how God has made my absence + such a blessing to the people. + + “I enclose you Robinson’s letter, as I think you will be interested + by it. Certainly he has been a capital curate and friend, and I have + to be most truly thankful for his help. The Lord sent him when He + foresaw I should need him, and so He will always provide.” + +It has been mentioned that, during Canon Hoare’s illness, the whole town +was stirred with affectionate anxiety on his behalf. Prayer was offered +up for his recovery in the churches and all the Nonconformist places of +worship, and the common testimony to his character, in the conversation +that was heard in the shop and the street, was that it was not his +preaching nor his intellectual powers which appealed to their feelings so +much as the sterling integrity and faithful consistency of his Christian +life. + +Towards the end of November Mr. Hoare preached for the first time after +his recovery, and his friends rejoiced to see that few traces remained of +his long and alarming illness. His sermon was entitled “The Best +Teacher,” and in the course of it the preacher said: “I believe that +lately God has been teaching us all. He teaches at different times and +in different ways. His teaching is not always the same in form. +Sometimes He gives His teaching by the voice of His teachers, and +sometimes by their silence; sometimes by giving them power, and sometimes +by taking it away. Now I believe that He has taught us all by His +blessing on the ministry in this church during the twenty years we have +worshipped together, for it was twenty years yesterday since I became +incumbent of this parish. I thank God I believe He has taught many of +you during that time by my own preaching, and I thank Him with my whole +heart for the blessed results which He has given in His mercy. But I am +not sure that this last year has not been the most teaching year of the +twenty. I am not sure that He has not taught us all more by laying me on +one side than He did by permitting me to preach. He has certainly taught +us how He answers prayer, in a manner that no preaching could ever have +done, and we meet this day with such an encouragement to pray as many of +us never had before. But that is not the only lesson that God has been +teaching us during the year. I know not how it has been with you, but +for my own part I recognise many others which He has deeply impressed on +my convictions. I do not mean to say that He has taught me new truths, +but that He has made old truths, the grand old truths of the Gospel that +I have loved for years, more precious than ever, and has filled my soul +with an earnest desire, if it please Him to restore me to my ministry, to +preach those truths as I have never done yet.” + +After that sermon he never flagged, but steadily rose again in health, +and in the years that followed many a one was known to say that, although +his preaching had always been clear, powerful, and convincing, yet after +his illness it had gained a special characteristic—now he always seemed +to speak as one who had come from the Saviour’s presence and had heard +His voice. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV +_BOOKS AND SPEECHES_ + + +Canon Hoare never published any large theological work, but whenever any +event “was in the air,” or some religious point was brought into special +prominence, a small book on the subject was sure to appear, written with +his masterful clearness and power, that just served the needed purpose +and put into men’s hands the teaching which they sought. + +A few of the best-known of these little books are the following: _upon +the Prayer-Book_—“Baptism,” “Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper,” “Absolution +and Confession,” “Our Protestant Church,” “Morning and Evening Prayer,” +“Articles of the Church of England”; _upon the Bible_—“Witnesses to +Truth,” “Inspiration”; _upon Prophecy_—“Rome, Turkey, and Jerusalem,” +“Palestine, Egypt, and Assyria,” “Egypt and the Prophecies”; _upon the +Religious Life_—“Redemption,” “Sanctification,” “Conformity to the +World”; and many others, some of which have had a great circulation. + +His papers read at Diocesan Conferences and before large gatherings of +clergy at Islington and all over England were models of clear thought and +well-expressed ideas; if these could be collected together they would +form a valuable handbook upon the most important spiritual and practical +subjects. + +But although Canon Hoare was widely known by his small books and papers, +and by the stream of visitors that attended Trinity Church during their +sojourn at Tunbridge Wells, it was as a regular Congress speaker that he +was familiar to members of the Church of England at large. His writings +were read by the same sort of people who came to hear him preach, people +for the most part with religious views like his own; but at Church +Congresses all shades of opinion are represented, and although at earlier +gatherings of this sort violent partisans tried to put down speakers of +the Evangelical party by “exhibiting,” as a witty Dean expressed it, +“symptoms of the foot and mouth disease!” yet better feelings gained the +day, and soon the calm and fearless speeches of many whose names will +readily occur to the reader caused them to receive a welcome even from +opponents. Ill-advised attempts were made at first by members of their +own party to hinder Evangelical men from attending the Congress, but +wiser counsels prevailed, and Canon Hoare was one of those who felt that, +unless he and other leaders were willing and able to stand up in defence +of their principles on the Congress platform, the days of Evangelical +truth were numbered. The sagacity of this view soon became apparent, and +it has led to a kindlier feeling between men holding different +theological opinions, as well as to a diffusion in unexpected quarters of +teaching such as that which men like Canon Hoare were well qualified to +give. + +The Vicar of Holy Trinity was asked on various occasions to speak at the +Devotional Meeting that always closes the Congress week, and in reference +to this the present Dean of Norwich once said to the writer, “I always +call Canon Hoare the Grand Amen.” + + * * * * * + +Extracts from family-letters:— + + “FAREHAM, _October_ 12_th_, 1874. + + “At Brighton I was most kindly and comfortably entertained, but I + cannot say I enjoyed the Congress. There was an immense attendance, + and such a crowd that it was almost more than I could bear. The + result was that I heard but a portion of what was said, and with that + portion I must confess I was ill satisfied. The Evangelical clergy + had to sit hour after hour listening to all kinds of things without + the opportunity of saying a word. I was the only one called up on + the subject of Church services, though a great number had sent in + their cards, and I should think nearly ten Ritualists and High + Churchmen were called up one after another. I did not in the least + satisfy myself, though, as I had trusted it in the Lord’s hands, I am + satisfied that that which I said He gave me, and there I leave it. + But the result was very painful, for as the audience did not know of + all the cards, it appeared as if I was the only speaker on our side + and my poor words the best that could be produced. I am not + surprised at those who prefer to go quietly on their way and do the + Lord’s work at home. But are we not to fight manfully? Yet how are + we to do it if our hands are tied as they were there?” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _August_ 6_th_, 1875. + + “I hope you may have a happy Sunday. I propose to preach on the Song + of the Redeemed in Rev. v. 9, as the winding-up of my course of + sermons on Redemption. My subject is ‘What do they think of it in + Heaven?’ and I fear there is a great contrast between their thoughts + and ours. If it fills the praises of those who know most about it, + surely it ought to fill the hearts of us who are saved through its + power!” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _May_ 26_th_, 1876. + + “I fear I shall not be home to welcome you on Thursday, but hope to + arrive that evening if God prospers me on my long journey to + Southport and back. I am sure my paper ought to be very good, if I + go such a long way to deliver it! I am thankful to say it is + completed, and as good as I know how to make it; so I hope the Lord + will accept it and make it useful. {201} I certainly have been + producing a great deal lately, but by no means with uniform success. + The Lord has not let me feel that I have the power in my own hand, + and has sometimes thoroughly humbled me, more especially in my speech + for the Jews, which was a failure. But I was encouraged in my sermon + about them which I preached last Sunday and which is being printed.” + + * * * * * + + “OTTERY ST. MARY, _October_ 7_th_, 1876. + + “I am writing this letter, though I am not sure that I shall not be + with you as soon as it is. But I know you will be glad to hear from + me if I can reach London in time for the post. + + “I rejoice to think the Congress {202} is over, and am thankful also + that I went to it. I believe that the paper was accepted of the + Lord. It provoked no controversy, and was most kindly spoken of next + day by one of the Ritualistic speakers: I had great reason therefore + to be thankful. Some of our people did admirably, manifestly helped + of the Lord, and I do not think the truth suffered. But we sadly + wanted more Evangelicals; the Ritualists put on a number of young + men, many of them foolish fellows and poor speakers, but they got + more people on their legs than we did. + + “Now for a race between my letter and myself; I wonder which will + win!” + + * * * * * + + (MISSION), “MANCHESTER, _January_ 30_th_, 1877. + + “You will be thankful to hear that the Lord is prospering us. We + have had some desperate weather, and the congregations have of course + been much less than they would have been. But you know I am not + dependent on numbers, and have sometimes found the richest of + blessings amidst a little flock on a stormy night. I hope we had + such an one last night. It is almost impossible that the weather + could have been rougher, but there was a capital congregation, + considering, and profound attention. I believe also that there are + many seriously impressed and others already greatly helped in their + faith.” + + * * * * * + + “YORK, _May_ 29_th_, 1877. + + “I am delighted to hear a good report of you all, and rejoice to + think how happy you must be now that the work is finished and the + scaffold down. Notwithstanding all hindrances, it is an easier + matter to beautify the outside than to reform that which is within. + We cannot set the heart right with Portland cement! + + “I cannot say much about myself. I hope the Lord may have given His + blessing, but I have not had the sense of power as in former days: + possibly I have not sought it so much from the Lord; possibly people + expect more from me, and are disappointed at what they hear. + + “It is curious to find how ‘Rome, Turkey, and Jerusalem’ is read and + thought about. I hear of it in all directions, and people express a + great interest in it. + + “The owner of the enclosed letter was also interested about + ‘Inspiration,’ as he remembered the address when originally given, + and I promised to send him a copy.” + + * * * * * + + “CATERHAM, _April_ 14_th_, 1878. + + “I hope you are enjoying a peaceful Sunday; but I cannot bear to be + away from you, for I do not feel very happy about you. I have felt + afraid that I was not sufficiently grateful for all your kind care of + me, and that I sometimes seemed cross when I ought to have been full + of gratitude! But I did not feel poorly enough to justify all the + care that was taken of me. I hope I may be all right by the time I + come home, and that if I am not I may at all events be in a more + thankful and submissive spirit. I think it is a very possible thing + that a man living with a party of young people does not always + realise what they are feeling, and so does not show that tender + sympathy which is the beautiful peculiarity of a mother’s love. But + I have often prayed that I may be a mother as well as a father to you + all, and, I trust, may be enabled to meet your hearts’ desires more + fully than I have ever done yet. + + “But, oh! what a wonderful mercy it is that in the recollection of + all our defects and failings we may fall back on the finished + Atonement! ‘The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’ + There is a resting-place for sons, for daughters, and, blessed be + God, for fathers.” + + * * * * * + + “KING’S LYNN, _October_ 9_th_, 1878. + + “I hope that you have been interested about the Congress, and have + read carefully Canon Tristram’s most interesting speech in the + _Times_ of Saturday. It is one of the most remarkable addresses I + ever met with, and I rejoice to find how well it is reported in the + secular papers. Do read it together, if you have not done so + already. + + “I do not know what to say of my own speech, and am puzzled by the + way in which it was received. My own friends were most cordial, but + what astonished me most was that — — and — {204a} came after the + meeting and thanked me for it. {204b} What it was for which they + felt grateful I cannot imagine. I delight to hope that God may have + helped them to see His Gospel more plainly than before; but He knows, + and He only.” + +In the year 1879 there came an earnest request for a Mission Tour in some +of the dioceses in India, similar to the one alluded to on a previous +page as emanating from Australia. He was anxious to accept the +invitation, but his medical adviser in London, Sir William Jenner, +absolutely forbade the undertaking, and it had to be given up. + +The description of the death of an old and valued servant is very +characteristic. The writer well remembers the calm that pervaded the +household next morning, and the mingled sorrow at the loss of a faithful +friend and yet of thanksgiving at the thought of one of their household +being called to the Palace of the King. + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _March_ 8_th_, 1880. + + “I hope you all enjoyed a happy and peaceful Sunday yesterday, as we + did at home, notwithstanding the solemn, but peaceful, event with + which ours concluded. F— had passed a bad night and felt poorly in + the morning, but she came to prayers as usual. She did not go to + church, and H— went to Dr. Marsack for some medicine. During the day + she lay on her bed a good deal; but when we went to evening church + she was in the kitchen with S—, sitting in her chair, reading her + Bible. S— went into the pantry for two or three minutes, and when + she returned there was our faithful friend with not a muscle moved or + a feature changed, but the spirit gone. Her Bible was open at the + text on which I had been preaching in the morning (2 Cor. v. 1, 6); + and so, gently and without the slightest struggle, the knowledge by + faith was exchanged for that by sight and she entered into the + visible presence of her Lord. . . . + + “When I came home from Southborough I found her laid out in the + little room, looking just the same as usual, with a perfectly + peaceful, tranquil appearance, with no more disturbance of expression + than a little child shows in its sleep. + + “I need not tell you what a sense of solemnity there was last night + throughout the house. We have all deeply felt it, but I must say + that thankfulness prevails, for all who knew her had felt anxious for + her future. How graciously does God deal with His children! and how + needless are our anxieties!” + +In the Ladies’ Bible Class, when going through Acts xvi., he had urged +upon his people the duty of ever looking out for opportunities of +speaking for God. “Lydia” was the case in point, and the apostle’s +readiness to make a personal appeal was shown to be God’s plan for this +woman, who, residing in the very place which St. Paul was not allowed to +visit, was yet brought all the way to Philippi to meet God’s messenger +there. This will explain some passages in the following letter to his +daughters:— + + “SCARBOROUGH, _July_ 12_th_, 1880. + + “I have been thinking of you unceasingly ever since I left home, and + am more and more amazed at my ever having done so. How I could bring + myself to it I cannot imagine; but I hope it is for the Lord’s + service. + + “I have been looking out for ‘Lydia’ all the way, but not very + successfully. When I got into the train at Tunbridge Wells there was + a nice-looking lady who fixed her eyes on me so steadfastly, as if + wishing to speak to me; so I soon opened the way, but I found the + poor thing was out of her mind, being taken to London. + + “In the next train there was a lady with her servant, very tearful, + so as she sat opposite me I took the opportunity of a civil word + about the window, but as soon as she could she got away to the other + side of the carriage, so there was no opening there. But I am not + sure that ‘Lydia’ may not be in this house, for there is a lady + staying here, and both she and my hostess are eager for conversation + on the great truths of the Gospel. + + “I had a pleasant, quiet Sunday. The place is perfectly charming; + the house and garden delightful, with the most lovely view of the sea + and the opposite hills, so that I do not know how to tear myself away + from my bedroom window. + + “The church is very nice, but sadly small. . . . There were good + congregations, but not a crowd. I preached in the evening, and I + certainly could not have desired a better congregation. I hope the + Lord was with us, bestowing His blessing. + + “I heard in the morning a very good, practical sermon on the causes + of restraint in prayer: + + “Allowed sin, + “Unbelief, + “Worldliness, + “Business, + “Temper. + + “It was all true and profitable, but I should have been more profited + if he had helped us to overcome them.” + + * * * * * + + “NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, _October_ 4_th_, 1881. + + “As for the Congress, I cannot say I like the thought of it, though I + hope the Lord will make use of it and of me in it. I have been + thinking of my text last Sunday, ‘Shall your brethren go to war, and + shall ye sit here?’ so I am rejoiced to act with my brethren, and I + trust the Lord may unite us in His service, and give us not only + meekness of wisdom but the wisdom of meekness.” + + * * * * * + + “CROMER, _October_ 10_th_, 1881. + + “I am rejoiced to hear of your happy visit to that dear home at + Canterbury. I cannot say with what thankfulness I think on all the + grace which our God and Saviour has shown there, and how delighted I + am that you all should have the unspeakable joy of being employed as + the Lord’s agents for conveying the glad tidings of life to precious + souls. + + “I return you Mr. Stock’s letter, as you wish it, though I am more + inclined to put it in the fire, for it frightens me. But I believe + the Lord was with me on the occasion to which he refers, and there + was one very remarkable circumstance about it which he did not know. + + “Dr. Bardsley and I had both sent in our cards, and I saw that he was + eager to speak. About twenty minutes before the close of the meeting + the Bishop turned to me and said that he could just manage to find a + place for me. So I told him he had better call Bardsley instead, + which he did. So B. spoke, and some other man after him, when the + Bishop turned round again and said, ‘I think after all I can find + time for you.’ All this made me the last speaker of the day. Off I + went, and I believe before the Lord; He seemed to give me the ears + and the good-will of the people at the very first sentence. I was + enabled to say exactly what I wished, till at length, speaking of + toleration, I said, ‘But if men introduce a ritual intended to + symbolise Rome—’ when two or three persons cried out ‘No, no.’ But + their objection only roused the whole multitude to what seemed like + an almost unanimous cheer, which went on so long that at length the + bell rang without my being able to finish my sentence, and there the + discussion ended. So I lifted up my heart to the Lord and thanked + Him for His mercy. + + “I sent in my card next day on ‘Reformation Principles,’ but the + Bishop of Carlisle, who was chairman, did not call me up. + + “On Friday I read my paper. {209} Of course there was no excitement + about that, but quite as much cause for thanksgiving, for several + persons, amongst them Arch-deacon —, came to me in the evening and + thanked me for it as having been a real help to them in their own + souls. So I am come away with a thankful heart and a longing desire + to spend what time remains as a firm and faithful witness for truth.” + +Few speeches at a congress can have aroused more excitement than Canon +Hoare’s famous impromptu address at Derby in 1882, and none probably have +been so far-reaching in their effect. The enthusiasm aroused in the vast +audience was electrical; cheers and shouts of applause interrupted the +speaker at every sentence. + +The same night it was being sold about the streets of Derby as a separate +publication, next day it was in all the papers word for word, and during +the twelve months that followed letters came in large numbers from nearly +every part of the world, thanking him for his manly and vigorous words, +in which he did not merely “hold the fort,” but carried the war into the +camp of those who wished to bring our Church back into the dominion of +Rome. + +Commenting upon it, the _Guardian_ of that date said: “No one, whether +agreeing with Canon Hoare or not, could fail to be struck with admiration +at the courage and skill with which he grappled his antagonist.” + +The speaker who followed allowed himself to utter words which in calmer +moments he would never have said; it is hardly possible that one who +rose, as he expressed it, “to pour oil upon the troubled waters,” could +have otherwise stated that Canon Hoare’s friends would hold up as a very +“mark of the beast such a frequent use of the Holy Communion” as Mr. Wood +and his friends advocated; and this said to one who always had weekly +Communion in his church, and who, when a young man at Richmond, had been +the first in his diocese to institute an early celebration! + + “CROMER, _October_ 10_th_, 1882. + (_After Church Congress at Derby_.) + + “I enclose you four letters received by this morning’s post, and now, + as that speech to which they refer has manifestly made a great + impression, I wish to put on record the Lord’s dealings with me in + the matter, for they have tended very greatly to the confirmation of + my faith, and, I hope, given me a lift for the remainder of my life. + + “When I was first asked to take part at the Congress the Secretary + asked me to choose a subject from a list sent to me. I marked three, + any one of which I should be prepared to undertake, one being the + Liturgy, to which my attention had been directed at the Bible class + and preparation for my Lent sermons. Thus God was preparing me then. + + “When the list came out I was disappointed that I had a speech and + not a paper, and felt the responsibility of my position, as I was the + only speaker on the list, and there were four papers to precede me, + by Hope, Bickersteth, Wood, and Venables. + + “You all know what difficulty I felt in preparation. I did all I + could to be prepared, and continually committed it to God, but I felt + doubtful all the way through whether all my preparation would be of + any value. + + “So we went on till the day came. I awoke very early under the sense + that I had important work before me, and as I lay still in the dark I + was able to cast the whole matter into the hands of the Lord. After + breakfast I went to preside at the prayer-meeting, and spoke to them + of the Lord’s love for the Church, in Ephesians v. The room was very + full, and when we knelt down to pray I was solemnised more than I can + tell you by all who prayed praying for me especially: I was the one + subject of their prayers. + + “I never can forget the prayer of one of them that the Lord would + make me His mouthpiece and put His thoughts into my mind. This was + very delightful to me, but it made me think something was coming; so + I left the morning meeting and went home for a quiet hour before + luncheon. I then polished up my weapons, finished off my opening and + conclusion, and spread it all out before the Lord, in happy + remembrance of the good man’s prayer. + + “At length the meeting began. Hope was very bad, but did not give + much that I could lay hold on. But when Wood began he at once + pronounced our Communion Service to be a meagre deposit of the ‘Use + of Sarum,’ and said he did not want to suggest the improvement of our + Liturgy, but the adoption as an alternative service of the First Book + of Edward VI. I sat listening to him, taking careful notes, and + hoped that by the time Venables had done I should be ready. But what + was my astonishment when I heard my name called by the Bishop as soon + as Wood sat down. I said to him, ‘It is not my turn,’ but he + replied, ‘You had better go on.’ I do not know his motive; perhaps + it was that he wished Wood answered. So there I was in the face of + the vast assembly without a minute’s notice. But was not the Lord + with me? and would He not answer the good man’s prayer? So I put + down my Prayer-Book, notes and everything—and away! The people gave + me a most kind welcome, and, as I have been told since, many dear + friends throughout the hall lifted up their hearts in prayer for me. + I saw in a moment what I had to say; it was as clear to me as if I + had studied it for months: nor had I the slightest difficulty for + words, except once when I failed in quoting accurately the + thirty-first Article. I was hissed and met with noisy opposition. + But that did not matter in the least; the mass of the people was with + me, and so was the Lord. + + “Mr. Wood had put a weapon in my hand which was irresistible. I was + encouraged as I went along with most hearty and enthusiastic cheers, + till at length when I had done the people went on cheering as if they + never could leave off. Oh, how I thought of the good man’s prayers, + and how I realised the privilege of being an instrument in the hand + of the Lord! This thought has made me feel quite satisfied since. I + should have liked not to have slipped in the Article, and there are + many things that have occurred since to me, some that I might have + added and some that I might have said better, but I have been + satisfied in the thought that the Lord gave me what to say and that I + said what He wished me to have said. So I do not fret over the + omissions or defects, but accept it with thankfulness from Him. + + “I cannot describe the expressions of thankfulness from multitudes of + my friends after the meeting, or the deeply solemn feeling at the + prayer-meeting next morning, when again I was the principal subject + of it, but this time in thankful acknowledgment of the help which the + Lord had given. + + “Well! I have written you a long letter about my own proceedings, but + I would rather say about the Lord’s dealings with me, and that + justifies its length. I hope the whole history will lead us all to + trust Him more simply than ever to put words into our lips and + thoughts into our minds, and so to employ us for His own most sacred + service.” + +The following is the text of the speech, taken from the Church Congress +Report:— + + “Your lordship has called upon me before my time; but I am prepared, + my lord, to go on if you think it right that I should. At the same + time, I may add that I am called upon by surprise, for I expected to + have to discuss the suggestions for Liturgical Improvements which it + was likely would have been made by the Rev. Mr. Venables. At the + same time, however, I am prepared to accept the position, as + appointed for me in the providence of God. I consider that this + debate is a most important one for the Church of England. I think + that the speech of Mr. Wood, to which we have just listened, is one + of the most important speeches that I have ever heard delivered at a + Church Congress. We used to be told that what was originally called + the Tractarian movement, but which has since been called the + Ritualistic movement, was an effort of pious and devoted men to rise + above our poor Churchmanship, and to bring out in better development + the true principles of the Church of England. We always, with that + happiness which accompanies a clear conscience, maintained that we + were the true representatives of the Church of England. We acted + upon its principles, and taught its truth. But still, we have had to + bear a certain amount of reproach, and we have not been able to + overcome the old prejudices. This day, however, we have been told by + Mr. Wood, the President of the English Church Union, that our + beautiful English Church Service is ‘meagre’: that there is nothing + more meagre than our existing Liturgy; that our Holy Communion + Service—in which we have taken so much delight—is a mutilated, an + inferior, and a defective Service. [Cries of ‘No, no.’] I say + ‘Yes,’ and this great assembly has heard what Mr. Wood has said. We + have been told to-day that we are to go back to the Liturgy and to + the Communion Office of 1549, instead of accepting that of the year + 1552, and finally revised in 1662. And, now, will you just look for + one moment at the first Liturgy of Edward the Sixth? + + “We were told to-day that it was a falling-off from the use of Sarum. + We are therefore, it seems, to look upon the use of Sarum—that old + Popish Liturgy—I say that old Popish Liturgy, which existed in the + diocese of Salisbury, as the model at which we are to aim. To this + use of Sarum the Reformers applied the pruning-knife, and I cannot + say that they left much of the Office of Sarum. There were certain + very fine passages in it, and they retained them. But they brought + out a new Communion Office in 1549. There were, however, certain + defects still left. + + “But as time went on, and the Reformers saw more and more of the + blessed truth of God, they then said that the thing must be + thoroughly done, and it was of no use to carry out mere + half-measures. So, thank God, they did not stop at the First Book of + Edward. I am very much disposed to think that, if Mr. Wood gets it, + he won’t stop there either. And now that we have enjoyed the + Prayer-Book as the Reformers gave it us for these three centuries + past, we are told that we are to hark back again. Of this I am fully + persuaded, that the Churchmen of England are not prepared for such + retrogression. You must consider what has been said by Mr. + Beresford-Hope on this subject; he and I have sparred about this + matter before now. Mr. Beresford-Hope knows just as well as I do + that there is no such thing as an altar in the Church of England. + And I will tell you also what Mr. Wood and his friends know very + well. They know as well as I do that if they can but coax us back to + those three years—to 1549, to the First Book of Edward—that there + they will find an altar. And that is one reason why they wish for + it. The Reformers knew very well that an altar was essentially + connected with a sacrifice. And they knew this also, that while they + were prepared to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, the + sacrifice of propitiation was completed for ever. And they believed, + further, that the doctrine of the mass was a lying abomination, or + rather I would say, a ‘blasphemous fable and dangerous deceit.’ Now, + then, my lord, we fully know our ground, and where it is we have to + stand. We have, therefore, learned something at this Church + Congress. We know where we are. We go home to-day knowing with what + a power and with what an intention we have to contend. We know what + Mr. Wood has told us. He has told us as plainly as possible that the + object is to bring back the Church of England from the Reformed + Church of 1552; to stop just a little by the way in the refreshment + room of 1549, and then we are to plunge head-foremost right into the + use of Sarum. Now, then, my lord, what shall we say to this? Shall + we have it? or shall we not? What, I ask, shall we say to this? + Shall we stick by the blessed truths that we have received, and for + which our Reformers died? Shall we cling to the dear old Office + Book, in which we have hundreds and thousands of times poured out our + whole hearts before God? Shall we unite heart and soul as witnesses + for Christ while we come to His Holy Table, and hold there communion + with Him? or shall we begin by half-and-half retrograde measures + until we go right back into the arms of Rome? My lord, I say no + more; but I wish to thank Mr. Wood for having spoken out so plainly + on this subject, and for thus having let us know this day what are + the real intentions of the English Church Union.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV +_BLINDNESS AND SECOND ILLNESS_ + + +The annual Confirmation times were looked upon by Canon Hoare as the most +important occasions, and the ten or twelve weeks of preparation as a +season whose value was simply inestimable. + +Large numbers were prepared by him personally every year, and it was +beautiful to see the tender individual interest which he showed in every +case. Before the day of Confirmation, at the private interview with +each, he noted down in a special book his opinion of the case. He was +once asked when he made this diagnosis. He replied: “As they walk from +the door to the chair beside me, I get a view of their character and +disposition; the conversation which I have with them afterwards gives me +a further insight, and I hardly ever find the estimate wrong.” Many who +read these lines will remember the earnest prayer, and then the fatherly +grasp of the hand and loving blessing with which those interviews ended. + +All through the weeks and months of preparation the candidates were +remembered at the weekly prayer-meeting in the Parish Room, and on the +Sunday previous to Confirmation they were commended to the prayers of the +congregation and a sermon was specially devoted to the subject. On the +day itself there was an early prayer-meeting, to which all candidates +came, and afterwards every arrangement was made to keep the newly +confirmed free from outside influences that might too soon remove good +impressions; the evening was spent, after tea in the Parish Room, in the +singing of hymns and listening to various addresses. Every year his +interest in the subject was fresh as ever, and at the age of eighty-one +his sermon on Confirmation, which was afterwards printed and a copy sent +by him to the present Archbishop of Canterbury (and acknowledged by him +in one of the following letters), was so remarkable in its power and +teaching as to receive a special notice in one of the Archbishop’s recent +Charges—an honour most gratifying to the preacher and probably nearly +unique. + +To one of his daughters:— + + “BALACHULISH, N.B., _September_ 13_th_, 1883. + + “I hope you will enjoy a delightful Sunday at Thun. I do not look + forward with much pleasure to ours, for I do not like the Scotch + Church services. I was greatly distressed last Sunday at Oban. Oh, + how earnest I should be that visitors to Tunbridge Wells should have + the pure Gospel of the grace of God! It is grievous to think what + many people are condemned to hear! May God make us faithful to His + truth!” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _June_ 4_th_, 1885. + + “I am getting on very comfortably with Confirmation candidates. The + Trinity school-girls are improved. They are excellent in their + knowledge, well up in the Catechism, in which they used to be so + sadly defective. Of course it is extremely difficult for an old man + like me to get into the secrets of their young hearts, but many of + them, I believe, are more than in earnest, for I feel sure they are + really resting on their Saviour. Poor dears! I hope they will be + kept, but they are likely to be terribly exposed to all kinds of + religious unsettlement. The Salvation Army is going to have a grand + ‘Battle’ next week, and the rank and file is to consist of ‘saved + drunkards, liars, swearers, poachers, parsons, sailors, and + nailers’!! So we are classed with queer company! Is it of God? or + is it strange fire? that is the question. But who can wonder if our + young people are perplexed and confused?” + +Written at the death-bed of his brother Joseph:— + + “HAMPSTEAD, _January_ 16_th_, 1886. + + “I could not come home to-day, for I could not leave him in his low + estate, though I am not like some of them, in immediate apprehension + of any change. I fear there may be still before us deeper depths + than we have known yet, unless the Lord mercifully lifts him over + them, as He did Miss Courthope. He is generally wandering, but + frequently revives in a most curious manner when I speak to him. I + firmly believe that minds clouded like his very often have a + perception of heavenly things, and most especially of the sweet name + of Jesus. + + “I went this morning to C.M.S. on the subject of the February + Meetings. It was very edifying, but I had to come away very quickly, + as I wanted to be back. People were all most kind, so much so that I + hardly knew how to bear it. + + “Since then I have been to see Bishop Perry, who was very unwell + yesterday, I believe from riding home after a tiring day at Islington + in a cold hansom-cab when he had a carriage and pair in his stable + wanting exercise! Such is mankind. I tell him that I am obliged to + knock about in cabs and ’busses because I cannot afford anything + better, but he ought not to think of it. + + “When we shall be home no one knows. I do not think I can come home + for Sunday if things go on as they are now doing, unless I am obliged + to do so, and I see nothing to indicate any immediate change. But we + are in the Lord’s hands, hour by hour, with eternity full in view and + the Lord Jesus almost visible. May we each one abide in His love!” + + * * * * * + + “HAMPSTEAD, _January_ 21_st_, 1886. + + “Joseph at rest in the Lord.” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _March_ 5_th_, 1887. + + “I hope you are still prospering and that you have had as beautiful + weather as we have had. I consider that the beautiful bright + sunshine of our dear old England is to be preferred to that of the + South of France, more especially if the latter is accompanied by + earthquakes as a variety, and certainly we have all been enjoying it + here. Last Sunday was one of the most lovely days I can remember, + and I hope it was one in which we enjoyed some sunshine in our souls. + All the week too has been bright and happy, though we have had some + fogs in the morning—just enough to teach us how God can clear away + all that obscures the sunshine of His love. On Wednesday we had a + most profitable sermon from Mr. Russell.” + + * * * * * + + “MARDEN HILL, HERTFORD, _August_ 30_th_, 1887. + + “Nothing can be kinder or more affectionate than everybody here. H— + and M— are most pleasant, and I would not have missed coming to them + here on any account, as I consider that at Cromer every one is in a + non-natural condition and here they are in their own home. I wonder + whether there is the same difference between myself at home and + abroad. I suppose there is, though I do not see it. + + “I hope you are enjoying Brittany. You surely did not leave Guernsey + on your left as you were crossing. If you did I suppose it was to + avoid rocks; and maybe we should all prosper more if we were more + careful to avoid temptations as well as to overcome them; and I hope + the Lord may so direct the path of every one of us that we may be + kept from danger and guided safe into the haven of peace. I have + been exceedingly impressed with these words in Jeremiah x.: ‘The way + of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his + steps.’ So my way, and your way, is not in ourselves, and I trust + the Lord may direct all our steps for His own glory.” + + * * * * * + + “ST. BERNARD’S, CATERHAM, _October_ 14_th_, 1887. + + “I return Miss T—’s enclosure. Pray tell her that her confidence + need not be in the least shaken by the proposed visit to the Old + Catholics, for they are thorough Protestants in many respects. They + withdrew from the Church of Rome on the decree of Papal Infallibility + (I think in the year 1870), under that very remarkable man Dr. + Döllinger, and have been excommunicated by it. They call themselves + ‘Old Catholics’ to distinguish themselves from the New, or Roman, + Catholics, and they claim to hold the Catholic faith as it was before + Rome introduced its errors. We ought, therefore, to rejoice at our + Bishops taking them in hand.” + +To his daughters:— + + “YORK, _May_ 27_th_, 1888. + + “I know not why it is, but my heart is so full for you all that I + cannot forbear from writing to tell you. You have been constantly in + my thoughts since I left home, and oh, how I have desired that the + Lord may give to each one of you every possible happiness! I thank + God that I believe He has given us a very happy home, and one that + can stand comparison with others; but I long to make it happier still + and to do all that a father can do to help each one of you and to + promote that loving, joyous spirit which is the sacred privilege of a + Christian home. Certainly it has entwined itself very closely round + my own heart; and now that I am away I seem to feel it more than + ever. May the Lord be with you all, not only while I am with you, + but when I am gathered to my own Home with the Lord Jesus! + + “I am thankful that I have been prospered, and am quite well and had + an easy journey. Everybody has been most kind, and I hope the Lord + has accompanied the ministry. The morning sermon was a long way off + and not exciting: I felt for the good man, for he seemed discouraged. + + “The Evening Service in the Minster was magnificent. There was a + grand congregation, and what with the noble building and fine music + there was enough to make a profound impression, even if there had + been no sermon. + + “But I hope they had the Gospel in addition; I certainly desired to + give it to them, and they appeared to me very attentive. I do not + feel in much heart for speech-making to-day, for I am utterly out of + practice. But ‘what have I that I have not received?’ so I must open + my mouth to receive my message, and I hope the Lord will give it me.” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _August_ 22_nd_, 1888. + + “I rejoice to hear that you are prospering and enjoying Chamounix. I + cannot doubt that you have a most pleasant, happy, and loving party, + and I shall heartily enjoy a few bright days with you and another + look at those lovely mountains. There they stand unchanged, while + all their admirers pass by and are gone. What a picture of what is + going on in life! There is only One who is not a mere passer-by; + but, thanks to God, He is unchangeable, and we need never pass away + from Him. + + “We had a very comfortable Sunday. I preached in the morning about + Jehoshaphat, to my own great interest. But in the afternoon I had a + very poor attendance of men, and preached the feeblest of sermons. I + hope it may have confounded the mighty, for it certainly was one of + the weak things of the world, and contributed nothing to the + self-elevation of the preacher. + + “I am now off to church to preach on holiness. May God make us + partakers of His holiness!” + +In the autumn of 1888 his blindness began. The doctors stated that it +was due to no illness, but just a sudden failure of power. He could at +first see figures and large objects more or less, and detect a placard on +a wall, but faces were indiscernible and reading and writing an +impossibility. Yet it made no difference in his manner or character, and +his life was immediately adjusted to the new state of things. The writer +well remembers coming into the Vicarage study one morning, and finding +the vigorous old man of seventy-six commencing the task of _learning the +Bible by heart_! “It was so important to have all quotations exact.” +This work was continued for some months, but when it was suggested that +there would be less labour and more profit in learning the raised type +for the blind, the former plan was discontinued, volumes of the latter +sort were procured, the characters mastered, and for the seven years +remaining the beloved study was resumed under circumstances that would +have discouraged most men of his age. Blindness did not stop his +work—nothing of the kind; the regular Bible and annual Confirmation +classes were continued as before, the weekday and Sunday sermons as +regularly prepared and preached. His daughters read to him passages from +books bearing upon the subject that he had in hand, and he arranged and +classified it in his own mind. Gentlemen and ladies in his congregation +gladly undertook to come at stated hours and read to him books of various +sorts, and so he kept abreast with all that was going on in the world of +literature, and, as was his wont, met it for praise or censure in his +sermons. + +On Sundays it was touching to see the venerable old man ascending the +pulpit, giving out his text, and then preaching with all his old fire and +vigour. The accuracy with which he quoted his texts made it hard to +believe that the preacher was blind. The same accuracy was remarkable in +another way. There were few things in which Canon Hoare took more +interest than in helping the younger clergy. All through his career his +Greek Testament readings have been sources of great blessing and help. +In the last few years of his life, since his blindness, he revived these +readings, going rapidly through a book or group of passages dealing with +a subject. There are several now in Tunbridge Wells who remember +gratefully and lovingly those early half-hours once a week; they can see +him in his study-chair, surrounded by six or eight of the junior clergy +with pencils and note-books—the mortal eyes sightless, but the eyes of +his understanding being opened, and from his lips pouring forth a stream +of words almost too rapid to take down, as he sketched forth the scheme, +say, of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and then going into the details +chapter after chapter, pointing out the notes of exegesis and different +readings, and the light thrown by the Revised Version on each. + +It was at this time, as the first birthday after his blindness drew near, +that several members of his loving congregation subscribed together and +purchased a splendid gold repeater watch, striking the hours, quarters, +and half-quarters, as a birthday present for their old Vicar. The +following letter, written with the aid of the typewriter which he had +also learned to use after the loss of his eyesight, shows how much he +appreciated this further proof of their affection:— + + “TRINITY VICARAGE, _June_ 5_th_, 1889. + + “MY DEAR MRS. PERKINS,—I hear that you have been the one chosen by + your friends to convey to me the beautiful gift which I received this + morning, so to you I must send my answer, and ask you to be so very + kind as to assure all the dear people who have taken a share in it of + the very great pleasure that their gift has given me. It was so kind + of you all to think of me, and to mark by a birthday offering your + loving interest in my welfare. But, as for your sending me such a + beautiful present, I never for one moment thought of such a thing. + You have, however, selected a most useful and valuable form for your + kindness. + + “For many years I have been dependent on a repeater for securing, day + by day, the sacred morning hours before breakfast; and many an hour + has been secured to the study of God’s most holy Word through the use + of an old repeater left to me (as a legacy) by the dear uncle who + gave me my title to my first curacy. + + “But the old watch, like the old master, has worn out, and I have + been put to the greatest inconvenience; so that, if ever I have left + home, I have been obliged to carry two watches—one for the day and + the other for night. + + “But now, by your gift, the difficulty is removed; and, if ever it + please God to restore to me the privilege of spending my winter + mornings in the study of His Word, I shall find it to be of + inestimable value. + + “Most heartily, therefore, do I thank all our friends through you, + and trust that they may enjoy as happy and sacred morning hours as + our Heavenly Father has so often given to me. + + “Believe me, my dear Mrs. Perkins, + “Very faithfully yours, + “E. HOARE.” + +In 1889 Canon Hoare was laid low by a severe illness which all expected +to be the last. His family assembled around him, and his people thought +that they never would see him again. + +At this time, when all his friends thought that his call had really come, +many letters were received at the Vicarage expressing the warmest +sympathy and containing assurances of fervent prayers. The Archbishop of +Canterbury wrote as follows to the Rev. J. Gurney Hoare, who was at +Tunbridge Wells:— + + “LAMBETH, _June_ 12_th_, 1889. + + “MY DEAR MR. HOARE,—Pray give my love and the assurance of my loving + prayers to your dear father. + + “I had your letter this morning at Hereford. + + “As some old writer says, it is ‘like the descending of ripe and + wholesome fruits from a vigorous and steadfast tree’ when God calls + to Him so single-minded and true a servant—all contests over, and + charity having triumphed more and more to the end. Tell him, as you + think fit, how much I have always felt that he helped and comforted + me in my trying place. I have always had his sympathy and genial + counsel, and his _prayers_. And his strength has been _consecrated_ + to the last. In what honour he passes to the last peace! May it be + wholly ἀνώδυνος, as the old Greek prayers say. Once more you are all + sure of our prayers, and of the prayers of how many through Christ + who loves him ever. + + “Most sincerely yours, + “E. W. CANTUAR.” + +Again his congregation assembled in daily prayer-meeting, as before; and +when it was supposed impossible that he could live out the day the C.M.S. +Committee met and poured out their petitions to God, asking that their +veteran friend and adviser might yet be spared if it were His will. + +The prayer was answered, and once more he rose from the bed of sickness, +wonderfully unchanged. Compared with past years, we saw that the outward +man was perishing, but we saw also that the inward man was being renewed +day by day. Before long he was again in the pulpit, and it was more than +three years after this that he preached the sermon upon “Confirmation” to +which reference has been already made, as well as one upon the “Agnus +Dei,” delivered after the Archbishop of Canterbury’s famous judgment. + +To Bishop Perry:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _January_ 10_th_, 1890. + + “MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,—I cannot tell you how much I have felt about + dear Carus. When we think of his age we cannot be surprised, and + when we think of his love, his fidelity, his maintenance of the + truth, and his great attractiveness we know not how to part with so + valuable and pleasant a companion. But as far as you and I are + concerned the parting is not likely to be for very long. As we see + one after another of our old friends gathered to their rest, it would + be madness in us to forget how near we ourselves may be to the banks + of the river, or to lose sight for a single moment of the blessed + Hope set before us in Christ Jesus. I trust we may all be kept + looking for that blessed Hope and the glorious reunion of the + Resurrection morning and of the Coming of the Lord. I must + acknowledge that for my own part I find myself better able to realise + the prospect of that final reunion than the thought of our gathering + before the Throne in the intermediate waiting time; but I am + persuaded that both are taught in Scripture, and that when we are no + longer entangled in the body we shall see wonderful things in the + spiritual world, and when we do how shall we ever praise God enough + for His marvellous love in making a perfect atonement for people so + unworthy as we are! I don’t know how it is with others, but I find + myself there is scarcely any sentence in the Prayer-Book which so + expresses my own mind as those words, ‘We are not worthy so much as + to gather up the crumbs under Thy table’; but, thanks be to God! we + depend upon the worthiness of that blessed Saviour by whom every + claim of the whole law is more than satisfied. Remember me most + affectionately to Mrs. Perry, and believe me + + “Your loving and faithful Friend, + “E. HOARE.” + +Letter to Bishop Parry after seeing a report in the papers that he was +dangerously ill:— + + “DEAR EDWARD,—We are all truly sorry to hear that you are not so + well. . . . But how can we thank God enough for the unspeakable + privilege of knowing that all such matters are safe in the hand of + the Lord! I often think of those words of St. Paul, ‘We know that + all things work together for good,’ etc. He did not say ‘we think,’ + or ‘we hope,’ but ‘we _know_,’ thereby expressing the full persuasion + of his soul in the infinite love and perfect power of our blessed + Saviour in combining all things so that they may work together for + our good. I delight in the thought that it is our privilege to rest + in that full, calm, deliberate persuasion, and that, looking away + from everything in ourselves, we may look to Him in peaceful trust, + as an eternal object that will not vary with our own variations of + thought and feeling. May He keep you in His own right hand, and + raise you up if it be His will; and above all, whenever the time of + our departure comes, and it must come to us both before very long, + may He fulfil present persuasion by giving us an abundant entrance + into His everlasting Kingdom. + + “Believe me most faithfully yours, + “E. HOARE.” + +To Mr. Storr, upon hearing of the wonderful collections for the C.M.S. in +Matfield and Brenchley:— + + “_February_ 24_th_. + + “DEAR MR. STORR,—I wonder whether there is any information respecting + the things of this world given to those who are at rest with their + Saviour? If there is ‘joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth,’ + may we not believe that there is also joy when the Lord’s work is + prospered among His people that are on earth? If it be so, I am sure + your dear father’s heart will be gladdened by the good report sent me + in your letter. It is delightful to see the permanent results of + faithful work such as his was at Brenchley. He is gone, but the + light which he lighted is still burning, and I hope will long + continue to burn to the glory of God.” + +To one of his daughters:— + + “NEWCASTLE, _July_ 31_st_, 1890. + + “May the Lord grant you a very happy birthday, and follow it up by + the very best of new years! I wonder where we shall all be this time + next year; one thing only do I know, _i.e._ that we shall be safe in + the Lord’s hands, so that all will be well. If safe in Him we shall + be safe anywhere, whether in Heaven or on earth, whether in the Home + above or in some dear old dwelling here. Let the Spirit of God be on + the tabernacle and all will be well. + + “We are prospering, and hope to return on Tuesday. I have quite + given up all thought of Stirling, and am looking forward to home with + great pleasure.” + + [Written with the aid of a typewriter.] + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _August_, 1890. + + “What do you think of this? I have been contriving a plan for + writing without seeing: I hope it will answer, but as yet I get on + very slowly.” + + [Also typewritten.] + + “TENCHLEY, _October_ 12_th_, 1891. + + “I am thinking of you very much in your return to our dear old home, + and trust the Lord Himself is with you. I do not like the thought of + your being alone, but there is a great difference between being alone + and being _lonely_, and lonely we need never be if only we have the + companionship of our Father in Heaven, and that I trust you are + enjoying. + + “We are hoping to return on Thursday, if God permit: I trust it will + please Him to grant it. + + “Let us all pray that there may not merely be three sisters, but the + three sister-graces, Faith, Hope, and Love, abiding together in our + happy home.” + + * * * * * + + “THOUGHTS ON OLD AGE.—1891. + + “Its temptations:— + + “1. _Indisposition to exertion_.—In many cases there is real + physical inability. The old muscles are worn out, so that ‘the + grasshopper becomes a burden,’ and every movement requires effort. + The natural result of this is, we move as little as possible and are + glad to have as much as possible done for us. But there is very + often a still worse result—namely, that we are apt to leave things + undone altogether; we do not like to give in, but when the time comes + for action we shrink from the exertion. + + “2. _Selfishness_.—Aged people meet with a great amount of + attention; their comfort is a matter of continual thought to many + loving hearts. Household arrangements are all made to suit them; + young people are exceedingly kind to them; they read to them, write + for them, help them in every possible manner, and do all in their + power to minister to their happiness and comfort. The result is that + the old man is apt to consider himself as much as others.” + +In his latter years there was an added joy in visiting the homes of his +married sons and daughters. + +The circle of interest widened in sympathy with the joys and sorrows of +his grandchildren, and it is no small proof of the tenderness and +strength of his character that a man of his age, with so much to occupy +his mind in public and private things, could find time for letters to the +boys and girls of the second generation. The two following letters are +instances of this. + +To one of his grandsons:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _February_ 7_th_, 1890. + + “DEAR CHRIS.,—I have been thinking of you every day, and praying to + our Heavenly Father to make you a good and happy boy. + + “I know it is a very sad thing for you to lose Louis, but I have also + been thinking what a delightful duty it puts upon you, for now you + have your father and mother all to yourself, and are the only boy at + home to attend to them and try to make them happy. I think this is a + great pleasure and privilege, and I expect to have a nice letter some + day from your mother to say that dear Chris. is so good and attentive + that he makes the home quite cheerful. But we are such fallen + creatures that you cannot do this unless the Lord Himself helps you. + So I trust He will do so, and make you a joy to your father and + mother. + + “Your affectionate Grandfather, + “E. HOARE.” + +To one of his granddaughters:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _February_ 24_th_, 1891. + + “DEAR LETTICE,—I am very glad to hear that you are so happy and + prosperous, and I often think what a happy arrangement it has been + for your early education. I am sure we ought all to be very grateful + to your uncle and aunt for their kindness in making it. How much + kindness we meet with in life! I am sure there is kindness for the + old, for I am receiving it every day, and I am equally sure there is + kindness for the young, for I am constantly meeting with persons who + are spending their whole lives in making them happy. But what are we + to think of the lovingkindness of the Lord? David says it is better + than life, and so I hope you will find it. You have a name that + means joy, and I hope the joy may be, not in your name only, but in + your heart. For the last two days I have had a great joy in my home, + and I shall leave it to you to guess what it is. It is the visit of + a lady for whom I feel a great affection. She has sons and daughters + who are great friends of mine, so that I wish she had brought some of + them with her. You must guess who it can be, and also find David’s + words about lovingkindness (Psalm lxiii. 3). + + “The loving old Grandfather, + “E. H.” + +Extracts from letters to his married daughters:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _November_ 11_th_, 1890. + + “I have thought a great deal of you in your re-settlement at home, + and I trust that you have returned for a happy, holy, and useful + winter. + + “I look back with the greatest pleasure to my pleasant visit when all + the boys were at home, and I trust that the same happy, peaceful + spirit may be the abiding characteristic of your family. + + “. . . I often think of the promise, ‘They shall bring forth fruit + in old age,’ and most earnestly do I desire that my old age may be a + fruitful season, but I am inclined to regard anything I can do as + little more than the gleaning of grapes when the vintage is done. I + trust, however, that whatever is left may be diligently used for the + glory of my Blessed Saviour. + + “Give my dear love to Robert, and also to Chris. and Lettice. + + “Your most affectionate Father, + “E. HOARE.” + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _August_ 29_th_, 1891. + + “I have very much enjoyed your letters, though I have been slow in + acknowledging them, for I find typewriting to be both slow work and + very tiring to the brain. But I am glad of it, as it makes me + sometimes fancy that I am independent. But independence is not the + gift for me just now, for I am dependent for everything, and have to + be unspeakably thankful for such loving caretakers on whom I may + depend. + + “Above all, how ought my heart to overflow with gratitude to that + loving Father on whom it is my joy to depend for everything! + Daughters can do a great deal, and would do more if they could, but + He can do everything and does supply all my need according to His + riches in glory by Christ Jesus. + + “I trust all the dear sons are prospering, and the tutor doing well. + I wonder whether we shall meet anywhere this autumn. I do not feel + much pluck in me for Norfolk; my home is so comfortable that I am not + eager to leave it. But there is an idea in people’s minds that we + ought to go out in the autumn, so I suppose I shall go somewhere, + though I do not at present know where. I am very thankful for my two + visits to the North. They helped me to realise better the great + interests for which to be continually in prayer. I was very happy + with you and your sons. May our gracious God bless you all! + + “Your loving Father, + “E. H. + + * * * * * + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _December_ 27_th_, 1891. + + “ . . . Most heartily do I respond to all your loving wishes for a + rich Christmas blessing on our whole party. We have enjoyed a very + happy Christmas together. We have had with us E— and his family, and + very pleasant have they all been. We have thought continually of the + homes of the absent, and many a time both by day and by night has my + heart been lifted for you all. I have thought very much of you and + all your boys, and cannot doubt that you have had a very merry party. + God grant that they may all know the joy of the Lord! I am very + sorry to hear of your disappointment. . . . I never forget the + advice given me by my grandmother—never to act without seeking the + guidance of the Lord, and after acting never to re-open the subject. + She would have said that your great mistake is in distressing + yourselves now about your decision made two years ago. So as you + sought His guidance trust Him to have given it, and push away + regrets. + + “The Lord be with you all! + + “Your loving Father, + “E. H.” + + * * * * * + + “TENCHLEY, LIMPSFIELD, _October_ 6_th_, 1892. + + “My typewriter is none the better for its journey, so that I have + been unable to write and thank you both for my very happy visit. I + most thoroughly enjoyed it, and throughout the whole of my visitation + tour there has been nothing on which I look back with more genuine + pleasure than I do on those happy days at Chenies. I thought the + village lovely. I was greatly pleased with the meeting of + Communicants and with the Church Services. I delighted in the + children, and am looking forward with the greatest pleasure to their + visit; and I greatly enjoyed all my pleasant intercourse with you + both, which I valued the more as I have seen less of R— lately than + of you, so that I was glad to enjoy his thoughts on many points of + interest. + + “May the Lord bless you abundantly both in your home and in your + parish! With dear love to the children, + + “Your most loving Father, + “E. H.” + + * * * * * + + “TENCHLEY, LIMPSFIELD, _December_ 28_th_, 1892. + + “We had a very happy day at home, lovely weather, the very perfection + of a Christmas Day, and I trust a good deal of sunshine within. I + preached to the people on the sacred Name of Jesus, and I gave them + what was new to myself, and, if I mistake not, new also to most of + them, so we had fresh thoughts on an old subject. What a remarkable + feature this is in Scripture! It is full of old truths, but is + always bringing them out in newness and freshness to those who will + take the trouble to study it. + + “Dear love to Robert and the boys. + + “Your most loving Father, + “E. H.” + +From the Archbishop of Canterbury:— + + “DEAL CASTLE, _April_ 13_th_, 1893. + + “TO THE REV. CANON HOARE. + + “MY DEAR CANON HOARE,—It was very kind and thoughtful of you to send + me your two sermons, in which I was sure to take a great interest. I + have read them both with much satisfaction. I think the ‘Agnus Dei’ + ought to be very useful. It puts that great hymn in its right + position, and it shows the fallacy of certain deductions drawn from + the fact that there were no legal grounds on which it could be + decided that it was impossible for it to be used. I daresay you have + noticed that Richard Baxter (not exactly a Ritualist) did not + hesitate to make use of that same passage from St. John in his draft + Communion Service. + + “The sermon on Confirmation I think most serviceable; its instruction + most clear, and the remarks on what the Gift _is_ very impressive. I + am glad you teach that that beautiful passage in the Epistle to the + Ephesians refers to the event recorded in the Acts. And what a + motive it supplies, and what a basis for the Christian life! + + “Thank you very much; I think no one can read that sermon without + feeling that Scripture and its true teaching leaves more and more to + us, in spite of all fears of ‘Criticism.’ + + “Sincerely yours, + “E. CANTUAR.” + +The following letter was to a lady in the United States who had written +gratefully about some of his prophetical books, and asked for guidance on +various points, as well as for some larger work on the same subject +written by him:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _May_ 29_th_, 1893. + + “TO MISS GRAY. + + “MY DEAR MADAM,—I have received your letter with very great interest + and thankfulness. How little do we know either the _where_ or the + _how_ or the _when_ it may please God to make use of any effort in + His service, and how little I thought that my two small books had + found their way to the hearts of any of God’s people in America! I + am the clergyman of a large parish, and they were printed chiefly for + the use of my own parishioners, and God has made use of them in His + own way and far beyond my expectations. I am thankful to say that + the coming of our blessed Lord is more and more the joy of my heart, + as I am persuaded it is the central part of our Christian hope. I + trust it has pervaded the whole of my ministry; but I have not + published anything to be called a book upon the subject, though + fragments have been occasionally printed in our local press. I am + sending you the sermons recently printed, though only one refers + directly to the Advent of our Lord. I am very glad to hear of your + meeting for the Study of the Prophetic Word. At one time we had such + meetings here, at which we discussed with great brotherly freedom the + bright hope pointed out to us in Prophecy, and I believe I learnt + more from those Christian conferences than I have ever done from all + the books in my library. I trust the Lord may grant you all a + similar blessing, so that when our blessed Saviour returns in His + glory you may be able to greet Him with the words: ‘Lo, this is our + God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.’ ‘This is the + Lord; we have waited for Him: we will be glad and rejoice in His + Salvation.’ + + “Believe me very faithfully yours, + “E. HOARE.” + +To one who was losing her sight:— + + “MARDEN, _June_ 8_th_, 1893. + + “DEAREST —,—May the Lord give you a happy birthday to-morrow! You + have your heavy trial hanging over you, but I trust that in God’s + leading you may have a bright and happy year, and may have a clearer + sight of your Heavenly Father’s boundless love than you have yet + enjoyed. I trust that we may both have the eyes of our understanding + enlightened, that we may know better what is the hope of our calling, + and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. + It is my unceasing prayer that I may see these things clearer and + clearer. And I am sure that, if He manifest Himself more clearly to + my soul, I shall be more than repaid for the failure of my earthly + vision. Your case is different to mine, for you have every hope of + complete restoration of sight. But we are one in the desire for + heavenly light, and I trust the Lord _may_ give it to you abundantly + through the new year, and that I too may enjoy a share.” + +Extract from a letter to one of his married daughters:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _August_ 3_rd_, 1893. + + “We thank Him also very heartily for the happy week spent with you. + It was absolutely impossible that greater care and kindness should + have been shown to the old man, and I wish you to know how successful + you were in giving me a comfortable, pleasant, and happy week, so + that I was well repaid for the effort of the two long journeys, and + shall ever retain a happy memory of that pleasant visit. + + “I was very glad to see as much as I did of the three dear sons, and + felt exceedingly interested for them all, as I could see in each one + that he had a special claim on our loving and earnest prayers. + + “It was also a great gratification to me to make the acquaintance of + your future daughter. Oh, how I hope that the voice of rejoicing and + salvation will be in their ‘tabernacle’! With dear love to them all, + to the two boys arriving from school, and above all to yourselves at + the head of such a family, + + “Your most loving Father, + “E. HOARE.” + +The autumn of 1893 was remarkable for the number of visits which Mr. +Hoare paid among relatives in Norfolk and elsewhere. He spoke of it as +one of the pleasantest holidays that he had ever spent. + +Earlham, his mother’s old home, a name so familiar to many through Mr. +Hare’s recent volumes on the Gurney family, was revisited, and he +delighted in pointing out places in the house that reminded him of +childish romps and adventures. A week was spent at Cromer, where, as +usual, a great gathering of the clans took place. Here he met his +beloved sister-in-law Lady Parry, and, at the house of his favourite +cousin, Lady Buxton, he gave a Bible-reading in her spacious drawing-room +to a gathering of some fifty or sixty friends and relatives. + +An eye-witness has described this impressive scene. The old man, blind, +but mighty in the Scriptures, took for his subject the prayers for +“teaching” contained in the 119th Psalm, and those who listened felt that +he had been taught of God, and that another prayer in the same Psalm had +been answered in his case: God had opened his eyes and permitted him to +see wondrous things in His law. + +The Sunday following he preached in the grand old church at Cromer. Many +remember that occasion; and when the writer paid a visit to that place a +year later, he met an old man who spoke of this sermon with enthusiasm, +and said that he thought it one of the best that he had ever heard from +the aged preacher’s lips. + +No less than seven homes of his children and relatives were visited by +him at this time, and it was from one of them, towards the close of this +pleasant holiday, that the following letter to one of his daughters was +written:— + + “AYLSHAM, _September_ 21_st_, 1893. + + “I am very glad to hear of your prosperous settlement at Lynton. It + is the place where your dear mother and I spent our first Sunday + after our marriage, and I preached in the church, to the great + satisfaction of the Vicar, who, I think, was Mr. Pears, afterwards + Master of Repton: you appear to have gone to the other church. . . . + Magee’s sermons have been very interesting, though I doubt whether + they would meet the wants of those who are hungering and thirsting + for life; they aim too much at intellectual brilliancy, and it is not + by excellency of speech that souls are won. + + “We came yesterday to this beautiful home. Certainly the lines are + fallen unto them in very pleasant places, and I trust they have a + goodly heritage in many souls won to their Saviour. But they have + their difficulties, and who has not? As long as human nature is what + it is, we shall find them everywhere, though different in different + places.” + +The following letter illustrates the affectionate feelings between the +pastor and his people so manifest in this parish:— + + “THE VICARAGE, _December_ 13_th_, 1893. + + “_My dearly beloved Friends_, _the Members of our Communicants’ + Union_, _and other Communicants in our Church_,— + + “I have been looking forward with the greatest possible pleasure to + the prospect of our Advent gathering arranged for to-morrow, but it + has pleased our Heavenly Father to take from me all hope of being + present. + + “I have greatly enjoyed those gatherings on former occasions, when it + has pleased God to manifest Himself and His own grace in a peculiar + manner to our souls. They have also been a source of especial + pleasure, as they have given an opportunity for that loving, friendly + intercourse which is so delightful amongst Christian friends, and so + difficult of attainment in large parishes and large congregations. + + “I cannot be with you to-morrow in bodily presence, but may I not + thankfully adopt the first part of those words of St. Paul in Col. + ii. 5–7, ‘For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in + the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of + your faith in Christ’? and may we not all accept this exhortation in + the latter part, ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the + Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished + in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with + thanksgiving’? + + “You observe he does not address us as persons for the first time + seeking to know Christ, but as those who have received Him, and are + permitted to walk, or spend their lives, in union with Him. If this + be the case with us, how should our thanksgivings abound in every + possible effort for His glory! + + “With much affection, and many prayers, + + “From your faithful Friend and Vicar, + “E. HOARE.” + +It was at this time, when his bodily health was so feeble, his step slow +and head bowed, that a visitor who had never heard him preach came to +Trinity Church. + +Knowing his reputation, the stranger had great expectations, but at first +sight his heart fell within him; as he afterwards acknowledged, “I could +not _believe_ that old man in the pew was going to preach, but he got up +into the pulpit with some difficulty, and _then_, it was the power of +God!” + +A clergyman friend who had known him intimately for forty years said of +the aged preacher that “his ministry had grown in power up to the very +end.” The chief cause of this was doubtless the life of prayer in which +he moved and had his being. All who knew him were aware of this, and +certainly he who has been permitted to peruse the sacred pages of his +journal can no longer feel surprised at the marvellous success which +attended that prayer-steeped ministry. + +While upon this subject it is worthy of record that he often told those +whom he wanted to help in their preaching that he _prayed over his +sermons more even than he prepared them_, and the latter part took +several hours of his time. When blindness came upon him, and others had +to read for him and take down his thoughts for the preparation of his +sermons, it was his custom to stand up by his study table and say: “Here +is my mind, Lord; take it and use it. Thou knowest who will be there; +give me the right thoughts and words, that I may speak as Thy messenger, +for Christ’s sake!” And this prayer too was answered. + + * * * * * + +The following letters, written in the last few months of his life, show +the clearness of his mind and width of his sympathy up to the end. + +To the Rev. C. H. Dearsly, who asks, “How far is it Scriptural that +female evangelists should address large mixed assemblies—or men only?” + + “_January_ 19_th_, 1894. + + “Mrs. Fry used to draw a wide distinction between ‘prophesying,’ as + in Acts ii. 17, and ‘teaching,’ as in 1 Tim. ii. 12, as she believed + the former to be an appeal called forth in a special manner by the + Holy Spirit, and so she justified her own ministry. I have often + thought that there is some truth in her distinction, and I have never + felt able to put a hindrance in the way of what may possibly be the + movement of the Holy Spirit; so I have thought it safer to be passive + in the matter, and not to forbid even though I have felt unable to + support.” + +To the late Dean of Canterbury on the death of his wife:— + + “MY DEAR DEAN,—I trust the Lord is with you in your great trial, and + will be with you unto the end. I believe that no one has the least + idea of what the trial is, until they are called to pass through it. + Its depth is learned only by experience. There were two lessons + taught me when it pleased my Heavenly Father to send it to me. I + never had any idea of the magnitude of the trial, and what it was to + lose one who had been for so many years a wise counsellor and a most + loving wife and mother. But I never knew the extent to which a + Heavenly Father could supply all my need ‘according to His riches in + glory by Christ Jesus.’ I look back upon the thirty years that have + elapsed since my great bereavement, and am utterly unable to count up + the tokens of His love and tender thoughtfulness during the whole of + that period. And so, my dear friend, I am persuaded that you may + trust Him entirely. You may trust Him for your eternity; you may + trust Him also for the short remainder of your pilgrimage upon earth. + You may trust Him to do well for yourself and your daughters. You + may trust Him as your faithful Friend and your most wise Counsellor; + and so trusting you will never be disappointed, but He will be both + with you and yours continually, guiding you with His counsel, and + afterward receiving you to glory. Remember me very particularly to + your daughters. + + “Most faithfully yours, + “E. HOARE.” + +To the Rev. H. E. Williamson, Hon. Sec. of the West Kent C.M.S. Union:— + + “TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _April_ 11_th_, 1894. + + “DEAR WILLIAMSON,—I am exceedingly sorry to be quite unable to attend + the Union of Unions to-morrow at Canterbury. I have greatly enjoyed + the meetings of our own Union in former times, and firmly believe + that we have been favoured with the presence of that loving Redeemer + whose Name we desire to make known throughout the world. I should + also have greatly enjoyed the meeting with our dear brethren of East + Kent under the presidency of our beloved Dean, in his noble + Cathedral; but I cannot venture upon the undertaking, and must look + forward to the gathering of that more perfect Union which I hope is + shortly to take place, at the Coming of our Lord and Saviour. + Remember me to all the dear brethren, and believe me to be very + faithfully yours, + + “E. HOARE.” + + * * * * * + + + +NOTES OF CONFIRMATION LECTURES. + + +These notes are intended to assist Candidates in preparing for the +Classes. Each of the Chapters mentioned contains a text on the subject +of the Lecture. + + +LECTURE I.—_The Sinfulness of Man_. + + +Man is sinful. + +,, 1. In nature: Psalm li.; Rom. viii. + +,, 2. In heart: Matt. xv.; Jer. xvii. + +,, 3. In thought: Gen. vi. + +,, 4. In word: James iii. + +,, 5. In act: Rom. iii. + +,, 6. Under God’s wrath: Eph. ii. + +Therefore requires two things, viz. Forgiveness of Sin and Change of +Heart. + + +LECTURE II.—_Forgiveness of Sin_. + + +1. The blessing of it: Psalm xxxii. + +2. Examples of it: Mark ii.; Luke vii.; Luke xviii. + +3. Given us because our sins were laid on the Lord Jesus Christ as our +substitute: Isa. liii.; 2 Cor. v.; Gal. iii.; Eph. i.; 1 Peter ii. + + +LECTURE III.—_Change of Heart_. + + +1. Necessary: John iii. + +2. Compared to Birth: John iii. + +,, Resurrection: Eph. ii. + +,, Creation: Eph. ii.; 2 Cor. v. + +3. Wrought by God the Holy Spirit: John i.; John iii.; Ezek. xxxvi. + +4. Prayer for it: Psalm li. + + +LECTURE IV.—_First Promise made in Baptism_. +RENUNCIATION. + + +We promise to renounce three things. + +1. The devil: Gen. iii.; John viii.; 1 Peter v.; 1 John iii. + +2. The world: Rom. xii.; 1 John ii.; Psalm xvii. + +3. The flesh: Rom. viii.; Gal. v. + + +LECTURE V.—_Second Promise made in Baptism_. +FAITH. + + +We promise to believe in the Lord Jesus. + +1. The three articles of Christian faith: Catechism. + +2. Examples of faith: Gen. xv.; Rom. iv.; Matt. viii.; Matt. xv.; Luke +i.; Luke vii. + +3. Salvation given through faith: John iii.; Acts viii.; Acts xvi.; Eph. +ii. + + +LECTURE VI.—_Third Promise made in Baptism_. +OBEDIENCE. + + +We promise to obey the Commandments. + +We should obey them In both their parts: Matt, xxii., and Church +Catechism. + +,, From the heart: Deut. xi.; Rom. vi.; Eph. vi. + +,, With delight: Psalm xl.; Psalm cxix. + +,, In all things: Josh. xxii.; Gen. vi. + +,, From love: John xiv.; Rom. xiii.; 2 Cor. v. + + + +Lecture VII.—_Prayer_. + + +Promises to prayer: Luke xi.; John xiv.; John xvi. + +Prayer should be From the heart: Matt. xv. + +,, Earnest: James v. + +,, Persevering: Luke xviii.; Eph. vi. + +,, In humility: Luke xviii. + +,, In faith: Matt. xxi.; James i. + +,, In the name of Jesus: John xiv. + + + +Lecture VIII.—_The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper_. + + +Was appointed by the Lord Himself: Matt. xxvi.; 1 Cor. xi. + +Is an act of obedience: Mark xiv.; Luke xxii. + +Is a sign, or emblem: 1 Cor. xi. + +Is an act of loving remembrance: 1 Cor. xi. + +Is a means of feeding on the Lord Jesus: 1 Cor. x. + +Is an opportunity of intercourse with the Lord; Luke xxiv. + +Is a means of fellowship with each other: 1 Cor. x. + +Is a help to joy: Acts ii. + + + +Lecture IX.—_On receiving the Lord’s Supper unworthily_. + + +Danger of receiving it unworthily: 1 Cor. xi. “Damnation” here means +“chastening”: ver. 32. + +To receive it unworthily is to receive it— + +Without repentance, without faith, without seriousness, without love: 1 +Cor. xi. + +You may be young Christians, but not come unworthily: Matt. xxvi.; Acts +ii. + +You may be unworthy to come, but not come unworthily: Luke vii.; Luke xv. + + + +LECTURE X.—_Confirmation Service_. + + +The laying on of hands: Acts viii.; Acts xix.; Heb. vi. + +The blessing to be expected: Acts viii.; Acts xix. + +Decision for God: Isa. xliv. + +The prayers in Confirmation Service. + + For the Holy Spirit. + + For strength. + + For defence. + + For perseverance. + + For growth in grace. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI +_REMINISCENCES_ + + +There are numerous anecdotes and incidents connected with Canon Hoare’s +lengthened ministry at Tunbridge Wells, which illustrate his many-sided +character in a remarkable way. A few of these selected from the great +stock of reminiscence in the minds of his people may be of interest to +the reader. + + * * * * * + +On one occasion banns of marriage were put up in Trinity Church between a +workman recently come to the town and a young woman whose widowed mother +lived in the parish of Holy Trinity. + +When the banns had been twice called an anonymous letter was received by +the Vicar, which stated that the man was already married. Careful +inquiry having proved that this was true, and that his wife and family +were living in another town, the Vicar made up his mind to punish the +delinquent in a novel way. The couple whose banns had been called were +sent for, and Canon Hoare told the girl the whole story in her false +lover’s presence. It was received with indignant incredulity, but the +proofs were unanswerable. Turning upon her companion, she sobbed out, +“James, James, I never believed you could have done this.” The man tried +to brazen it out, and laughingly said, “Well, I suppose we need not have +the banns published again?” “_Indeed they shall be read again_,” was the +Vicar’s reply. + +By this time the man was getting uncomfortable under the piercing eye +that was fixed upon him, and he said, “Well, come along, Polly; it’s time +for us to be going.” “Indeed it _is_ time for you to be going,” said the +Vicar, “and you had better be sharp about it too, but Polly shall not go +with you.” With these words he pointed to the door, towards which the +offender made with remarkable rapidity. When he was gone Mr. Hoare +turned to the girl, and, taking her out on the other side of the house +from that by which the man had left, bid her go home with all speed. + +Next Sunday morning in the vestry Canon Hoare called the clerk aside and +gave him some directions; then, having said to the curates “I’ll read the +banns to-day,” he took that part of the service in which they occur. +Having finished the second lesson, it was observed that in an unusually +loud voice and with great distinctness he read out: “I publish the banns +of marriage between James —, _bachelor_, and Mary Ann —, spinster, both +of this parish. These are for the third time of asking. If any of you +know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined +together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it.” At this moment the +whole congregation were electrified by a loud voice at the end of the +church calling out, “I forbid the banns of James — and Mary Ann —!” +“Well, come into the vestry after service and state your reasons,” was +the reply. + +The news fled like wild-fire over the parish, and the man got so +unmercifully (yet deservedly) jeered and hooted by his fellow-workmen +that he had to fly from the town. It may be added, as a curious and +significant fact, that it was not the immorality of the proceeding which +aroused this feeling, but “Jim — has let the parson do him out of three +and sixpence, for he paid for the banns, but couldn’t get tied!” + + * * * * * + +Another anecdote which has got into print somewhat incorrectly is the +following. The parish clerk was one day in attendance at a funeral in +Holy Trinity Cemetery when he noticed a gentleman walking about +apparently looking for something. He accosted him, and asked if he could +help him in any way. The other replied, in a very cheery and brisk way: +“Yes, you can; in fact I am looking for a nice sunny place for my grave. +I am going to die soon, the doctors tell me, and I want to get a pleasant +place to be buried in.” The clerk was somewhat astounded at the tone and +manner of the visitor, but suggested various sites. One was soon +selected, and in the same cheerful way the gentleman went on, striking +the ground as he spoke: “Capital, just the place; here it shall be; I +shall be put in here, and that will be the end of me.” The clerk +responded quietly, “Are you quite sure of that, sir? for I am not.” +“Yes, quite sure,” was the answer, and then a discussion ensued between +the two; when it had lasted a few minutes the official said, “Well, sir, +I may not be able to convince you that you are wrong, but I know my Vicar +could.” “Oh, I want none of your parsons,” said the visitor; “but who +_is_ your Vicar?” “The Reverend Edward Hoare, sir.” “Hoare, Edward +Hoare—did he come from Hampstead?” “Yes, sir, I believe he did.” “How +astonishing!” muttered the gentleman, and then speaking aloud, “Why, he +and I were friends when we were boys!” Having asked the way to the +vicarage that he might call upon him, the visitor went his way. + +The meeting between the two old boyish acquaintances was very +interesting, but when the gentleman stated the circumstance of his +meeting with the clerk, Mr. Hoare replied, “You have made arrangements +about your body; have you been as diligent about your soul?” It soon +came out that, brought up, like his old friend, as a Quaker, but without +his religious advantages, he had drifted into open scepticism. Now, +however, the loving, earnest words that he heard made a great impression, +and he begged Mr. Hoare to come and visit him. + +Several weeks passed by, and one day the clerk received a message from +his Vicar, “There will be an adult baptism in the service to-morrow.” +His feelings can be imagined when he saw quietly standing by the font the +gentleman whom he had seen in the cemetery! the defiant, cheery manner +gone, but instead of that a peaceful, happy look upon his face. The +illness soon progressed, but his friend of olden days visited him +continually up to the end, and had the joy of knowing that he died +resting happily upon his Saviour. In his will he bequeathed to Mr. Hoare +the valuable proof copy of Landseer’s picture “Saved,” as a significant +memento of what he had been permitted to do for his old friend. + + * * * * * + +The writer once heard it remarked of a certain clergyman that his many +curates were like so many sentinels posted over the country to warn +people of the danger of approaching him! The exact reverse was the case +with Canon Hoare: if any one wished to get an enthusiastic description of +the Vicar, they had only to go to one of his past or present curates. He +was “a hero to his valets”: so considerate and thoughtful of their wants +and circumstances, and yet so vigilant about their work, knowing exactly +how it was done, and never failing to notice an omission, yet doing it +all so kindly. The quarter’s cheque was always enclosed in an envelope, +with a slip of paper on which were written words like these, “With many +thanks for all your invaluable help.” + +This may be a trifling thing, but it means a great deal. Canon Hoare was +like a father to his curates, and was beloved by them; he never lost an +opportunity of putting them forward, and if need be of standing up in +their defence. There are some who remember well an incident at a general +meeting of subscribers to the hospital many years ago. Some one present +had spoken very wrongly and impertinently of one of the curates, making +suggestions of evil in his remarks. + +At the close of the speeches that followed, the chairman got up. He was +watched closely as he slowly took off his overcoat, and with great +deliberation folded it up and placed it on the back of his chair. The +room was very still as, drawing himself to his full height and looking +keenly round the room, he fixed his gaze upon the former speaker, and +gave him in words the most terrible castigation that the unfortunate +individual ever received in his life. It was well administered, and +equally well deserved. + +The fact that in all parochial work he was leader, not director—saying +“Come” instead of “Go”—was one of the causes of his influence with his +curates. It is related that at some wedding in the parish church, when +the bridegroom, a stranger to the place, was paying the fees in the +vestry, he made the remark, “I think the man who does the work ought to +get the pay.” This greatly tickled the two curates present, who could +not help laughing at the idea of their Vicar seated in his arm-chair +while they laboured in the parish, and simultaneously both exclaimed, +“The Vicar does more than both of us put together!” + + * * * * * + +The simplicity of the services at Holy Trinity have been already noticed. +The preacher wore the black gown, not that he had any objection to the +surplice in the pulpit, as he used that dress without hesitation in other +churches, but because he felt that he was too old to make changes. “I +knew many of the old Evangelical Fathers,” he used to say; “I preached +Charles Simeon’s funeral sermon in his own church at Cambridge; so that I +feel as if I were connected with them, and I will keep up the old gown +which I have been used to all my life.” + +But although this seemed but a trifle to him, he never ceased to express +his disapproval of what are commonly called “musical services.” On one +occasion, at some conference or meeting of clergy, he followed the reader +of a paper who had advocated the introduction of an intoned service, and +commenced his reply with these words: “For the discussion of this subject +I possess the important qualification of being an _unmusical_ man!” He +then continued in the same strain, and impressed this point upon the +clergy, that they had to deal with as many unmusical people as musical in +their congregations. All could speak, but only a limited number could +sing; therefore, by arranging a service for the musical, they really +closed the lips of those who were not so. At another time, also in +public, he said: “The proper use of music is in praise and thanksgiving. +People are so eager in these days to introduce as much music as possible +that they have applied it to prayer, the reading of Scripture, and even +to the Creed. All this I believe to be a mistake. We delight in +thorough congregational singing, but the essence of prayer is to be +perfectly natural, to realise that we are speaking to God, and forget all +beside. Who can imagine the poor publican waiting to hear the note of +the organ, or the trumpet, before he smote upon his breast and said, ‘God +be merciful to me a sinner!’” + + * * * * * + +As a chairman Canon Hoare was unequalled. His kindness to opponents and +his fairness in stating their case disarmed prejudice and won their +approbation. A barrister who had been contending vigorously against some +project which Canon Hoare was anxious to advance said at the close of a +meeting in which he was taking part: “I have no more to say. Mr. Hoare +has handled his brief ably, and I retire from my former opposition.” + +Some now in Tunbridge Wells will remember a meeting of publicans who had +been invited by the Vicar to come to the Parish Room and discuss in a +friendly way the Bill for the Sunday closing of public-houses. They +proved an unpleasant audience, and often indulged in bitter and insolent +observations, all of which he took in the most gentle Christian spirit. +At last one fellow shouted out: “You clergy are the biggest +Sabbath-breakers going; you are working hard all Sunday, and why +shouldn’t we?” “No, no,” answered the chairman with a beautiful smile, +“what we do on Sunday is not work; it’s _happy rest_ from first to last.” +A Nonconformist who was present remarked afterwards to the writer that he +would never forget that look nor those words as long as he lived. + + * * * * * + +In questions relating to the interests of the town or of the country at +large he was always to the front, gauging public opinion and leading it +in the right direction. In actual politics he took no part until the +Home Rule question was brought to the front by Mr. Gladstone; then he +lectured in the Great Hall against it, and more than once spoke in public +on the same topic. Again, when in 1885 the Liberation Society announced +a lecture by Mr. Guinness Rogers, and the Great Hall was filled with a +noisy, excited audience, at the close of the lecture Canon Hoare ascended +the platform; and though at first his words could scarcely be heard in +the tumult of cheers and hootings, yet his manliness and skill in debate +soon gained way for him, and though the lecturer and chairman both made +insulting remarks, he so entirely turned the tables upon them that, when +the Liberationist motion was put to the meeting, it was rejected by a +majority, and the whole thing collapsed ignominiously. + + * * * * * + +Many years previous to the event just narrated, when the Volunteer +movement was making itself felt throughout the country, a large meeting +was held in Tunbridge Wells to consider the question of establishing a +Volunteer Corps. The chairman, a local magistrate, threw cold water on +the proposal by reminding them that all their strength was needed for +foreign service. + +Mr. Hoare then got up and said that he entirely disagreed with the +chairman; proceeding in a very vigorous speech to show the horrors of a +foreign invasion, and the duty of every true Englishman to defend his +country, he concluded by declaring that he hoped the first invader who +landed on the shores of Kent might be shot by a Tunbridge Wells +Volunteer! The speaker was well supported by the Rev. B. F. Smith, then +Vicar of Rusthall (now Archdeacon of Maidstone). + +A well-known medical man in the town then got up and said: “I came to the +meeting in a doubtful state of mind, and though my courage failed under +the depressing remarks of the chairman, it has now completely revived +under the bold leadership of Captain Hoare and Lieutenant Smith!” The +motion was carried by acclamation. + + * * * * * + +The following anecdote has reference to the extraordinary influence which +he wielded over the town of Tunbridge Wells at large. His strong +religious character may be said to have moulded the place. Two gentlemen +were conversing at Sevenoaks Station, just before the train left the +platform. One was heard to say to the other, “How is it that you have no +theatre at Tunbridge Wells? A large town like that should have a +theatre.” “Oh,” responded his companion, “it would never pay. Tunbridge +Wells is too religious a place for a theatre.” + + * * * * * + +Yet this man, when he came first as Vicar of Holy Trinity, met with much +discouragement. The District Visitors came in a body and tendered their +resignations, and the first remarks which he overheard about his sermons +as he passed a group of parishioners at night on his way home from church +were, “Oh, what a dreary sermon!” “Yes, and _I_ thought it would never +end!” It is hard for us now to believe this possible, and still harder +perhaps to remember that even in late years, after all his services, two +of the Evangelical newspapers used to write suspiciously of him,—one +sneering at “the three Canons” Ryle, Garbett, and Hoare as +“Neo-Evangelicals”; the other in a flaring leader actually calling him +and the writer of these lines (who was proud to be in such company) +“traitors to the Church of England”! Both these journals are now in +different hands, but it is a humiliating thought that one who had done so +much for Evangelical truth should have been thus treated by those who +professed to aid its progress. It has often been noticed that a lofty +mountain seems nothing very remarkable when you stand at its base, but as +the traveller departs and it recedes from sight, it towers above the +lesser peaks and almost seems to stand alone. So the character of a +truly great man, although valued, cannot be measured during his life; it +is as the years pass by that we see how much higher he was than all his +fellows. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII +_PROMOTION_ + + +During the last year of his life it was evident to all that “old Mr. +Valiant-for-truth” as some one had aptly named him, was growing more +feeble in body, and it was apparent that the end of his faithful warfare +could not be far distant. + +Some thought that he ought to resign and leave the parish in younger +hands, but it was more generally felt that the grief of leaving his work +would be too much for him, and many believed that he would be allowed to +die in harness: and so it was. + +At the Easter Vestry he spoke feelingly of his approaching end and his +desire for a suitable successor, and when he thanked his hearers for what +he described as their toleration of the failings of an old man who was +doing all that his strength would allow, all present were visibly +affected. + +The next week he went for a few days to Eastbourne, and thence dictated +the following letters. How descriptive were their closing words of the +continual attitude of our beloved friend’s mind! + +To one of his daughters:— + + “EASTBOURNE, _April_ 18_th_, 1894. + + “We have had a comfortable night in our very comfortable quarters; I + think you did indeed do well for us. I cannot imagine anything that + would have suited us better. + + “The day seems most beautiful, the sun shining brightly; those we + love most hearty in their welcome, and everything cheerful all around + us, so that I hope we may go home at the end of our week refreshed + and invigorated for any work that the Lord may have in store for us. + But at present our work consists in idleness, and I propose to devote + myself to it with much diligence! + + “All whom I have seen recommend a bath-chair, and I should not be + surprised if I were to follow their advice before I go home, but I + little know what is in store for me. Only let me enjoy the + lovingkindness of my Heavenly Father, and we may safely leave the + rest in His loving hand.” + +To a friend who was in ill-health:— + + “EASTBOURNE, _April_ 21_st_, 1894. + + “I can heartily sympathise with you in the pain of giving up one + after another the different objects in which you have been + interested, and I can feel for you the more as I have been lately + passing through the same process. + + “I am obliged to hand over to others a great deal of the work in + which I used to take delight. But I believe it is good for us, and + that the ties to earth are being loosened in order that we may be the + more ready for the Lord’s summons when He shall call us to depart and + to be with Christ. + + “So let us think more of what we are likely to find in Heaven than of + the pain of parting with those things which have been a joy to us + upon earth. . . . + + “E. HOARE.” + +On Trinity Sunday, May 20th, he preached for the last time. The occasion +was the anniversary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, of which, +as we have seen, he was ever a staunch friend. At the close of the +sermon he seemed to be rather exhausted, and his faithful parish clerk +(who had served under him all through his ministry in Tunbridge Wells) +hastened up the steps and helped him down. He never again entered that +church where for forty-one years he had faithfully declared all the +counsel of God. Of that ministry it may be truly said that its “record +is on high.” Few men have had so many opportunities of preaching the +Gospel, and few have used them as he did. + +After this there was a marked decline in strength. He knew that the +tabernacle was being taken down, and made preparations accordingly. Two +of his brother-clergy were asked by him to pay a pastoral visit weekly, +and they will always thank God for this privilege; it was beautiful to +see the calm, steady trust—“I know _whom_ I have believed.” On these +occasions they received more than they gave, and as some passage of help +or comfort was dwelt upon the old saint of God would himself go on, and +bring out some new light upon the passage, for to the very last he was +“mighty in the Scriptures.” + +On St. Peter’s Day, a week before his death, when the Sunday School +Teachers’ Association met as usual for their annual gathering in his +garden, he saw them for a few minutes, and then from his room sent out +this touching message: “Earthly pastors pass away, but remember Him of +whom it is said, ‘_He_, _because He abideth ever_, _hath His priesthood +unchangeable_.’” Surely this public testimony was a fitting sequel to +his life’s ministry! + +A few weeks of weariness, and then the end came. The usual “Good-night” +was said the night before, and early in the morning of July 7th, as he +slept peacefully, the brave and faithful spirit passed away. + +When a man’s whole career has been given to God, we are not careful to +ask for his last words, yet his were characteristic of the humble but +unwavering trust that filled his heart. Replying to some inquiry he +said, “I am perfectly at rest on every point.” + +God had bestowed many privileges and honours upon His servant during his +life; the greatest of all—even to be with Him—He granted during that +quiet slumber, for “so He giveth unto His beloved in their sleep.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII +_TRIBUTES_ + + +It is impossible to describe the feeling exhibited in Tunbridge Wells +when it was known that Canon Hoare had passed away, and on the day of the +funeral the town witnessed such a display of universal sorrow and respect +as it had never seen before. To enumerate even the deputations from +different parts of England and to describe the component parts of the +huge procession of mourners would occupy pages of this book. + +It is enough to say that everything which could be done by the Mayor and +Corporation and inhabitants of the town to declare their loss and +emphasise their respect was done. More than one Bishop and over a +hundred clergy walked in the ranks of the mourners. + +All testified as with one voice: “A prince and a great man is fallen this +day in Israel.” + +His mortal remains were laid beside those of his beloved wife, and he who +in those thirty-one years of bereavement used sometimes to say, “In +spirit we have never been parted,” was now in spirit reunited to her, and +that for ever. + + * * * * * + +A little book published at this time {268} contains in full all that was +said and done with reference to him who had passed away. There are to be +found in it the funeral sermons preached all over the town, in church and +chapel alike, as well as sketches of his character and career in their +special bearing upon the town, whose particular reputation had been so +much formed by him. It is a touching tribute of affection and respect, +and is well worthy of perusal. + +Hundreds of letters poured in upon the bereaved family, from all parts of +England, and indeed from the ends of the earth. Extracts from these +interesting tributes of affection would form of themselves a volume; it +is therefore impossible to give them to the reader, but all testified +with one voice to the esteem and admiration in which he was held by those +who differed from him, and to the warm love and devotion which he +inspired in all who knew him, and whom he had guided into the ways of +peace. One expression may be mentioned which was overheard in the +conversation of two gentlemen on the day of the funeral (one of them a +man of light and leading in the world). Said the first, “We ne’er shall +look upon his like again,” to which the other made reply, “Did we ever +see his like before?” + +The beautiful letters which follow, written on the day of Canon Hoare’s +death, speak for themselves:— + + “LAMBETH PALACE, S.E., _July_ 7_th_, 1894. + + “MY DEAR MISS HOARE,—One word only of intense sympathy; but intense + in something which swallows up sorrow. + + “No one will ever have looked more joyfully on the face of Christ in + Paradise. + + “Sincerely yours, + “E. W. CANTUAR.” + + * * * * * + + “LAMBETH PALACE, S.E., _July_ 7_th_. + + “MY DEAR MISS HOARE,—The news has this moment reached us, and I + cannot resist sending you one word of deepest sympathy. I know the + Archbishop will write for himself, but the thought of the beauty into + which that holy and beautiful spirit has entered lives in one so, and + in spite of all your personal sorrow and loss I cannot help feeling + that you are living in that thought now. + + “You know how we loved him—how could we help it!—and that we do know + something of all he was and is and how the joy of the Lord has been + the breath of his life; and so we may give thanks with you, may we + not? though the heart must ache and the grief be keen. I must not + trouble you more—God bless and keep you. + + “Affectionately yours, + “MARY BENSON.” + +Notices of Canon Hoare’s death and sketches of his life, longer or +shorter, appeared in countless newspapers in England, America, and +Australia. The _Record_ published several articles upon his career and +influence in the Church of England. One of the most happily written +appeared in the columns of the _Guardian_ under the familiar initials “B. +F. S.” + +Few in the diocese of Canterbury had better knowledge of the man whom he +described than the dignitary who penned those lines. + + (_From_ “_The Guardian_”) + + + +In Memoriam. +EDWARD HOARE. + + + “By the death of Canon Hoare the Evangelical party in the Church of + England loses, perhaps, its doughtiest champion in our generation. + But long before his death experience and advancing years had so + suffused his views with catholicity that he was even more conspicuous + as a pillar of his Church than as the leader of a party. + + “Born in a family in which piety was a tradition, and predisposed by + his Quaker blood to think little of public opinion where it came into + conflict with convictions, he inherited a vigour of mind and body of + which he early gave proof when, as stroke of the Second Trinity boat, + he raised it to the head of the river, and became a high Wrangler. + But though a Fellowship at Trinity was fairly within his reach, he + entered at once into the active duties of the ministry to which he + had devoted himself, and thenceforth his energies were wholly bent on + pastoral work, though not to the exclusion of the Mission cause + abroad and the furtherance in England of those views which he + believed most faithfully to reflect the mind of its Church. To the + successful study of mathematics he doubtless owed the habit of boldly + pressing his principles to their logical conclusions, undisturbed by + those many side-issues which often perplex minds less vigorously + trained in the exact sciences; though in his case a sturdy common + sense and native shrewdness did not suffer him to be betrayed thereby + into practical mistakes, while his large and loving heart would never + permit the strongest of his opinions to impair his affection for men + whose conclusions differed from his own, if they were otherwise + worthy of it. + + “It was on a foundation thus broad and solid that his commanding + personality was built up, becoming a tower of strength to those who + resigned themselves to his religious guidance, and attaching + marvellously by its strength and sweetness converts to the religious + principles which he held and advocated. How important a place he + held at his best in the esteem of his neighbours those will remember + who witnessed the universal demonstrations of sympathy when his life + was in danger from Roman fever, and the whole town was quivering with + anxiety lest they should lose one whom they could so ill spare. And + though the wane of his physical powers and the inevitable changes of + a watering-place population may have narrowed the circle of his + influence towards the last, the striking demonstrations of respect + which marked his funeral bore witness not only to the deep attachment + of his own congregation, but also to the widespread conviction of his + brother-clergy and of all the country-side that a shining light had + been quenched, whose witness for God had penetrated far beyond the + range of his personal ministrations. + + “Of the endeared relations between him and his congregation, who had + looked up to him for spiritual direction for over forty years, only + those within the magic circle of that pastoral connection could form + an idea. The well-spring of personal affection which flowed forth + from his loving heart towards the humblest of his flock was repaid by + a personal devotion which might have proved injurious to a weaker + character, less firmly rooted on the rock of truth. But there was an + element of generous appreciation in a remark let fall at his funeral, + that there was probably no more ‘personally conducted’ congregation + in England than that of Trinity Church, Tunbridge Wells. + + “But on wider platforms Canon Hoare’s ascendency of character had + been in his time not less conspicuous. In his own ruri-decanal + meetings, in which he continued to take part up to within a few weeks + of his death; in the diocesan conferences, at which only a year ago + he bore his solemn and memorable testimony to the value of Church + Schools; and at Church Congresses, where he was ever ready to step + gallantly into the breach in defence of the principles of the Church + which he thought to be assailed,—in these various fields of encounter + the manliness of his advocacy, set off by his manifest sincerity, and + by his charity towards those who differed from him, commended itself + to the admiration even of those who remained unconvinced by his + arguments. + + “But his own pulpit was undoubtedly the vantage-ground from which he + most effectively did battle for his Master’s cause. Armed with a + forcible, lucid, and winning mode of address, with an incomparable + command of Holy Scriptures, transparently in earnest, and known of + all men to live the life he preached, by the elevation of his + religious character no less than by voice and gesture, ‘he drew his + audience upward to the sky.’ Even after his eyesight failed him, and + he could with difficulty mount the pulpit steps, he continued to the + last, like the Apostle of love, to deliver his Master’s message. And + who shall say in how many hearts it found an echo among that + changeful congregation, and in what remote parts of the world a + generation which knew him not have been taught by their parents to + call his name blessed? His beloved Mother Church has lost no more + loyal, wise, persuasive, heavenly-minded son and servant—no more + trusty guide of souls from earth to heaven—than our modern + ‘Greatheart,’ Edward Hoare.” + + * * * * * + + + +“_The Record_” _Friday_, _July_ 13_th_. +CANON HOARE. + + + “The death of Canon Hoare removes from the front rank of Evangelical + Churchmen a conspicuous and commanding figure. He took his degree in + 1834—Fifth Wrangler. He was ordained deacon in 1837, {273} the year, + it will be remembered, of the Queen’s accession. His jubilee + coincided with that of the Sovereign whom he so truly honoured; and + it is neither fanciful nor fulsome to say that he held a kind of + sovereign rank amongst the Evangelical clergy. One of their kings is + dead. It happens sometimes to all parties to lose a man who was much + more to them than to the Church at large. We do not deny that this + was the case with Canon Hoare. In spite of his conspicuousness, he + was not naturally the sort of man who loves to be conspicuous. He + grew to greatness amongst his fellows by the influence of character + alone. His abilities were considerable; his training was excellent; + his family traditions were of the best that the eighteenth century in + its ripe benevolence handed on to the young religious energy of the + nineteenth. That bright benevolence and beneficence shone in his + face, unmingled with the eagerness of the combatant or the push and + pressure of the ambitious candidate for leadership. His attitude to + the Church of England at large was one of admiring loyalty, but he + had no self-seeking thoughts. He dwelt, and loved to dwell, among + his own people. He took his share, an honourable share, in the + struggles of his own times; but the part which he took was, when it + led him to scenes of controversy, always a strange and unwelcome + work. But none the less, perhaps all the more for that, he did it + well. The nephew of Joseph John Gurney and of Elizabeth Fry was not + without a strong element of what is sturdy and staunch. That side of + his character found useful expression when, at the Church Congress at + Derby in 1882, he was suddenly called upon to meet the suggestion of + Lord Halifax that the Bishops should allow the alternative use at the + Holy Communion office in the Prayer-Book of 1549. Then, in his own + name and in the name of the Evangelical party, he spoke his apologia. + . . . That scene illustrates the man; and though a good deal has + happened since, and the Lambeth Judgment must not be forgotten, yet + that interpretation of the signs of the times remains the only + reasonable reading of them, and the alternative—the Reformers or + Rome—is still the only possible alternative if England is to remain a + Christian country. And yet, as we have said, this was an incident. + + “His work, his real work, was of another kind. Perhaps no other + position in England would have suited him quite as well as the post + he held at Tunbridge Wells. He made Tunbridge Wells the Canterbury + of West Kent, and he was the unofficial primate. For forty years + this watering-place, the once fashionable and frivolous resort of + people half whose complaints were due to the too easy conditions of + their life, has come more and more to be the home of people whose + leading purpose is to find out how to do most for the Kingdom of God, + and have found there that a plain English clergyman was for the most + part at the back of all its missionary energies. ‘I am but one of + yourselves, a presbyter,’ said Newman in his first tract. So, in his + _last_ tract, might Canon Hoare have said. For forty fruitful years + the overshadowing influence of a good man’s life has been a kind of + visible sign of a yet higher overshadowing. Prayers and alms have + marked the life of the place, and, whatever the future may have in + store, there has been peace and truth in Tunbridge Wells in Canon + Hoare’s days. Outside his own parish, his next most influential + place was, no doubt, the Committee-room of the Church Missionary + Society. There was a time, indeed, when week by week two able men + came up to Salisbury Square, each in his own way exercising a + powerful influence upon the Cabinet deliberations. One was the pen + more than the voice, the other the voice more than the pen, of + missionary counsel. But those were the days of Henry Venn, and in + his days counsellors for the most part found themselves anticipated. + But when those days had passed away, and the increasing missionary + activity of the Church brought new conditions, new problems, new + agencies, new methods into view, then came a time in which + counsellors who had within them a living spring of energy, readiness + of mind, elasticity, hopefulness, breadth of view, a firm belief in + the future as well as a firm grip upon the past, were invaluable, and + such a man was Canon Hoare. Things new and old were in him, as they + always are in the men who by the force of character become guides of + their fellows. The man of routine, the mere pedant, the mere + deprecator of mistakes, asks always for a precedent. He does well to + ask for it; it is a finger-post to him. The man of wisdom makes + precedents, founding them on principles of which he is sure. In such + a man the inner sight is clear, the eye is single. When he speaks + there is the ring of authority in what he says, the highest + expression of the common sense of men. + + “Who shall estimate the value of such a career? Who shall gauge the + loss to the commonwealth of the Church of one such counsellor? It is + pleasant to think that, priceless as Canon Hoare was to his party, + and thoroughly as he was in sympathy with its aims and sentiments, + there is no deduction to be made for bitterness, for narrowness, for + sour alienation from human interests. It was his privilege to touch + the life of his times at many points: in the abundance of his + interests he multiplied himself. + + “Happy in his family, in the narrower and the wider sense of the + word, happy in his friendships, happy in his opportunities, happy in + his wide sympathies with humanity, his heart went out expansively to + all who challenged his attention. The world became one wide field, + to which he gave himself, his children, his substance, his time, his + prayers. He was heart and soul an Evangelical. But we are greatly + mistaken if the Church of England generally does not recognise in + Canon Hoare one of her truest children, not the less for that which + was part of his inheritance, the knowledge that Christ our Lord has + other sheep, not of the fold in which he was so distinguished an + under-shepherd.” + + + +THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. + + +The following minute, which was passed by the Committee of the above body +at their first meeting after Canon Hoare’s death, records, as far as +words can do so, the deep loss that the Society has sustained by this +event:— + + “In addition to the deaths of long-honoured and attached friends of + the Society within the last few weeks, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, + Canon Lord Forster, Lord Charles Russell, and Howard Gill, the + Committee record with affectionate and thankful remembrance a life + consecrated to the service of our Divine Master in the removal of + their beloved brother Canon Edward Hoare. + + “Trained in the days of the Evangelical revival at Cambridge under + Simeon, Scholefield, and Carus, Edward Hoare commenced his ministry + in 1836 as curate to the Rev. Francis Cunningham, at Pakefield, where + he found the genial and warm sympathy of those who were at the time + engaged in the religious movement, and where he gave early evidence + of the bright living missionary spirit which was so prominent a + feature of his ministry in his after-life at Richmond, Ramsgate, and, + finally, at Tunbridge Wells; where, for forty-one years, he was by + the grace of God ever at the front of all missionary work both at + home and abroad. The remarkable position of influence which he + attained was not from his gifts, which were considerable, but from + his grace. The features of his character may be briefly summed up as + they were known in his private life, in his parochial work, in the + pulpit, on the platform, and in the Committee-room of the Church + Missionary Society: godly simplicity and unflinching courage, + clearness of judgment and expression, loving sympathy and + consideration for others, unfailing diligence and soundness in the + Faith, and supreme reverence for and delight in the Word of God. + These gracious qualities made his counsels and co-operation wise, + weighty, and practical. He was in the highest sense a faithful + witness to the principles of the Reformation and the doctrine and + discipline of the Church of England, and a zealous, popular, and + attractive advocate at all times of the work of his beloved Church + Missionary Society. + + “The Committee commend the members of his family, especially those + who are in the Mission-field, to the very special prayers of the + Church, in the hope that a double portion of his spirit may be + imparted to his successors.” + + * * * * * + +The beloved son in the Mission-field was the only one absent when the +aged father was laid to rest. His visit with his wife and children, +three and a half years before, had been an unspeakable joy in the old +home. During Canon Hoare’s latter years all who knew him remember the +interest and delight that he took in the work at Ningpo, and how +continually his thoughts turned to those dear ones who had dedicated +themselves to labour for God in China. Yet—who can tell?—perhaps when +the River has been crossed time and distance have ceased to be, and the +blessed dead, being with Christ, are nearer those who are in Christ than +when they moved among us here on earth. + + * * * * * + + “After this it was noised abroad that Mr. Valiant-for-truth was taken + with a summons by the same post as the other, and had this for a + token that the summons was true, ‘that his pitcher was broken at the + fountain’ (Eccles. xii. 6). When he understood it he called for his + friends and told them of it. Then said he: ‘I am going to my + Father’s; and though with great difficulty I have got hither, yet now + do I not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where + I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, + and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars + I carry with me to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles + who now will be my rewarder.’ + + “When the day that he must go hence was come many accompanied him to + the river-side, into which as he went down he said, ‘Death, where is + thy sting?’ and as he went down deeper, he said, ‘Grave, where is thy + victory?’ + + “So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him at the other + side.” + + * * * * * + + “I passed from them, but I found Him whom my soul loveth” (Canticles + iii. 4). + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +As an illustration of the hold which the name of Canon Hoare has upon the +Church at large, it may be mentioned that when the suggestion was made to +call the proposed New Wing of the South-Eastern College at Ramsgate after +him, and to erect it as a memorial of his principles and the teaching of +his life, the proposal was warmly received; contributions flowed in from +India and the Antipodes, as well as from England, and in about ten +months’ time the needed sum of £5,000 was in the Treasurer’s hands. + + * * * * * + + * * * * * + + _Printed by Hazell_, _Watson_, _& Viney_, _Ld._, _London and Aylesbury_. + + * * * * * + + + + +ADVERTISEMENTS. + + + _Crown_ 8_vo_, _Cloth_, 3_s._ 6_d._ + + + +SPIRAL STAIRS +OR +THE HEAVENWARD COURSE OF THE +CHURCH SEASONS + + + A Series of Devotional Studies on the Christian Life + + By the Rev. J. H. TOWNSEND, D.D. + _Vicar of Broadwater Down_, _Tunbridge Wells_ + + WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE + + REV. HANDLEY C. G. MOULE, D.D. + + _Principal of Ridley Hall_, _Cambridge_ + +_Dr. Moule says_:— + + “I think your chapters delightful, with their clear exposition, their + bright and, so to speak, friendly style, and above all with their + fulness of witness to the Lord Jesus.” + + * * * * * + + “A volume of which it is impossible to speak too highly. . . . Dr. + Townsend has a cultured and refined style. . . . We heartily + recommend this volume, particularly to the younger clergy.”—_Record_. + + “A series of striking chapters. . . . Eminently comprehensive. . . . + Scriptural and spiritual are the two characteristic qualities of Dr. + Townsend’s teaching. At the same time intellectual force and apt + illustration give an added weight to the lessons drawn. . . . The + thoughtful reader will find the ascent of the ‘Spiral Stairs’ a happy + and most helpful exercise through the coming year.”—_The News_. + + “Expository in method and Evangelical in outlook. . . Not merely + earnest and thoughtful, but well-reasoned appeals to the heart and + conscience.”—_The Speaker_. + + * * * * * + + LONDON: HODDER & STOUGHTON, 27, PATERNOSTER ROW. + + * * * * * + + + +GREAT PRINCIPLES OF +DIVINE TRUTH + + + BY THE LATE + REV. EDWARD HOARE, M.A. + + _Vicar of Holy Trinity_, _Tunbridge Wells_, _and Hon. Canon of + Canterbury_ + + EDITED BY THE + + REV. J. GURNEY HOARE, M.A. + + _Vicar of Aylsham_ + + With Portrait. Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s. + + CONTENTS— + + I.—THE SOURCE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF DIVINE TRUTH. +1. The Holy Scripture. Its Inspiration, Supremacy, + and Sufficiency. +2. ,, ,, Inspiration. Its Nature and Extent. +3. ,, ,, The Study and Use of. + II.—CHRIST AND THE SINNER. +4. Propitiation. +5. Redemption and Salvation. +6. Repentance. +7. Justification. +8. Forgiveness. No. 1.—Judicial and Parental. +9. No. 2.—Present. +10. No. 3.—Application of. +11. The Connexion of Holiness with Atonement. +12. Nothing between. +13. Personal Religion. +14. Present Privileges of the Justified. +15. The Joy of the Lord. + III.—THE HOLY SPIRIT. +16. The Personality of the Holy Spirit and His Present + Work in the Administration of the Church. +17. New Birth. +18. Holiness of Heart and Life. + IV.—WORSHIP. +19. The Holy Spirit the Author of Acceptable Worship. +20. The Province of the Emotions in the Worship of + God. + + * * * * * + + LONDON: J. NISBET & CO. + + + + +Footnotes + + +{2} Sister of Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, the famous Christian +philanthropist.—ED. + +{15} The late Duke of Abercorn, one of his fellow-pupils. + +{17} Himself. + +{24} Killed by lightning. + +{26} In later years so well known as a Vice-President of the British and +Foreign Bible Society. + +{27} Afterwards Lady Parry. + +{66} An old friend relates that, when he was going to be ordained Deacon +at Ely, Edward Hoare, with whom he was not then acquainted, was to +receive Priest’s Orders at the same time, and as they passed into the +Cathedral he heard young Hoare say with great solemnity, “Now may the +Holy Ghost fill this place!” The words and tone made a profound +impression upon the younger man.—ED. + +{77} Wilberforce. + +{78} Maria Eliza, only daughter of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Bart., +the eminent surgeon. Her mother, Lady Brodie, was Ann, youngest daughter +of Serjeant Sellon.—ED. + +{98} The eminent Roman Catholic architect.—ED. + +{137} The Very Rev. Horace Townsend Newman. + +{151} Trinity Church being temporarily closed for repairs. + +{153} The Right Rev. Samuel Crowther, D.D. + +{157} A subject on which he had been approached by the Committee. + +{158a} Nottingham Church Congress. + +{158b} An invitation from some of the Australian Bishops to undertake a +series of Missions in their dioceses. + +{174} Over the door in the vestry there hung the well-known lines:— + + “I’ll preach as though I ne’er should preach again, + And as a dying man to dying men.” + +{190} Of his son the Rev. J. Gurney Hoare. + +{193} The Bishop of Dover. + +{195} The Rev. Canon Money, who took charge of the parish during the +summer. + +{201} The title of the paper was “The Effect of the Externals of +Religion on Public Worship.” + +{202} Exeter. + +{204a} Two of the most advanced men of the opposite party. + +{204b} The words used by one (accompanied by a cordial grasp of the +hand) were, “You little know how much I owe to you; I thank God for +truths which you have taught me”—words that reflected equal lustre upon +the speaker and him to whom they were addressed. + +{209} On “Helps and Hindrances to the Spiritual Life.” + +{268} “In Memoriam: Rev. Canon Hoare.” _Courier_ Office, Tunbridge +Wells. Price 6_d._ + +{273} He was ordained priest in 1837—ED. + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EDWARD HOARE, M.A.*** + + +******* This file should be named 39271-0.txt or 39271-0.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/2/7/39271 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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