Edward Hoare, M.A Part 22

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 G.o.d, 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, 'G.o.d be merciful to me a sinner!'"

As a chairman Canon h.o.a.re 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 h.o.a.re was anxious to advance said at the close of a meeting in which he was taking part: "I have no more to say. Mr. h.o.a.re 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 h.o.a.re 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. h.o.a.re 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 sh.o.r.es 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 h.o.a.re 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 pa.s.sed 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 h.o.a.re 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 pa.s.s 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 att.i.tude 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 pa.s.sing 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. h.o.a.rE."

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 G.o.d. 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sage of help or comfort was dwelt upon the old saint of G.o.d would himself go on, and bring out some new light upon the pa.s.sage, 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' a.s.sociation 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 pa.s.s 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 pa.s.sed away.

When a man's whole career has been given to G.o.d, 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."

G.o.d 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 h.o.a.re had pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sed 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.