Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-12
BISHOP OF CANTERBURY DEAD.
Expires Suddenly from Apoplexy While Attend
ing Church With Mr.. Gladstone.

LONDON. oct. 1.-THE archbishop of
Canterbury. primate of ali E,nland ana
Metropolitan Right Honorable and Most
Reverend Edward White Benson. D. D.
ana privy councillor, died suddenly to-
Gay. whiie attending Divine service in the
chufch at Hawardcn. The archbishop
was the guest of Mr.. Gladstone. through
Whom ne was appointed to the archbishop
nc ., Canterbury. ana, in company With
me Gladstone family went to Hawarden
church. this morning. After the services
commenced Il commotion was noticed in
me Gladstone pew, and Immediately
thereafter, the church attendants We're
seen removing the archbishop. who it was
supposed was suffering from lit. He
was taken TO the rectory and medical as
slstance was hastily summoned The doe
10 tors NV, WORKED ed over him in vain. and at ll.45
he died. The physicians state that death
was caused by apopleXy.
Archbishop Benson was born near
Bermingham in 1929. He was educated
at King Edwards school. Birmingham.
and at Trinity. Cambridge He Vas for
some years one of the masters in Rugby
school and held the head mastershp OF
wellington college from its first opening
in 1858 to 1872. For several years he was
examining chaplain to the late bishop of
Lincoln by whom he was appointed chan
cellor and canon residentary of Lincoln
cathedral for three years previous
he was select preacher to the tniVer-
sty Of Cambridge Qs6i.ls7l. 1875 1876, 1873
an dlSs2>, and the University of oxford
Queen, 1873 chaplain in ordinary lS75-17
In December. 1876. he was nominated by
the crown. on the recommendation of the
Earl OF Beaconfield, to the newly restored
hishopric of Truro. and was consecrated
in St. Paul's cathedral April % 1871.
During his occupation of the see he be-
gan building a new cathedral at Truro. of
which the outward shell has cost over
100000, much of that sum having been
gathered through the energy OF the
bishop In December, 1882 Dr. Benson
was appointed by the crown on Mr.. Glad
stones recommendation. to the arch
bishopric of Canterbury. in succession to
Dr. TAFT.
Dr. Benson had published number of
daughter of the late Rev. VIM. Sidwick
Skipton. Yorkshire. The annual value of
the See of Canterbury is e15,o00 and the
archbishop is patron of 1875 livngs.
The Archbishop and wife arrived at
Hawarden castle. Mr.. Gladstone's resi-
dence. Saturday evening. They had just
come from the north of Ireland. where
they had been visiting. and intended, to
make a short stay at Hawarden The
archbishop appeared to he enjoying the
best of health. He attended communion
at Hawarden church. ut this morning
and then returned to the castle where h.
partook of breakfast with Mr.. Gladstone
and family. Later he walked through the
park to attend morning service. The CON
fession was proceeding when he fell for
ward 1t was first thought that he had a
lit and would soon recover. The church
attendants removed the archbishop as
quickly as possible. one of their number
in the meantime summoning physicians
Rev. Stephen Gladstone. rector of thu
church. continued the service until he re
ceived a message from the rectory that
the archbishop was dead. He then close |
the service with the prayer for the dead
from the burial service. AS the congre-
CATION was leaving the church the organ
list played a dead march and mutile6
peal was rung on the bells. The body is
now lying in the rectory.
Mr. Gladstone WAS not present at the
church. the weather being severe. and
causing him to remain at home He was
greatly distressed when informed of the
death of the archbishop They had been
close friends for long time The death
was announced in many Episcopal
the evening services. and much regret
was everywhere expressed.
Archbishop Benson was esteemed by all
sects for his moderation and broad
mindedness. The death of the archbishop
was announced at ST. Pauls, London al
the afternoon service. The sad news
quickly spread and this evening there was
a great assemblage at the cathedral. The
preacher highly eulogiZed the dead arch
bishop for his services to the E,sta hlished
church, his personal uprightness Of char
acter and loveable disposition. After the
service the organist played the Dead
March, the congregation standing. The
great bell of the cathedral VS. tolled in
memory of the dead.
Dean Farrar paid an impressive tribute
to the deceased archbishop in Cantabury
Cathedral.