, 1896-09-09

cHlU h1S AL llIl
the esteem and veneration in which the now
departed Father in God was held by all
classes IN this portion of his diocese.
The forenoon sermon, preached ny the
Rector the Revd. ". e. Watson B.A. from
Eechariah LIST Chapter 9th verse, Your
fathers, where are they7 and The prophets,
do they Ire for eger 2" was a timely reminder
of the preclriousness and uncertainty OF lie
and the mortality of all that's human. Appa-
rently deeply impressed him ,elf, the Rector
also gently reminded his congregation at tins
opportune time Of the need there IS always
Of their sympathy, their prayers, and their
help, even in that most holy work IN which
they the Ministers of Christ are the Chief
workers. and pointed to the sad event that was
then being realized as all evidence OF the
falling of all things mortal. lie spoke in
high terms of thu late Bishops kindness OF
heart, friendly and cheering manner, CONVEX
satian and conduct as a man; ever ready to
comfort the distressed and to console the
grief-stricken-of his indefltigable and untir-
ing zeal aud exertiOnS as a servant OF God
never thinking Of his own comfort when the
work Of he Master required primary consider
alton; an exemplary head to his clergy; a
good counsellor and adviser to all.
By the congregation ofSt. Johns, St.CrOix,
the name Of Charles James Branch, DID.
Fifth Bishop of the See Of Antigua, ought
indeed to be long remembered, for, as was
Justly remarked by The Rector in his Sermon,
many of all ages have some religious
episode in their lives in connection with
him, either as Rector or Bishop. The older
members can think Of the time, VIXEN he
either married them, baptized their children
or administered the last rites to their dear de-
NO rta1 ono tb,co D,hN r-ara oIil1roD 4lot,
and have now become young men and young
women may know that it was by him that
the first rites Of the Church were performed
on them, md the younger members of today,
who form the mass from which the congrega-
tion is recruited will not soon if ever forget
the hands which were laid on their heads, mark
ing them as it were for God, some. not many
months ago. TO quote from the words Of
the Rector again, "To individual hearts toc
his memory Will ever be enshrined with the
most holy and affectionate associations for with
ALL lie was ever ready to enter into their griefs
and their Joys Like the Divine Master whom
he served, h could '~rejoice with those who
%reJolced and weep with those who wept." truly
too can il be said that the church in which the
people Of this parish worship, speaks far
more %elOquently than could man, of the de-
yotedness and zeal Of him whose loss is right.
ly deplored, for was it not under his auspices
and by his interchangeable exertions which
also influenced the ever-liberal congregation
that the present Church and School House
(Which on his arrival here in 1866 he met only
a mass OF blackened ruins from the fire of that
year. were restored to their present condition
and the people enabled i'll a very short time
to worship in the same spot as their fathers
Yes, indeed, and with heartfelt eaInestness BE
the words of our Rector repcated.-'.the la.
bOur and anxiety which this work entailed no
one can justly compute, but it stands green
IN the history OF this parish rs an imperisha-
Ole monument of his love for the people, and
the zeal which consumed him for God. For
him, If for any one, this parish should mourn.
Tor 1t was he who restored or Church, and
who was the instrument in the Almighty
Hand OF effecting its continuity. Yes we
mourn for him, but in doing so, we remem.
Der the words of St. Paul. in his E.. to
Thessa. 4th Chap. 1873 ID verse;"
1t is to be hoped that to the deeply stricken
widow and children Of our late beloved
Bishop these memorials Of esteem and afec-
ton from the people of a small but bv no
means less-loving section of his large diocese,
may be like balm to soothe the wound that
God has seen fit in His Wisdom TO inRict
His removal from us to a better service be.
yoDd this vale of tears, let us all remember ia
the good Masters doing and while bumbIv
submitting to this loss, let us saw with ali
reverence, Father. Thy ciU be done" and
also that those who like our Dear departed
bishop appear to lis now lost, are really "not
t0af hut npIr n11a e.