Passing of the Bishop of Barrow

The death of the Right Rev. Herbert Sidney Pelham, Bishop Suffragan of Barrow since 1926, took place on Saturday last at Aldingham Rectory. He was 62 years of age.

                Though for a period he had not enjoyed good health, he conducted confirmation service at Ulverston Parish Church on the previous Tuesday, and was taken ill subsequently. He was a bachelor and is survived by a brother and a sister.

                He succeeded the Right Rev. West Watson, who went to New Zealand, and the appointment was announced on 6 February 1926.

EARLY YEARS IN BIRMINGHAM.

The Rev. H. S. Pelham was educated at University College, Oxford, and on his ordination in 1905 became curate of Bermondsey. Two years later he went to St. Phillip’s, Birmingham, where he was head missioner of the Birmingham-street Children’s Union. He was appointed chaplain to the Bishop of Birmingham in 1911, and from 1914 to 1924 was domestic chaplain to the Bishop. Becoming vicar of Holy Trinity, Laern-road (Harrod [sic – should be Latimer Road, and Harrow] Mission) in 1914, he was appointed to the living of Barking, in the diocese of Chelmsford, in 1916.

                The population of 38,000 souls in his new care grew so rapidly during his vicariate that a new church and staff became necessary, and he carried out this important task with characteristic energy and ability. He was also chairman of the Diocesan Social Service Committee, and was deeply interested in many phases of the social problem. He served on the Essex County Higher Education Committee, an indication of his life-long zeal for educational progress.

CONSULTED BY CABINET MINISTERS

Writing in the “Diocesan Gazette” in March 1926, the Lord Bishop of Carlisle said of the late Bishop:

                “He is an acknowledged authority on juvenile employment and kindred subjects, and upon his judgement in such matters Cabinet Ministers are accustomed to rely.”

                The new Bishop Suffragan was consecrated in York Minster of 25 March 1926, by the Archbishop of York in the presence of 11 bishops and a large congregation that included many from Barking. He was presented by the Bishops of Carlisle and Chelmsford.

                He began his episcopal duties in Barrow the following Sunday, when he conducted Confirmation Services at St. Matthew’s and St. James’s Churches.

                During his 14 years oversight of the southern portion of the Diocese, he clearly identified himself with many phases of local life, particularly educational matters, moral welfare and social advancement in many forms.

The Funeral

The funeral took place on Tuesday, the body being interred in the little churchyard by the water’s edge at Aldingham, where for 18 years he had served village, parish and the southern part of the diocese as Bishop of Barrow and rector.

                Mauve crocuses jewelled the turf around the grave and a posy of spring flowers culled from his garden rested on the plain, simply-mounted coffin.

                The little Norman church was well-filled by representatives of many authorities and bodies of Furness as well as the folk of the countryside around, when, as the bell solemnly tolled, the clergy from many parishes processed in, and the Venerable Archdeacon J. H. Hopkinson read the funeral sentences from the prayer book. Behind came the coffin on a wheeled bier, followed by the Lord Bishop of Carlisle, attended by his chaplain, the Rev. M. Roy Sinker, Vicar of Dalton.

                The service was conducted by Canon G. B. Code, and the lesson read by Canon T. H. Kendall, headmaster of St. Edward’s School, Oxford. The Psalm, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,” was chanted and the hymns sung were, “The King of Love”, and “Praise to the Holiest”. Prayers were offered by the Canon Code and the recessional psalm was “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.” Mr. Alfred Thompson, L.R.A.M., was at the organ.

                The committal portion of the service was performed by the bishop.

THE MOURNERS

The family mourners were Sir Henry Pelham, K.C.B., brother, and Mrs. D. F. Bickmore, sister.  With them were Mr. and Mrs. Lockley, old friends, and Miss E. Penn, housekeeper.

                Scouts from Barrow Grammar School, who had been camped at the Rectory, lined the approaches to the church and the graveside, under Mr. E. A. Ellwood, District Commissioner, and Mr. E. A. Loten, Scoutmaster. Boys, wearing school colours, were also present from St. Bees School.

CLERGY

The procession of clergy was led by four Rural Deans – the Rev. J. Stuart Rimmer (Ulverston), the Rev. R. D. Hughes (Cartmel), the Rev. E. Bradley (Ambleside), and the Rev. B. Lambeth (Dalton). There follows a long list of local clergy.

MANY ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTED

Amongst general mourners present were noted the Mayor of Barrow (Coun. G. Hastwell); Mr. W. Lawrence Allen, Town Clerk; Coun. Mrs. E. A. Ward, Major H. Mossop and Mr. H. Rainey (magistrates); Lieut.-Col. W. A. Chislett (clerk); Sir James Callender (Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs), who also represented Sir Charles Craven, Bart., chairman of the company; Mr. R. Twentyman, Major W. G. Pearson (president) and Mr. Percy Moore (secretary), Barrow Rotary Club; Mr. R. Crossfield, J.P., Mr. A. E. Womersley (N.L. Education Committee, clerk); Mr. and Mrs. John Hutchinson, Mrs. Hugh Kennedy (rep. Col. H. Kennedy), Mr. F. Rogers (ex-District Manager, L.M.S.), Mr. w. W. Waite, Mr. F. Cookson, Capt. F. H. Robinson, Mr. H. G. Abel (chairman of governors of Starnthwaite School and representing the National Association of Approved School Managers), Mr. A. H. Howman (head of Starnthwaite and representing the Headmasters’ Association), Viscountess Cross (rep. the Hon. Miss Dorothy Cross), Lady Fell, Mr. and Mrs. w. Hewitson (Pelham House School), Mr. Beggs (rep. Mr. Francis Scott), Dr. and Mrs. E.J. Boyd, Mr. Tombling (Shrewsbury), Mr. Longbottom and staff from Ulverston Grammar School, Mr. S. Webster (Gleaston Castle), Mr. Storey (Scales) and Mr. Dodd (Scales) representing the churchwardens.

                The bearers were Messrs. W. Bowes, W. Towers, F. Postlethwaite, F. Cave, W. England, and G. Lockley.

                The arrangements were carried out by Mr. H. Werry, The Gill, Ulverston.

                The flag was flown at half-mast over Barrow Town Hall.

ULVERSTON, August 27. – On Friday 21st inst. the town of Ulverston and surrounding neighbourhood were visited by the most awful thunder storm.  It commenced about half-past one p.m. and continued for three hours, when it partially subsided till about half-past six in the evening, when it returned, and became so awful as to bring to our mind, very forcibly, the thunderings of the Most High, at Mount Sinai.  About seven o’clock the electric fluid pierced the roof of the stable belonging to Messrs. P. and S. Butler, of Ulverston, and proceeded downwards, shattering several spars of the roof, then passed through the hay rack into the stable, and laid prostrate two horses, and also Mr. James Benson, (a person well known among the Presbyterians of Kendal), who was in the stable at the time, but fortunately nor rather providentially, neither the horses or Mr. Benson were injured.  On Monday the 24th, we were again visited with a slight thunder storm, but though slight in appearance its effects have been fatal.  Thirteen men who were that afternoon reaping in a field belonging to Mr. Thos. Daniel, of Leawood (sic) near Aldingham, were all struck to the ground by the lightning, and two of them, named James Hornby and Thos. Miller (belonging to Preston) were killed. (From Find a Grave) It suggests that he was born in Longton, South Ribble.

22nd inst. The Rev. John Stonard, D. D. in the 81st year of his age : extensively known, and universally respected. In another part of our paper will be found a brief memoir of this esteemed divine, to which we refer our readers. Dr. Stonard was a man who had always enjoyed good health, which may be attributed to his regular habits. He has often been heard to say that he never remembered lying in bed two days together during the whole course of his long life. On Friday the 13th, though very unwell, he rose at half-past 7, took breakfast as usual, examined his housekeeping accounts, and remained downstairs till 5 o’clock, when he was attacked with a sudden fit of sickness. Upon retiring to rest he said, “I am going to bed for the last time.” From that time to the day of his death he was never able to rise without assistance.

During his last illness, he scarcely ever complained of pain, though occasionally he appeared to suffer acutely. His time was spent in prayer, and the Fifty-First Psalm was often audibly uttered. Towards the last he became even too weak to pray, and said he could not remember words ; when a few Psalms were read to him and the Lord’s Prayer was repeated; he clasped his hands in the attitude of earnest devotion, and payed (sic) the greatest amount of attention to what was being uttered. On Saturday last between 4 and 6 in the afternoon, his final struggle with death commenced, and he continued to grow calmer till 27 minutes past one, when he gave up his last breath almost imperceptibly. Even his death was an example to all who witnessed it. Well may we say “Let me die the death of the Righteous, and let my last end be like his.”

He acted in the capacity of college tutor to the present Earl of Lonsdale, and Col. Lowther, through the interest of whose family, we believe, he was inducted to the living of Aldingham. Thus, for a period of 35 years, this excellent pastor has, both by precept and example, ministered faithfully to the spiritual wants of his parishioners ; and by his unbounding liberality has alleviated the necessities of the poor amongst them, as well as those of others of the same class at a distance.

His life may be viewed in a threefold aspect – as an author, as a clergyman, and as a private gentleman.

As an author, the Rev. Dr. Stonard was eminent for simplicity and elegance. His works abound in passages of unaffected piety and eloquence, and manifest a correct and masterly acquaintance with Biblical literature. His learning was extensive and solid ; and his style possessed that first of all requisites – perspicuity. He laboured rather to instruct than to amuse ; and his one aim was to benefit those to whom he addressed himself, rather than make display of his own talents and acquirements. His divinity was sound and practical ; and his commentaries are ranked amongst the best of that class of publications, for the clearness with which obscure passages are illustrated, as well as for the learning and vigour of intellect brought to bear upon the discussion of questions of great difficulty ; and as a theologian he was at once profound and luminous.

The following is a list of the volumes which the Rev. Doctor published during his lifetime, and which were printed at our office, in addition to a great variety of Sermons published separately in the form of pamphlets, - “A Commentary on the vision of Zachariah, with a correct Translation and Critical Notes”, “A Dissertation on the Seventy Weeks of Daniel”, “Discourses on the Evidences of the Christian Religion”, “Six Sermons on the Church and Her Ministry”, A Dissertation on the Discourse delivered by our blessed Saviour touching on the Destruction of the Temple and the End of the World”, “A Sermon on Ezekiel XXI, 26, 27, with a new Translation of the whole Chapter, accompanied by Notes”, “An Exposition of the Church Catechism, intended for the use of all Young Persons, but especially for such as are preparing for Confirmation”.

As a clergyman, Doctor Stonard was indeed exemplary, not only for the earnestness of his appeals from the pulpit, but also for the virtues and excellencies (sic) that characterised his private life. His sermons were preached in his life, as well as in his church; and his actions were the best commentary upon his precepts. Possessed of very considerable wealth, he made it the instrument of his benevolence, and cheerfully bestowed it upon the poor of his parish; while his rich stores of knowledge and accumulated wisdom enabled him the better to counsel those who sought his advice. To say that he was universally esteemed and respected by his parishioners, would be to speak only a part of the truth, for he was held in intense admiration and reverence.

While as a private gentleman, the extreme urbanity of his manners joined to his numerous accomplishments, his varied acquirements, and his great wealth, entitled him not only to the consideration, but to the respect of the surrounding gentry. He was equally the favourite of all classes: - he was honoured by the wealthy, and by the poor he was beloved.

The death of the Reverend Doctor has occasioned a blank in our neighbourhood which it will be difficult indeed to fill.

The following was written by the Reverend Doctor only three weeks before the period of his decease, and intended by him to be placed on a slab in the Church of Aldingham :-

“In this frail memorial we call upon those who survive to consider their ways and their days.
No visible Form
No audible Voice
Issues from the Tomb.
If men hear not the WORD of Truth, neither will they be persuaded, tho’ one rose from the dead.”

FUNERAL OF THE REV. J. STONARD, D.D.

The last remains of the learned and amiable Doctor were borne to their last resting-place, in the quiet and romantic grave-yard of Aldingham, on the morning of Saturday last. The funeral, according to his own especial wish and desire, was conducted with as little ostentation as possible. The coffin in which the corpse was interred was perfectly plain, and no lead was used on the occasion. The same pall was thrown over the remains of the Reverend Doctor, as that employed to cover the mortal part of the poorest of his parishioners. So far from desiring his body to be preserved after death, he requested that some earth might be placed in the coffin along with it. Eight of the most exemplary labourers in his parish carried him to the tomb, in accordance with his wish, to each of whom £5 and a suit of black, were presented. Several of the clergymen from the neighbouring parishes were also in attendance.

The burial service was read in a most impressive and solemn manner by the Rev. T. Ormandy, who has, for several years, been Curate of the parish of Aldingham.

The day was remarkably fine. The scene in the ancient churchyard, one of unusual impressiveness,- one of especial beauty. The waters of the shining bay, that washes its very walls, glittered with the glory of the gorgeous sunbeams. The thick verdure of the tall trees that congregate in luxuriant abundance in the beautiful pleasure grounds of the Rectory, was just bursting into spring promise. Every where (sic) the spirit of beauty appeared to be rousing herself from her long torpor to gladden the world with her beneficent smile. Yet amidst these scenes of universal loveliness, of youthful and joyous springtide, was one in the winter of his days carried to the silent grave. And although the idea might possibly suggest itself to the mind, that amidst such re-awakened festivity and budding beauty it was heard to leave the earth, yet the reflection would immediately follow that, he, for whom the mourning procession had congregated together, was past the period of earthly enjoyment, - that he was ripe in days, as well as ripe in virtues, and that the spirit-land to which he had departed was one infinitely more fair, infinitely more desirable than the earth, even when arrayed in all her glory.

We understand that the Rev. C. H. Hartshorne will succeed the Rev. Doctor in the Rectory at Aldingham.