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C. HICKSON, PRINTER & PUBLISHER. J. PARKER & CO., LONDON. |
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C. HICKSON, PRINTER & PUBLISHER. J. PARKER & CO., LONDON. |
Chapter I.--Early life at Eton and Cambridge, and Ministry at Windsor. 1809-1841.
Chapter II.--Consecration to the Bishopric of New Zealand: The Voyage: Work in the Colony. 1841-1848.
Chapter III.--First Voyage to the Melanesian Islands: Missionary work there: Consecration of Bishop Patteson. 1841-1867.
Chapter IV.--Second visit to England to attend the Pan-Anglican Synod: Appointment to the Bishopric of Lichfield: Farewell Visit to New Zealand. 1867-1868.
Chapter V.--Life and work in the Diocese of Lichfield: First Visit to America: Death of Bishop Patteson. 1868-1871.
Chapter VI.--Bishop Rawle Consecrated in Lichfield Cathedral: Rev. J. R. Selwyn leaves England for Melanesia: The Bishop's second visit to America. 1872-1875.
Chapter VII.--Death of Dean Champneys: Church Congress at Stoke-upon-Trent: Visit to the Isle of Man: Fourth Diocesan Conference. 1875-1878.
Chapter VIII.--Last Illness and Death: The Funeral. Proposed Memorials at Lichfield and Cambridge: Conclusion. 1878.
On Sunday, the 24th of March, 1878, unexpectedly and almost without warning, Her Majesty's training ship, Eurydice, with all hands on board went down off the Isle of Wight. The tidings next morning sent a thrill of dismay throughout the length and breadth of England at the suddenness of the calamity. On the same afternoon of that chill and bitter day, with its blinding snowstorms and withering wind, after a long Confirmation which had tried his powers to the utmost, our late beloved Bishop, folding his hands and laying back his head in the vestry of S. Mary's, Shrewsbury, said--"The end is come." To hear of his being ill created a feeling of no ordinary anxiety among his people, as he had shown few signs of failure in health, and no sign whatever of failure in energy. But when, a fortnight later, the medical attendants announced that his life was in the greatest danger and that very little hope could be entertained of his recovery, anxiety gave place to deep and unfeigned sorrow. Telegrams and bulletins were scanned with keenest interest from hour to hour; and when on Thursday, April 11th, the great Bell at the Cathedral announced that Bishop Selwyn was no more, everybody felt that a stately ship had indeed gone down, or, as we should rather say, had passed to the haven beyond our earthly knowledge. While therefore the remembrance of him, both as man and Bishop, is still vividly present with us, and his voice--that voice with its calm deep tone, warning, exhorting, comforting all who heard him--still sounds in our ears, [1/2] it seems well, ere the clear impression becomes at all dimmed, to recall some parts of his eventful life, and to put on record a few of those striking acts and words which have so powerfully affected the Church of England at home and in the colonies; a more complete account being reserved for some abler pen than that which has been prompted by affectionate and reverential memories to write this simple sketch.
E. A. C.
The Close, Lichfield, 1878.