OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1552, 7 September 1905, Page 1

OBITUARY.

THE VERY REV. DEAN HOVELL, V.D. (Tuesday’s Nameii TBLKoitArn) Last night Dean Hovoll died at Ormondville, whore he had been staying for health’s sake. The nows of his passing hence caused shock owing to its suddenness. It was known that ho was ill, that ho had been ordered rest and change, and to some it was also known that his illness was of a serious nature. By these possibly the end was not entirely unexpected, but to the majority the news brought pained surprise. His departure was peaceful, for during yesterday a rally had enabled him to go for a short walk accompanied by Mrs Hovell. Upon his return ho talked fill well on to 6 o’clock. Then his heart began to fail, he was assisted to lie down, and so quietly, without pain or suffering, he died almost immediately. His family have the consolation of knowing that he was widely loved, and that his death is deeply deplored as that of a bind friend as well as a faithful pastor. It was the Dean’s

good fortune in life to be able to cap tivate the goodwill and respect of al those with whom he came into contact This applies generally to his resident of over a quarter of a century here but more particularly to the latei years of his life. He explained this sometimes by saying, almost in the exact words here set down from memory:—“To widen our knowledge oi man makes us tolerant and gives us wisdom of the heart. By it we discern the good to be found in every breast. As we grow older we become mellowed, we make allowances for the inevitable differences of opinion which tend to divide mankind, and take pleasure in reflecting that in spite of them all men are brothers.” Gifted with a kind and genial disposition, to his natural warmth of leart were added the tact which grows out of an intimate knowledge of the

springs of human action, the broadness of view which springs from intellectual culture, and that easiness of address and courtesy of manner which mark the true gentleman. Always oheery where cheerfulness seemed called for, sympathetic and: consoling to those in trouble or affliction, to know the Dean was to admire him, to experience his friendship a source of pleasure. His death will be mourned not only by those who came into contact with him in his capacity as a cultured-clergyman, but also by that wider circle who knew him personally or by repute. As a clergyman possessing gifts above the common he ranked high. As a preacher he was eloquent and earnest. As a platform speaker and lecturer he occupied a prominent position. His services in capacities were appreciated in many centres, including at least two of the four cities, and it is not; going too far to say that his reputation was colonial. As a citizen of the great Empire of which this country is a part he was enthusiastically but intelligently patriotic. While deeply conscious of the many defects in the social order of the country which gave him birth, he yet delighted to dwell upon the brighter aspects of its national characteristics, and his love for the country where he received his early education often found expression when conversing with friends. His conception of the sacredness of the bond of blood relationship which binds the British race was second only to that higher and broader conception of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God which he was wont to describe as the

basis of his religions hopes. Among the external mementoes of his activity as a clergyman stands the Cathedral. The design 1 and erection of this building occupied his deepest thoughts long before its plan was set to paper or the possibility of its realisation admitted -by others. That he lived to see the day when the building was opened for worship constituted for him! ohe of his most pleasurable experiences. He was further happy in knowing that he was, as he himself expressed it, without an enemy, t'o will him harm. If the good wishes of a circle of friends whose limits were ever. widening as he became more widely known could have kept him in life and health his days upon earth wonld have been many indeed. But we must all bow to the.higher decrees which control the fall of a sparrow no less than the destinies of empires, and Dean Hovell has gone to his rest at an age when most men consider themselvs comparatively young, and the place which once knew him will know him no more. 7