Death of the Rev. Abraham Honore.

Manawatu Herald, 24 July 1894, Page 2

Death of the Rev. Abraham Honore.

We greatly regret to announce the death of our respected townsman the Key. Mr Abraham Honore, who died at his residence, Norbiton road, Foxton, yesterday at 4.80 p.m.

For months past the deceased had from time to time suffered from : attacks of neuralgia, and these attack? seemed considerably, to have weakened : him. . On Thursday the 12th July he was attacked wich la grippe and on Sunday he took to his bed. Last Thursday serious symptoms showed themselves in the afternoon and Dr Dermer was called in that evening and pronounced Mr Honore to be suffering from a severe attack of bronchitis. The disease took firm' hold of him despite all medical aid and his breathing be came very distressing, and his heart showed signs of failing. He was conscious up to the last and passed away in a sort of doze.

Ml* Honore* was a native of Denmark, his ancestors were French Hugenots, who removed from Fiance to Germany during the persecutions. About p.. /century ago the Danish King" noticing the Hugenots were industrious settlers invited them to Denmark and offered them special advantages. On the King's invitation Mr Honore's ancestors removed to Fredericia in Jutland. It was here that' Mr Honore was born on the list May, 1821. His family were mem brers of the Presbyterian Beformed Church ol Denmark. In the year 1848, without being ordained, Mr Honore came to New Zealand as a Missionary to the Maoris under the direction ; of the "GeVman Missionary Society, afr Bremen, and

he has, continued hia labour, under their direction ever since. His first Nation was at Kuapnka an island in Foveaux Straits, were he remained 7 years, and then he moved to "Stewart's Islaud, and resided on the neck. He was there from three to four years and renloved from there to Sivertori where He resided about 12 years. In iB7l he went to Rangitikei and lived at Marton and laboured amongst the Maoris on the West Qoaat between New Plymouth and Wellington. He remained at Marton till the death of his wife which took place on the 4th May, 1882.

It may be stated tbat in 1868 Mr Honore received ordination at the Presbyterian Church in Otago.

Sometime -after the death of his wiffr Mr Honore paid a visit to Denn>afk,- and von his *etu?n to New in 1883, he became located in Foxton, where he has sinoa resided. S^nce he hag been in Fdxtdri his mission at y labours have extended from Turakina to Olaki. As a missionary he has never spared himself, and in the early days he had to endure great hardships and exposure in travelling his districts. For the 45 years he has been in New. Zealaud he has preached on every Sunday with the exception of two or three previous to his illness. Mr Honore could speak Jour lan* gtfages, viz., German, Danish, Maori and English, and could tji'each with equal facility in each. Nil* Honoro in his Danish home spoke Germau, and was accustomed to offer his private, devotions in that language

The character of the deceased can be gathered from a prayer written by him in his diary uuder date of 7th January, l6w.

" My dear (tod and Father in Heaven, it seems as if I were about to forget all Thy great mercies aud gooodness to me in the year pa?t, but Fhou that knowest the heart knowest that I acknowledge and thank Thee my <Tod, Creator anil Redeemer for all goodness shewn to me in time past. In regard to me and my house, Thou has blest us with all we could desire in every way ; the chastisements have been very few and gentle, but the blessings many ; yea what we ca'l trials have been blessings. But deav Father, as I am now coming near to the end of my pilgrimage, may I not be permitted to see more fruit of my humble work among the Maoris before I shall leave here and go to Thee. On Thee my God I wait ; to do Thy will is my delight, let me never do my own." Mr Honore was married twice. First to Elizabeth PetronelleMaetsen and secondly to Louisa Larsen. He leaves surving him a widow, three sons and one daughter. The sons are, Jacob, school-master at Stoney Creek ; Abraham, farmer at Fitzhorbert, and Isaac at Napier. The daughter U the wife of Mr John Dearlove, farmer atPahiatna.

Mr Honoro was so well-known and so mnoh respected throughout New Zealand that big death will cau3o regret both among Maoris and Europeans. His work wa3 not wholly confined to thi Maoris as he has preached from tima to time to the Germans located round Palmersion, and to the congregations of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches in Foxton. lie preached last at the Presbyterian church at Foxton on the Bih July.

We desire to expresg our sympathy with the widow and family in their bereavement.

Ths funeral will leave his late residence at 1.4S p.m. on Thursday, and a short service will b 9 held at the Presbyterian Churcn before proceeding to the cemetery.