OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 29 July 1909, Page 3

OBITUARY.

REV. HERBERT HALL WOODWARD, MUS. DOC.

It would be difficult to express in adequate terms the sense of profound regret and personal sorrow that, was felt in Worcester and elsewhere, at the passing away of Herbert Hall Woodward, Precentor of Worcester Cathedral.

He was born in 1847, and was the youngest son of Mr Robert Woodward, of Arley Castle, Worcestershire. He was educated at Radley College and Corpus Christi, Oxford. On leaving Oxford he went to Cuddesdon, then under the spiritual guidance and direction of Dr. King, the beloved Bishop of Lincoln. He was ordained deacon in 1870, and priest in 1871. For 11 years he worked at Wantage, under the well-known Dr Butler. In 1881 he became Minor-Canon of Worcester Cathedral, and in 1890 Percenter, a post he held until the day he entered into his rest. For some months he had been in ill-health, but this was not generally known. After interviewing three eminent specialists, it was decided that an operation was necessary. This was successfully performed, and there were great hopes of his recovery, but his already enfeebled body was not strong enough to resist the shock, and he passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 25th, in London.

To thousands of people the name of Herbert Hall Woodward is familiar through his music. The beautiful setting of “The Radiant Morn,” . his Communion Service, sung in all four Continents, to mention but two of his compositions, are best known. His music possessed a power upon the soul that many a greater musician has failed to achieve, instinct as it is with quiet devotion and peace. This gift he consecrated to the service of God, and many a man has thanked and will thank God that He gave such a gift to Herbert Hall Woodward.