A few of the best-known of these little books are the following: upon the Prayer-Book—“Baptism,” “Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper,” “Absolution and Confession,” “Our Protestant Church,” “Morning and Evening Prayer,” “Articles of the Church of England”; upon the Bible—“Witnesses to Truth,” “Inspiration”; upon Prophecy—“Rome, Turkey, and Jerusalem,” “Palestine, Egypt, and Assyria,” “Egypt and the Prophecies”; upon the Religious Life—“Redemption,” “Sanctification,” “Conformity to the World”; and many others, some of which have had a great circulation.
His papers read at Diocesan Conferences and before large gatherings of clergy at Islington and all over England were models of clear thought and well-expressed ideas; if these could be collected together they would form a valuable handbook upon the most important spiritual and practical subjects.
But although Canon Hoare was widely known by his small books and papers, and by the stream of visitors that attended Trinity Church during their sojourn at Tunbridge Wells, it was as a regular Congress speaker that he was familiar to members of the Church of England at large. His writings were read by the same sort of people who came to hear him preach, people for the most part with religious views like his own; but at Church Congresses all shades of opinion are represented, and although at earlier gatherings of this sort violent partisans tried to put down speakers of the Evangelical party by “exhibiting,” as a witty Dean expressed it, “symptoms of the foot and mouth disease!” yet better feelings gained the day, and soon the calm and fearless speeches of many whose names will readily occur to the reader caused them to receive a welcome even from opponents. Ill-advised attempts were made at first by members of their own party to hinder Evangelical men from attending the Congress, but wiser counsels prevailed, and Canon Hoare was one of those who felt that, unless he and other leaders were willing and able to stand up in defence of their principles on the Congress platform, the days of Evangelical truth were numbered. The sagacity of this view soon became apparent, and it has led to a kindlier feeling between men holding different theological opinions, as well as to a diffusion in unexpected quarters of teaching such as that which men like Canon Hoare were well qualified to give.
The Vicar of Holy Trinity was asked on various occasions to speak at the Devotional Meeting that always closes the Congress week, and in reference to this the present Dean of Norwich once said to the writer, “I always call Canon Hoare the Grand Amen.”
Extracts from family-letters:—
“Fareham, October 12th, 1874.
“At Brighton I was most kindly and comfortably entertained, but I cannot say I enjoyed the Congress. There was an immense attendance, and such a crowd that it was almost more than I could bear. The result was that I heard but a portion of what was said, and with that portion I must confess I was ill satisfied. The Evangelical clergy had to sit hour after hour listening to all kinds of things without the opportunity of saying a word. I was the only one called up on the subject of Church services, though a great number had sent in their cards, and I should think nearly ten Ritualists and High Churchmen were called up one after another. I did not in the least satisfy myself, though, as I had trusted it in the Lord’s hands, I am satisfied that that which I said He gave me, and there I leave it. But the result was very painful, for as the audience did not know of all the cards, it appeared as if I was the only speaker on our side and my poor words the best that could be produced. I am not surprised at those who prefer to go quietly on their way and do the Lord’s work at home. But are we not to fight manfully? Yet how are we to do it if our hands are tied as they were there?”
“Tunbridge Wells, August 6th, 1875.
“I hope you may have a happy Sunday. I propose to preach on the Song of the Redeemed in Rev. v. 9, as the winding-up of my course of sermons on Redemption. My subject is ‘What do they think of it in Heaven?’ and I fear there is a great contrast between their thoughts and ours. If it fills the praises of those who know most about it, surely it ought to fill the hearts of us who are saved through its power!”
“Tunbridge Wells, May 26th, 1876.
“I fear I shall not be home to welcome you on Thursday, but hope to arrive that evening if God prospers me on my long journey to Southport and back. I am sure my paper ought to be very good, if I go such a long way to deliver it! I am thankful to say it is completed, and as good as I know how to make it; so I hope the Lord will accept it and make it useful. [201] I certainly have been producing a great deal lately, but by no means with uniform success. The Lord has not let me feel that I have the power in my own hand, and has sometimes thoroughly humbled me, more especially in my speech for the Jews, which was a failure. But I was encouraged in my sermon about them which I preached last Sunday and which is being printed.”
“Ottery St. Mary, October 7th, 1876.
“I am writing this letter, though I am not sure that I shall not be with you as soon as it is. But I know you will be glad to hear from me if I can reach London in time for the post.
“I rejoice to think the Congress [202] is over, and am thankful also that I went to it. I believe that the paper was accepted of the Lord. It provoked no controversy, and was most kindly spoken of next day by one of the Ritualistic speakers: I had great reason therefore to be thankful. Some of our people did admirably, manifestly helped of the Lord, and I do not think the truth suffered. But we sadly wanted more Evangelicals; the Ritualists put on a number of young men, many of them foolish fellows and poor speakers, but they got more people on their legs than we did.
“Now for a race between my letter and myself; I wonder which will win!”
(Mission), “Manchester, January 30th, 1877.
“You will be thankful to hear that the Lord is prospering us. We have had some desperate weather, and the congregations have of course been much less than they would have been. But you know I am not dependent on numbers, and have sometimes found the richest of blessings amidst a little flock on a stormy night. I hope we had such an one last night. It is almost impossible that the weather could have been rougher, but there was a capital congregation, considering, and profound attention. I believe also that there are many seriously impressed and others already greatly helped in their faith.”