To the late Dean of Canterbury on the death of his wife:—
“My dear Dean,—I trust the Lord is with you in your great trial, and will be with you unto the end. I believe that no one has the least idea of what the trial is, until they are called to pass through it. Its depth is learned only by experience. There were two lessons taught me when it pleased my Heavenly Father to send it to me. I never had any idea of the magnitude of the trial, and what it was to lose one who had been for so many years a wise counsellor and a most loving wife and mother. But I never knew the extent to which a Heavenly Father could supply all my need ‘according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ I look back upon the thirty years that have elapsed since my great bereavement, and am utterly unable to count up the tokens of His love and tender thoughtfulness during the whole of that period. And so, my dear friend, I am persuaded that you may trust Him entirely. You may trust Him for your eternity; you may trust Him also for the short remainder of your pilgrimage upon earth. You may trust Him to do well for yourself and your daughters. You may trust Him as your faithful Friend and your most wise Counsellor; and so trusting you will never be disappointed, but He will be both with you and yours continually, guiding you with His counsel, and afterward receiving you to glory. Remember me very particularly to your daughters.
“Most faithfully yours,
“E. Hoare.”
To the Rev. H. E. Williamson, Hon. Sec. of the West Kent C.M.S. Union:—
“Tunbridge Wells, April 11th, 1894.
“Dear Williamson,—I am exceedingly sorry to be quite unable to attend the Union of Unions to-morrow at Canterbury. I have greatly enjoyed the meetings of our own Union in former times, and firmly believe that we have been favoured with the presence of that loving Redeemer whose Name we desire to make known throughout the world. I should also have greatly enjoyed the meeting with our dear brethren of East Kent under the presidency of our beloved Dean, in his noble Cathedral; but I cannot venture upon the undertaking, and must look forward to the gathering of that more perfect Union which I hope is shortly to take place, at the Coming of our Lord and Saviour. Remember me to all the dear brethren, and believe me to be very faithfully yours,
“E. Hoare.”
NOTES OF CONFIRMATION LECTURES.
These notes are intended to assist Candidates in preparing for the Classes. Each of the Chapters mentioned contains a text on the subject of the Lecture.
Lecture I.—The Sinfulness of Man.
Man is sinful.
,, 1. In nature: Psalm li.; Rom. viii.
,, 2. In heart: Matt. xv.; Jer. xvii.