Father
still continued with his work for C.M.S. But it was abruptly
brought to an end on January 3rd a Sunday when he was due to preach at
Sandhurst near Hawkhurst. It was a strange coincidence that he
should have had this breakdown whilst going near Hawkhurst - as he was
preaching there when we heard of Hugh's death. It was there, too,
that we were at school and were so unhappy.
He always hated giving C.M.S. any extra expense, and instead of hiring
a taxi to take him to his house, he walked carrying his robes
case. He had a haemorrhage from the bladder and had to return
home looking as white as a sheet. That started the 15 weeks which
he had to endure in hospital. Bless his heart - he didn't know why that
sickness came upon him so suddenly, he suffered more than he would let
us know, mentally as well as physically.
He was only able to preach occasionally now, but used to help the Vicar
of St. Luke’s at the Holy Communion service and often used to read the
lessons, which he loved doing. So many people have told me how
much they enjoyed hearing him as he read so beautifully.
The last time I heard him preach was in Oct. 1955 in the lovely little
church at Lamberhurst. He took for his text, “In the beginning
GOD”, Gen.1.1., “In GOD we live and move and have our being”, Acts
17.28, and “Be still and know that I AM GOD,” Ps.46.10.
That is how he lived. He put God first throughout his life.
That was his prayer for each one of us - his dearest and his best, that
we should do the same.
We had proof of God’s love and care for His faithful servant when He
arranged for Basil to be home during his last illness. Had the
former been able to take his furlough when it was due in 1955, he would
have been back in Africa. As he was in England and living so near
it meant that we could nurse father at home - he would have hated being
in hospital again. So we watched him quietly slip away from this
world into life everlasting.
About 10 days before he died, he was sitting in the chair Gordon gave
us, and which he loved, when he said to me, “I'm going on a long
journey.” I said to him, “Well - I'm coming with you.” He
said nothing, but held out his arms. I went up to him and he
kissed me - he knew his work was done.
What rejoicing there will be when we are all united again in Heaven.
“Well done thou Good and Faithful Servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”.