During the last year of his life it was evident to all that “old Mr. Valiant-for-truth” as some one had aptly named him, was growing more feeble in body, and it was apparent that the end of his faithful warfare could not be far distant. Some thought that he ought to resign and leave the parish in younger hands, but it was more generally felt that the grief of leaving his work would be too much for him, and many believed that he would be allowed to die in harness: and so it was. At the Easter Vestry he spoke feelingly of his approaching end and his desire for a suitable successor, and when he thanked his hearers for what he described as their toleration of the failings of an old man who was doing all that his strength would allow, all present were visibly affected. The next week he went for a few days to Eastbourne, and thence dictated the following letters. How descriptive were their closing words of the continual attitude of our beloved friend’s mind! To one of his daughters:— “EASTBOURNE, _April_ 18_th_, 1894. “We have had a comfortable night in our very comfortable quarters; I think you did indeed do well for us. I cannot imagine anything that would have suited us better. “The day seems most beautiful, the sun shining brightly; those we love most hearty in their welcome, and everything cheerful all around us, so that I hope we may go home at the end of our week refreshed and invigorated for any work that the Lord may have in store for us. But at present our work consists in idleness, and I propose to devote myself to it with much diligence! “All whom I have seen recommend a bath-chair, and I should not be surprised if I were to follow their advice before I go home, but I little know what is in store for me. Only let me enjoy the lovingkindness of my Heavenly Father, and we may safely leave the rest in His loving hand.” To a friend who was in ill-health:— “EASTBOURNE, _April_ 21_st_, 1894. “I can heartily sympathise with you in the pain of giving up one after another the different objects in which you have been interested, and I can feel for you the more as I have been lately passing through the same process. “I am obliged to hand over to others a great deal of the work in which I used to take delight. But I believe it is good for us, and that the ties to earth are being loosened in order that we may be the more ready for the Lord’s summons when He shall call us to depart and to be with Christ. “So let us think more of what we are likely to find in Heaven than of the pain of parting with those things which have been a joy to us upon earth. . . . “E. HOARE.”