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Death of the Rev. T. Johns,…

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Death of the Rev. T. Johns, of Manorowen. Though not wholly unexpected, the passing a.way of the Rev Thomas Johns, M. Avicar of Manorowen and Llanwnda, (on Saturday doming last cast a gloom over the whole-. Community of North Pembrokeshire, for he go wop i(>. gentle, kind and loving iu his lite; the .ight of his ambition was to live Mth those he loved, he was hospitable and sincerely unostentatious he lived the sim- plest life, loving home aud its hallowed hearth, gracious to friends, sympathetic with neigh- bours in distress, and died without leaving in the memory of his family, or within that of the whole population among whom he laboured in the cause of Christianity and goodwill, the record of a single unkind act. He believed in the power of kindness, and Sympathy and tenderness, the sweetest in- fluences of nature, and his life filled the lives Of others with sunshine he was all that is ftoble in a father, and exemplary in a Vicir. | As Squire of Manorowen he evinced the deepest interest in his numerous tenantry and Was never happier than when knowing they Were prosperous and progressive; he was a sted- fast friend and an ever-faithful guide to know him was to love and esteem him, for a more peaceful, kindly-disposed gentleman never passed from life to the silent realm, believing With Tennyson that Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood." Ot his many generous acts to those iu need the grateful recipients and the sleeping donor know most, because he did good by stealth, &nd in this respect the whole tenor uf his lire Was consistent. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than visiting, when health permitted, the parishioners in whose welfare and happi- ness his eveu life was bound up. He loved the fields and flowers and trees, was touched to Enthusiasm by the beautiful thought, friendly in manner, candid and kind in speech, modest in bearing, and had a smile of recognition for everyone. The cold hand of death has fobbed the home he adorned and held sacred, and the Church of a noble pillar, the com- munity of an honest and steadfast friend and Vicar, and his loss is irrevocable. The revered deceased first saw light within the shadow of the picturesque Manorowen, he cherished with undying affection, on the 4th day of March, 1843, passing away at the age ot G2 under the same roof. His educa- tional career was bright and rapid. E irly in life be received tuition at the hands of Dr Rees-who conducted an academy at Fish- gUard-the late Canon Richardson, M.A., St David's, and the Rev John Davies, of Llandeloy, a noted scholar of the older School, who instructed him in Wélh. After deceiving a good elementary grounding he proceeded to Marlborough, where he gained the Somerset exhibition of St Joint's College, Cambridge. He graduated in 18G5 and Obtained the Master of Arm degree in 1869 a8 ordained in 1866 by the late Bishop of ■Bath and Wells, and received priest's orders the following year. For two yeais he held the curacy of Chard, Somerset, and subse- quently was curate of Newport, Pern., for a year. In 1869 he accepted the rectorship of klysyfran and vicar of Walton East a year i .er he was inducted vicar of Llanstinan (-'Ucceeding the late Rev John Williams) *0d Manorowen, and in 1877 became vicar of Llanwnda, retaining Manorowen With tactful diligence he laboured in the Drime of manhood in the two parishes, and a\V the fruits of his good work in the restor- ation ot both Manorowen Church and the 'Uined, ancient shrine at Llanwnda, distin- guished for its unique possession of a sanctus bell cot. One of the deceased's predecessois Llanwnda was the learned historian, Qiraldus Cambriensis. During the 28 years f his vicarsbip he witnessed many changes in all of which he swayed a prominent purt. In 1871 he married Miss Mary Dorothy James, the only daughter of the late Mr and rs Jobn James, of Trenewydu, and who, together with four daughters and ten sons Survive, the eldest being Mr Vincent Johns, Solicitor, [Fishguard. The occasion of the Carriage of their eldest daughter, Miss May Johns, to Major Moberly, D.S.O., now in India, is still fresh in the public mind. Mr Mortimer Johns holds a Government position in Africa; Mr W R Johns is an assistant inspecor of schools, while Mr Gordon Johns is a prosperous tea planter in Ceylon. Other Sons of the family aie also preparing for Various professions. Deceased was a ripe and distinguished classic scholar, and at the outlet of bis career ould have had little difficulty in stepping to the higher offices of the Church, but he pre- ferred the quiet seclusion of the country. In the pulpit his gentle, unobstrusive manner Characterised the delivery of nicely pointed Simons couched in refined phrases, deeply earnest and devoutlY sincere; indeed, the spirit and ring of the true gentleman impregnated the whole course of his good and honest life, It might well be said with Tennyson :— o Human, divine; Sweet human hand and lips and eye Dear heavenly,friend that can st not die. Naturally, the deceased s influential posi- tion as landed proprietor in an essentially agricultural district brought him into contact ith agriculturists of note throughout West Wales and his value^ advice was as readily 1ltlparted as it was sought. In establishing the now very successful annual Cattle Show in connection with the North Pembrokeshire Farmer's Club, hia influential position was a Powerful factor. Several times he accepted the highest honour of the Society, that of President. As recently as the show of August last year the rev gentleman occupied that position which he til!ed with dignity and innate tact, winning and holding the admira- tion of bis fellow membeis and the sincere esteem of all concerned. During the last few Months a perceptible failing in his usual good health was noticeable to his family and intimate friends much to the general regrets but he did not shirk the manifold duties connected with hia position until sheer weak- ness compelled rest. The last occasion he Officiated in public was at the burial oi an friend's wife at Manorowen churchyard few months ago, since which time the debilitating effects of an insidious organic complaint manifested themselves and he gradually weakened, passing peacefully away Qa IiItated, in the presence of his grief-stricken idow, his eldest son, those of the family at koine and his faithful curate and co-worker the Rev S B Williams, M.A. The sweet remembrance of the gentle, just chng like a vine around the memory and everyr sweet unselfish act is now a perfumed flower. THE FUNERAL. There was a silence still as death." The Peaceful, sylvan environments of Manorowen Were hushed to an unusual calm on Wednes- day afternoon, when all that was mortal of the late Vicar was laid in the tomb. fcoavcely a leaf moved on the noble trees in the gentle Zephyrs from the west, and the solemn still- Qel:lS of the occasion was so closely in keeping with the mournful event, that the quotation prefacing this is sweetly appropriate. Natur- ally, sympathisers came from. every hono^ in the district, some coming from distant home- steads to pay their final tokens to the ever- gentle and kindly drceased, and to offer con- dolence to the grief-stricken family, whose loss all so deeply deplore. But there is the consolation that the once guiding hand is 0L n fcleejiin'jf beaeaUi the shadow-of the home he M) well adorned, aud in the hallowed God's Acre he so often loved to visit in his leisure momenta. Space forbids the mention ot everyone of the family's intimate friouds pre- sent. Suffice it to state thr.t every public body, religious, administrative, business, and social were represented Ministers of every nonconformist church in the immediate dis- trict were among the large concourse. In addition to the officiating clergy there were the Revs I Jones, St Nicholas J Rees, Letterston J Howen, St Lawrence J \V Rees, Llanrhiau J 0 Evans, Nevern J Evans, Jordanston D Puillips, rector of Newport D Griffiths, Mathry E Richaids, Llanllawer; W J Clay, Bisley, Gloster Evan Williams, curate of Welsh Church, Liverpool and the Rev II Miles. Llanstinan, who also acted as one of the bearers to the grave. Dr J Morgan Owen the deceased's medical adviser, and others were noticed. Colonel Porter and Mr J C Buwen and Or Ported, of London. The preliminary service in the M:nor was feelingly conducted by the Rev A Richard- son, St Dogwells, aft>T which the plain, oaken shell containing the remains were slowly borne down the carriage drive, the clergy leading the way. At the entrance to the lovely precincts the Rev S 13 Williams, curate of Llanwnda, and the Rev W Evans, vicar of Fishguard, in their vestments, met the cortege, the latter opening the beautiful Burial Service of tbe Church, which was preceded by the hymn, Jesu, lover of my soul." In the sacred edifice the Rev W Evans read the lessons and the Rev J Rlorris, Llanbeidr, formerly curate at Manorowen, the other portion of the service. Again the bearers took up the coffin and, to the solemn rendering of the '• Dead March on the organ by Mrs (Dr) Thomsou, passed out of church to the grave-side at the eastern corner of the ground. The Rev S B Williams proceeded, in touching accents, with the interment portion the pathetic singing of the hymn ii. Welsh Yn y dyfroedd mawr yr tonau," which moved many to tears, bringing the proceedings to a close. The mourners were Mrs Johns, widow of the deceased, the Misses Liiy, Dolly, and Nesta Johns (daughters), aud the Messrs Vincent, Arthur, William, W R, Frank, Bertie, Edgar, Allen, and Owen Johns (sons), Mrs Vincent Johns, Miss Wilson, Dr Williams Drim, and the maids jf the household. Floral tokens of are exotics and lovely flora in many and beiutiful shapes testified to the tender regard of ,he family, relatives, and friends for the decetsed, and moat of those who sent them were present at the obsequies. One very beautiful ;ross, the joint work of Miss Dolly and her brother Frank Johns, was composed of heather fathered at Rhosyclegyrn where the deceased enjoyed an afternoon's ahootiag occasionally The choice token was placed on the coflii and lowered into the grave. One irom Nest a was composed of honeysuckle a sweet, bunch of forget-me-nots bore the name of Hargorie Roberts others bearing affectionate expressions were from Vincent, Dolly, Lill, and other members of the family, Miss Aoberly, Rev Henry and Mrs Miles, Llanstium Nan, H W and R R Ward, Mr and Gwynne Roberts, Mrs Bowen, Bryntirion Margaret and Mary Ann Thomas, Kenvor Jr and Mrs Porter, Mrs Richard Davies, il,iyi-ood, Falmouth Mr and Mrs. Lambert Gbson, Torn Williams and family, Cnwcysandy (a heather wreath), E Williams, HaverforQveat; Mr and Mrs W R Carver, Miss Wilsc-i, John Worthington, Gly ny mel; Mrs Thotison, Col and Mrs Porter, Gordon and Bessie Liddle, London Miss Rogers, Paignton; A 0 Robins, Mrs J Howard Wathen, Cliton Capt Francis, R Barham, Dr and MrsJ M Owen, Thos Henry Davies, Jno and Ljiia Davies, Mrs 11 J Thomas, LoehtuI tlin Mr DeCourcy Beamish: Lucy, Martha Ann and Hannah Jane Williams, and Jessie lewis (servants). Engraved on the baastplate of the collin were the words, Tbmas Johns, aged G. L Everything in connccion with the arrange- ments WaF. of tile, character, in accord with the express wishot the deceased, even the o,,tk comprising the?oiiiri was taken from the Mauoiovven wood,and the timber un- polished Messrs Nicolas aud Miles made the coffin, and the bricd grave, lined with leaves of the copper beach, yew, laurel, sycamore, and ivy, was tie neat work of Torn Williams, one of tne etloyees of the estate.

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