The life of George Crabbe / by his son; with an introduction by Edmund Blunden.

  • George Crabbe
Date:
1947
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The life of George Crabbe / by his son; with an introduction by Edmund Blunden. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    was full—the effect appalling. The terrible solemnity seems yet recent while I write. The leader of the choir selected the following beautiful anthem: “When the ear heard him, then it blessed him; And when the eye saw him, it gave witness of him. He delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless, and him that had none to help him: Kindness and meekness and comfort were in his tongue.” The worthy master of the Free and Sunday school at Trowbridge, Mr. Nightingale, on the Sunday after his funeral, delivered an impressive address to the numerous children under his care, on the death of their aged and affectionate minister. It was printed, and contains the following passage: “ ‘Poor Mr. Crabbe,’ said a little girl, the other day very simply, ‘poor Mr. Crabbe will never go up in pulpit any more with his white head' No! my children, that hoary head—found, as may yours and mine be found!—in the ways of righteousness and peace, is gone to rest; but his memory is embalmed in the house of our God. Sacred is the honoured dust that sleeps beside yonder altar. Is there one of you who has not experienced his kind¬ ness?—who has not seen his eyes beam with pleasure to hear you repeat ‘Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done’? Re¬ ligiously keep the Bibles he gave you; and when you read these words of your Saviour—‘I go to prepare a place for you—and when I come, I will receive you to myself’—think of your affectionate minister, and that these were his dying words— ‘Be good and come to me.’ ” Soon after his funeral, some of the principal parishioners met, in order to form a committee, to erect a monument over his grave in the chancel: and when his family begged to con¬ tribute to the generous undertaking, it was not permitted
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