MAKE UP FOR LOST TI ME OUR TREASURE O F LI GH T THE SECRET TRIALS O F THE CHRI STIAN LI FE THE RULE OF GOD ’ S COMMANDMENTS THE CONSOLATIONS OF THE C H RI STIA N S E AS ON S THE HOUSE OF GOD THE HOME OF MAN NECESSARY TH I NGS HEAR THE CHURCH E H OME AN H EAVE N MOTH R, D WORK AND WORSHI P

ME S S IAH COMETH ( S K E F FINGTON) SOUND WORDS

' ' l nt Al tbese ex cept tfie two l ast are now out zy prz .

G EO RG E EDWARD JELF

B Y HIS WI FE

A PRE FACE BY T H E B I S H O P O F L O N D ON

“ If yo u c anno t live ! Be true an d pure and so uls o f me n shal " — thro u h u. u ra g yo Puu.

I SKEFFING T ON SO N S O U H A M P O N S R E E ST AN D T T T T, R , p unu suz as TO HIS MAJESTY m e am 3 909

G EO RG E EDWARD JELF

A ME M O I R

B Y H I S WI FE

WIT H A PREFACE BY

T H E L O R D B I S H O P O F L O N D ON

If o u c nno t r u liv ! B e true and ure y a a g e , e p and h o l and d e o ut and H e h o e ve r se e k th e y v , W s so ul s o f m e n shall fi nd the way to so me o f the m ” hr — t o u h o u r. no x g y . Pm mps B o s

I o nb o n SKEFFIN GT O N SO N W S O U H A M P O N S R E E S R A N D . C . T T T T , T ,

PU B LISH ERS T O HIS MAJESTY T HE KING

I 9 9 9

H IS DEAR C HI LDR EN

P R E F AC E

CAN ON JELE was o ne of the most lovable men I m t I h a ve e ver e , and those who read through , as e have done , this d lightful little Memoi r of him will gain some ide a of the reason why h e was so .

H e was in the fi rst place an intensely humble man , and fe w things are more win ning than real , genuine humility in a man with many gifts and graces o f which a l e sser man might have been proud . It was m us e very touching , and even hu iliating , to young r men to see the way in which he asked our advice e and paid d ference to our opinions , whereas , all the we time , felt that with his experience and ripe holi n e ss h e was far more fi tte d to advise us . Then with his humility went a singularly loving nature . I shall never forget the last time I saw n h im before the fi al unconsciousness came upon him . H e was in bed du ring his last illness and had been m practically unconscious for any hours , when he “ ” I was told that the Bishop had come . think “ that his soldier- like instinct of b e ing called to at ” ’ e m fo r o ffi c e t ntion by the visit of one who , his h e o ffi c e r sake , looked upon as his superior , and also

— what I shall always re gard as a high honour; e f e e his p rsonal a f ction for myself , combin d to send “ ” the word B ishop home to his tired brain . I n a ash in and e fl his face changed ; sitting up bed , str tch h s ing out his arms , i whole face lighted up with joy VII viii PREFACE

f fi v e and a fection , he was himself for or ten whole in minutes , and he displayed that last interview the loving nature which always drew out love in re turn

(as this Memoir will show) from all who knew him . And ye t (as is also so well described) with that o ne loving nature went a high note of discipline . No ever took liberties with Canon Je lf his infl ue nc e over

- me n f working was not won by boisterous cha f , but in by an irresistible gentleness . His face repose was a nd grave , the lines in it were no doubt graven there it by those early sorrows which left their mark upon , however completely the unbroken happiness of his second marriage , and the dear children sent by God to him to take the place of those he had lost in early transfi ure d life , g i nto sunshine all his later years . B ut still— and as one tries to depict th iS ‘ re al human life , seeming contradictions crowd upon one another - the Memoir dwells most truly o n his rippling laughter . There is a quotation I gre atly liked o n ’ ’ 1 1 : H e e ad and p . 7 throws back is laughs that ’ e art an y , said old woman of him once , and it was absolutely true . a a It is said that merriment is sign of pure heart , a t lf nd it was cer ainly true in the case of Canon Je . A more transparently pure character could not be

a - imagined , and with it went child like merriment in the enjoyment of a good joke or in joining in games infi nite l with his children , which was y attractive and win ning .

None of these traits , however , by themselves would have accounted fo r his infl ue nc e and his effect upon others . It was his holiness , his absolute devotion to e J sus Christ , which made the deepest impression on “ e w o all who kn him ; he was a go d man , full of the ” and Holy Ghost and of faith , the b rethren at the PREFACE i x

in e Charte rhouse found his last y ars , what hundreds of old and young had found through the long ministry which preceded his appointment as Master ,

in S t . Wh o that they had him a real Barnabas , was a “ so n of consolation indeed . S hortly before his death I al ed him to come and e take the addr sses to the candidates for ordination , who always assemble for two days at Fulham , and “ none of them will eve r forge t the kind father who spoke to them so lovingly and sympathetically of the dangers and temptations , but also of the joys of the ministerial life . S e lf a s uch was George J all his life , bright witnes b e of what a Christian ought to , and , as we watched him , the old words grew to have a new meaning to us The path of the j ust is as a shining light , which shineth more and more unto the perfe ct day .

A. F . LO N DO N .

' ’ All S az n ts D a y ,

1 909 . ’ TH E Editor s grateful thanks are due to the Earl of S elborne for permission to reprint extracts

Memo rials P e rs o n al an d P o litic al o the from , , f

n n Fi7 s t E arl of S e lbo rn e ; to Messrs . Lo gma s Green for permission to reprint two extracts from

’ to r r us s Li the S y o f D . P ey fe ; to the Editor of

Guardian Chatham the , and to the Editor of the an d R o c he ste r N ews an d ]o um al ; as well as to those friends and relations who have so kindly i assisted n the co mpilation of this Memoir .

O XF RD O ,

mé r 0 N ov e e I 9 9 . C O N T E N T S

CR AP.

PA EN AGE I . R T

LL I I . SCHOOL AND CO EGE LI FE

ORD AT O AN EA LY M STRY— B LACKMOOR I III . IN I N D R INI 7

I A R WALD E N V. S FF ON

ROCHESTER AND CH ATH AM

— VI . ROCH E STE R D OCESA K E TC . I N WOR ,

VII WI P H . GGON H OLT AND OTHER ARI S ES

V B K III . LAC HEATH

IX Y R . LAST EA S AT ROCHESTER

X . CHARTERHOUSE

XI H T L T R . C ARAC ERI STICS AND E TE S

XII H — AY R . C URCH MAN SH I P TH E WOR K OF PR E

X III . CAN ON J E LF I N CONVOCATION

X IV . R EMINI SCENCES

F o r at o ur side we fe e l ’ ’ O ur e r sm e o ur m e r e fath s il , oth s glanc ; S a e ar a r e y, can this th loving t anc ” Of de epe r bliss re ve al ? KE B LE .

H appy h e W m e r f w m k ith such a oth , aith in o an ind B e ats with his bloo d and trust in all things high o m Come s e asy t h i . ENNY T SON . I LLIAM E LF R ICH AR D W J , the father of the subject of o ne fi v e S ir this Memoir , was of brothers , the sons of

m e lf at . Ja es J , one time Mayor of Gloucester These brothers were George , Richard William , Henry , f . O William Edward , and Charles these , Hen ry e entered the army , and aft r his marriage with a S cotch lady was kn o wn as Major Je lf—S harp of K in carrath ie : , Perthshire William Edward was distin a nd as the author of the Greek Grammar , several important posts in the University of

in 1 8 and hard William was born 7 9 , received uc atio n in o ne at Eton , sitting next form to who a nd his closest friend companion through life , m as fa ous throughout the whole Church , e Bouv rie Pusey . With hi m Richard Je lf went as a Commoner , to Christ Church , Oxford , 1 8 2 0 obtained a S econd Class in Liter! s ores , hortly afterwards gain ing the distin o tion Oriel Fellowship . H e was ordained in the year and spent the next fi v e years in tuition i n rs i the Un i ty . In 1 82 6 he was recommended by the B i shop Oxford as a suitable prece ptor for Prince e m e e G orge Cu b rland , whos father , Ernest Augus tus , King of Hanover o n th e accession of ic to ria to our throne . George was a favourite n e phew of George

I V , who , during one of the visits paid by the Han B 2 3 4 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

S t . o v e rian family to the Court of James , presented Mr i in . Jel with a gold watch , token of approval of his fid e lity to his pupil . More valuable , however , to the tutor was the esteem an d affection of the royal pupil himself . When about to return to Germany after such a visit , Prince George was asked whether M e lf r. J would again accompany him , and replied , “ I I ndeed , could not do without him , and he is good enough to say that he could not do without me . This mutual attachment continued throughout the thirteen years of pupilage , and ever afterwards . was fifte e n When Prince George about , a great sorrow in befell the Royal Family , his gradually going blind , owing to a blow o n his eye given accidentally by himself . S ome years afterwards he said to his tutor that he felt thankful for his blindness , as it had r fl c t and ro fi t enabled him to e e , p the more from his

i nstruction . 1 8 0 I n the year 3 , Richard , n ow a Doctor of D S chli e nb ac h ivinity , married E mmy , Countess p p ,

- in- lady waiting to Frederica , Duchess of Cumber

a e . . e lf land , afterw rds Que n of Hanover M rs J was c h li e nb ac h the tenth child of Count Carl S p p , and in 1 802 P re nslav in was born at Arendsee , near ,

Prussia . S h e is thus described by one who knew her ale “ : e well Her fac was bright , intellectual , full of love

e e e e e . an d swe tness , and abov all of h av nly xpression Hers was a heart ever ready for prayer ; a c o unte n e no t n ff anc radiant , o ly with kindness and a ection for d e her chil ren , her friends and her poor p ople , but ” also with reverent awe for the divin e pre sence . ’ Though Dr . Je lf s tuto rial work with his royal pupil o n e always went steadily , the Court was oft n on th e

’

S tor o . D P se s e . 66 r u . y f y s , p A ME MO I R 5

move : sometimes at Herrenhausen near Hanover , S o som e times at Berlin , sometimes at ch nhausen , and sometimes in our own royal Pa lace of Kew . Three daughters and two sons were born to Dr . and M rs .

Je lf during these years . These last were George 1 8 Edward , born in 34, and Arthu r Richard , born in

1 . 837 , now a Judge of the High Court of Justice A in daughter and son were afterwards born E ngland , of whom the latter , Richard Henry , is now a retired

Colonel of Royal Engineers an d a C . M. G .

. e lf I n 1 839 D r . an d M rs J left Germany and came to reside at Christ Church , Oxford , of which Cathedral he had been made Canon a few years e e b for , on the nomination of the great Duke of

We llington . The period we have no w reached was a critical a nd th e tumultuous one for the Church and University , which had passed through the necessary Evangelical Revival to what will always be spoken of as the “ ” Th e Oxford Movement . three great leaders of this e movement , Newman , Pusey and Kebl , were friends e lf of Dr . J ; and as , i n his prolonged stay abroad , he h a d n o t been mixed up in any party strife , important

p h le ts - h im , indeed were addressed to

. H e ders formed no fresh party himself , 1 his course as a steady Churchman of the 1 , moving forward with the new spirit , but “ u m e ring hi self , and advising others , star ” “ h antiquas vias . O these lines his Via ” t 1 8 2 sermon , in 4 , became famous , as show hat the Church of England is “ our providential ” 1 e b tween Romanism and dissent . Two years re r h e preached the Bampton Lectures on the sub “ ec t me t e j of The Means of Grace , which a gr at want at the time , reminding the clergy and laity of 6 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF the peculiar privileges th e y enjoy in th e English ale C h urc h .

e i in B lo mfi e ld Dr . J l , conjunction with B ishop ,

Mr. B ishop Wordsworth , B ishop Wilberforce and

Henry Hoare , was i nstrumental in the reinstitution th e fi rs t in 1 8 1 of Convocation , which met for time 5 after about a hundre d and fifty years of abeyance . ’ 1 8 e I n 44 he was made Principal of King s Colleg ,

London . Here he inaugurated two new departments , th e o e Theol gical and the M ilitary , which latt r , how e e nd th e ever , soon cam to an , owing to development of Army Classes in public sc hools and elsewhere . i As Principal , Dr . Jel had ultimate authority over the in school , held at that time the same buildings as the coll e ge ; and also took a keen personal interest in ’ e King s College Hospital , so important to the m dical lf students under his care . Dr . Je was supported by a n f e able sta f of prof ssors and teachers , to whom , as th e well as to himself , college owed much of its great

- success . H e h e ld this appointment for twenty six 1 86 years , and then , in 9 , came back to Oxford , and h e 1 1 resided there until his death in t year 87 .

Awe ll - kno wn lawye r once e xpre sse d to a frie nd his opinion o f “ ” th e e o f l n V Me m valu this book by cal i g it his ade cu . E AR AN D CO LLE GE Th e r r e me h e d e man e d a e st f i nd to , t kin st , Th e be st conditione d and unwe arie d spirit ” In doing courte sie s .

S H AKES PEAR E .

e e are e wh o e h e o f m r e fo r Bl ss d th y hav t gift aking f i nds , it is ’ o ne o f G d e m e th e . It e o s b st gifts involv s any things , but, abov all , ’ powe r o f going o ut o f one s se lf and appre ciating whatever is nobl e ” r and loving in anothe .

THOMAS H UGHES .

6 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

e S e brothers wer sent) because he was ubject to agu , w o e hich tr ubl d him then , as it did again later on at

. e e Rochester Dr . S au nd rs was then H admaster of in Charterhouse , and George was placed his house , “ ” and became a S aund e rite . Very few of his school e are f llows now living , but these have a kindly and e happy recollection of him . One de scribes his lif as m ” beautiful and blameless fro his earliest years , and another writes of “ the high principle and kindly nature which distinguished him as a boy and as a young man . H e had a gen ius for making friends , and took great th e trouble all through life to retain them , acting on “ o wn principle often quoted by him , Thine friend and ’ thy father s friend forsake not . One old Carthusian “ writes : When I w e nt to Charterhouse in 1 85 0 h e fi rs t was the boy to come up to me , saying that as ou r ”

e . fathers had be n friends , we ought to be the same

E . . e e G . H Among his fri nds w re J . Talbot , Pember , e S Robert Dundas , Fr d Young , Herbert aunders , f G Lionel Dawson Damer , R ichard Bayli f , . B ing

W S . d S tO fo rd ley , . B oger , Fre erick p , Toke Faus

T . . R B e sett , Tom M ills , J Williams , . . Girdleston an d William N ic h o lso n ; and with all of these h e was o n e afl e c tio nate intimat and terms through life . H e in joined all the usual games , and was in the in 1 8 2 e e school eleven the year 5 , but no r cords w re ke pt at this tim e of any matches played in or outside the walls of Charterhouse . lf ’ Dr . Je was at this time Principal of King s

College , London , so that George was able to see S much of his family , generally spending his undays at home . s The following letter was written to him by his father o n his seventeenth birthday A M EMOIR 1 1

S T B O Y MY D EARE , “ May God give His blessing to the rest of

we e H e your life , as ( may gratefully acknowl dge) has thus far given it ; and may you be e ve r more and e us more , what you are alr ady , a blessing to all ; to me as long as my life is spared jointly with all others am de ar to you and when I removed , to your dearest mother and ou r oth e r dear children , whose natural support and comfort and example , it is you r privi

e th e s o n . l ge , as it is your duty , as eldest , to become I hope this last thought already animates all your exertions to b e come a good and well - educated Chris th e tian man , and to reap the fruits of excellent

- me e e ducation which a life i ncome enables to giv you , e U and to lay th m p as a harvest , not for your own b e ne fi t only , but for others who may be one day e literally dependent upon you . With this pray r , f I which I fervently o fer to God , send to you my warmest love and bl e ssing on the return of you r birth f day . Ever you r a fectionate father ,

ELF . R . W . J His mother adds “ I c an hardly add anything to this beautiful over ’ fl o win f g of you r beloved father s af ectionate heart , w e e e hich will moist n your y s , as it did mine just now ; n but you know , my own dear precious boy , how u - e utterably you are beloved by both your par nts , and th e ff you know the best , only e ective way of proving e the sincere r turn of such love . To success in that holy object of your life , may it please God to add as much of health , peace and happiness as is consistent ” with your eternal salvation . Your devoted mother .

Perhaps it was from his moth e r that George inherited th e refi ne me nt and culture and the spiritual 1 2 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

look that characterized him , as well as the warmth and enthusiasm of character (more German than E nglish) that he so readily displayed ; whilst from his father he derived the robuster virtues of moral and physical bravery , contempt of all that was mean or little , and a sense of truth and duty that was to him second nature . A cousin who was intimately bound up with the family life of George Ie lf and his b rothers and sisters says What struck and delighted me i n the whole e in family , and perhaps specially the boys , was their delightful man ner of sharing every thought with their parents , so sure as they were of being understood .

I t was a joy to listen to D r . Jeli and his sons when

— c nfi d e nc e together the perfect o between them , and o n the exquisite courtesy , almost reverential , both

s h e . ides , by whic it was xpressed I have never seen ” anything like it since . George wen t up to Christ Church in 1 85 2 as a Com moner for his fi rst term ; but afte r that he was S nominated by his father to a tudentship , which he i 1 1 H e held until his marriage n 86 . was admitted to 1 8 his S tudentship by Dean Gaisford , who died in 5 5 , an d was succeeded by Dr . Liddell . ’ Among G e orge Jeli s friends at Oxford (besides those who accompanied him from Charte rhouse) were the late Lord Leven , Henry Longley , William

C L . Cleaver , Germain Lavie and . Dodgson (Lewis

. H is Carroll) recreations consisted in riding , rowing and fi v e s h swimming , racquets and , and in t e long walks which were to become the habit and delight of his life . H e had been a religious boy , and he retained his e T r ligious habits at Oxford . h e fi rst words of his ” : Journal there were Appeared in morning Chapel . A MEMOIR 1 3

This habit was kept up with u nfailing regularity ; and he writes long afterwards of the Cathedra l as th e “ dearly loved home of my boyhood , youth and middle ” life . His recollections of Oxford seem to have been and e nd of the happiest , to the of his life it was to “ ” him the most beloved place in the world . H e obtained a First Class in Moderations and a in a H umanio res Third Class Liter , the latter being somewhat of a disappointment to himself and his

friends . O h i e the former occasion Dr . Jel r ceived the follow ing characte ristic note from B ishop B lo mfi eld

F u fia m l ,

D e . 1 8 . c 3, 1 54

MY D E R R . ELF A D J , “ B l m M rs . o fie ld and I beg to offer ou r hearty ’ and e lf congratulations to you M rs . J upon you r son s i in m o d e rat o n . honours , obtained , if not enjoyed ,

We know , happily , by experience , the pleasure which ’ a son s success gives to parental hearts . May this an f a n be omen of urther d higher honou rs . “ Pray transmit my felicitations and good wishes to the moderate young man himself . “ Ever yours most truly , “

C . . ON D ON J L .

in e The brother nearest age to Georg , and to whom e Mr . e lf he was d votedly attached (now Justice J ) , writes thus “

George was the best and kindest of b rothe rs . Between hi m and me there existed always the closest af e c o nfid e nc e bond of f ction and , lasting without a a e break from boyhood to old g . H e was by n early four years my senior , and in my 1 4 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

early youth his advice and counsel were of the gre atest

value to me . As an example of his loving sympathy e c towards a younger brother , I rem mber re eiving from him o n the day of my C o nfi rmatio n at Eton 1 1 8 (Feb . 5 , 5 3) a beautiful letter warn ing me of the nd in and trials a temptations which lay my path , directing my mind to the One unfailing S ource of and to strength holiness , which was him throughout his long life so vivid a reality in all its vicissitudes

of joy and sorrow . We e njoyed together the blessing of a home - life of s fo r singular happines , lasting many years without

any gap i n the family circle caused by death . “ When not u nder th e infl ue nc e of one of his occa sio nal fi t sad s of illness and depression , he was a fun delightful companion , full of and spirits , and at the same time deeply interested i n the serious pursuits ' '

. H e d e v o te d to music of life was , and had a good ear and fi ne a voice for singing . Many a happy jaunt we had together as young me n , amongst others a charming littl e walking tou r and e by the Wye , Tintern Abbey Chepstow , som where in the fiftie s when he was still at Oxford and I

at Eton . To the events and comical adventures of was this trip it in after years our delight to refer . Th e re was an infe ction in his hearty laugh which was

irresistibly catching . “ I n late r life we naturally saw much less of o ne o ur f another , owing to di ferent spheres of work and e e e surroundings , but wh n ver we wer together ou r e e int rcours was of the happiest kind , and nothing e in ever happ ned to me either the way of success , dis a e ppointment or anxi ty , which did not attract his I warmest sympathy , and believe call for his earnest e pray rs o n my behalf . His was from fi rs t to last a A MEMOIR 1 5

holy and a useful life . Would that I had tried more earnestly to follow his example The following letter is from George Jeli ’ s oldest

H . K . C . E . . and dearest friend , Pember , Esq ,

' ’ ill Vzcar s H ,

’ n ton Ly mz g ,

m r 2 1 0 . S e pte be 4, 9 9

E R MR S . E LF D A J , You are kind enough to ask me if I will give you my e arly recollections of th e friend whom I e I so dearly loved . wish that I could writ something - o ff d e fi nite for you , but of far incidents my mind is ne re co l blank and barren . My o prominent and valid un l e ctio n of him is himself . That is as clear as ever , dimmed and unchange d . I was attracted to him from fi r t e the s day that I kn w him , and our mutual love and friendship , though they grew rapidly , lasted on with e out disappointment or repulse . I verily beli ve that his was the gentlest an d purest spirit whose path had e e and ver cross d mine , its mild light was thenceforth re fl e c te d — I upon a nature harder , rougher , and as scarcely need take shame to admit— lower than his own . infl ue nc e a nd His over me was that of a saint , my m e e no w I I ain r gr t , that have lost him , is that was u nabl e to keep myself more constantly than I did within its range . “ e o n How ver , as years went , although through the inevitable and displacing accidents of life we saw less e e and l ss of each other , a sudd n letter , tender i n form e a nd an f and phras , full of a fection of which I felt was e h that I scarc half worthy , but which e b e stowed e e e with unconscious g n rosity , would very now and th e n reach me in the midst of th e stre ss and d istrac 1 6 GEORGE E DWARD JE LF

tions of a career as strenuous , though more mu ndane than his . They came , those letters , like shafts of sweet light piercing the clouds of a doubtful day .

Nor did they ever cease , up to the very last . Our o in c rrespondence , fact , though too infrequent to pre c lud e my present regret , was still a veritable chain of handshakes studding the long length of our two l ives . I I knew that he loved me , and he knew that loved him , and this reciprocal knowledge was so sure , that were it letter or visit , meeting or greeting , which broke silence or pushed separation aside , we always o ff began again exactly where we had left . o As I l ok back , it seems no hyperbole to speak of his friendship as , for me at all events , a spiritual romance .

Believe me , “ e lf Dear M rs . J , “ Very sincerely yours , “

MB . H . E ER E . P

As if r we re e re d in , that hou , ush A r e r fe w w g av li ithout, ithin, An e nd to e a e w dil tt nt ays, A f re we to e last a ll idl days, A e fo r e w r fo r e e pl a nobl o k, sp d, ” O f highe st he lp a sore r ne e d .

B e no t w to th e fo r m e e e to be slo visit sick , that shall ak th

” - d c us . c . be love . E l . vii 35 EO RG E ELE G J never wavered from his resolution , in formed early life , to enter Holy Orders , and after in 1 8 th e taking his degree , 5 7 , he went for a year to

Theological College at Wells . Here he often went through “ troublous times ” (as he says long after f and wards) , su fering much from depression of spirits , tri e d by the claims of a sensitive and scrupulous c o n e and science . B ut the encouragem nt help given to e me him at th se ti s by Canon Church , the beloved

- h e Vice Principal , with whom had many walks and e o n e talks , ch ered him ; and G orge always felt how much he owed to him , as well as to the strict but Mr gentle discipline and holy character of . Pinder the H e e in Principal . e was mad Deacon at Cudd sdon 1 8 8 S 5 (his tudentship at Christ Church being his title) , a nd ordained Priest in 1 85 9 by B ishop Wilberforce o f e nd Oxford , aft rwards one of his great fri e nds a e help rs . 1 lf In 85 8 Dr . Je arranged that his so n should begi n his min isterial work (without stipend) under the B C . . Reverend Dalton , Vicar of Highgate , whose excellent preaching and long paro chial experience fi tt d i i ’ e n . so n him , D r Jel s opinion , to train his for i fi rst S the m nistry . The Earl of elborne , writing at ’ m Mr in 1 8 the ti e of . Dalton s death , 93 , says of his old friend Whil e the re could not anywhere be found a man e e e e of mor genuin pi ty , a clergyman with a high r e o ffic e o ne sens of the duties of his , or more consistent C 2 I 9 2 0 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF and active in their performance ; h e could not be a nd surpassed , I think he was not very. often equalled , in the equability of his character , the sou nd balance and of his j udgments , his complete freedom from every sort of u nreality . No one could be brought near to him without feeling him to be a sure friend and safe counsellor , and the i mpression so received ” was not altered by later experience . Under such guidance George Je lf l e arned the lessons of diligent pastoral visiting , regular teaching in the schools , and careful preparation of his sermons , which were carried out throughout the whole of h is fi ft in Mr. y years the m inistry . Dalton wrote to hi m ’ 1 8 1 8 j ust before his Priest s Ordination (June , 5 9) “ I know well that your heart has been fi x e d o n that increase of mi nisterial gifts which you may hope to

- and o receive to morrow , that you g with a humble and thankful heart to the reception of these gifts ; and therefore I cannot doubt but that they will b e effectual to the gre at blessedness of yourself as well as of those to whom you may minister . I pray God it may do so ; and daily do I thank H im that you ever

- came here as a fellow helpe r to me . Mr o ne . Dalton taught his young curate lesson H e which he never forgot . used to relate to his chil n o ne e dren how o occasion , j ust b fore preaching , he had gone i nto the vestry , according to the custom of o n th e a nd that time , to put black gown , sat down to fi ni h n put some s i g touches to his sermon . The Vicar also had to come i nto the vestry j ust afterwards , and “ e found him doing this , and remarked , Com , this is to o fi nish e d much . George Jeli often afterwards e e e o n e th e his s rmons v ry lat S aturday night , or ev n in S m e early hours of unday orning , but was nev r guilty agai n of preaching with the ink wet upon the page ! A M EMOIR

H e 1 86 remained at Highgate till the year 0, when he moved to Clapton to take up work under th e ’

S t . e O n Reverend George Powell , Vicar of Jam s s . 1 1 86 1 May , , he was married at Highgate Church

f . A o G . to Fanny , daughter Crawley , Esq . , of At Highgate . Clapton he found much interest (among other visiting) i n his work at a private lunatic At asylum , of which he was Chaplain for four years . this time of his life he usually rose at six to read S cripture an d theology ; a nd in the evenings read a nd history poetry , committing much of the latter H e to memory . learned by heart , among other things , 1 000 C amus and the lines of , thus strengthened his memory for after years . His mother writes to him in 1 86 : o n o n o n 3 Work , read , pray ; and God will bless such work and such prayer with e ver- increasing clearness and fi rmne ss of faith ; prepari ng you more and more for possible independent and more extensive in H e work , which His good Providence may have in store for you . I n 1 863 h e was one of the Deputation from his University to present an address of congratulation to the Prince and Princess of Wales at Marlborough

House o n their marriage . The young curate writes of the P rincess in his journal with almost boyish “ A nd delight . . a I were quite fascinated , and it was ’ d i l o ff . At ffi c u t to take one s eyes her face last , having h e r got one more glimpse of , as she turned towards o ff th e our retiring procession , I moved , and we left house perfe ctly buoyant with de l ight at our most happy introduction to the Princess . I shall always ” a n mark this day with a ve ry white mark . After “ e vening of parish work he adds I can hardly think of anything but the Princess .

N o w o ur King and Que e n . 2 2 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

O n 1 2 1 86 April , 5 , his wife died , leaving him with four e little children twin girls of thr e years old , and a twi n e boy and girl of only a month . Her sist r , M iss Crawley , came to take charge of the children and of the home , and for el e ven years helped him through much trouble 1 866 and anxiety . I n he accepted the offer of the senior curacy at Aylesbury , made to him by Arch deacon B ickerste th . One who rem e mb e rs him there “ : M Mr l says y memory of dear . j e f has always been

o ne . H e fi rst e a nd a sweet came here aft r his loss , with his four little motherless children . S orrow made e him most sympathetic , and spiritualiz d his work and us e labours among . Archdeacon B ick rsteth had a S f r plendid sta f of cle gy , but being a hard worker himse lf there was not much opportunity for any of his clergy to strike out any separat e line for himself . ’ Mr i The keynote of . Jel s life was gentleness and great simplicity ; he won by living himself the higher ” life . After three years at Aylesbury George Je lf was asked by the late Lord S elborne (then Lord Chan ce llo r) to be the fi rs t Vicar of the newly - formed parish

' f m w e h e h ad o Black oor , Hants , her built a beautiful V church , icarage and schools , and was about to build w n H e Me mo rials his o house . himself writes i n his , “ P e rs o nal a nd P o litical p . An excel i no w lent clergyman , George Edward Jel ( Canon of h d Rochester) a accepted the charge of our new parish , an d no man could have organize d it better , or done more to attract and attach to the church th e scattered population of what before ou r coming was a wild e moorlan d district . Th re was no department of pas in toral work which did not prosper his hands ; gentle , f e e h e earnest , a fectionat , and n ver sparing himself , made what had been a wilderness b ring forth , in a A MEMOI R 2 3

very short time , m uch fruit ; and he gave our schools e th e an from the b ginning , with aid of excellent

- school master , the character which they have main taine d ; their work has been excellent from that day ” until now . The Vicar held at all times delightful intercourse e a nd with Lord and Lady S elborne and th ir family , met many interesti ng friends at their house and in

the neighbourhood . Among these was Charlotte

Yonge , who came with her cousin , Mrs . Crawley , to

se e a nd . H e him , spent a few hours with him talked H e ir o R e d c l e and to her of the f yfi , asked if the describing of Guy ’ s character had not been a very h : . e great pleasure to her S said Yes , but we must remember what the dear poet (Keble) says To our ’ o wn nets ne er bow we down . At o in 1 8 1 Blackmo r Vicarage , the early days of 7 , an almost overwhelming sorrow was sent to George e lf J . After a short ill ness his three little girls were taken from hi m by a virulent attack of scarlet fever within a fortnight of o ne another ; and one delicate l ittl e boy was all that was left to him in his desolate e in hom . This child was tenderly cared for , and , U answer to many prayers , grew p to be a happiness and comfort to his father to the end .

B ut the waves and storms of grief did , indeed , pass ove r him who so deeply loved his motherless chil

' h e alwa dren , and ys bore the marks of these earlier

sorrows . Year by yea r the an niversaries of thei r deaths are recorded as sacred days ; and day by day in the beloved names were remembered his prayers . Holy I nnocents ’ Day was always a very sacred day

to him . H e writes in his Journal o n that day nine “ teen years after his loss : Celebrated early in the

cathedral . Thought very specially and solemnly of 2 4 GEORGE EDWA RD J E LF

my precious little children , long at rest , and prayed for a childlike spirit , and for the grace to live for ” others . B isho p S amuel Wilberforce wrote to him on 1 1 8 1 January 4, 7 Think how many will be roused to pray for you . Thi nk what currents these prayers

in . shall set motion for you Think , my friend , what in in in its is H is love its vastness , its discernment , tenderness ; and what H e must have in store for you H f ” when e su fers you to make trial of such bitterness . I t must have been in answer to these prayers that he was enabled for the rest o f his life to give comfort and consolation to other mourners . I n a letter to a a nd e father mother bereaved of a delicat child , he “ writes (in Doubtless it comforts you r hearts ’ to know that it is well with the child , and that our and Heavenly Father , Who cares for strong weak alike , has taken him to be with Christ , which is far ’

. o wn better And yet I know , from my experience long ago , the pang of parting with our beloved chil us us fo r e dren , given i n trust , and lent to a littl are us while . B ut , precious as they to , they are infi nite l c y more precious to H im , and right lear in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints ; as of those i n mature life , so also of those youn ger souls , who are taken from the evil to come and placed in the shin ing light of the home of peace and joy . M ay H e Who cares for the child uphold and comfort you

The name of one we love , thus early departing from us in , remains still among those we daily remember r our praye s , b ut with the added assurance that even ” no w all is well with him . I n a letter to a mother who had been called upon and to part fro m her two little girls in their infancy , “ so n s afterwards from her only , he speak of One Who

2 6 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

Another gre at sorrow b e fell him in the autumn o f 1 8 7 1 in the death of his father from smallpox after ’ e a few days illness . Dr . Pus y , writing to Dr . New “ man S m e 2 2 e on epte b r of this ev nt , says Kindest thanks for your loving letter . It is indeed a gre at e trial . Next January would have complet d sixty years since we went to Eton and were placed within two of e ach other . After a year we came to be next to each other by his getting a place . I t is happy now to think in that those early years I never knew of a fault of his , e th e ev n very slightest untruth , nor any deviation from duty . It was always the same single life of ’ e e duty . God s warnings w r truer than our H e thoughts . had some feeling a week before that

a . S o his illness was gr ve this , too , was the love of

e . God . I littl thought to have survived him When I last saw him his step was as quick and active as e e v r . I little thought that the last grasp of the hand would b e the last . ’ J ust after his father s death Mr. Jeli brought out his fi rst Ma ke u o r book , a volume of sermons entitled , p f Lo s t Time in e , which he dedicated to his father thes “ : words To the revered memory of my father , these o sermons , which were sub mitted to his s und and sober e j udgm nt , and which he thought would prove , as b e e they were humbly designed to , of some h lp to a are e troubled soul , lovingly dedicated in d vout thank ful ness for the comfort of his guidance , the blessing ” of his example , and the joy of his companionship . The last words of this little book may perhaps be quoted as a characteristic outpouring of the writer ’ s thoughts “ Time wasted— precious opportuniti e s for ever thrown away , u nspeakable privileges despised , Thy ’ i P use s L e . 6 S l m o D r. . y f y f , p 4 7 A M EMOIR 2 7

0 e Word , God , set aside for a more convenient s ason e w 0 We acknowledge and b ail it all . Yet , Thou h ne w in W o make st all things , this brief moment of e we c an e tim which yet call our own , we would s rve m s e . a b e Th e Not long , it y , yet pas ionately and with our might ; not in the proud hope of m e riting a e reward , yet so that we may not los our crown ; not , a s ! e th e urifi e d la as the pure , but at l ast as p ; not as if we could ourselves aton e for the idl e ness of the e me e days which Thou r mb rest , but as knowing that e in m our Redeemer is precious , and that , ev n aking e no t in up for past tim , our labours shall be i n vai n H im e e ; not as trusting to ou r work , but as s kin g , w we in ou r work for Him , that peace hich could not

fi nd — O we i n the world Thee , God , Thee only would serve The Guard ian sp eaks of this book as from the e n p of one who inherits an honoured name , and with e e and o it also , as it se ms , the sob r sensible s undness ” which we have l e arnt to asso ciate with that name . ’ One of the Vicar s interests at Blackmoo r was the formation of a branch of the National Deposit

Fri e ndly S ociety . The village club was transferred

- e th e from the public hous to school , and was merged into this society , which kept its an nual festival there . In later years he did what he could to help on the o in a nd s ciety Kent , the secretary of the West Kent Division spoke of him as one of its fi rst and best friends . Towards the e nd of his time at B lackmoor he was called to take part in the gre at London M ission of

1 8 . H e h e 74 went to Highgate , where had worked e sixte n years earlier , and conducted the mission there ’ O B ri n with the help of the Reverend J . e Hoare and e H A . e h e lm the R verend . Lake (now R ctor of C s 2 8 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

e b ford) . H is addresses wer published , y, the wish e of those who heard th m , as a little volume called , r a r i ht O ur T e su e o f L g . I n November o f this year he accepted from Lord S f E B raybrooke the living of a fron Walden , in ssex , and left his fi rst parish and his dear friends at Black moor House with many regrets . The late Lord S elborne wrote to him “ You can never fail to retain in f your place our a fections and prayers , and I feel that we in particular owe you u nder God a deep debt of gratitude for all you have done here . Your friend ” ship will ever be most precious to us . S AFF R O N WA L DE N

1 874- 1 88 2 If e a o f e m o r e e fl we r we d th e o f , inst d a g , v n a o , coul cast gift e th e e r o f r e wo d b e as a lov ly thought into h a t a f i nd, that ul giving th e ange ls give . G EORGE MACDON ALD

We re the re nothing e lse F o r w to r e th e e e e hich p ais h av ns but only Lov , ” o r That only Love we re cause e nough f r p aise .

TEN NYSON . S A FFRO N WALD EN is a town of some 6000 inhabit fi ne ants , with a church containing a good peal of e e it eight bells . The thr e haml ts con nected with , e S E nd Audl y E nd , ewards and Little Walden , with

- th e ne w other far outlying houses , gave Vicar plenty of opportunity to exercise his love of walking . S o H e found excellent day and unday scho ls , a e e e good choir and r verent s rvic s , to which he added ’ at once weekly and S aint s Day Cel e brations and a H e second daily service . always considered that the “ ritual of th e English Chu rch should be s impl e and ” august ; a nd o n his fi rs t S unday he ai me d at pre se nting the service to his ne w parishion e rs o n this e mod l , with surpliced choir , chanted psalms and e resp onses , and a monotoned servic , always singing the Litany himself with th e beautiful refrain learnt in

Christ Church Cathedral . His love for , and know e e o f e e l dg , Church music stood him her i n good st ad , and h e h T h e always conducted t e choir practice . choirmen and bellringers were some of his warm a e in 1 dh rents ; and 876 he starte d th e N . W . Essex e th e Choral Association , going round hims lf to train e s fi rst n ighbou ring choir , and superintending its e e f stival in Wald n Church . S ff no w a ron Walden was then , as , a stronghold of th e S e a nd me h i m ociety of Fri nds , so of s war est e s e e e e fri ndship w r among th se interesting p ople , with whom h e c o - operate d most happily in philanthropic e H and t mperance work . e had the joy of preparing 3 1 32 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF some of the younger generation for B aptism and r i n a nd C o nfi mat o , of holding delightful intercourse o n spiritual and i ntellectual subjects with the elder generation . I n the fi rst year of his min istry at S affron Walden e lf S e c re t Trial s o Mr. J published a book called the f “ th e Christian Li e f f , which he dedicated to the su fer ing members , u nknown yet well known , of the B ody H e trib ula of Christ , which will make , through much ” e tion , a glorious Church . This book has pass d through seven editions , but is now out of print . For many years the author contin ued to receive grateful letters (many of them anonymous) from those who f in in lo ne li were su fering mind or body , or living and and and ness isolation , who derived comfort p ro fit (as they said) from its counsels . The following in S letter from a stranger , a missionary outh Africa , gave the author great encouragement . You will be well able to understand the peculiar trials of a missionary to the heathen : the d iffi c ulty of keeping up a higher tone while all around and in infl ue nc e : is deteriorating , lowering its the very lo w standard of even the best converts from heathen ism : the dulness and unsusceptibility of the con sciences that we are trying to guide a nd far worst e of all , the temptation to doubt whether the whol e u nd rtaking is not a mistake , an d whether one had better not have been contented to remain at home . You will easily see that the S e cre t Trials of the Christian Life sp e c ifi cally meets several of these dith c ultie s man , and is thus a peculiar boon to a who feels ” the weight of them . An anonymous writer says of this book (i h 1 893) You seem so completely to have entered into the mystery of the awful inward struggles with doubt to

4 GEORGE E DWARD JE LF

h o e husband in t e p e aceful cemetery of H lywell , whil all her sons and daughters knelt around her grave . At the end of this year Prebendary Dalton left ’ e - e a n d H ighgat after twenty four y ars work there , became an in mat e of the Vicarage at S affron Walden . I n 1 8 79 George b e gan again to writ e a Journal an e e and after i nt rval of fourte n years , continued to do so day by day u ntil the en d of his life . I n the course of this Memoi r a good many quotations from this Journal are given , which , though not important in themselves , may best describe his daily life and methods of pastoral work .

S a r alde n t - o n W 1 8 . 1 l S a Tr n . W h . t. i it e ff , 7 9 f y alk d S e w E th e e e e e e to ards nd and took s rvic th r , pr aching to a larg e cong r e g ation on th e contrast b e twe e n th e Pharis e e th e e th h e th E of Gosp l and e P aris e of e pistle . me w Mr G w Had so talk ith . . and ith that good and M M m e r . m e e m e e loyal fri nd . Had to co pl t y e v ning s r on th e A h on C oll e ct afte r te a . g r e at cong re gation in t e e v e ning . What g rand opportunitie s are g ive n u s h e re ! Au — I 2 8 . m . n o t e t e e e e g do y anag to ris v ry arly , e e no w M g n rally about 7 . ust try to me nd my w ays . O ’ e e S . i w m p n d Girls chool D d C ae sar ith y d e ar boy . w e e e e m n E S u . e e m I rot l tt rs and b g an y v ning s r on . In e Mr B w m e s . e e aft rnoon visit d . ( if of a nonconfor ist trad s m an M h e r. G . S . e t e s e ) , call d on , also visit d (Fri nds) and e re w m A had a long and int sting talk ith th e . lso visite d M D h m . t e e e h e r w w m iss dr ss ak r and young ork o e n . Afte r dinn e r we re ad S hak e sp e are and had some sing mg . S t — e . 2 . w m p Got up at and orke d at so e pro o fs . ’ 1 2 M . S E at atins Taught in Girls chool , took . in C e m A 1 C ae . t 1 e M T m at chis and sar instruct d iss . Fro 1 2 to atte nd e d a me e ting of th e Gov e rnors of th e G amm S w w e e e th e r ar chool , at hich d cid d that school e th e 1 6 m w e shall op n on th of this onth . In afte rn o on alk d A e E o o e w to udl y nd , and had a g d d al of talk ith Lord and a o o e L dy Braybr k . A MEMOIR 35

S und a — R e e C o mmu o w 1 N o v . . . 9 y c ive d Holy ni n ith 5 ’ ’ We S o and e othe rs . nt to Boys and Girls ch ols , th n to w e o ut th e o o ff m h at Upp e r S quare . I nt into yard , to k y , e me n w me e and pre ach e d to a g ath ring of , o n and childr n , h e t o . e t e re ading thos e w ords in S . J hn vi conc rning tru th e e e th e w e me to th e e e labour , Br ad of Lif , lco all and v r A m th e fi rst e f o e R e o . e lasting e surr cti n ft r aking f rt , I f lt me m e e as on for r occasions , co fort and h lp in sp aking , and hop e I was abl e to say some thing towards l e ading th e se e me m e e w poor souls to r b r our Lord in th ir daily ork , and h B m H im t e m o . e h e e . to co to In rning pr ac d , as I did i K h e r e th e e e . . 6 . e . in v ning , on Phil In aft rnoon , fath r we S e w E w e e h e e e e and I nt to ards nd , h r pr ach d to a larg e we e e o f th e cong re gation . In v e ning r ad a gr at part a g rand 9 th Book of P ra d is e L o s t. I praye d at H o ly C o mmunion to - day fo r g uidance co nce rning this mission m w h C h O e e D . V at lapha , in hic I p to tak part , . ’ N o v — A . 1 1 . e e m e Taught in Girls S chool . tt nd d e ting A Mr fi . 1 2 m t e e s T . C o n r a of Burial Board pr par d . for f nfirm ti tion . Had 3 s e ts o C o a o n candidate s . Had a w th e e w e good alk in e afte rnoon . In v ning nt to a de nse ly w e me e e m e M e e e e r. cro d d ting on T p ranc , pr sid d ov r by R . e e . H e e me s a , a total abstain r (and Fri nd) ask d to y e e e e w h pray rs , and cons nt d , rath r against his ill , t at I

e . e should sp ak This I f lt bound to do , as I cannot support M w e e . e e was e e total abstin nc y sp ch ll r ce iv e d . I said was o e e that I anxi us not to sail und r fals colours , and e e e m e b th that I b li v d od ration to e e r ule .

1 880 I n , with the help of the Friends , a B ranch

th e f - of was inaugurated , and a co fee house opened . The Vicar became a total abstainer for th e e m sake of xa ple , but after two ye ars the ague return e d “ upon him , and he was obliged to re turn to the rul e of moderation . H e taught in one of the day schools every morn

, e h e ing and visit d at the Union where was Chaplain , and where the care of the inmates was of gr e at interest

. H e S to him made a practice , especially on undays , D 2 36 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

in of speaking to men standing about the street , urg “ ing them to spend the S unday better . One told me h e re that had laughed a bit , but afterwards he had m n t I e it. o ne o m mbered I re inded that it is , but my ” Master , Who calls him . One of the Vicar ’ s chief interests at Walden was the reorganization of the old Grammar S chool for

boys , which was reb uilt and started afresh with a new

e e e R Luc ko c k . sch me und r the R verend . It must not be suppose d that life was all work and e no play . Many we r the parochial entertainments in i n which the Vicar and his wife took part duets , H songs and glees . e was possessed of much of the “ ” saving grace of humour , and had a keen sense of

the ludicrous . This was somewhat tried on some of ’ e e th se occasions , as , for instance , wh n , at a Mothers e o n M eting party , one of the guests insisted singing , ’ e Te D eum u naccompani d , all through Jackson s , i mmediately after a comic song had b e en given ; or when the Vicar himself opened a Temperance Mee t ing by starting a long- metred hymn to a short- metred fi nd in tune , and g notes wanting in the second and e fourth lines , cheerfully i mprovised in every vers , ' hoping his companions would have th e c o urage to follow h im ! H e would som e times stand up to re ad e e Dick ns , with the result that the p ople all laughed so much to s e e him laughing that h e was oblige d at

last to close the book . Life was not at all dull in that e e e nt rprising little town , wh re good lectures and con

e e e e . e s c rts w r constantly arrang d One of thes la t ,

given by the E nglish Glee U nion , is well remem ’ e e me m b r d , when the bers of that famous men s quartette sang i n th e ir b e st style th e humorous quar “ ” e tett of Old Daddy Longlegs . This was quite too t e much for the Vicar , who sat in the front row of h A M EMOI R 37

in audi e nce , th e tears running down his face his

l wh o le - hearte d enjoyment of the fun . No record of his work at S affron Walden would be complete without alluding to the close and i ntimate fri e ndship that e xisted between him and the Assistant " C le rgyfi who took their full share of the arduous

labours , and loyally supported him i n all his under

takings .

C . The Reverend G . Blaxland (now Rector of S f Ringshall , u folk) contributes the following sketch “ Mr e lf e My introduction to . J cam about through a friend , now one of the heads of houses at Oxford ,

whom I had consulte d about my fi rst curacy . H e Mr e lf e happen e d to meet . J (who was then se king a h e curate) , and was so much impressed by him that me at once advised me to apply . It was for a hap p y e S ff e providenc , for a ron Walden was an ideal spher T h th e of work . e clean little town adjoining park and mansion of Audley End was pl e asant to the eye . The noble church rose up conspicuous in the midst : e a type of the life lifted up above the world . Th re was th e happy home of the Vicarage with its op e n door of hospitality ; the work was varied and hopeful and was and well in hand ; above all there the Vicar . whose very countenance spoke of re fi ne me nt and cul e tur , with deep spirituality ; of a heart still young , though chastened by experience ; of austerity coupl e d with th e warmth and w e alth of human sympathy ; of th e vision of faith embodied in the labou r of love . Work with him was not likely to lack ideals and inspiration . “ M ’ r. e lf s J p osition was not an easy one . It was a time when religious antagonisms were more than

e e w r h R e e t e e v . . . D e th e Re v . P r Th s J J ani ls, ie s Claughton , h t e R e v . . G C . a d th e R e v G e r e S m s Bl xlan , and . o g a p on . 38 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

’ infl am Mr e d . e ordinarily . Tooth s case , the Ridsdal

Mr. Macko no ch ie j udgment , the suspension of , all belong to this pe riod . S affron Walden had been long accustomed , u nder former Vicars , to one way of think ne w - ing , and the Vicar , though large minded and

d e fi nite l e . moderate , was very y devoted to the oth r

To him the Church and her system were the object , not only of his conviction , but of his devoted attach ment . Many of the things which he did (though such as would now be taken as a matter of course ) were H m isunderstood . e was so sure of his own sincerity th e of pu rpose , and of his loyalty to the Church , that c o nfid e nc e c o m want of shown i n some quarters , the plaints of arbitrary proceedings and the charges of Romanizing tendencies wounded his sensitive nature * to the quick . Perhaps he took them too se riously . H It was not that h e lacked supporters . e was one whom the great mass of the peo ple could not help c o nfid e nt win loving , and he was that he would them ‘ ’ h e all i n time . B ut he laboured for peace , and could not be happy while even support to himself tended to make divisions among the people . “ H e set himse lf to work the system of the Church faithfully and without exaggeration on any side . The

o n e - s services we k days and S unday , i n the atmo e e sph re of devotion inspir d by the beautiful building , ’ were part of his soul s life . It may be suggested that in e there was the church , larg , lofty and soaring , with its clearly- d e fi ne d outlines and the chaste austerity of its beauty , the expression of a spirit ’ H singularly akin to the Vicar s own . e was careful to make provision for the needs of the outlying ham lets , but it was his aim to gather the spiritual life of

It is re me mbere d that at this time h e aske d to have th e words B e patie nt towards all me n illuminate d u nd e r a small picture o f

- the Crucifixro n e w e f e him o n wr e . , and k pt it al ays b or his iting tabl A MEMO IR 39

And the parish to the Parish Church as its centre . th e S unday e vening se rvice went a long way to fulfil Th e a n d fi lle d this ideal . long nave aisles with a in me n de eply attentive congregation , which the formed a large proportion , was an inspiring sight , and the oneness of spirit i n which all were held un der ’ the sway of the Vicar s voice could be felt by all .

His sermons , always then fully written , were most carefully prepared . S ome of them have been printed ‘ ’ ’

e . ( g . the Rule of God s Commandments , which

- e e S formed a well rem mb red unday Evening Course) , and bear witness to the felicity of language , the ful ness of thought , and the spiritual earnestness by in which his preaching was characterized . B ut the s gularly clear utterance and th e pathos of the living voice gave a power (as was remarked to the writer by one of his most cultivated hearers) to his words which cannot be com municated i n print . His scholarly e e instinct , as w ll as a consci ntious industry which e x spared no pains , are seen also in the aptness of e m o pr ssion , and eth dical arrangement of his ideas , in his printed letters to his parishioners . “ M r. e lf J was a most delightful companion , alway s e and r ady with interesting conversation , always ready e e to list n to oth rs with sympathetic appreciation . H e a nd e r had the l iveliest enjoyment of a joke , his laught ; o ne carried away with him . B ut no one ever heard fl i an t an unkind joke from hi m , and if a p p remark was e mad , his uncompromising silence was a rebuk e not to be forgotten . H e was ever generous in his appreciation of others . I t seemed to give him par tic ular pleasure to quote what a wise layman or a ‘ working man had said to him ; whil e his warm ’ thank you for you r sermon , when one of his curates e had acquitted himself w ll , was a commendation which exalted while it humbled . 40 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

It was the privilege of his younger curates to be admitted to share in the family life of the Vicarage ; ’ e e and th e S unday evenin gs th r , after the day s work e lf was over , when M rs . J played and sang , and when e we read M ilton together , w re occasions we highly prized . The sanctity of family ties was with him a ‘ re ligious principle . What do you r parents thin k ’ of it ? (h e would ask with respect to a proposed ’ ’ plan) . I think a father s or mother s opinion ought ’ never to be lightly set aside . “ It e th e was a great encouragem nt to him when , in midst of the distress cause d by diffe re nces with some

S t . a of his parishioners , the B ishop of Albans p po i nted him Hon . Canon of S t . Albans . It was with feelings of less satisfaction that his parishioners heard , e at a later period , that he had been mad Canon of o in R chester , for they foresaw that it must result his S f leaving a fron Walden , an d there were few , if any , by that time who had not learnt to recognize that they m had among them a an of God . “ No sketch of the Vicar would be complete without

in - a glimpse of him play time , as , for instance , when s e lf etti ng out for a holiday with M rs . J , or when equipped in Norfolk jacket and straw hat for the ’ e njoyment of a day s outing . H e had a keen faculty for enjoyment , and the b rightness of his countenance when he had for the while put away all cares , and the zest with which he entered into holiday plans , com munic ate d themselves to his companions with a charm no t that even theolog ical aloofness could resist . One notable oc casion was that of the perambulation of the

' 1 8 parish i n June 7 7 . No such perambulation had

fi ft - been made for y fou r years , and then it had taken fo r S f two days , a fron Walden is a large parish skirt

( ing the boundaries of no less than te n adjace n t

42 GEORGE E DWARD JE LF

- . H aw place i n the cathedral by the Vice Dean , Dr n kins (Provost of Oriel) , who had been Cano of Rochester for six years befo re his new colleagu e was in born , and had held him his arms when a child . For two years Canon Je lf continued his parish work , going backwards and forwards between Roch e s 1 1 88 2 a ter and Walden ; but on November , , he s id go od bye to his beloved church and his faithful H e friends , and took up his residence at Rochester . writes

-M N o v . 1 . h e b e y last day in t is d ar place . God e e to me m e o me prais d for all His bl ssing and in , in H w as th m . A and Parish . I still visiting in e o rning t w e h ad C e e o 66 e e w us our last l brati n , r c iving ith , and o me e e u e w e w s v ry t arf l far lls afte r ards .

’ Perhaps this chapter of Canon Je lf s life may be fi tly cl o se d by this paragraph from the S affron

- Walden Magazine , written some twenty six years later (December 1 9 08) “ e lf 1 8 During the years Canon J was Vicar , 74 to 1 882 , the change of thought , and of the man ner of conducting the services in the Church of E ngland , reached Walden ; and it fell to him to make alte ra ~ tions not accepted by all at the time ; although all now acknowledge the desirability of the changes he insti

tute d . th e e lf B ut for time , Canon J , who was e e minently a man of peace , was forc d by sincere con v ic tio n into an attitude of c o nfl ic t most distasteful to

. no w th e one of his gentle , lovable nature We reap ” fruit of what he has sown . ROCH E S TER AN D C H ATH AM

1 88 2 - 1 889 The re are in this loud stunning tide O f m re an d r me hu an ca c i , With who m th e me lod ie s abide ’ Of th e ve rlasting chime ; Wh o carry music in the ir he art r e and wr mar Th ough dusky lan angling t, Plying the ir daily task with busie r fe e t ” B ecause the ir se cre t souls a holy strain re pe at .

KEB LE .

O m e was e me nly a s il that giv n , O u th e r w e re e o ne c o d d st t day, e r e d th e m o f m e e e r But it pi c gloo y sadd n d h a t, ’ e m r Like a sudd n sunbe a s ay. G E GE MA D N ALD OR C O . B E FORE taking up his residence at Rochester as e lf a member of a Cathedral Chapter , Canon J care ’ The fully studied Archbishop Benson s book , Cathe d ral e , l arning lessons from it that he never for and got , these he set himself to carry out in his life e an d mor more as the years went oh . Benson de scribes the “ old activity ” of the Cathedral Chapters ’ (as summarized in B ishop Al nwic k s p récis of th e e S e e e Anci nt tatut s) , and shows how the n ds of our mode rn times may be met in its revival : ( 1 ) by the training of young clergy in knowledge a nd pastoral care ; ( 2 ) by mission work in the Dioce se ; (3) by practical intere st in th e lives of th e me n of th e H Cathedral city . e shows how the Cathedral is to “ ” th e e be Hous of Praise , where the worship of the Diocese is ce ntred ; and how the atte ndance of the “ Canons at this worship is ah essential part of their ” “ e e life , r quired of them daily , u nless they have leav are e e in th e of absence , or ill , or occupied elsewh r ” f f th a fairs - o e Church . This was the standard to which the ne w Canon e ndeavoured to conform him

e e - s lf for tw nty seve n years . But he always tri e d to bear in mind the advice e no w given hi m by his old fri nd Dr . Hawkins , that h e d in was a member of a corporate bo y , and must e Chapter submit his wishes to those of others . H was forty- fi v e ye ars younge r than th e courtly old Provost (who di e d soon afte r h e took up h is re si 4S 46 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

e th denc ) , and nearly thirty years younger than e other members of the Chapter : so that when a p e ramb u lator was espied in the Precincts it created a sensa At tion . the christening of his little boy Philip , in

1 88 fift - November 4, it was found to be y one years ’ since a Canon s child had been baptized in the

Cathedral . (Two children , a boy and a girl , were t afterwards added to the family circle . ) A Canon ’ Jeli s fi rst Chapter Meeting (in November 1 880) he ’ “ ” S h e had asked for aints Day Celebrations , but ( “ writes) th e Dean said that even weekly Comm unions had only been established about thirteen years . I

. o o n i ntend , D . V , to g pressing this , also urging ” early Celebrations o n S unday . A year afterwards he speaks of the willingness of the Dean and Chapter to consider this , and also another point about which

re - he was anxious , viz . the organization of the Choir S c h o o L Canon Je lf used the leisure that he no w for a short in time enjoyed , the closer study of the B ible , and H of theology and history . e writes thus in his “ Journal : Th e Revise d Version appeared o n May 1 1 88 1 e e e 7 , , and I have r ad it very day (exc pt 3 or 1 6 1 882 fi rst th e 4) from that time till July , ; reading E nglish Version with i ntense interest and p ro fi t ; and then for 1 1 months going through the R e vise d e Greek Testament , and comparing it verse by v rse with the Revised E nglish Version and thus I asoer taine d for myself the wonderful accuracy of this ” noble work . I n the early days of 1 884 he conducted the Edin th e e e e burgh M ission , with the help of R v r nd th e e Arthur Dalton , now Rector of Clapham , and lat

H C . e th e e Reverend . Pow ll ; and describes it at tim “ in as rich in calls , aids to faith , in the harmony of A M EMOIR 47

— in . hearts , opportunities for self dedication Pre be ndary Dalton writes that the two points which still e re main in his m ind as to the preaching ther , are th e o n ( 1 ) his plain speaking to people social sins , and ( 2 ) his powe r of wi nning back to the faith those who had lost their hold . B ut thi s chapter must describe what was certainly the most strenuous , and perhaps the most i nterest ing period of his life . ’

I n 1 88 S t . S eptember 3 the living of Mary s , e Chatham , f ll vacant , and after much anxious con sideration Canon Je lf decided to u ndertake the cure of in e souls that important place , being nominat d to it by th e D e an and Chapter of Rochester . The parish iffi lti presented peculiar d c u e s at that time . The old e nd it church stood at one of , and needed entire re storation ; a mission chap e l for the B rook (a street well known in the neighbourhood) had to be com p le te d ; and the Rector was responsible for all th e funerals in the cemetery more than a mile from th e

. e and church The larg shifting population , always to be found in the neighbourhood of dockyard and garrison towns , was subject to the excitement and te mptations i ncidental thereto ; and th e people were crowded together in m e an streets and narrow courts e and alleys , i nto many of which it was said then (w are speaking of twenty- six years ago) that it was not ’ safe for ladies to venture . For the R e ctor s help in caring for their souls and bodies there was one age d

Curate and two District Visitors , (one of whom resign e d at the fi rst meeting to which they were th e ne w b e called But Rector was not to daunted . B ishop Thorold (th e Dioce san) gave hi m his bl e ssing in one of his bri e f and beautiful notes : G o if you e will to Chatham , and may God mak you very wise 48 GEO RGE EDWARD JE LF

to win souls . This new undertaking made those who loved him tremble , knowing as they did with what conscientiousness he would throw himself into “ it ; and the constant entries in his Journal of felt ” “ ” “ in greatly tired , much pain , much exhausted , h show o w great was the strain upon him . S t ’ The Church of . Mary s , Chatham , stands a mile and e a quarter from the Precincts , Rochest r , and the Rector decided to put the S enior Curate into

Chatham Rectory , and to walk backwards and for h . e wards from home for his work This did , through w e the noisy , crowded streets , t ice and three tim s a e day during these six years , beginning the day gen r 8 ’ S t ’ ally with o clock Matins at . Mary s , and often

no t getting hom e till late at night . O h S undays

he would spend almost the whole day in the parish , taking his meals with kind fri e nds at Admiralty G unwh arf th e House , at the , or Barracks ; and only allowing himself a short tim e with his children at

te a- - a nd e time , for their hym n singing r petition of

poetry (the choice of which h e himse lf had made ) . O n S eptember 1 2 Archde acon Ch e e tham i nducted “ H : It was the new Rector . e writes i n his Journal e e very serious for me , but I arnestly pray d for His blessing on my work ; and I b e lieve many prayed for ” n fi r m me . O his st S unday he writes (S epte ber “ ’ t Got up at walked to S . Mary s in good time ’ th e 8 e At for o clock C lebration . Matins I read th e e th e X XX X prayers , chanted Litany , r ad out I

e e . Articles , and pr ached a short s rmon Returning e e e for luncheon , I rest d awhil , and th n walked agai n

V e th e S u - w e to Chatham and isit d nday school , her the attendance was lame ntable Went to Eve n

e S t . e . song , my sermon b ing on Luk xxii 33 , Lord , ’ am e I ready to go with The . May this be my pur

5 0 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

largely attended meetings of me n at various centres ; ’ ( 2 ) a Ladies Association for the protection of young women and children ; (3) a fr e e Registry for young e I n servants , which has be n very successful ; (4) an d ustrial Home for friendless girls ; (5 ) a bran c h of the P 2 6 G . . S 0 . numbering more than 5 members ; ( ) a ’ Children s Temperance Guild ; (7) a Parochial M ission Woman ; (8) a M ission Chapel we ll - placed among the

- e poor , and well used by th m and (9) as important as ” a n e e y , regular pastoral visitation . To th s were after ’ wards added a Mothers Meeting , a branch of the ’ me n Mothers U nion , Church Army work , a club for in the B rook , and a branch of the The following extracts from his Journal may per haps show best his methods of working and the d ifli lti c u e s and wearing nature of the work .

u 2 — h l 1 1 88 S und a . e Ce e t e j y , 5 , y Took arly l bration at

C 2 1 e S S h th e e . e e . o ath dral , r c iving To unday c ol for clos C w o E e e . e e e an n l yn pr ach d In aft rnoon I r st d , and in fir e e s t e e O e th e S r. v ning pr ach d in p n air in Brook , on 1 — 2 e m th e e e wh o John xi . 7 9 , r inding p opl stood by of th e o e e e th e e e o ur v ic of consci nc , and of d part d , and of S M e 8 0 . e th e e e C Lord Th n I took rvic at ission hap l , w e r 0 e e m e e o b . 2 6 . as or 9 pr s nt , y t xt b ing J xix I v y ’ th e e e w o e e thankful for v ning s rk , but utt rly tir d out ; e w and agu follo e d . S — e t. 6 1 88 S u nd a . We e C e e p , 5 , y nt to arly l bration at ’ S t M 1 w m . 1 e e e e e e ary s , r c iving . Br akfast d ith y v r kind e th e e we S S e fri nds th n nt to unday chool , thin att nd e e e e m th e C anc . Pr ach d a s r on on old Parish hurch as

o n th me m e e 2 6 e e . e e . C e of orials of God l brat d , r c iving C me me fo r e e e e e re a ho dinn r , r st d in aft rnoon , and th n p

e h e e e e the e e . par d for t e e v ning . I spok to s v ral in str ts

S e e th e M C e e S t. Took rvic in ission hap l , pr aching on

e th e w e . Luk e vii . 37 : a good att ndance on hol O c t — M . 6 1 886 . W e e e e e . , rot and r ad b for Pray rs atins

h m w e e fo r e e . C e and e . at at dral , or riting Pr par d l ctur A MEMOIR

D e e S e e Mrs R . e e In aft rnoon I visit d in High tr t . ( iss nt r) , M M Mr R z rs S . D . s . e . and iss , . (Baptist and bapti d) , W Mr W M w M . Mr M rs W o . . s . C . r. . . t iss , , , and Had ’ S m e me e me w hours chool anag rs ting , had so food ith L Mr . e e e C e e e e . , th n att nd d hoir Practic , and g av a l ctur h e uardian e M . E on icah njoye d t G lat r . O t 1 S a — A e e 1 0 c . un d . e e C 7 , y ssist d at arly l bration , e e e e w th e wh o w e e e r c iving , br akfast d ith r v ry h m 1 E . e . e e t e fri ndly Pr ach d in orning on ph iv . , and

1 w th N . e e e 8 e e . e e s c l brat d , r c iving Lunch d ith and h S C e z visite d t e unday S ch o ols . Took at chi ing and Bap ism m m m t s e e e e e te a . e , and th n ca ho to y d ar on s to Lat r , M R m e a n e S t e took ission oo S rvice d pr ache d on . Luk x i 6 S e e e me n e o e the v . . pok arn stly to 4 young b f r S A h m ! t e e C . e rvice . las stat of hatha

— nd . A n O c t. 1 S u a e h o e . 3 , y v ry full day but a appy M ’ e C e e S t. 1 e e e Took arly l bration at ary s , 4 r c iving , th n w w e a a e dding ith an addre ss on love . Br akfaste d t A E 0 m e . m e e . . d iralty Hous In orning pr ach d on ph iv 3 , w m w K D e th e h e n alke d ho e ith . and . and h ard c ildr ’ S e w C e z re pe at . Took Childre n s rvice ith at chi ing on th h r M. e t e S e E e . te a w e s sth r Had ith , and th n took h e t e M R m w e e th e e e was . vic at ission oo , h r att ndanc good N o r M — id a R e . m v . e e o 5 , F y ( onth of sid nc ) Took rning ’ S e S t M w e M th e rvice at . ary s and also nt to atins in

r z . C ath e dral . W ote l e tte rs and pre pare d for C ate chi ing In afte rnoon had about 2 hours on C hatham R e fug e L h F . C mm e t D . s . e e . e o itt I call d on , also and ’ e M E e T ache rs e e ting . I took v nsong .

T h e subject that occupied much of his time and thought s and prayers for the whole of the se six years was th e re storation of th e intere sting old pari sh church . A church had stood in that commanding position ove rlooking th e busy Medway with its G un e S m an d e wharf and Dockyard , sinc axon ti es , ther e e w r still re mains to b e found of the church of 1 1 2 0 . The se were afterwards made visibl e by the skilful e S ir B lo mfie ld and as d signs of Arthur , acted a E 2 5 2 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

motif for the ultimate restoration of the whole . fi rst in 1 88 The Rector mooted the idea November 3 , at a meeting of parishioners ; but much opposition ffi e and many di culties had to be overcom , and it was not u ntil March 1 887 that the work was actually e begu n . During these three and a half y ars the 000 sum of £3 was raised , the Rector writing over 1 000 o wn e letters with his hand to fri nds far and near , and e sending appeals to the public pr ss , besides makin g personal applications to the War O ffi ce and “ H e : the Admiralty . writes i n his Journal The ” “ e fi lls 0 h th e R storation my mind , t at work may not be checked through me . 1 88 fi rst e O h May 3 , 7 , the stone of the chanc l was

H R H . th . e laid by . Duke of Cambridge , in the presence of a large gathering of naval an d military o ffi ce rs and representatives of all branches of the

S ervice in Chatham . O h November 3 the Rector climbed the roof and placed the cross o n th e top of the chancel gable with o n e I a dedicatory prayer , and Dec mber (noted i n his

Journal as a joyful , blessed day , never to be for gotten the chancel was solemnly dedicate d by the e e B ishop of the Di o cese . The b autiful servic was e followed by a luncheon at the schools , wher the th e th e B ishop , General of District and the High Constable of Chatham spoke sympathetically of the e work . H is Journal on the S unday aft r this runs “ Prepared my sermon in the morning and preached ’

S t. . e e it at Mary s Lunch d at R ctory , then took ’ m h S t . e t e one of our weddings at John s, r itting fee , 2 d s 3 . 6 e and giving . to the cl rk my elf because the e p opl e had had so much troubl e . Took 3 funerals e e at c m tery , then preached at Cathedral about ou r

beloved Dean . A M EMOIR 5 3

S 2 a nd D e an cott died on December of th is year, a his successor , Canon Hole , h ppened to be staying e lf in o ne with Canon J at the time , order to preach ’ of the sermons at S t . Mary s in the Octave of the

Dedication . 2 1 888 : - The Journal of January 9 , , runs To day I

- am fift . y four I dedicated myself anew . How many ” years are gone . I must be watchful and diligent .

— Ma 1 6 U M . D . e e y . p at Took b fo r atins I m w e pre pare d y l e cture and rote le tte rs . In aft rn o on I me h visite d (8 hous e s) . I atte nd e d a e ting of t e D e an S co tt M m w nfirmatio n C e Le o e o rial . I took t o Co lass s and a t M ’ ture at S . ary s .

— h s n . o W it u d ay Up at a ve ry full day . I t o k ’ ’ h o C e e S t M 1 1 e e t e . 7 o cl ck l bration at ary s ( r c iving) , w A th e n e thre e assiste d Burro w s at 8 . fte r bre akfasting th e Re w e o Chu h a nd e h e at ctory , I alk d to Lut n rc , pr ac d to a ve ry larg e congre gation ab o ut o ur g ood fri e nd Clay h R h d o n t e e e . h e t e Ce e o u ( lat ctor) T n took l bration , ab t * e e h me me e th e 7 5 re c iving . I drov o in ti to pr ach at h C h e E e e e S t. at e dral . Th n too at v nso ng I pr ac d at ’ M we t be d e e ary s and nt o utt rly tir d .

In S pite of this he was up at the next morning th e to take early Celebration at the Cathedral , it being o ne of his months of residence , during which the ' B double work tired him very much . y the end of the e th e o year his old en my , ague , returned up n him , causing him great suffering ; and severe gastric neuralgia often disabled him entirely from work . The doctors ordered a complete rest for some months ; and e 1 88 we l ft home together at the end of January 9 ,

Th e driving was in ord e r to b e in time fo r his duty at th e Cathe dral ; but it was a point o f conscie nce with h im not to use e o n H e m w e d m m e v hicle s S undays. so e time s alk as uch as six il s fo r re i r r e d o so . p ach ng, ath than 54 GEORGE E DW ARD JE LF

a nd to spend three months i n the Riviera North Italy , resigning the parish altogether at M idsummer . During fi v e out of the six years that he had been e Rector of Chatham , he had the help of abl and e ffic ie nt e ff colleagu s , who worked loyally and a ection o n ately with him , and have left thei r mark for good ’le the p arish .

- The churchwardens , choirmen , school teachers and S Visitors , as well as the Matron of the helter and e the M ission Woman , w re all his good friends and e — e helpers , loved and valued by him for their s lf d ny ’ an i ng labours . A clergyman s widow ( old friend o wn of his ) spent three years in Chatham , and devoted h herself to the work of the parish . S e writes that Those three years were the most blessed an d helpful ’ e lf s of all my spiritual life . The stimulus of Canon J

- sac rifi c in o f. e self g example , his untiring d votion to and his work , and of his saintliness humility , was e e most i nspiring . Then , too , his constantly expr ss d ’ o f f gratitude for , and appreciation , one s poor e forts were quite touching , and only made one long to do n more for o e whose teaching was so uplifting . B ishop Thorold wrote to him in S eptemb e r 1 888 No one c an possibly say that if you resign the b e ne fic e are runnin 'awa e , you g y from an accept d e fulfille duty , or that you hav not d what you under ’

. S t . took , with a sort of grand completeness Mary s is now lifted up to quite a ne w position by your — ’ e e K r a és a ei. e ministry th r ; a fip I rath r shrink , as o ne in who loves you many relations , and for many e r asons , from the thought of you r u ndertaking the th e e e e r e storation of the nave . If parish w r near r th e Precincts , the case might be otherwise . B ut it is

N r R v G Th R v . W. F r e . C . C . C R v e r e e e e . oxl y o is, hild, ald R P l k r A. . B ac bu ne . H r r nd v S . a cou t a e . A M EMOI R 5 5 a great burden o n your willin g but no t too strong shoulders . I suspect you have more service to do f ” th e Church with your p e n than you know o . One who well u nderstood the work at Chatham writes twenty years afterwards “ The spiritual needs of the people caused him to work far beyond his strength ; and when his self- sac rifi ce and devotion called forth manifestations of the love of those to e h e whom he ministered so acc ptably , marvelled that such should be the case . Had he done nothing what it ever to merit , he could not have been more grateful

- for the warm heartedness of his parishioners .

Clta t/zam and Roc/zester N ews .

Fear Go d and w e re o u o me n e w l , h y g shall think th y a k in w dr W m n d e a e d e . h e a e w Go hallo cath als n a liv s ith , his voic sh ll h b e swe et as t e murmur of th e brook and th e rustle o f th e corn .

E MERSON .

B e e f w e re e ma us ul h thou liv st, that they y Both want and wish thy ple asing pre se nce still K e d r re e are th e wa indn ss, goo pa ts, g at plac s, y ’ d u m wa and w To m . F o t e co pass this in n s nts ill, And me e t the m the re ! All worldly j oys go le ss

To th e o ne j o y o f doing kindne sse s .

GEORGE H ERB ERT. FTER a e lf A resigning his work at Chath m , Canon J devoted himself almost entirely for the next fi v e years and in to the needs of the Diocese , preaching teaching in the Cathedral city and neighbourhood , and also I n 1 8 0 the S outh London part of the Diocese . 9 he received a hundred and te n i nvitations to conduct o r Quiet Days give special addresses , of which he - fi v e accepted forty . For four years in succession he gave instructions during Lent to the children of the educated classes in the Lad ye Chapel of the

Cathedral , setting question papers every week , and H e giving prizes at the end of each course . also gave weekly B ible lectures in the same place during

Advent and Lent . For several consecutive years he delivered courses of lectures o n Church History at ff — e di erent places Greenwich , L wisham , Blackheath , Gravesend a nd Anerley ; o n which he bestowed much thought and pains . H e fe lt very much at fi rst his e e n d of greater historical knowledge , but tried to e make up for this by diligent study , frequ ntly spend ing se veral hours in the reading—room at ! ion College or at the B ritish M useum to get up some special period . His lifelong habit of early rising and sitting up late was turn e d to account in these Rochester ye ars for

s . H e I n tudy kept a daily record of his reading . 1 890 he notes at the close of the year that he had read

- o th e e through twenty n ine b oks of B ible , ighteen 5 9 60 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

standard books of theology and history , and thirteen of poetry and fi c tio n ; these last bei ng c h ie fl y read H aloud to his family . e introduced his children to the best writers of romance , and their greatest delight “ in at all times was to hear Father , his clear musical voice, reading to them passages of M ilton , S hake e a nd spear , Tennyson Wordsworth , or the novels of S H e cott , Dickens and B ulwer Lytton . also read with them many books of history , travel and popular m in and science , instructed the Latin , , most important of all , began each day by reading the B ible with and C o nfi rmatio n them , prepared each one for . During the years 1 89 0 and 1 89 1 he was writing a e Mo the r H o me an d H e av en book ntitled , , , words which have been called (as he says in the Preface) in H e the three most beautiful the E nglish language . “ dedicated it to his mother in these words : To my o n M other , most loving , most beloved , who earth made home beautiful to me , and in Paradise , accord i ng to her promise , if it be His Will , prays for me . ” that we may be for ever with the Lord in Heaven . O n 1 8 1 J une 4, 9 , he writes “ ’ M 1 1 fi nish e d S . About o clock I the of my book , and knelt down to thank God for enabling me to it complete , and to ask H is acceptance of it and H is ” n B lessing o it . H e could hardly ever be persuaded to preach an was old sermon , as he always pressing onwards , and did not feel happy u nless he had prepared something e fr sh for each occasion , taking generally seven hours ove r his written sermons . The motto seen by him , “ in written up some b uilding , I hope for better e things , was noted down at the tim as striking ; and “ ” one of his favourite songs , Excelsior , was often H e sung by him to encourage himself and others . A MEMOIR 6 1 took immense pains about the language of his written sermons (though hardly any corrections are to be found in the but his Card S ermons from e in notes , generally deliv red the evenings , were dis tinguish e d for the deep thoughts presented in very simple words . A layman who had listened to his sermons in the Cathedral for more than twenty years writes : It was th e my privilege , for many years , to attend services in Rochester Cathedral , and as I think of those Canons who ministered to the large congregations e m e lf ass bled there , Canon J stands out prominently in my memory for the distinctness , devoutness and discrimination with which he read the prayers and a nd lessons , and for the sincerity , spirituality sym H e pathy which were th e keynotes of his preaching . was so apt in paying an eloquent tribute to some me n wh o great and good had been removed by death , S as General Gordon , Dean cott , Canon B urrows and others ; he showed so much sympathy with all whom in he knew , alike their joys and thei r sorrows , and he took so great an inte rest in the welfare of the h e in young , that will long be missed Rochester , though many rejoice that he still speaks to them in ” h is books . This little extract from the letter of a b rother Canon who often o ccupied the stall n e xt to his in the Cathe “ : dral may be interesting As I write , I seem to hear e in m e his quiet , steady , rev rent voice y ear ; a voic which spoke of the knowledge of God and of fi rm ”

e . faith , hope and lov as few others did His work in Rochester was inte rrupted in Octob e r 1 8 0 o e th e e 9 by a v yag to Cape with his ldest son , in S H e whom he left outh Africa for his health . an himself was away for th ree months , d was deeply 6 2 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF interested in all he saw in Capeto wn and its sur ro undin gs . H e and his so n were hospitably received by the B ishop (afterwards the fi rst Archbishop) of ’ Capetown , at B ishop s Court , and by Admiral ’ in mm S N icholson , then co and at imon s Bay . Canon e lf J met many notable people , including Cecil Mr m and Rhodes , . Merri an , Archdeacon Lightfoot others , and enjoyed preachin g to the white and the d coloure congregations . This voyage did his own e health much good , and enlarged and d epened his al ready keen i nterest in Foreign M issions . I n November 1 89 1 he took part in the great o f e Hastings M ission , at the end which he writ s “ The M ission is over . All praise to Him Who has e nabled us to carry it through . It has bee n the most an wonderful week of my life , this d that of the Edin and this m e burgh M ission , much more me orabl as h ” far as t e care less are concerned . During the M ission an interesting little incident s occurred , which is given here in his own word “ M E m e r. Before Morning S rvice . took me to a s all in n to see the shipwrecked crew of the German barqu e o n in now the shore . I invited them German to S come to the ervice , and they came to return thanks us e with . It was a wonderful h lp to me , and gave me fo r e o n the very illustration needed my s rmon , Whence camest thou ? and whither wilt thou go ? I n th e m a s middle of my sermon I spoke to the , I in Ge rman o n th e could , , words , and I feel sure the p e ople attended all the more afte rwards . I n Decemb e r 1 89 1 he preside d at the fi rst meeting ’ e in o of the Moth e rs Union ever h ld R chester, and helped to inaugurate the local branch . ’ S t. William s Hospital (for infectious diseases) was frequently visited by him through these years , with A MEMOIR 6 3

’ e proper precautions for his children s sak , and with f “ m praye r always o fe red for hi self and others . The education and welfare of all classes of children in the city o ccupied very much of his time and atten e x o cio tion . As Canon he was , ffi , a Governor of the ’ ’ S S ir King s chool , and of Joseph Williamson s and h e in th e S chool , for some years also held a place ’ S gove rning body of the Girls Gram mar choo l . H is ’ constant personal i nterest in the King s S chool will H e be remembered by the present generation there . o f e made it a practice , at the beginning the t rm , to go into the school in order to shake hands with the * H e masters and speak to the assembled boys . e H e invited them also to his house from tim to time . thus made friends with them all ; and he was c o n “ ” stantl in oc watc h in r y to be seen the padd k , g the cricket or football with keen interest .

- F e T . The present head mast r , the Rev . . Hobson , pre aching in chapel to his boys o n Advent S unday 1 08 o n th e e in 9 t xt , Remember now thy Creator ” o f the days of thy youth , spoke him as follows “ S uch thoughts as these harmonize well with the m e mory of the go od ma n who has been taken from us . e e lf It is less than a y ar and a half since Dr . J e s o ne th e c a ed to be of governors of the school , a post - o n which he had held for twenty seven years , his m e app ointment as ast r of the Charterhouse . I had e o ne a l tter from of his sons this mornin g , sayin g ’ e i e that Dr . J l s happi st work in Rochester had been

. H e i n connection with the school , like Ecclesiastes , e me n desired ard ntly that boys and girls , young and m e n e aid ns , should be happy a d r joice in their youth ; the re was nothing which he would not do to promote

* A e rm o f re e 1 0 th e C e o n s on his p ach d in 9 3, in ath dral th e . . , C ri i we r o f P w s r S a r . h st an po a ublic chool , p inte d by e que st 64 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

in their happiness all innocent ways , and many of you have received much kindness from him and from in his family , addition to what they could do to pro i mote the welfare of the school n general . B ut one of the thoughts e ver present to his mind was the need of

in - u rging the young , all their light hearted gaiety , ‘ to remember their Creator in the days of thei r ’ o y uth , so that when dark days of sorrow or trial should come they should realize that H e was near them , and they were i n His care . It was this , not h is only pleasure i n the happiness of the young , that h e made him think so much as did about education , and made hi m attach so much importance , and give h o w so much thought to what you were taught , and lf in o . e you were brought up this scho l Dr . J himself fun k o o n was full of and merriment , and li ed to lo k the b right side of things ; b ut no one could fail to see that he realized that fun an d merriment , like child ’

are . hood and youth , vanity , things that pass away

It was the realization of this , that the things of this s life which are seen are temporal , while the thing e th e us which are uns en , care of God for , our love for a re Him , eternal , that it was which gave him that e peace and s renity which struck all who knew him , and gave h im that very real infl ue nc e which he m e posse ssed a ong a wide circle of friends . A tru e servant of God , a man of transparent r ctitude and e me m e th e pi ty , one who re bered his Cr ator through e s e f in whol of his life , an d who pent all his forts e bringin g the knowl dge of H im to others , insisting o n the n e e d of constant rem e mb rance of Him as a h e force controlling all our actions , has passed to his o in rest . God give us grace to foll w his steps . th e o ffic e r A friend ( widow of an ) , writing of Canon ’ “ e lf s infl ue nc e in e e : m J Roch st r , says Every reme

66 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

e large sum of money for a new font for the Cath dral . O f th e o n n carvings this font , as well as of those o S d e sc ri the memorial screen to Dean cott , he wrote a p o n in tion , which was printed large cards and kept b e ne fit the Cathedral for the of visitors . At this time he took up the secretaryship of the S M issionary tudentship Association , collecting a special fund from his personal friends to put the fi nanc ial in association in a sound position . This was

- S . P . G H e addition to his ruri decanal work for the . and arranged , attended addressed the meetings in the o and neighbourho d for nine years , collected the sub sc ri tio ns p in the three surrounding deaneries . M ission work was always very near his heart and very much in his prayers . H is Journal of 1 893 begins

We be g an th e N e w Y e ar happily at th e H o ly C o m

m th e m e ed th e w Ps . . union . In orning I pr ach on ords of lv ’ 1 9 : B e cause the y have n o change s th e y fe ar n o t God . Th e follow ing points w ere sugge ste d fo r th e chang ing and improve me nt of life

1 . E arly rising . fi 2 e e th e rst . . Bibl r ading thing daily M S m e . . 3 . hort idday pray r ( issions ) S e — e n 4 . lf d nials o Friday . ’ An h o me . 5 . ur s study of so Eng lish book 6 R e M . . ading about issions w w f 7 . Lo ly o rk o r o the rs . — S e m th e e . 8 . e lf x a ination as to e b s tting sin D 9 . e dicatio n of S p e cial tal e nts . mm ” 1 0 u . . Holy C o nion

I n Feb ruary of this year he conducted a mission at e G ribb e ll a n d Ringmer for his fri nd the Rev . Frank , took courses of Lent sermons at Dorking and Black “ o s : heath . Yet he rec rd Lent does not end very A MEMOI R 67

e happily fo r me . May H forgive all my imperfections and and shortcomings , accept my earnest desire to ” do some good . 1 I n F e bruary 893 Prebendary Dalton , who had been a loved and honoured inmate of his house for “ fourteen years , and who had gradually become very infi rm and helpless , died at Rochester at the age of

- eighty three . I n writing an account of his fu neral at Highgate “ Guardian e lf : e for the , Canon J says As pr cious as anything to the family band of mourners was the in a nd great company gathered the church , sons daughters of former parishioners and neighbours , and representatives of the much wider circle of those to whom their dear friend , long withdrawn from thei r ’

o ut . O f sight , has not been of mind these fourteen e y ars of absence , cheered by the love of those whose te n privilege it has been to care for him , have been passed under th e shadow of our ancient Cathedral ; and withi n its venerable walls , himself worthy of reverence for the long patience of a beautiful old age h is me n h e ( very face , said , being a sermon) , found , m till nearly the last , daily co fort and joy . One who knew him we ll in those days of his increasing weak n e ss was greatly struck by th e way in which he laid down one power and enjoyment afte r another in ’ e S o ch erful submission to God s will . at length the end came and he sl e e ps in Christ .

WIGGO N H O LT AN D OTHER PAR IS H ES

I S94- 1 89 7 G re e e no t e re e we e n r v , d a lov , although oft pa t, w N re e us e e r But kno that atu g ntly doth s v , e re to r e us u w e e r r e Th by t ain p, ith t nd a t , To r e w e w m r fo r e e r b ook that day h n e ust pa t v .

N z Fo r ature , doubting we should b e surpri e d B sad w e d re ad e ch e c fl fe re y that day, hos doth y a D h e e us d a l e d and e e r e ot k p y y school x cis d, Le st that th e fryght the re of should o ve rb e are us D UR ING the last fi v e years there had been seve ral ’ cau ses of anxiety in Canon Je lf s hom e life . The serious illness of fo u r of his children in 1 890 from and so n scarlet fever , the weak health of his eldest , besides d iffi c ultie s from time to time as to ways and S ir means , had somewhat tried (what James Paget “ ” desc ribed as) his vibratile temperament . These last d iffi c ultie s b e determined to meet by in in taking duty other places , when not residence at the Cathedral . H e had laughingly told his children that he had never gained anything for himself fro m ’

S t . the living of Mary s , Chatham , except a water proo f and a pai r of leggings ! and he now felt he e must , if possible , add to his i ncome in order to giv the m the good education which he had valued so H d fi ni f much himself . e made a e te o fer to one of the clergy in Roch e ster to become curate of his parish ; ’ but he eventually undertook two months wo rk at ’ e in 1 8 in B tchworth 94, and four months at Hamble 1 8 95 , besides taking duty in the summer holidays for several years . These separations from his dear home ” and its pre cious inmates were a very great trial to a h e him , as , indeed , was every sep ration from those loved and by whom h e was beloved so tenderly ; but he went chee rfully and strenuously through what he m had undertaken , and made so e lasting friendships

in . m e . At th se other spheres of work Ha ble , where

w s o . he a ass ciated with his old friend , the l ate Rev 7 1 7 2 GEORGE E DWARD JE LF

. . the o J J Curling , he taught daily in sch ol , visited the and sick , took his full share of the services , often being left in charge when Mr. Curling was away for missio n work . The Journal runs

A 2 1 - h S und a . I e e b te O e e t e y , p. c l ra d at p n d S S h o f e o unday c ool and to k a class o infants . In aft rn on ec h z e no t we h ad w the C mmo I cat i d ( ll) ; a alk on o n , misse d my de ar o n e s ve ry much . Pre ach e d to 1 60 pe o pl e w m E e e h e . at v nsong , and f lt appy ith th n ) — M h d u o da A . 2 2 E . a M . b y , 1 arly attins I a sy day M w S h . like my old ondays in Parish o rk . Taught in c ool m Pre pare d fo r C o nfir atio n te aching and for visiting . w w e e o o e R e ad N e bo lt and rote l e tt rs . In aft rn n I call d h e e e and e S t me o e e t . up n s v ral of p opl , r ad Ja s to old H w th e w e o m h in M. . e e blind Had a alk in lc rain , t n

E H e E e . th e e e . . e struct d for an hour , th n v nsong In v n in e e o M h o e fo r g I r ad T nnys n and ilton , c o sing passag s

D i h e O th e llo w u e . . fin s d , and , a f l trag dy

Monday was always a day given up by him almost entirely to parochial work . This was a lesson learnt , fi r t o in the s year of his ministry , from B ish p Arm ’ o o Pasto r in his Clo se t str ng s b ok of devotions , the , ’ where in Monday s prayers occur the words : Yes te rd ay was the day of dedica tion : to - day is the day ” of action . Over this he had pencilled : Visit som e soul this eve ning . n During his time at Hamble , two promine t men , E S both very dear to him , the arl of elborne and

B ishop Thorold of Winchester , were called to their rest , and he went to pay his last tribute of respect and f a fection at B lackmoor and at Wi nchester , preaching

o at o n . als twice . Blackmoor their great loss During 1 894 he took part i n a very i nteresting ’ M ission in North Wales , by the B ishop of Bangor s wish ; preached before the University of Cambridge ;

74 GEORGE EDWARD J E LF

H e thoroughly enjoyed having all his children o n e n roun d him , and i nsisted the family group b i g photographed , when they all succeeded , as is often in k th e case on these happy occasions , loo ing thoroughly mise rable !

H e taught his girls regularly , played all kinds of e o outdoor games with them , plan ned exp diti ns and s picnics on the downs , and interested him elf in the n fa rm and garden . B ut i all this enjoyment of “ ” H e country life he was never o ff duty . tended his few sheep in the country as systematically as he had those in the town , keeping a record of every visit , as H e in usual . always returned from his outings time in th e for daily evensong little Church , feeling , per

S . S haps , as B ernard used to say , that he knew ome

One was waiting for hi m . Nine Retrea ts and Quiet Days were conducted by hi m in different places during the eighteen months h l H that he was Rector of Wiggo n o t. e also preached S e Lenten and other courses of sermons , and the p tember Ordination sermon at S outhwark . H e was often in London an d Rochester to take his part in and o c Diocesan Meetings , attended C nvo ation (for which he had been elected Proctor for the Chapter in “ fi rs the preceding year) , making his t spe ech ( not

1 2 1 8 . very well on February , 96 I n his Journal he writes

ul — A 1 8 . R e w F K ] y 5 , 9 7 ad cts ith and . Had a busy o c e m w h m w day , cupi d in any ays , ay aking , alking , visit in l e an d th e e e g pastora ly , driving , playing t nnis , in v ning th e e w h th h re dancing Lanc rs it e c ild n .

— ul 2 6 . I e se t h ad j y f lt up again , and a long and busy A m w - day . fte r y o n Bible re ading (comple ting D e ute ro n o m w e w th e A w h F K e e y) I nt on ith cts it and . Pr par d e P G S . m a . . W e to e a e nd a littl for alk d Gr tha , r ad A MEMOI R 5

M S . Mrs . S . Mr . and rs . e w h e s . S pray d it , and visit d h e o e W o R e me c um Afte r lunc on dr v to ist n ctory , and m e o m P . G e e h e o e S . . atte nd d ting , aring a g o d addr ss fr t e C C n C e e m e . h anadian ano urran , and sp aking a littl ys lf

Mr N e e e e o u 0 e e . Th e . api r g nial and arn st , ab t 4 pr s nt n n r h D w w e e o e vi e w s of Ch a c to bu y and t e o ns b e yond r l v ly . m A m e t h me w e . e c . ft r usic at o , I rot part of y book — M h I w G . t e e u e e . j ly 30. play d crick t ith and In aft r w e h m e us h ad K . e noon and I alk d to Gr at a , and ach of Mr S th e e e s . e inte r e sting visits . I put b for . lov ’ w e us e the e hich should l ad to God s Hous , and bl ssing g ive n us in pre portion to the d iffic ultie s w e o ve rco me in g oing the re . Au —A m e e me o m the g . 3 . mo st i portant l tt r ca fr Bishop

S w e me th e m e S t. G e r of outh ark , off ring incu b ncy of ’ fl n m h e e h e e in ue c e . K . ans , Black ath , as a gr at sp r of and We e e e e I t al ke d it ove r . dr ad l aving this lov ly plac but mu w d ut st think hat is our y . Au — w e h w b o . m e e e g . 3 This o rning d cid d t at it ill right ’ S t m : a nd we the e for us to g o to . Ge r ans I nt into littl C e e h e hurch , and pray d for a bl ssing on t is d cision , and fo r a g ood cl e rgyman for this little Parish . There were two considerations which induced Canon Je lf to accept the now almost unique position

e e . f of I ncumb nt of a proprietary chap l Fi rst , the o fer came to hi m from the B ishop S uffragan of his o wn

c e . S Dio ese , who strongly urg d it upon him econdly , it gave him the opportunity of return ing to the e Dioc se , and of devoting nine months of each year to de fi nite work in S outh London (then i ncluded in e the Rochest r Dio cese) . These two considerations made him feel that it was his duty to obey the ’ B ishop s call . In November he and his family left th e beautiful Rectory which had been thei r happy s home for nearly two years , and e tablished themselves ’

8 S t . at , Germans Place , Blackheath . A layman of the county of S ussex who made Canon 76 GEO RGE EDWARD JE LE

’ Wi o nh o lt Je lf s acquaintance while Rector of gg , and “ a : knew him intimately afterwards , s ys To meet George Je lf was an inspiration and to know hi m was no t to love him . This was due alone to his tender and deep sympathy . I t was not only because he was i n the highe st sense a perfect gentleman , nor only becau se he was a zealous and devoted priest . It was because the man was what he was— a refl e c tio n of the a nd Divine Master, shedding holiness purity around , making goodness beautiful , family life ideal , and love a dre am . A halo there was upon him forb idding the a u nkin d word and the rude jest , c lling out perforce in what was best others , and hallowing the lives of ” those who lived with hi m and of those who met him . B LACK H EAT H

1 897 1 904 Th e life which te lls o n othe r live s “ And e m e fe e lifts th to th li abov , Is w e r e and r e that hich conqu s s lf, st iv s ” o T live in lowline ss and love .

G . E . Ma 1 1 J . , y ,

N o t thankful whe n it ple ase th me A e re s if Thy bl ssings had spa days, ' But such a he art wh o se p ul se may b e ” r e Thy p ais . GE E H E B E ORG R RT . ’

t . TH E Proprietary Chapel of S Germans , Black o n o heath , has a curious history . It was built pr perty S t in belonging to the Earl of . Germans the year 1 2 d e 8 4, a n was then the only church standing b tween

Old Charlton and Lewisham . As the population of the neighbourhood increased , other churches were built in Blackheath , and had districts assigned to them , ’

e . S t carv d out of the old parishes . Germans has e fill nev r yet had a district , but has continued to a infl ue nc e in place and exercise an the neighbourhood , which , owing to a succession of able preachers there , h e is still thoroughly valued and appreciated . It is t B attisc o mb e m property of the family , to who Lord

S t . in 1 8 0 th e Germans made it over 7 , and is in gift of the B ishop of Worcester (formerly B ishop S f d in u fragan of S outhwark) . The church stan s the S s K i t. db ro o k and parish of Jame , , the congregation (coming from many other parishes round) numbers and about four hundred , is composed almost entirely of educated peo ple . This incumbency b rought to Canon Jeli pleasant work amid surroundings that were all chee rful and e . e xhilarating The open , sunny heath , wher he took his daily walks (fi nd ing there his favourite littl e hare e h is e b lls , to great delight) , was full of life and mov ment ; a nd the bra cing and i nvigorating air e nabl e d him to do a n immense amount of work in th e place and e H e no w n ighbourhood . had easy acce ss to 7 9 8 0 GEORGE EDWARD J E LF

e London , wh re he always had congenial work and

compan ionship , at the B oard of the Clergy M utual S o f Assurance ociety ( which he was a director) , on the Tract Committee of the as well as on and other diocesan convocation committees . ’ The bright and hearty services at S t . Germans

Church , with the large n umber of devout com muni

cants , were a delight to him , and a long but happy S unday ” is a frequent entry i n the Journal during

these six years . The daily Evensong , which he rarely S missed , was the comfort and stay of his life . ome times in the holiday months of summer he would say

it quite by himself , singing his hym n as usual . To such a cultivated mind as his there was a special e in an pl asure ministering to educated congregation , “ and he devoted himse lf c o n amore by means of S S and classes at home , and unday chool B ible in i nstructions church , to the spiritual welfare of the young people of the upper and middle classes in the H e o c k . e fl neighbourhood visit d daily among his , fi nd in always g a kind welcome , and generally a

willingness to talk on serious matters . One of them “ says No o ne could be with hi m without feeling the touch of that world which was to him the only real ”

o ne . , the unseen and eternal During these years at Blackheath the poorer parts of S outh London were constantly visited by Canon e i e J l , who felt a sincere regard and ven ration for those who were working there amid less hea lthy and H e cheerful surroundings than himself . promoted a nd encouraged th e e fforts made by the congregation

to assist various poor parishes , especially that of the 1 00 N e edl e work Guild , which raised about £ a year e for this purpos . Every summer , too , parties of mothers were invited to come a nd spe nd an afternoon at

8 2 GEORGE E DWARD JE LF

! o ur H is glory I wish , indeed , some of Jewish

it. Rabbis would read They might listen to a Gentile .

The book is so exhaustive of the prophecies , types a nd promises of the Messiah that it ought to leave no doubt of the Truth in the mind of an honest searcher it after . ’ For the three month s residence each year at c o e lf Ro hester , Can n J sometimes stayed with kind o and friends , sometimes took l dgings , more often o wn was i n his house with his family , by arrange n ment with his tenants . H e kept up his i nterest i the work there and took his due share of it as usual . in 1 8 8 While there J une 9 , he writes

m fir G ave y st addre ss to th e O rdinatio n Candidate s . My subje cts for th e fiv e addre ss e s w e re Th t h M 1 e C t e . . all o inistry h f w w 2 . T e C e o S are e e . ar ouls , to hich call d Th . w us 3 e C o nsci e nti o usn e ss hich that care re quire s of .

Th C o e e o S e e . 4 . e r ss involv d in such a C onsci nti us rvic m Th e t us . 5 . e C o fort g rant d o un — Th e e l e 1 7 . e Chaplain at Borstal Prison d ply to uche d and g ratifie d m e by te lling me of th e use which h e u fo r m Ma ke u o r Lo s t Time and has fo nd y books ( p f , th e H o us e o f Go d th e H o me o f Man) among th e po or

~ e m e ! H e me o f pris o n e rs . What a bl ssing for says so e m e m e H e e e o ne th have no e xp e ri nce of hu an lov . e gr t d ” w o m a nd th e e w w as ith Go d orning , found poor f llo

fo r h e h ad w o f e e . crying , had no ord kindn ss for y ars

The p overty and unworthiness (as it appeared to m ’ him) of the fabric of S t. Ger ans was a great trial e to the Canon , who had always h ld that the buildings for Divine worship should b e excee ding mag ” n fi l H e ff o i ca . e mad great e orts , assisted by the go d d H e chu rchwardens , to get this amen ed . interviewed B attisc o mbe the patron , the representatives of the A ME MOI R 83

e and truste s , and the owner of the adjacen t property , - o n held mee tings of the seat holde rs . B ut they did n t c o sider it advisable to improve or rebuild the church unless they could purchase the freehold ; and after many months of discussion and consideration the

project was abandoned . e lf It was a disappointment to Canon J , though he was throughout anxious to fall in with the views and O n 2 8 1 01 wishes of the lay people . July , 9 he prefaced e o o n th e c o nc lud his s rm n with a few words subject , ing thus I ° have done my best for the renovation of S t . ’ and o Germans , though the failure is a disapp i ntment

to me , as to many others , we must give up cheerfully . It is a real solace to me to be able to trust that the

spiritual fabric is growing , and to see the great body of communicants ; and we c an all work o n happily a nd and hopefully together , rejoice in the services of

the Church . Happi ness and hopefulness were the characteristics

of his work . S ome of his sermons were said to be sad ; for he had himself been through dee p waters of a nd c o nfl ic t sorrow spiritual , and the sadness that appeared sometimes in his sermons was due to his earnest longing to h e lp others in the battle of life by his own experience . But those who knew him best knew what power he had to cast care aside , and it o s in was nly that made him really unhappy . The m young people , so many of who came to his house , will always re member him as o ne of the m e rriest of in and the party , joining their games dances , m e o n u piring their cricket match s the heath , laughing and heartily at their acting , m aking them laugh , too , over old stories and jokes . A young actor friend , m who used to sing good comic songs for his amuse ent , G 2 84 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF says that Canon Je lf was the best audience he ever “ : We had . The daily record often ends with all had ” a very merry even ing . Canon Je lf enjoyed many social an d intellectual in S pleasures at B lackheath , joining hakespeare and and readings , hearing good lectures and concerts , also entertaining a great number of friends at his own “ O n : fi rs house . e of these writes From the t time I e ver went to your house , I had a peculiar feeling about it ; there was always to me the feeling of some it am beautiful spirit pervading , and I sure such a spirit as that of the Canon made itself felt wherever ” he went , and most especially where he lived . e lf 1 8 Canon J had the happiness , i n July 99 , of marrying his eldest so n to the daughter of an old in friend , and of seeing him settled , stronger health , in a home of his own . O h 2 0 1 01 January , 9 , we kept the anniversary of our silver wedding at Rochester , giving thanks with a nd e our family at the Holy E ucharist , rec iving kind greetings from many friends . B ut these rejoicings were overshadowed by the passing of the great Queen . The Journal runs

an — w h s e e . 2 2 It h o us . e a ] . is a e avy bl to all H rs b n e e th mo o e e a g rand and nobl lif , at of a st g raci us and t nd r w o m w e a e e an , as ll as th t of a consci ntious and s lf ifi i w fini h m e sac r c n e e . e as s e d e e g Qu n H rs a lif , a co pl t d w M f r s h e e us o rk . ay Go d be praise d o all e has b n to and for us

In October 1 90 1 Cano n Je lf read a paper by requ e st at the Brighton Church Congress on

P s a P e r o n ubli he d afte rwards by th e White Cross Le gue . ap s th e D e fe o r Ch r S e r e we re r e d votional Li , istian vic , also cont ibut by h im rme r e r to th e C r e d S e - - re in fo y a s, ong e sse s h l at tok upon T nt, Cr D r e M e e r nd R e d . oydon, by, anch st , a a ing

86 G EORGE EDWARD JELF

Fratribus una e nantibus C , K . D m r. A D . i v . al . e c e b MD CC I C C .

S e e e la s is d e bitus alv t , o fratr s , p quos annis M e m l le ibus b ilitia , t p o , g , ornat onos G ue e e ut e m uiq suas int r part s contingat , id o e m e fo e d e re iun at m Frate rn S p r g a or . S uch family meetings were amongst the greatest ’ H e n joys of the Canon s life . was o e

’ F o r whom home s happy radiance ye t A e f e -fi re e r st ad ast b acon app a s, r r th e rm th e re th e re B ight th ough sto , st ss, f t ” f r O seve nty yea s .

’ H is Childhood s home had been to him the happi e st an place on earth ; with generous , wise d tender a nd parents , and brothers sisters who were his dearest nfi n friends and c o d a ts through life . I t has b e en said that nowhere are the traditions of home more thoroughly ke pt up than in German and E nglish households ; and in this home there was a c ombina tion of the two . These years at B lackheath were full of anxiety and tragedy in many an E nglish home . The S outh African War po ssessed a very personal interest to e lf e Canon J , with three d ar nephews (sons of the Colon e l) engaged in it almost from the begin ning to e the end . One of these , whose marriage servic he o n had performed only a few months earlier , died the

e . way home , and was buri d at sea The Journals record all the failures and successes of the war , with “ comments of dismay or of great joy and relief . ” H e e e pr ach d a course of sermons on War , and gath e re d his congregation constantly together for e prayer and interc ssion . H e had a whole - hearted admiration for a goo d soldier , from the Duke of Wellington and Lord Roberts A MEMOIR 8 7

down to the littl e B ugler boy of Kassassin and he had few greater pleasures than to watch a revi e w or “ ” e a march past , or to r ad of the gallant deeds of ou r in e soldiers history , oft n using them as illustrations ar in his sermons . It was to him always a particul plea

sure to be allowed to address a body of soldiers . The sight of them seemed to inspire him ; because he real iz e d that both h e and they were soldiers in the ranks “ fi h t fi h t of the Great Captain , and must g the good g ” wi th all their might . It was this sympathy with the

Army which attracted young soldiers to him . O ne who often spent his S undays at his house writes that he counted it the greatest privilege to call him a “ friend , adding , To me he was always the most perfect example of what a Christian gentleman should ” b a n k . e , d I never expect to see his li e again Another says : H e has always helpe d me more than I real ” iz e d and . , I believe always will

S un a ul 02 — Ah S u w d 2 0 1 . but y, j y , 9 appy full nday ith h C e e w h o ut any c l e rical he lp . Took bot l brations it 47 and 2 h e w e e m m 2 co mmunicants . Pre ac d a ritt n s r on at idday R o m. 1 e ne th n o . o e e e viii 5 , and a spok n in v ning on R m 1 6 . O S h o . e e o e S h ad viii . p n d and cl s d unday c ool ; h w w M th e e w a s ort alk ith . In ve ning e had a talk h m ’ e e u S t e . m w h e tog t r abo t . G r ans It se e s e ll to stay e r wh e wh e e we a re e th e w o e a il r v ry happy , and ork pr sp rs fairly . S e — . i 2 . D w R e N wm p 4 d not fe e l v e ry e ll . ad e an and ’ R e took bo th s e rvice s . ad Lady D uff Gordon s charming M m e o . Mr w e e s S . irs In aft rnoon visit d . and praye d ith h e r e m MS h e e e r. , and l ft so pray rs in . for S und a D e — c . 2 1 . S e A e S u a . t 8 y, p nt a v ry happy nd y th e e w e e mm 1 8 . e r r 44 co unicants , and at noon Pray d e arn e stly that I m ay not crav e too much for th e sympathy

e e n o r b e e th e it . H o w and lov of oth rs , troubl d for lack of mu h e h e m m R wm n ch appin ss I av in y de ar h o e . e ad N e a 88 GEO RGE E DWARD JE LF

w e e e the e o o o e e S and ro t l tt rs . In aft rn n I p n d unday h w w h t A S cho o l and had a s ort alk it h e bo ys . t Eve n

1 8 . N t so ng pre ache d on 1 Jo h n ii . o ve ry goo d congrega

- ti o ns to day .

1 02 e lf I n October 9 Canon J , accompanied by his eldest daughter , made a most enjoyable little tour i H among some of his relations n Germany . e visited ’ his mother s old home at Arendsee , and his cousins

Cou nt and Countess B o rc ke in Pomerania . H e was in also deeply interested revisiting Berlin , Pankow , Hanover and Herrenhausen — all connected with the

. and e lf early married life of Dr M rs . J , and with his o wn childhood .

— A h w D a 1 m a e . E as ter 0 . o e e e e y , 9 3 st h ppy f stival T r r

32 0 co mmunicants ; most bright s e rvice s . I pre ach e d in Th O f e we th e mo rning . e E aste r f rings re a most e o a m c o nfid e nc e e me nc ur ging ark of , and sur ly a rciful w e ans e r to o ur praye r and our n e d . un a — A M h S d A . 1 . t e e e e y , p 9 atins I pr ac d , aft r g rat u o w e th e e e E e O f e f lly ackn l dging v ry lib ral ast r f ring s , and t h e w e e we o me saying hat t y r doubly lc , as I had last Q uarte r fo r the fi rst time h ad a diminuti o n of the mo de st ’ m h h e to th e m e S t m o e e o . e inc it rt allott d Incu b nt of G r ans . id a — r a M 1 . Th e fe w h e e me F y, y 5 last days av tir d a - o o e e . W e to e e R we g d d al , but I had r st to day rot T tl y o , wh o t e le graphs that th e C ro ss was to-day fix e d o n th e W ’ M C h m. D e o ! e e e S t. . gabl of ary s , hat a Laus Fift n ye ars ag o it was my privil e ge to fi x th e cross on th e E . a e o f th e N e no w th e c e e wo g bl av ; and l ar , d lightful rk e m e M E e is b ing co pl e t d . I took atins and v nsong and r w A e e Ch e e visite d fo a hile . tt nd d oir Practice and pr par d note s fo r S unday s e rmo n .

O h Otto b e r 2 8 of this year ( 1 9 03) Canon Je lf had ’

S t . the happi ness of being present at Mary s , Chatham , when , after complete restoration , the church was reopened in the presence of the B ishop S uffragan of

90 GE ORGE E DWARD JE LF

up my connection with the happy services of our dear

little church , and leave the many friends who have a nd shown the greatest kindness to me to my family . “ f Your a fectionate friend , E G O RG E E JELF . J S a s l a 8 i . erm n P ce , G , “ A e dv nt,

— m h w I Ma 1 1 0 . W e e t e n m o . y 4, 9 4 rot a s r on for orr A K w r e e . e E e h o u aft rnoon visit d ft r v nsong . and I it e e w e w e e m o ur d ar childr n nt to h r any of S t. ’ m w e e m e wh e e Mr G e e . r ans folk r ass bl d , and r in e r n me o f m o e re e e me th i a and that any th rs , p s nt d to a m e e e e - e e tw o e h e ost lov ly silv r c ntr pi c , silv r dis s and a - m e n e . H e e e r volvi g book cas spok ost kindly , and I f lt de e ply g ratifie d by such a mark of c o nfid e nc e and affe ctio n ;

wh . was so e th e and I said at I could It all d lightful , and

pe o ple we re most kind .

The girls of his B ible Class gave hi m also som e fo r beautiful presents , which he sent his grateful n a f thanks o forty cards , wordin g e ch one di ferently

Ma 1 — m e h e e y 6 . To ok y last Ev nsong in t e d ar littl Ch h e e M w h e r C . e . urc , and th n visit d iss and pray d ith

S o ended a happy and busy period of six years and a half . The following extract from a letter written by o ne of the congregatio n may be inserted here We loved him — after that the less said the better ; and I think it typical of the man that so little can be said— it is almost like giving a character to one of ! H e - a nd the saints was essentially the gentle man , l h e this very gent eness was perhaps carried to a fault , was so extremely sensitive for others , not to wound their feelings . H is was also a hidden life , and doubt less that was his aim ; but the holiness would shine A MEMOIR 9 1

e s uffi c ie nt through , as a glanc at his face was to show . ’ o wn e Helpful was his special word , and expressiv of his keen desire to help his p e opl e in their joys and e sorrows alik . I think his striking characteristic was in his extreme reverence , whether public or in private

ministrations . It was a real privilege to be one of the ‘ two or three ’ (with its special intonation) at the daily Evensong ; unless he insisted o n a hymn as to

which , and the amount of singing generally , we were not entirely at one ! I shall never forge t his rapt attention during the po werful preaching of his fri e nd ’

. B e n O lie l o wn the Rev Maxwell , when one s glance i was for a moment turned n his direction . “ I venture to think that it may be found that by his

voice , countenance and example he has helped many fl of his ock more even than by his sermons .

“ B e n e ar us wh e n we climb o r fall : Ye w e G o d th e r r atch , lik , olling hou s W r e r er e e r ith la g oth y s than ou s, ” T o make allowance fo r us all . TENNYSO N

V e re z e e z a c e D e c ar il e re ous qui pl u , v n i u, pl u ; V so uttre z e e z a c ar il ér ous qui , v n lui , gu it ; V re m e z e e z a c ar il r ous qui t bl , v n lui , sou it ; i ” V e z z a c ar l me re . ous qui pass , ve ne lui , de u ’ O NE of Canon Je lf s reasons for leaving Black e heath was his wish to be near D an Hole , to whom t he was much attached , and whose streng h was H evidently failing fast . e had the privilege of ministe ring to him in his last illness (the Dean tell ing him that his prayers and reading of the S crip “ ture to him were like music to th e soul and was with him a fe w hours before h e passed away o n

2 1 0 . August 7 , 9 4 Afte r the impressive funeral service in Roche ster o n 0 e lf e Cathedral August 3 , Canon J travell d with th e the mourners to Nottingham , and with Vicar of ’ Caunton took the last part of the service in the Dean s e H e old hom . writes afterwards

S und a S e -I h e . . t e e e e y , p 4 had gr at privil g of pr aching the N e he th e z e u in av to a g rand gat ring of citi ns , abo t th e D m m e the e e . Th e S e e w as e d ar an rvic ost i pr ssiv , “ e e e e e e e gr at g ath ring of p opl , th ir att ntion , th ir lifting ’ of th e D e an s Hymn — it was a jo y inde e d— and th e love for him !

1 0 — 1 0 e lf During these three years 9 4 9 7 , Canon J was abl e to accept more of the invitations to visit other dioceses than he had don e for som e years past . H e e s in pr ached the Ordination sermon Durham , e Lic hfi e ld e th e b e e N wcastle and Cathedrals , gav T r ’ e e o n in s e Hours Addr ss s e Good Friday York M in t r , e e th e took a Retreat at Cuddesdon , r ad pap rs at Weymouth Church Congress a nd th e Chichester 95 96 GEORGE E DWARD J ELF

and Diocesan Conference , gave H istory Lectures at

Gravesend and at Worcester .

His reading at this tim e was varied and extensive . Among th e books he re ad through were B ishop ’ We stc o tt s Le ss o n s ro m Wo rk Wo rlled e f , Canon g on ’ P ra er R e li io n y , Canon Newbolt on g , Freeman s ’ P rin ci les o Divin e S ervic e Wac e s e p f , Dean Boyl S ’ Lectures , two volumes of almon s works , two volumes of the Cambridg e H is to ry (o f which he made ’ an F re n c h R e v o lutio n H e ro abstract) , Carlyle s an d ’ Wo rs hi D arwinism p , Wallace s , eleven biographies , and a good many novels a nd lighter books shared with his family . H e was still (though now seventy- two) able to walk with his usual vigour , recording expeditions with his in t sons ( Ken ) of twelve miles , thoroughly enjoyed by them all . During a delightful family holiday in S e ussex , when he was taking duty among his form r o n e e neighbours , he was generally out the Downs b for and breakfast , records havi ng walked two hundred

- and twenty nine miles in the six weeks he was there . H e also in these years paid a very happy V isit to

Fulham Palace each summer , with his wife and e b e daughters , c menting thei r friendship made long fore , with the kind and hospitable B ishop of London . I n 1 9 05 Canon Je lf c o - operated with the rest of and in the Chapter , with the citizens , giving a hearty e e w e e n . ) , welcom to the ‘ D an (Dr E rnald Lan and e then to the new B ishop (Dr . Reginald Harm r) with both of whom it was his joy and privilege duri ng the re st of his time in Roch e ster to take sweet counse l ” toge ther and to walk in the House of God as friends . ’ O n Canon Je lf s return to R o chester he resumed the work that he had always felt impelled by con

. me n science to do , viz that of speaking to standing

9 8 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

th e e e h m w e In str ts during a s ort orning alk , I gav ’ e o ur Me S e e w h e w e pap rs about n s rvic , it a t xt ritt n on e ac h . I n the mo rning I ve ry sp e cially spoke to 3 se parate ’ o m e n e e m th e S u w gr ups of , t lling th of Bishop of o th ark s e e S e w h e m o ne addr ss n xt unday , and pl ading ith t , not as

iffi ultie s e e . ignorant of th e ir d c . I fe lt happi r aft r this e w —me n o ne w o m e fo r I talk d to 3 orking , of h spok up th e o f b c O w e h e was e rig ht pu li pinion , o n d an ath ist , but w e e e e e e O ne ish d childr n taught r ligion , and f lt th r is e us sup rior to .

S adly faile d to spe ak to a poor p e rs o n . Gav e copie s o f my o wn Tracts on Goo d Friday and E e D a to e e e e me n e e ast r y s v n diff r nt , and pray d that th y ma d o me e o y so littl g od . W ed o e th e e e e e alk v r bridg b for br akfast , and had a e w h wo -m an wh o he e e lit l talk i a kin , said lik d to sp ak t t ro g w e m ith a cl rgy an . ’ I invite d the m to co me to th e Me n s S e rvice ne xt S un “ th e e e m e w e : We day , and chi f spok s an aft r a hil said ll , ’ “ I ll o me fo r o ne e w e c an w h c , and add d , talk ith suc a man u w e e w e as yo h r upon shook hands all ro und . — S und a . In th e e e e m me y v ning aft r our hy ns at ho , I ’ “ fe lt o ur Lord s w o rds in my h e art : G o out quickly into th e stre e ts and lan e s of th e city and comp e l th e m to come o th e fe w m e e e S e e in and g ing out in last inut s b for rvic , o t two e me n S Th e g opportuniti s of inviting to that e rvice . D e e e an pr ach d strikingly . O ne of th e happie st Christmas D ays I h ave spe nt for ye ars partly p e rhaps through having trie d to say wo H im th e e a rd for in str e t last night .

1 8 Things were not always so cheering , and in 95 he writes somewhat sadly

’ e o r me n me Me S e e I invit d 3 4 to co to our n s rvic , and w e m e nt to it ys lf . But I fe ar th e se invitations though e e e e e n Ye t me civilly r c iv d , do not at pr s nt bring me . so day th ey may think of it : and I humbly trust and pray a G o d ma e h m e w e th t y acc pt this u bl itn ss and call . A MEMO IR 99

o n As time went , this special work became almost of daily occurrence ; a few extracts in the later years are given here

I n the e ve ning talked to so me me n ab o ut th e D e an wh o w as e m h o w h e w o b e ( ill) , and told th glad uld , if w h im the y ould come and pray for . e w e e e S poke to some me n b e fore bre akfast . Th y r quit m c o alh e av e r to e . Ye e o ne e re ady list n st rday, of th , a , said h e would g e t some o f his mate s to co me with h im to

Cathe dral S e rvice . I calle d to se e th e publican at wh ose h o us e th e drunke n man made a g re at disturbance last n ight (and whom I and m m w H e atis fie d me h e an e e e . e s anot r h lp d ho ards) quit , m and thanke d e for calling . th e e O ut be fore bre akfast ove r e bridg . Had fri ndly

w h me n e e e e e . talks it 3 s parat ly , and f lt ncourag d Had a short w alk and talk on th e Pi e r w ith a rive r man wh o e e me m m e , s d struck by y saying that God ak s w us e e me n ar n t e o u allo ance for all . Th s e o irr lig i s at h e art . S poke to 3 groups of me n abo ut th e poor barg e man wh w h o had be e n dro n e d t e day b e fore . Had a sh o rt walk ove r th e bridg e : sp o ke to two young me n man s e e th e e , saying that as an old , I valu of going the S e e h we w m e e e o m . to rvic s , and t at should lco th ir c ing Gave tracts about Good Friday to two working-me n and ’ e e m to e me m e D e h ask d th r b r our Lord s at on that day. In e arly morning I walke d ove r th e Bridge an d had w fri e ndly talks ith me n . O ne amid s e ve ral g re e te d me u n e and wh e e as an acq ainta c , n I talk d about th e old ’ “ ’ D e m e u e : m an s hu our and s rio sn ss , said That s y ide a f ” o re ligion . e e e e w me n Had 3 ncourag ing talks (b for br akfast) ith . The y e ncourage th e ide a of g e tting th e Bishop to addre ss e m e th e e - r O n th aft r dinn r h o u . e man said that fe w pe ople spoke to working -me n : h e se e me d glad of a e w fri ndly ord . S e man e th e ue wh o pok to a n ar Bl Boar , said that g oing to th e C athe dral would n o t fill his stomach and H 2 1 00 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

m e w w i co plain d of ant of ork . I told h m we did not for e t th e w h are e e f r th e g ant , and t at funds b ing rais d o e m e un ploy d . e e e w e e th e e h ad fe w B for br akfast alk d ov r bridg , and a ’ w w o m A m e n e . s e e . ords ith s of , as usual quit fri ndly W e m C m w e o ishing th a happy hrist as , I said that ught H im Wh m o e h h th e . to think of ak s it appy , t at is , Lord ’ w tw o N e w Y e e w m Had a ord or of ar s g re ting ith so e . O ne man quite agre e d as to what I said as to th e happi e th e N e w Ye e e n ss of ar d p nding large ly on ourse lve s . We nt out e arly : had a little talk w ith s o me w orking me n o th e E e o we fo r h o e , ab ut l cti n ; said should pray t s i m n Parlia e nt . In afte rn o on just b e fo re th e public-h ous e s clo se d I calle d o n th e publican o f the littl e o ld house in and found h im e an d h e o o ne e u th e fri ndly, to k of our pap rs abo t M h o h e e e fe w w me S o e ission hours , t ugh f ar d ould co . p k w to o h o o e me . e e e a t bacconist , als thank d I f lt ncourag d , h e aving pray d . In afte rnoon I t o ok care of a drunke n man and walke d w h im e h im w w e ith , and l ft ith his if . I walke d to Frindsbury and visite d in a p o or cottage w m wh e e h ad e e me fe w ho n drunk n , I h lp d ho a days H e e o h im h is w e a o . e t g talk d r asonably , and I g and if w w h me e to kn e e l do n it in pray r . m n A Re m t ne wh o Talke d to so e me n e ar . turning e o o e e m e e wh o me e ft n salut s , probably a cl rk , said to Th y like your g oing among th e m : I know that from p e rsonal ” m S e a e e e e e . knowl e dge . uch ncour g nt is v ry ch ring

Had some talk w ith m e n be yond th e bridge on praye r . e e e e e e e Gav a littl h lp to thr , f ling that I ought not only h S ne e to think of t e ir piritual ds .

th Then o n e day before he left Rochester for good , 2 8 1 0 June , 9 7

O ut e e e h ad h w b for br akfast , a good c at ith on the E e e e e e m e n e r th e e splanad , th n spok to s v ral ov bridg , e m o e e e m g ave th little b oks of pray r , and bad th good b e y .

C H AR TER H OUS E

1 907— 1 908 S i é re z m e au e ré d e e rfe il vous d si ont r plus haut d g la p ction, ’ ” f e e r au e ré d e l h umilité aut desc nd plus bas d g . ’ ' Cop ied f rom the wall in the Monastery of f i l e d es Lerzns .

M fe we - e d e w ffe re rd y path in li is ll nigh n d, but hat a di nt standa h will b e applie d to o ur e arthly life in th e future world . N o t t e e r o f s e th e r o f e e r and th e f spl ndou ucc ss, but pu ity nd avou , faith ul e r e e r e o f e e w e th e e was r s e p s v anc duty, v n h n thing don ha dly vi ibl , w h f ” ill de cide t e value o a human life . E N ER A M L K E G L O T .

I O6 GE O R GE E DWAR D JE LF

These last gave him peculiar pl e asure . One wrote that his appointment would have been the universal “ c h o ioe among Old Carthusians ; another , of the thrill of delight which it gave him to think that he would be his beloved Master to the end and another , It is delightful to think of you at rest in that venerable ’ and historic abode till you can say you r Adsum . o ffi c e r : A young (brother of Carthusians) , wrote I ’

Y O . s o am one of the many . to whom you ve sh wed o ne kindness during their stay at Chatham , and of the still larger circle of people who all the world over are feeling delighted at the ne w appoi ntment to the ” in : Mastership . A friend the north wrote This is delightful — the most to be desired of all app o intments for the evening of life , to the man whose work it most fitl w y cro ns . May the evening have many years , and all be crowned with rich blessings fo r you all . “ ” “ Others wrote of the ideal haven , of the otium cum dignitate which would now be his . B ut he put this thought aside , and dwelt rather upon the work to be in done . The B ishop of London his hearty welcome to his Diocese struck the chord which vibrated for him when he said “ I will give you all plenty of work ” to do . The new sphere of infl ue nce would now be in the interesting old buildings where he had been educated , and his residence would be the beautiful and historic ’ o house kn wn as Master s Lodge , where as a young man he had received hospitality from the Master of s tho e days , his old friend Archdeacon Hale .

“ H e The new Master was a loyal Old Carthusian . ’ had been present on Founder s Day whe never it was e so o possibl for him to do ; and when he could not g , h e would record it in his Journal with so me such com “ ment as I remembered the old place and its p rivi A M EMOIR 1 07

H leges . e had visited Charterhouse at other times o for meetings about its M ission , and then he w uld say c o nfi rme d prayers i n the chapel where he had been , or i n the cloister where so many of his scho olfellows are commemorated .

The Charterhouse motto , Deo dante dedi , was in often quoted by him sermons and speeches , and in e was now fully his mind , as he determined to giv of his very best to the old Foundation where so much had been given to hi m . was S oon after his appointmen t an nounced , the following circular letter was sent out by the Dean of Rochester

PR OPO S ED TRIB UTE T O CAN ON JE LF

f e e lf The a fection inspir d towards Canon J , by his in long residence Rochester , his high Christian e xample and his truly spiritual teaching , must , it is e fi nd o vident , s me outward expression , when the con nec tio n of twenty- seven years is to be se vered by his re moval o n his advancement to the Mastership of th e n Charterhouse . It has occurred to me that a not u suitable way of showing our affection and esteem would be that , from the very many who have such o feelings t wards him , a petition should be presented to him with the requ e st that he should proc ee d to the e Degree of Doctor of Divinity ; the expens s of which , t and the robes belonging to that degree , hey wish to a subscribe tow rds , if not wholly to defray . The total cost is abo ut £7 5 ; and in orde r that even the smallest s ums may not be withheld , it is S uggested that sub sc ri ti n n p o s should be limited to the sum of o e guine a .

E RNALD LAN E . The D eanef R oc y , hester, r Ma ch, 1 08 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

T0 this kind thought and the generous response to i e lf t, Canon J made the following answer

hest R oc er, “ M 1 1 0 . ay 4, 9 7 Y D E R RIEN D S M A F , “ The generous gift which , at the kind sug gestion of the Dean of Rochester , you have sent me , thus enabling me to take the degree of Doctor of ”E U niv e rsit Divinity in my own y , must now be grate fully acknowledged ; and I hope you will accept from in a busy man , what may seem , print , rather a formal

. so act of thanks B ut you would not think it , if you knew h o w deeply I appreciate the honou r of this t f s ep at Oxford , and also the a fectionate assistance which has put such a step within my reach . “ This liberal and unexpected help , coming to me at the close of many happy years ’ mi nistry at Roches b ter , encourages me to elieve that you still think me capable of helping others in my new post of duty at

. so the old Charterhouse That I may do , according to my earnest desire , you will , I know , jo in you r prayers to mine . “ With renewed thanks , “ am m I , yours ost sincerely , “ EORG E E E LF G . J , “ M aster of the Charterhouse .

S evera l d omesti c e vents combined to surrou nd h is - n leave taking with comfort and happiness . A so S returned on leave from outh Africa , and a daughter ’ e lf s was married in the Cathedral a week before Dr . J departure , when , surrounded by old friends , he was able to say farewell to them all in the old cloistered

* C lf e h B . t e e re e of . D D D . O fo r o n anon J took d g s and . at x d Ma 2 y .

1 1 0 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

and th e parting , too , from many , both clergymen and lay folk , with whom we have walked in the House ’ of Go d as friends . M o re particularly keen must be the regret of having to bid farewell to trusty col s leagues i n the Chapter , and my dear friend by music , ’ S o and th e masters and boys of the King s cho l , and m my many fellow co municants , partakers with me of th e the B read of Life and the Cup of Bl e ssing . M ay us e Lord watch between , when we are abs nt one from e us the other , an d ke p true to Himself , loyal to His

Church , patient in the bearing of His Cross, ready and steady to press towards the mark of His Crown Just as Canon Jel i was leaving Roc hester his last ' S o un d Wo rd s book came out , under the name of (published by the It consists of addresses “ on the Prayer Book , and is dedicated to the lay ” w co mmunicants of the English Church . It is no

. o e i n its second edition A year later a b okl t , called th e We d din R in g g , was also published by the It embodies a n address given by him at a wedding , and shows the true and manifold m e an

- ing of the wedding ring .

— un e 2 1 0 . We M h e C e j 4, 9 7 nt to atins , and t n to hapt r , at th e e nd of which I re sig n e d my C anonry in th e pre se nce N of a otary Public . Than ke d my c o lle agu e s for the ir e e e w m H w m e kindn ss and pati nc to ards e . o uch caus I have for thankfuln e ss for my many bl e ssings in the se 2 7 ye ars ! un e 2 — j 9 . Had th e privile ge of ce le brating e arly on this th e o ur R S last day of life in och e ste r . poke once more to e e w - m e n w as e e ° th e s v ral orking , and att nd d to and last to w hom I spoke talke d about to - morrow s S e rvice fo r Me n i n C h e w e e h im m at dral , and h n I ask d to e xcuse y e h im w e e : am t be having spok n to , ans r d I proud o ” e to S ir . D e o . spok n by you , Gratias A MEMOIR 1 1 1

The clergy of the neighbourhood to ok leave of Dr . lf e t e a Je with r gre , for he had always be n re dy to help

them by preaching , sympathy and counsel . One : amv is d i re ssu v e te ris c o nfusus wrote Q u g amici , laudo tame n ; I feel sure you know that I shall mi ss you very much indeed ; it has been a very great help to know that I could come to you and fi n d sympathy

in any matter that concerns ourselves and our parish . ’ All the best years of Canon Je lf s life had been given to th e Diocese of Rochester ; and one of th e S outh London clergy , writing after his death , ex pressed the “ great debt of gratitude felt by them h e for the spi rit that , both by what he was , and by ” e e what he said and wrot , i nspired th m with . A working- man in R o chester also wrot e : There are many me n at one with me i n this district generally in testifying to the God- like character of o ne who

- loved the working men , an d ever sought to do them o g od , leading them onward and forward to a bette r ” life beyond . ’

S t. o The Vicar of Margaret s , R chester , wrote in the Parish Magazine of December 1 908 “ It has surely been much for us that so many years have been passed in our midst of a life of singular e l e . . f b auty , strength and goodn ss Dr Je during his e o ffi c e s life held many distinguish d , and rather than receiving honour from them , he may be said to have adorned them all by his whole - h e arted de vo tion to good works and the signal capacity with which h e e th e h im discharg d duties which fell to . “ H e wa s e us e e w ll known to all as a pr ach r , and m his fatherly counsels and warnings , and the si pl e e e h e dir ctn ss of his speech , while pleaded fo r God m and for holiness of living , could never fail to i press e e his h ar rs , and to i nstil into th e m the de sire to 1 1 2 GEORGE EDWA RD JELE follow according to their powers where he pointed and f . e l led the way . While his strength remained Dr J was always most ready to give help to the paroc hial and e e clergy , many of them , specially in tim s of sick unse lfi sh ness , have felt greatly indebted to his kind ness . H is departure from Rochester last year , with

. e lf M rs J and his family , was felt as a real loss to the life of the Church . Now that he has passed from the scene of his earthly labours , we are thankful for the ” memory which he leaves behind . lf’ These lines were fou nd written in Dr . Je s pocket b o ok in the August of this ye ar ( 1 9 07)

S o e me H e e e us w e e in ach ho bl ss s ith p ac , S o o n e H us w H e e ach path e guide s ith is y , G e us o ur w r to d o d re to e a e iv s o k , bi s ca c s ’ Points th e day s duty as th e day goe s by. The Journal at Charterhouse opens thus

u — I h l . e th e e o C e e j y 4 r ad l ss ns in hap l , and th n s ook h w h wh we e e ands ith all t e poor Broth e rs o r th re .

The improvem e nt of the old chap e l (where the Carthusian Monks had worshipped long ago) was th e ’ fi rst h e Master s care , and even before took up his t o c residence at Char erh use he had ollected a fund , in readily contributed small sums by Old Carthusians , c for the beautifying of the little san tuary there , and had placed in it th e ornaments and fi ttings which he thought would make it more worthy of its place and object . I n the following year the chap e l was entirely e e repainted under his superintendenc , and the valuabl ’ old tapestry in the Governors room was resto red and a rep ired by the Decorative Needlework S oci e ty . ’ After a month s holiday with his family in the e th e Yorkshir dales , Master eagerly entered upon his n e w duties . Among these he assign e d a high place

1 1 4 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

’ ’ s was a gathering in the Master s Lodge . The Master face was radiant with happiness as he sat in the

middle of the high table in hall , with the B ishop of

n . G . London (as Governor and guest) a d Mr J . Talbot o n and and one side of him , the Lord Chief Justice o the B ish p of Gloucester on the other , and several of

his contemporaries around him . O h the last day of the year he writes

S o e th e r o e e us h m . nds is y a , m st v ntful for , in t is fa ily May we e nte r o n th e N e w Ye ar w ith thankful and faithful h e arts .

This last year of his life opened with many inter ests , pleasures an d duties . The Princess of Wales intimated to him her wish o n 1 0 to see the old Charterhouse , and February , r T re fusis accomp anied by Lady Ma y Forbes , she paid th e th e a visit there , going round buildings with Master and displaying the greatest interest in all that he showed her . Her Royal Highness kindly acceded to his wish that the young princes should also see o n e the place , and April 9 Princ Albert and Prince ’ r and Henry came with thei tutor , took tea at Master s

L o dge . ’

O u 2 6 S t . E S . February , at Peter s , aton quare , Dr Ie lf married his second son to o ne who had b e com e in a short time a very daughter to him , giving an ”

o n n S . address Tha kfulness , ervice and Trust Three weeks afterwards they sailed for their home i n the Ea st . The Journal runs

ar 2 - A w ur h m M c h 0 . t e e o O pray rs sang y n , God m ” A K ur e . e M o H e lp te rnal Ho e ft r atins . and I

w A n B re e . e . a d . e e pray d ith , and had th ir d ar g ting s e we we V o r me t ' man e Th n nt in a body to ict ia , and y r la A MEMOI R 1 1 5

- e the e e h h e e o ff. tions , and g av d ar coupl a appy , arty s nd M e e e m e us u ay God ble ss and k p th , and g iv all a joyf l

me e ting again . The Master ’ s intercourse with Old Carthusians

(most of them , of course , very j un ior to himself) and with the masters of the school afforded him great n pleasure . His interest i all that bound them together and e was real heartf lt , for gratitude to their common founder was with him a religious duty which was often expressed in word and deed . The m e mbers of th e Charterhouse Masonic Lodge found in him a h e warm friend , though was not a Mason ; and one of “ them afterwards expre ssed his sense of the absolute ” ’ pleasure that it gave hi m to seek the Master s per missio n a nd approval of anything con n e cted with

Charterhouse , o r for the advancement of the Car th usian spirit . I n e 1 08 e lf L nt 9 Dr . J preached a course of sermons ’

S t . e S in e at J ud s , outh Kensington , and Holy W ek ’

e n . gave some m idday addr sses i S t Paul s Cathedral . O n Tuesday in Holy We ek the B ishop of S te pn e y (now Archbishop of York) held a C o nfi rmatio n for ’ S Merchant Taylors chool in Charterhouse Ch ap e l . Th e Master prese nted some candidates whom he had prepared , and the B ishop in his address drew atten tion to the fact that it was the annive rsary of th e ’ Master s o wn C o nfi rmatio n i n that same place fifty eight years earlier . At Easter he was warn e d that his heart was not a nd strong , that he must give up so me of his work . H e e e o n n r signed his plac the Tract Com mittee , a d e cancelled most of his preaching engagem nts . B ut h e attended Convocation as usual , and also the Tri e nnial e e m F stival at Wells , wh re he e t two hundred t S and for y other Old tudents . H e writes 1 2 1 1 6 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

The H o ly C o mmunion (Ch oral) was ve ry inspiring and e e m h e was e in u e fo r bl ss d , and y art lift d up thankf ln ss m 0 y 5 ye ars . The last public function in which he took part was

- — th e o 1 2 . great Pan Anglican C ngress , June 7 4 The fille d th e Lodge was with guests , among whom were o S e B ish p of outhern B razil and his wife , who endear d themselves to their hosts . The Journal runs

— un 2 W h . ] e 2 . e ad as usual our e arly C e l e bration r w O ur e The se qui e t s e rvice s a e s e e t and uplifting . d ar ue w e w e g sts g re atly valu e th e m . In afte rnoon nt to K e nsing ton To wn Hall for the Pap e rs and discussion on th M o w n e e Critical S tudy of th e N e w Te stame nt . y Pap r ale w as w e r iv ll e c e e d .

un - h h a h f e h j e 2 3 . T is s be e n t e g re ate st day o t ac ing in my whole life (th e D e votional Me e ting in th e Hoare Me m M b e e th e o rial Hall) . ay God prais d for all 5 e e e e to e e e o n sp ak rs and th ir h lp as Pray r , Int rc ssi and

u s w as m e e e . Thanksg iving . To it a ost bl ss d clos

S un d a u n - S un 8 . e 2 C e e e 8 . e y , j l brat d at Pass d a happy w w G w . . e day Had a short alk ith , and had a littl talk ith L M e m an e e e w e . e a frie ndly . Bas pr ach d ll at atins Th r w 0 w e w e re 5 Broth e rs pre s e nt . In afte rn o on all e nt to ’ S t u w e e m h e e e m th e . Pa l s , and r uch lp d by a s r on of o f S e e w us h o w u a Bishop t pn y , sho ing to g ard gainst e e th e C e 1 e e e e r r action aft r ong r ss , ( ) by p rsist nc in pray , 2 e e h e e e e e th e ( ) by k ping igh id als , (3) by d p nd nc on Holy S pirit .

’ a s After the Congress was over , he p id the Ma ter s an nual visitation to some of the Charterhouse estates

with his friend the Registrar . Then came a few days

at . Fulham Palace , and at Charterhouse , Godalming After this he spent a fortnight most happily with e in his broth r the Colonel Derbyshire , where he

o f r On th e D evotional Study S criptu e .

1 8 GEORGE E DWARD JE LF

e M ote on October 5 , wh re he was spending a few

6 . H e days , and on October he was taken ill writes “ a few days afterwards : The doctor found my pulse H e only 34 . spoke very seriously about my low and vitality , the need of keeping myself absolutely to my o wn work . I had yesterday cancelled my e ngagements . B ut the state of my health was brought home to me , and I felt saddened ; but prayer , and ’ d ’ ’ K . s a n dea rest help , the doctor s and matron s

e G . atte ntion are a true c omfort . Bade d ar good

and . bye , felt parting from him (for Oxford) After this (though he was able to travel down to his ’ eldest so n s house at B ournemouth and to spend a week there) the symptoms of weakness increased ; he had no recuperative power left , and he could only manage a very short walk round the courts each day , e o f un gre ting the old B r thers a fectionately , though able to visit them . The greatest trial to him was his i nability to be present at the daily services , which , as “ ”

a e e . he once s id , wer the gr atest joy of his life As in he lay bed listening to the chapel bell , he would say , How thankful I shall be when I can answer ” that call . At the begin ning of this illness the do ctor had ’ H e o e said , must have a m nth s r st , a thing he has ”

. h e never had i n his life This was true , for though o th roughly enjoyed his holidays , he could never bear to be unemployed ; and one of his prayers had been “ Keep me from the snare of seeking rest ; let me ” rather rejoice to work for others . B ut now it might be said of him , as B ishop Wilkinson said of a friend “ in w called home the midst of work , His Father sa ” e him tir d , an d gave him rest . Through these last h e was m weeks of his life reading , with i mense ’ Li e o Mic hae l An e lo i nterest , Grimm s f f g , and was A M EMOIR 1 1 9 hoping and plan ning to go to Italy in the spring of

1 . 9 09 , as had been intended Three doctors met for a n and co nsultation about him o November 7 , said he might do a little work for two or three months , and then go abroad . B ut they had hardly left the house before he was seized with a vio lent attack of pain , which returned with greater acuteness the next day , and lasted for H several hours ; fro m this he never rallied . e said he it s d id not think he could get over , and gave his bles ing to those who were with him that S unday evening .

These were almost his last conscious words .

The next day he lay i n a dozing state , his mind beginn ing to wander , and at night he became very d n elirious . O Tuesday his youngest son an d e th e daughter w re summoned home , rest of his family

(except the two sons ab road) being al re ady with him . H e was able t6 recognize them all and to send mes sages to the absent ones . B ut his strength rapidly failed , and though able evidently to join in the prayers ' o fi e re d e wh o by his bedsid , and to recognize those were watching him , he was scarcely able to speak again . His dear friend , the B ishop of London , came e s four tim during these anxious days , and was able to give him such words of comfort a nd blessing as to be clearly a real support to him . ff h h Prayers were o ered for him at Roc ester , Chat am ,

Blackheath and other places , and the thought of these p rayers , and of the many who loved him far and n e ar , “ supported and calmed the watchers , so that the name ” of that chamber was Peace . H e S o n received the B lessed acrament S aturday , 1 November 4, with his family and household an d nurses (one of them th e faithful friend of twenty- fiv e ’ S years service) , and on unday evening his children 1 20 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

in o . sang a hymn , as usual , together his r om After e this day the heart attacks became very fr quent , and o n l th Thursday , the g , after some hours of peaceful un sleep , as the midday s was pouring into his room , too and when , , th e place was bright W m f ith so e thing o ce le stial light,

the Co mmendatory Prayer. was said , and his gentle s pirit was released .

Pe e me w : th e o f wo e ac , co a ay song Is afte r all an e arthly song Pe e me w we d o h im wr ac , co a ay ; ong T o sing so wildly ; l e t us go .

Ye t e e r e r e in th s e a s till h a ing di s , O ne se t w w e e m to , slo be ll ill s toll Th e passing o f th e swe e te st soul

That eve r looke d with human e ye s.

o n 2 The funeral service , November 3 , was taken o o by the B ish p of London , the Dean of R chester ,

H . V . and . the Headmaster of Charterhouse , the Rev

Le . Bas , the Preacher of Charterhouse The su n shone b rightly as the company of mourners crossed “ ’ ” r fl o we r- the Master s cou t , following the decked in bier , wheeled by six clergy surplices (old friends

- and fo rmer fell o w workers) . The cross from th e Charterhouse M ission was carried o n high by the M issioner as the procession moved through the grand l “ ” o d Guesten Hall i nto the cloister and chapel . ’ “ Here the refrains of Mendelssoh n s trio , Lift thine ” e yes , greeted them from the organ , which was sympa thetically played by the P recentor of Rochester * . fl o we rs and Cathedral The chapel was bright with , full of friends , rich and poor (many coming up from the mission in Tabard S treet) . The chanting of the

" Q n th e wre ath sent from th e S chool was this inscription ” Fr t i s r m e e r d ue ri Carth usiani. at illu t i, a ato, v n an o p

CHARACTERI S TICS A N D LETTERS ” Wh o is good except he b e made so by loving ?

A . S T . UGUSTINE

Le t us e b e w we are e w w th n hat , and sp ak hat e think, and in ” e e r e e o r all things k p ou s lv s loyal t t uth.

LONG FELLOW .

I will place within the m as a guide M m re C e e w m e w e r y u pi onsci nc , ho if th y ill h a , ’ e r we e Light aft Light ll us d th y shall attain, ” A h e nd er rr to t e e e . nd, p sisting, saf a iv

MILTON .

1 2 6 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF the Psalms he so dearly loved ; in joining with others

nd - in S o a . in glees part songs , and solo singing lately as during his Mastership o f th e Charterhouse he an and arranged entertainment for the old B rothers , h in e took part with his family and t e choi r some gl es . e H is great delight was to sing in G rman , which , as ” his M uttersprache , he pronounced with native “ accent ; and his e nthusiastic rendering of Die beiden ” Grenadi e re was considered at home as an appro l p riate fi na e to every fe stive gathering . Th e playing of the beautiful old organ in Rochester

Mr. Cathedral by John Hopkins , the venerable organist , gave him special pleasure , and he speaks in his Journal of the “ u ntold and untellable joy ” that h e felt in listening to one of his organ recitals . “ H e always S poke affectionately of his friends by ” me n music , of whom he had very many . The choir in and boys each parish , and very specially the lay clerks an d choristers of the Cathedral , had a warm place in his heart and a large share of his prayers and teaching . During the last ye ar of his life he attended the ’ S t and beautiful services of . Paul s Cathedral , would say as he walked home from the S unday afternoon “ service I shall neve r hear music again like that till S ” I hear the M usic of the pheres .

Loyalty was one of his chief characteristics . I n som e note s for his Coronation sermon on royalty and , “ : It in e loyalty occur the words is not only Paradis , but here , that

‘ Loyal he arts and true ’ S d e e r th e tan v in light, looking up to the Face of God . “ in And again : Loyalty is ingrained us . But the A MEMOIR 1 2 7

loyalty most worth having is the loyalty of those in ' e whose hearts the King is crown d , those who feel and

know that he is true to them , those who see , by his

actions as well as his words , that he cares for them . Let us thank God that H e has set such to be rulers in over us . May we j oin that fervent prayer of the e Church for our King , used everywh re and every day

- that prayer which in some form you will never cease ” “ H e S to say for him . used to point out that the tate ” prayers (as they are sometimes called) , which he

would never willingly omit , are all fervent petitions for the grace of th e Holy S pirit o n those set over us in Church and S tate— and as such very important for

us to use . This loyalty was not only shown to royalty (which us is indeed natural and easy for most of ) , but also to ’ others to whom it was due . His parents birthdays , e in for instance , are set down ach year the Journal as “ never- to- b e - forgotten days and th e ir wishes i n small matters were rem e mbered by him to his latest H e years . was always loyal , too , to the frien ds of his in th e school and college life , to those set over him th e me Church , and to mories of past years . The love of his country and a keen interest in all f public a fairs we re ve ry noticeable in him . H is Jour nals teem with accounts of th e passing events of

. H e h is E uropean i nterest , or of home politics read Times it industriously , and delighted in , and would h read aloud what e thought was o f interest . Though an h e e e h is ardent Unionist , xtend d sympathies and admiration to those of any political party who se eme d to him to have the good of their country at heart ; or fi ne e who (like Lord Rosebery) , by their wit and grac o n ful eloquence , appealed to his w scholarly taste and o E love of go d nglish . 1 2 8 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

We have spoken before of Canon Jeli’ s sympathy with soldiers , and here we might allude to a link which he had with an o ther calling as characteristic of

- H an his many sidedness . e was for ten years Asso

S t . ciate of the Guild of Luke , and this b rought him into touch with many members of the medical p rotes “ sion , which he was wont to describe as the noblest ” but one , and among them he numbered some of his best friends . A few months before his death he was o showing a young d ctor , a stranger to him , round the ’ an Master s Lodge at Charterhouse , d pausing before the picture by Luke Fildes of the doctor watching the sick child , he turned with a courteous bow to his new acquaintance and said : I have learnt many things from your profession .

Like all enthusiasts , he was something of a hero “ ”

e . worshipp r George Herbert , his beloved friend ; “ th e e Ten nyson , h lper of his soul B ishop in Andrews , his lifelong companion devotion ; Gen e eral Gordon , to whose statue he would always rais his hat as he walked through Trafalgar S quare ; “ Charles Kingsley , whose pulpit he thought it a ” great honour once to o cc up yfl th e se were some of “ his heroes and friends . Admiration , hope and love were the keynotes of his life ; and his generous ap p re c iatio n of the talents and achievements of others was to them an e ncouragement an d an incentive to fresh f e forts . It was his aim to ke ep an open mind (what “ Joubert calls a heart and h e ad hospitality and he “ ” e e might be d scrib d as swift to hear , slow to speak . H e constantly regrett e d his slowness in argument and in conversation , but he was not slow making his pro in test in private or public against anything that was ,

e . in his opinion , vulgar , irrev rent or disloyal Going through the streets of London thirty years ago , he

1 30 GEORGE EDWARD J E LF

so that clergymen are unbusinesslike ; if this is , he o wn was an exception to the statement . His large

- o f account book double entry , carefully kept and balanced (in which a blot or an erasure caused him real distress) ; his i nvariabl e habit of acknowledging o st_insiste d o n money by return of p , too , with his children ; and his careful manage ment of large sums m an entrusted to hi m from time to time , show that “ these things he sought to make drudgery divi n e . And this train of thought leads us to th e secre t of i c an his l fe , which only be lightly touched upon , for “ ” it was a dweller in the i n nermost - his t e nder and sensitive conscience . I n early years this led him to listen too much to e morbid fears and scruples , which , howev r , his ’ father s good common - sense and practical advice I n e checked and guided . after y ars it became more “ ’ ” e to e and more God s whisp r his soul , which mad i him humble before God , strict with himself , len ent stifl e d e e e towards others . Conscience , never or d ad n d , “ e was his guid through life . The call of many in voices was a favourite subject with him preaching , “ but in obeying the o ne clear call himself his life became a pattern and an inspiration in a hundred e o e ways that cannot be described h re . It will , h wev r , b e an abiding memory to the many who loved and e reverenced him , and who could discern the charact r “ engraved on his face in letters of light which all me n h might read but imself . O f “ his charm of manner , his gracious dignity , ” e e and the beautiful serenity of his fac , oth rs have and e written sp oken , and it is well to r call these d th e outwar expressions of character within . They helped to make his pre sence to be felt without a ” W e e ord , as a spiritual forc , and wer , to those who A MEMOIR

an lived and worked with him , a blessing and ” inspiration .

- H is letter writing was characteristic of him , and “ ” b e may described as ohne Hast , ohne Rast , never e H e e hasting , nev r resting . wrot slowly , and took i mmense pains both with writing and composition . Very many of his letters were petitions for help i n the various Church and M issionary works which h e s o wn had at heart , or for a sistance to those of his ”

e e e . fri nds who wer distressed in mind , body or estat Many of these he was thus able substantially to help iffi l through times of troubl e and d c u ty . No birthday or great festival was allowe d to pass without l e tters to his brothers and sisters ; and with his own childre n he took particular pains in his corr e spond e nce . Wh e n they were y oung h e would draw pictorial e nve lop e s m se e e h e for their a u ment , and as th y gr w older m e e e m ad a gr at point of h lping th e by his l e tters . As each so n w e nt to coll e ge he wrote a long l e tter

e e s - o in of arnest , fath rly counsel at thi turning p int e e s e and th ir liv ; warning th m of dangers , advising e e m th e th m on practical points , and asking th to keep a nd e letter r ad it over now and again , as he had kept e o w n e i such a lett r from his father , writt n n his early m anhood . Th e following lette rs to a lady sufferin g from great b e s depression may , perhaps , helpful to other Le t me try (as o ne who h as had much tro uble ’ se e in m him lf) to sp ak , Christ s Na e , good words and comfortabl e word s to you in your ti me of distres s ; e e e me m e only , pl as r b r that if what I say fails to chee r e O ne e th e you , or to qui t you , the Who know th all e se a nd c an e e dis a s of our souls , h al th m , Who e e e e us e d know th what is v r b st for , and giv th accor e e e ing to that p rf ct knowl dge , has abundant consola K 2 1 32 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

in e tion store for you , and will sur ly help you , when you have pass ed through the di sciplin e of darkness and grief , or even shown your willingness to pass it no through . I t does t seem to me that we ought e e lin s to trust too m uch to our f g as a guide to , or test

o f . , our religious state Our feelings depend partly on

our religious oc cupations , but partly also o n ou r c o nfid e in physical state ; we are not to them , nor are

we to be overmuch troubled by them . To c o nfi de in b e in in them would , some measure , to rest self , always n a perilous thi g for Christian people . To be greatly troubled by them would be to ignore such plain teach

ing of God as we have i n the words , Who is among

you that feareth the Lord , that obeyeth the voice in of His servant , that walketh darkness , and hath no light ? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord and ’ m o tiv e s O i stay upon his God . Then , as to . course we should always aim at the highest , and ask for S them but atan , the artful accuser of ou r souls , is apt o ff to make us leave our higher work , even our highest us worship on any plea . An d if he can not tempt by

us . the lower plea , he tempts by the higher You do it o not u ndertake you r work , you do not begin , or g n him e a and o with it to please , but to pl se God ; e though , no doubt , self is ver creeping into our actions and ou r labours , we yet are the servants of a loving and merciful Father , Who knows that we wish to e us serve H im , and Who mak s allowance for always , o n us and Who would , no account , desire to dis continue what we have begu n for fear of doing it from a low motive . “ e m e ! We do som ti es say to ours lves , Oh that I knew I really love d God . Oh that I were sure I loved H im ! B ut there is o ne thing that we can

e e o f us h as f l sure , namely , that God loves , and given

34 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

joy , but to be partakers of His holiness . Unworthy H e us w as we are , brings ever nearer to H imself , dra ‘ ’ us us i ng with bands of love , moulding to His us f perfect will , leading through dark places , su fering us m e w so etimes to f el low and desolate , but al ays a s suring us of H is presence and of His gracious purpose with those words of divin e and blessed e n ‘ c o ura e me nt e o e g , I will never leave the nor f rsak ’ e th e e . Do trust H im even wh n the outloo k is gloomy H me . e and you can not see you r way Though slay , ’ n yet will I trust i Him . If you would follow my e o m advice , you would r ad day by day s e of the e mor joyful , hopeful Psalms , such as xx , xxiii , xxv , 1 ’ x x . w xxvii , xx i , , xlii Also read through Words orth s ’ ”

o . Excursion , such a helpful p em “ To th e same : I should like you to u nderstand that in days long past it was part of my own sad disciplin e to have to pass through clouds and fears of a like sort (as yourself) ; so that I do no t write to you in any e s e e sever or un ympath tic spirit , but rath r from the ‘ point of view of o ne who knows something of what f you are su fering . B ut when we sp e ak of experience e as giving reality to sympathy , should we not , abov all , recall the awful sorrows of our Lord in His e e e Passion , and sp cially that sens of dereliction by His Father which caused the deepest darkness of that dreadfully dark day ? H e felt Hi mself forsake n in we mi order that ght be freed from this , and that we m H im e s ight cling to , and in Him gain the brightn s ” and the peace of God . The following letters were written to a friend who asked advice as to the obse rvance of Lent It b e e e may trul y said that one great valu of L nt , e e as it comes roun d year by y ar , is that it pr sses on o wn an our earnest attention the needs of our soul , d A MEMOIR 1 35

and the sins and shortcomings of our heart life . And o f though , of course , the slowness our spiritual and o ur progress , the strength of the hold which faults e u hav upon s is thus brought pai nfully to our notice , us yet how much better for , really , to have this self discovery again and again , rather than to be gliding us in on through the short years which are given to , in ind iffe r ignorance of our true selves , and habitual e nce or habitual want of faith and love . 1 S le t s fi rst . o u consider , , the blessing of such a — as a d u t o season as this the help of having , y , to lo k into our conscience and to scan ou r motives and ou r o ur actions , though it be with pain and shame to

. in selves Here surely , as so many other respects , th e v e rifi e d fo r us sacred saying is , They that sow ’ n in tears shall reap i joy . 2 us . Then agai n , let redeem the time buy up the precious days thus offe red us— by giving special diligence during Lent to make use of means of grace . e if in Ev n , as you r case , the attendance upon a sick friend (itse lf a religious labour) makes it d ifl ic ult to o g oftener than usual to the House of Prayer , yet , and when the opportunities come , we should carefully And thankfully use them . the more personal exercises

— - m r d e v o of the season self exa ination , special praye , tio nal - — study of the sacred Word , self denial these we c an humbly and earnestly practise , with the know l e dge (so awakening yet so comforting) that our Lord us is H imself calling to these . “ 3 . This brings me to say that it is of Him we s hould very particularly be thinking during these forty days : of H is wonderful condescension and e humility (abasing our prid ) , of His untiring energy we in for others (that faint not ou r work) , of the zeal for the Holy House which co nsumed Him (teaching us 1 36 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF the exceeding sinfulness of our wanderings and cold ness there) , of H is daily victory over the world (giving in a s the hope of overcoming it through faith Him) , of the Cross which overshadowed and glo rifie d His whole life on e arth fl re mind ing us of what we have to bear , and how long . “ i H im 4 . And n this blessed remembrance of , how gladly should we welcome any special celebrations of the Holy Communio n at this time — knowing that the nearer we come to H im , the more frequently we approach H im (though only as penitent si nners) , the more hope we have of growing up into so me little likeness of His glorious perfections , and of having in u H is holy character gradually formed s . “ ro fi t 5 . And lastly , that we may more thoroughly p us us in by any helps suggested to , let all humility ask S us and us the Holy pirit to lead to them , to make in watchful using them , before the night cometh . Do no t forget the use of the Penitential Psalms and the 1 1 th 9 Psalm , portion by po rtion , and some of the hym ns said kneeling . May all blessings be with you , now and always ! May we not hope at last to keep His Easter in the home beyond ? ” “ : We And again may , I think , divide the uses of the Lenten season in some such way as this ‘ 1 . Longer and more careful study of the Holy — i Word . With a view to this it is well ( ) to read on one ’ s knees i n the early morn ing a series of short n consecutive passages , and to practise meditation o

— . d efi nite these Then (ii) at some time , kept sacred

— for this , we may take a chapter at a time again , a e series of consecutive chapters , and mak some notes ’ o n fi nd these . You would S adler 5 Commentary excellent . “ 2 . The steady doing of some d e fi nite work for

NS H I F — THE WOR K O F P R AY E R M r r fo r e r fo r r be r y p aye s ev and eve shall you s . S H AKE S PEAR E .

About the ir brows to me appears An r r e e e re au eole t ac d in t nd st light, Th e rainbow-gle am o f smil e s through tears e e e m m e r In dying y s , by th ad b ight, Of souls that shive re d o n th e e dge Of l r re e no m re that chil fo d pass d o , And in the ir me rcy fe lt th e ple dge h r And swe etne ss o f t e farthe shore .

LOWELL.

42 G EORGE EDWARD JE LF

The Book of Common P rayer appears to me our safest and most scriptural guide ; and I should earnestly desire not only to conform to it myself , but also to commend it to those intrusted to my spiritual ” charge . S e ome of the addresses to clergy d livered by him , e e and print d by r quest , set forth his convictions in

e . . e th e S more detail , g The Thr efold Gift of pirit ” “ in e S th e imparted Holy Ord rs , or Daily ervice , e th e th e e e th e d lightful duty of Clergy , fr e privileg of f Laity (now out o print) . H e made use of confession himself from tim e to “ ” e e th e tim , as a wholesome m dicine for soul , and was greatly comfort e d and h e lped by his spiritual H n advisers . e writes of it thus i his late st book “ It o n th e e - — o n is not only d ath bed no , nor only th e bed of sickness— that consci e nce stirs us to such a n th e opening of our grief , such a revelation of me n and secrets of our heart . There are , both rich e e e poor , both l arned and unl arn d , who feel most e th e e e e ke nly bittern ss of a b s tting fault , though in good health of body ; or who b e wail th e sins and f e e o f nces of their youth , though th se are in a distant e m past , which s e s long to them though nothing to fi nd God . From time to time that grief will an utte rance ; that rem e mbrance of sin will out crying m s . e mightily to God For , as has b en quaintly but o t ‘ e m truly said , Conscienc is a clock , striking so e ’

e e . tim s , but always pointing , though sil ntly And so i n th e e s e deep fears of a tend r , scrupulou h art , the voice of th e Christian re p e ats aloud in th e pre se nce in e e e of a spiritual guide , but always as the pr s nc of

e e . God , what has b n stirring within This book , ’ S o u n d Wo rd s e th e e , s ts forth fully writ r s own ” e e earnest convictions , as to the doctrines and s rvic s A MEMOI R 1 43 o f th e Church of E ngland , of which he was a devoted m and faithful ember . One of th e many l e ssons George Je lf had l e arnt from his father was to make eve ry occasion of life an opportunity for prayer . They once stood together , e e when G org was a young man , watching a burning e th e so n hous , and father turned to his and said

This is th e tim e for praye r . Prayer was to him “ ’ e e th e e i nde d all through lif e soul s sincer d sire , ” e th e uttered or unexpr ssed . We may not lift veil ii e ( we could) from his own long , arnest communings th e with his Maker , or unravel golden thread of prayer which ran through his daily life and small e st acts ; though such littl e things as th e momentary pause e e e th e in b for taking a glass of m dicine , or way which h e would so often s lip quietly out of a room full of e e me p opl for a short ti , showed what the secret of his life was . B ut it may b e permitted perhaps to e e e sp ak of his work for others . It can n e v r b known e e h r how much of this was don e upo n his kn e e s . Those who aske d for his prayers were n e ver afte r “ e h wards forgott n . Ofte n e would say private ly : I ” “ e man e hav thought of that for y ars , or I pray for ” h e r e e me m v ry day , ntionin g so e u nexp e cte d nam e s

e . e e f of fri nds B ut fri ndship with him m ant e fort , and some tim e s long—continued wrestling for their souls . O f course h e made use of prayer to h e lp him in his life - long practice of sp e aking to peopl e in th e ’ stre ets . During a thre e days visit to Durham in 1 0 h e a s e 9 4 was walking , a strang r , along th e banks th e e i of riv r , an d writes in h s Journal

Was troubl e d about not spe aking to a poor w oman with r e m h nd h e r hnd e r a baby , but p ay d that I ight , and did h , th e in city . 1 44 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

A remarkable i nstance of the power of long- co n tinue d no w intercessory prayer may be related , that both the seeker and the sought have gone to their rest . During the six years that he was Rector of b e Chatham , constantly visited a publican , who pro s ff fe sed himself a secularist an d atheist , and who sco ed o penly at religion , and at the warnings given to him as to his past life . The Rector did not think he had made any impression upon him when he left the in 1 88 ne w parish 9 , but he committed him to the and Rector , he himself continued to pray for him , to write to him and to call upon him from time to time , fi often nd ing him unable or unwilling to receive him . At last in 1 896 he writes in his diary

— D e c . 1 6 I im e n H e e h o o . . call d o . having s n l king ill H e said that it h ad be e n a ve ry g re at ple asure to re ce ive m m e e e w as m e . visits fro , and altog th r or than civil — S e . 2 1 8 I H 8 e m e . p 9 , 9 f lt i pe ll d to visit and found h im b e d e e m e H e ill in and v ry re ady to list n to . e e h n o w u e me me vid ntly t inks abo t pray r and a nd nt , and bo th e e e w e o f e e u Go d a ut ind libl itn ss consci nc , and abo t as me w e e h u fo r th e e u e C re ato r . I ca a ay d ply t ankf l nco rag m e nt g ive n to my praye rs . - I h im m 8 . H o u e an . 1 e . ] 4, 99 visit d and f nd or truly W e e h im e . p nite nt and asking for pardon h n I l ft , ’ th e o e w e n e e po r f llo burst into t ars , and said I ca t r quit ma Am e u e o you , but y God l ighty r q it you for y ur kind m to me ma H e e . visits , and y bl ss your fa ily too It

m Ma o ur b e e . touch e d me uch . y Lord prais d — H w me e e an 2 1 . o j . rciful God has b n to this poor e w me ! use e o ne f llo and to If I can g rac to visit such a , ough t I not to use grace for th e conqu e st of mys e lf P

i Canon Jel then left Rochester for Blackheath , but o n March 2 3 he w e nt to Chatham for th e fi rst and e th e last commu nion of his poor fri nd , Rector and H e the good Deaconess b e ing also pre sent . pai d

1 46 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

’ e great and wide sea , even the kisses of a long far e w ll may be a sign , divinely sanctioned , divinely f e e ordered , of a dear , deathless a fection , a s al of lov r to last till Eternity . And there a e other partings

of which we may speak , not to sadden , but to comfort o ne in e another , partings which the anci nt hymn ‘ rises to the heart , Take the last kiss , the last for ’ e e ever, in which the tender human f ling of gratitude and h sympathy draws t e dying to the living . I t tells e that all is well , that wheth r we live , we live unto the and Lord , or whether we die , we die u nto the Lord , that as nothing can se parate us from H im; nothing u we e can separate s from each other , if only abid in

H im . It tells of reconciliation , mutual pardon , peace th e in Christ . It tells (I speak of what I know) of converted sceptic turning deliberate ly away from un th e e belief and irreligion , and lifting up shining fac , s like the face of a little child , to be touched by the lip ’ o f e in o wn a mess nger of God , token of God s for ’

iv e ne ss . g , God s life and love I t may be taken for granted how much store was “ set by him o n the praye rs of the two or three (th e o n h e m words whic he always laid special phasis) , and how he would o n all occasions of public a nd private s e interest , ask for and make use of the e pray rs . I n “ a letter he says We know there is a blessing if two us e in : are of agr e our asking an d where the two , c an there is the Third , the One Who alone lift our ” H is e e e . intercessions , and make th m acc ptabl sons e will not forget the talk , the pray r with father and e e e mother , and the blessing giv n , before th ir d par and ture for school , or college , or over seas , the loving e kiss that always follow d . For two years Canon Je lf had charge of the I nte r Chro nic le cessions for the Diocese , pri nted in the ; A MEMOIR 1 47 and his o wn midday prayers for missions were from th e forms which h e knew others were using at the same time . A few words must be added about his study of the

e e . B ibl , for it was the mainspring of his lif It has already been shown , from his Journal , how diligently h e and e studied , compared , appreciated the Revis d

- Ve rsion . The dates marked in his well worn copy show how fre quently h e read th e B ible right through in m H e e his orning de votions . attribut d this daily ’ e o n habit to his parents example , and would inculcat h H parents t e teaching of it to their children . e often e e o n e e e pr ach d B ible r ading , sugg sting to busy peopl

e . o ffi c e r to read , at l ast , the daily Lessons A young , e s home on l ave from I ndia , happened to hear thi in e in advice a sermon preach d Rochester Cathedral , and his mothe r told the preacher some time afterwards that he had always followed it out . We must no t omit to mention the part taken by “ e lf in e o n Canon J the important D claration Ritual , pre sented in 1 9 03 to the Archbishops of Canterbury

H . Th e th . an . e d York deputation , headed by Rev Wake fie ld e Russell , now Dean of Norwich , consist d of forty clergy , representing four thousand others . e lf e e Canon J spok , as a memb r of the Convocation of S and o ne the outhern Province , said that he was of the great body of cl e rgy which b e longed to non e of th e three parti e s which in an unhappy way divided th e e e e English Church . Th y wish d m rely to uphold h t e law of the Church . The de claration had b e e n m e . e e obj cted to as not e phatic enough I t had , how v r , e e d e been car fully prepared , and each sent nce was so e I n th e sign d as to meet a known danger . the spirit of e th e e Engl ish Church , they wished to mak d claration m e th as co prehensive as possible . Th e y f lt e E nglish

1. 2 1 48 GEORGE EDWARD J E LF

th e in Church to be most glorious body Christendom , and th e y wished to check those who would warp it or divert its mission . They desired to uphold their But no t th e B ishops , did wish law strictly enforced all roun d . Without e ve n suggesting that there was e e e e any cause for c nsur , still th y hoped to hav con th e side ration from e B ishops . Th y did not ask for e th e the condonation of for ign usages , but laity should not b e lieve all the sweeping statements made about me e e th e e th e Ro ward tend nci s of cl rgy . Most of these stat e ments were q uite false . The laity aske d i n turn that the cl e rgy should show more consideration

e . for their f elings , and work with them

It r n to o ur w rk w e e r ma b e to th e is in da i g lift up o , hat v it y , e e e we e r fo r it we are m re to me e w high st l v l disc n , that ost su t ith ” - B 1 X F . G o d . S H 0P O F O ORD CANO N JELF entered the Lower House of the C o n in 1 8 6 vocation of Canterbury 9 , after his election i n the preceding year as Proctor for the Chapter of

Roch e ster Cathedral . His entrance into the Lower

House was un iversally welcomed , for it was generally felt that Convocation had receive d among its mem e bers one distinguish d , not only by high character and devotion to our Lord and His Church , b ut also fi rml as an inheritor of its best traditions , who was y convinced of its real useful ness and its potentialities e t o n of y greater service , u nder more favourable c

d itio ns i . B , n the years to come y knowledge and e e xperi nce , as well as by training in very varied e spheres of ministry , and by sympathy with the cl rgy , he was well equipp e d for taking a full share in the busin e ss of Convocation . H is pre sence soon made itself felt both in the public sessions a nd in th e e m o n privat com ittee work , of which the result is c s tantl e in e and in y expr ssed reports of gr at value , quiet but real infl ue nc e on the opinion of intelligent and e ducated English Churchmen . B ut the humility e e e 1 2 which , i n his maid n sp ch (Feb . , prompted “ sa e e e him to y with p rf ct natural n ss that , Although e hims lf a cathedral Proctor , he felt that it would be most equitabl e if some of the official Proctors were withdrawn to make room for the new represe ntative ” “ and members , that though he should be the very 1 5 1 1 5 2 EDWARD GEORGE JE LF

e last person to wish to withdraw , he f lt that the diffe re nt archdeaconries ought to be more largely ” th e e nd represented , made him to a learner . And if th e w f , at times , without shado of a fectation , humility e d iffi d e nc e in th e e produc d expr ssion of Opinion , it e enhanc d the attractiveness of his speeches , and , as is

th e infl ue nc e . always case , became a un iting social ’ It is almost n e edl e ss to add that Canon Je lf s avowal “ e e of readiness to withdraw was met , v n at that “ ” e e e an arly stag of his car er , by emphatic No , and , e a e e i nde d , as a matter of fact , like sever l oth r cath dral e few in th e Proctors an d Archd acons , members could , e u e best sense , hav been more tr ly repres ntative . I n the work of the Lowe r House he always felt that its members w e re contributing to th e history of the

Church of E ngland , and he delighted thus to con ‘ ” tinue an o ld e r . e the work of generation I f el , he said in seconding the re - election of the Dean of

. 2 0 Windsor (Dr E liot) as Prolocutor on February , “ 1 06 me in 9 , that any honour that is done to this e me a n th e matter is not don to as individual , but to so n of him who , with the late Henry Hoare and the late Christopher Wordsworth , had the great honou r and joy of reviving the practical work of Convoca tion . ’ The foundation of Canon Je lf s Convocation work e e in th e lay i n his de p b lief mission of the Church as , in us the providence of God , it reaches from apostolic

- days , through its Anglo Catholic branch . To him it was a matter of regret that the suppl e ment to th e ” e e Cat chism on the subject of the Church , pr pared , m e e several years ago , by a com itt of the Lowe r ”

e no t e . I n th e Hous , was approv d by authority

The se que stions and an swe rs which may b e use d as suppl e me r to th e C e i m we re re se e th e f rm o f R r nta y at ch s p nt d, in o a e po t o f C mm e e to th e we r H se o n Ma 1 1 1 88 a o itt , Lo ou y , 7 , but an

1 54 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

th e are ground of truth , and that we to teach the faith and te ach th e B ibl e as it has been receive d and taught ” . h e by the Church We must add , concluded , to the prayer of the good B ishop Andrewes week by w e ek that H e would provide for th e instruction and me good education of our youth , the Lord forbid it , ’ that I should give the inheritance of my fath e rs . ' e th e d ifiic ult Nor , whil fully realizing y caused to “ ” th e some by the liturgical use of Athanasian Creed , t did he shrink from charitably upholding i . ” “ b e It must , he argued (July 5 , remem e bered that the Chu rch was not j ust begin ning . Wer so this , they might agree that it would be better to

leave out the introduction and conclusion , and to ’ begin and end with the words , The Catholic Faith . B ut it was a very different thing practically to tamper ale h ri with o ne of the cre eds of C ste nd o m . A gre at

p osition had been handed down to them , and they

it . O ne were bound to uphold of the B ishops , a dear

and kind friend of his own , had termed the sentences ‘ ’ i n the Athanasian Cre ed savage . If our blesse d e Lord was not savag , b ut full of love in all His teach h b e ing , surely t ey must very careful not to speak of these sentences which the Christian Church had ‘ ’ e adopted as savage . From a humble pr sbyter of e the Church , what he had said might se m like a e e r monstrance , but they wer bound to uphold what

they believed to be the faith . T0 some of them the d iffi c ultie s of conscience had been som e of the greatest trials and yet some of the greatest blessings of their

lives . But Canon Je lf was as anxious to bring the prin

It w e r e e e m re r e to e d o ne ould, p haps, hav b n o accu at hav sai ” h s h an o f th e cre e ds o f We ste rn Chri ste ndom. T e u e o f t e Ath asian Cre e d in th e Holy O rthodox Church o f th e E ast is c l e arly e xplaine d m Th P r e D r. . W m e e t e d e in a pa phl t by J ickha L gg, nti l opula Us f th r e o e Athanasian C e e d . A MEMOI R 1 5 5

c ip le s of the Faith to b e ar upo n th e life of th e peopl e e as to uphold th m in their purity . I n a debate (May 8 1 00 e e , 9 ) on T mperance Legislation , sp aking as a member of th e op e n section of th e Church of E ngland ” S e e e Temperance oci ty , he mad a wise and valuabl “ e e contribution , d pr cating , as having been president ” d iffi c ult of a branch of that society in a most parish , ” the abuse to wh ich m e mbers of that section had

been sometimes subjected , but also pointing out that the practical way i n which they could help th e society had not bee n sufficiently pressed home u pon e h e them . I n the concluding sentenc s lifted , as was e e th e th e not infr quently the cas , whole tone of discuss ion “ H e e could not help fe ling , as having himself for many ye ars prayed for th e work of the Church of S England Temperance ociety , not enough had been

made of the immense importance of prayer . They wanted to pray e arnestly ; this was one of the evils of the country that they ought very specially to pray about ; th e y wanted to make intercession to God more ” and more for this great work . The most important piece of Convocation work in which Canon Je lf was engaged was in connexion with “ th e Committ e e on th e S upply and Training of Can ”

d id ate s . for Holy Orders To him , more than to any o ne e th e me els , appoint nt of the Committee on July 7 , 1 8 8 d ue H e e 9 , was . had , i n the cours of a debate on “ ” T h e o e p sition of Assistant Curates , ndeavoured to “ i nduce th e House to pass a resolution affi rming th e e fi rst m e d sirability , , of a or thorough moral and spiri e e tual probation for candidat s for Holy Ord rs , and , se th e condly , of a longer practical probation in ” “ e as m e e e me e s Diaconat , one of the ost n c ssary r di for ce rtain d iffi c ultie s and gri e vances of which com 1 5 6 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

e . e plaint had b en made I t was felt , howev r , that his object would be better me t by th e appointment of a “ re presentative Com mitte e to co nsider th e supply and ” f training of candidates for Holy Orders . O that Committee Canon Je lf was a most industrious and 1 1 tactful secretary . It met during 899 and 900 o n and e seven occasions , had a large amount of valuabl evidence an d other information and advice place d at its disposa l . The result was a full Re port to which was ad d e d a e valuable series of R solutions , anticipating most of the recommendations made more re cently by “ ’ ” 1 0 — 8 and e the Archbishop s Com mittee of 9 7 , sinc nf n ale adopte d by the last Lambeth C o e re c e . A portion of the Report was contributed by the secretary , who made also an impressive speech in th e course of the 1 00 o n I n debate (May 9 , 9 ) the Resolutions . enforcing the n e ed of adequate special training for the sacre d

‘ m h e o wn inistry , gave, i ncidentally, his convictions about the o ffice of th e p ri e sthoo d “ They ought , he thought , to hold up these theo logical colleges , and also such an admirable system e e as was carried on by the late D an Vaughan , in ord r to show people how all - i mportant it was that in ente r ing o n th e most important of all professions there e e should be a prop r equipment , a prop r training , e educationally , intellectually and morally . Th y ought to try to hold up to their people th e gran dness

it . of the mi nisterial o ffi c e . Th e re was no work like fift After they had worked forty or y years , some of e th e them , i n the ministry , they felt th y would not for e world , not for a day , have had any oth r work to do than this they fe lt what a glorious profe ssion it was .

Th e R e port o f th e Committe e o f th e Lowe r House o f Co nvoca m e re d and b e o e at th e D e i r o f th e tion is nu b 343, can btain d pos to y O

N a io nal S e Gre Pe e r S re e We mi e r. t oci ty, at t t t, st nst

1 5 8 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

in th Courts , but very specially e Presence of

God , the King of kings ; this is the courtesy which e com s of grace . Then , too , there is his loving sym

— pathy that sympathy which , as even a rich man e th e acknowl dged to me the other day , is golden key ’ to peopl e s hearts— that sympathy which is much

us . needed by , the poorer speakers It seems to

’ me that the Dean may well be chosen as ou r Pro

locutor , as being one of those who (to quote from ‘ in e e Bacon) , being great plac , ask couns l of both

— o f h e times the ancient time , what is best ; and of t ’

fitte st . latter time , what is For myself , I know of man no more likely to maintain our rights , our — e e charity , our self respect , and our us fuln ss than this me th e one , who seems to to combine remarkably character of a Christian gentleman and an Evange lical ” pri e st . ’ Nor was Canon Je lf s Latinity l e ss graceful in th e

speech addressed to the President of Convocation , when the Dean of Windsor was presented for the th e second time as Prolocutor , the dangers and e fi ne l security of the Church wer y contrasted in terse , V e igorous sentences , of which a few may be quot d Te mpora mutantur in d isc rime n ad d uc imur nox app ro p inquat ; dies p e ric ulo so s nostrum non nulli e x e c tant a u amo re m e t illic p , n os tumultuosos , hic tabes h l io ne m n ic am c e nte m, V e ritatis C at o ic ae o b sc urat , e d

r lic ti n e riti e n strae iniuriam d e e o e m ; p u a o , nostro d e n i ue c o e tu d issid ium c e rtamina e q in , , p rversas i inte r re tatio ne s . uae so o ss t p Quis , q , is est , qui p inimico s in ratiam componere rixas , g reconciliare , c o nco rd iam re s re m sanc te revocare , sacras , publicam ,

e t sap ie nte r promovere ? S pes sola in D e o .

’ o lv i ur r s S tat Crux d um v t o bi . A MEMOIR 1 59

fi d e s h o minum in S tat , etiam si sententiae dies

immute ntur. S e in e t tat Eccl sia , media invidia irac und ia ad fi ne m e mundi , usque ; quia Crucis , Fid i , ” Ecclesiae D e us Ipse ae ternum Robur e t est e t e rit . e His habit of careful choice of words enabl d him , e e at tim s , to suggest useful amendm nts to resolutions e O r which e nded discussions apt to become tangl d . e his accurat theological thought would , in a sentence , an e e e e e put xpr ssion inad quat or exaggerat d right , as “ ” in e e 1 1 06 o n S S e a d bat (May , 9 ) unday ervic s , e me e wh n , after so suggestiv speeches , he said that , “ while fe eling there was a sense in which it would be quite right to sp e ak of the Holy Communion as th e one essential act of divine worship , it woul d have been a more happy thing to have said that it was the

- o ne divin e ly ordain e d act of worship . And e lf e t e , although in Canon J ther was all the straint and sacred reserve of th e best types of Anglo th e e Catholic Churchmanship , it was felt that all cultur and gifts and graces were consecrated by prayer . e an in V ry occasionally , as in earnest discussion the “ ” 1 0 o n th e S spring of 9 5 Call to pecial Prayer , the veil was j ust lifted . “ h e th e th e Did they , asked , realize need of Holy S e ? e pirit , and the pow r of the Holy S pirit Did th y h e notice that in what was no longer , hoped , called th e state praye rs the ce ntral point was a petition for th e S ? e o wn e e gift of the Holy pirit I n th ir hom s , th re ought to b e a more frequ e nt use of th e Ve ni Cre a to r iri S tus . e m p Th y wanted courage , anliness and faith in dealing with all classe s o n th e subj e ct of re ligion . ’ “ I n P il rim s P ro ress are the g g Christian , we told , ’ “ saw e within the I nterpreter s house , the pictur of a very grave p e rson and this was the fashion it : of it had eyes lifted up to heaven , the best of 1 60 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

books in its hand , the law of truth was written upon its its lips , the world was behind back ; it stood as if it pleaded with men , and a crown of gold did hang ” S over its head . uch , although the gravity was always mingled with quiet cheerfulness , was the subject of this Memoir as he spoke and worked in ou r Convoca in tion ; j ust as , pastoral ministration to men , and and in e women , children of all ranks soci ty and all in e grades of education , and the books which mad e him known to yet wid r circles , he spoke the Word and of God , and brought its message its temper home to the souls of those who fe lt the need of the strength ,

s m ath wh ic h . i nsight , and y p y he used so well

Q uale (m) ne que c and id io re (m) e rra u e e m e d e v inc tio r e r T t lit, n qu qui sit alt , ” O o m e u fu runt qui c pl x s e t gaudia quanta e .

H OR ACE .

The n e cho- like o ur voice s rang ; ’ We th o e e r e e was d im sung, v y y , A me rry so ng we sang with h im

Last ye ar : impe tuously we sang .

We c e ase d : a ge ntle r fe e ling cre pt Upon us t sure ly re st is m e e t : ‘ ’ e re s we s e r s e e we e Th y t, aid, th i l p is s t, And we w we e e e . sil nc follo d, and pt

O ur vo ice s took a highe r range ; ‘ O e m o re we e d o n o t d ie nc sang, Th y , N o r e e r m rt s m los th i o al y pathy,

N o r e to us e e . chang , although th y chang EN Y N T N SO . S OME reminiscences of holiday life and of the social pleasures share d with his children and friends will in so n in be given this chapter . H is second (now the Federated Malay S tates Civil S ervice) writes “ ’ My father s enthusiasm for games of all sorts was and one of his most delightful characteristics , , u nlike m many people , he re ained enthusiastic until the very end of his life . O nly two months before his last ill an in ness , he took active part a game of rounders S f e i n u folk , run ning a whole round r (to the horror of ‘ H e e We his writ s , enjoyed some jolly ’ rounders , the Veteran taking part . And whenever fo r ic nic s in we went out _p the country , father would

- - in take a tennis ball or cricket ball his pocket , and the Spot se lecte d was i nvariably one suited for some violent form of exercise . “ Cricket was always to him the king of games . As a school - boy he played for Charte rhouse— o ne of his proudest days . I have some re collection that he told fi e ld in me he was chosen for his g, but he must also e have been a very fair bat , to j udg from the extremely pre tty style h e always displaye d in matches with us in . e later years Curiously enough , I n ver heard hi m an e refer to y crick t at Oxford . Possibly he found , as others have found , that it took up too much time and

. B e h e interfered with his reading that as it may , fi rst never fell away from his love . His Journals c o n tain constant references to th e big matches of the day M 2 1 63 1 64 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

’ — an d those were the great days of W . G . cricket scores and fi x ture s were cut out of the news

o n - papers and kept his writing table for reference , or sent in his delightful weekly letter to me when I e was at school , and he was quit unable to pass even o o n the smallest match with ut stopping to look , if ’ in only for a fe w minutes . To umpire his boys matches (after he had at last been persuaded to give c h ic fl up active cricket) was to him the greatest joy , y

I think because it enabled him to watch every ball , and he was amusingly impatient of any well - meant efforts o n our part to relieve hi m of standing out in a ll the s un day . A good bit of batting or bowling delighted him , but a lucky in n ings he took very little 1 8 1 i nterest i h . I well remember, as far back as 9 1 8 2 or 9 , collecting a good many runs i n a village in S match at Crowhurst ussex , but being missed in about six times , and father passed over the matter an eloquent silence ! “ It was an immense pleasure to him to take us to o see county matches . From Rochester we would g in R ash le i h over to see Kent ( the days of g , Patterson and the Hearnes) play o n the beautiful ground in

- Mote Park , or on the well known , if less picturesque ,

Bat and Ball ground at Gravesend , and in later e we S y ars , when were living i n ussex , an expedition to the famous run- getting pitch at Hove was often H e made . had no time for much talk when a match was in progress : his whole h e art was in the game . e in I remember so well , when I was at home on leav 1 06 e 9 , g tting tickets for us two to watch Kent (cham in us pion county that year , to the huge delight of ’ all) playing all E ngland at the Oval . Father s ticket ‘ ’ th e I sent to the o e of the Clergy M utual , where o n he was at work as a director , and he came to the

1 66 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

o o tb all no t o n F he was keen , though as a patriotic Carthusian he preferred Association F ootball to a game which h e conside re d contained all too little foot work . B ut from the accou nts he used to give us o in of f otball Cloisters at the old Charterhouse , it must have been a rough an d unattractive game , and it is not surprising that h e showed but littl e enthusiasm . ’ In his Varsity days , rowing was a favourite form 1 2 — of recreation with him . I n those days ( 85 5 7) S ’ cratch E ights were evidently very popular , and H o ne . e e my father was a regular member of n ver , ' : so far as I know , got into the Christ Church boat possibly his physiqu e was too frail to stand the test of severe training . H e looked back with gre at zest to S e these cratch E ights , recalling with d light how they used to rally a sugarer in the boat . “ I h his younger days he was a very fair lawn e m ten nis play r , and he was extre ely fond of a family e h e game i n later years , though at Rochest r was torn b e twe en his keenness o n th e gam e and his fe ar that the ball would break the Cathedral windows or inj ure the b e autiful Norman arcading of the ruined refe ctory H m e e . e an d cloist rs was a strong swi m r , who had learnt the art quite early with his father , and he took good care that his boys l e arnt as soon as possible . an m se a H is pre dilection for early orning bathe in the , e m o f far into middle lif , a ounted , in the eyes the more e an slothful younger gen ration , almost to infatuation I have most chilly r e collections of bathing with h im ' a S h e rin am t gh . “ I ndoor games he was fond of all his life ; h e was a e keen whist player , who was nev r drawn away by e the counte r attractions of bridge . I n lat r years he e f can developed a gr at a fection for patience , and I see A MEMOIR 1 67

no w in him , sittin g close to the lamp the drawing ’ s e room at Roche t r , and at the Master s Lodge , with his whol e attention given to the wayward M iss M illi gan — and ye t not so wholly give n but that he could look up and join in a joke with that splendid laugh of his . “ H e was , I think , the keenest walker I have known , e re c o l and we all , girls and boys , have the happi st h im O n o ne lections of walks with . or two occasions sho rt walkin — o ne he took me for a g tour in particular , starting from Aldershot over H indhead and across i I S n . n to the outh Downs , dwells my memory Rochester days it was a favourite plan of his to take th e e train out beyond the cement smok , get into the lovely country near Aylesford , and then strike across o n the hills to pick up a train another line , generally n I n running it very fi e . London he walked every w e her , his intimate knowledge of the highways and byways enabling him to save much time that others I m spend on asking the way . n his early orn ing walks , which I fear sometimes did him more harm than good , he covered a lot of ground unfamiliar to us . ’ Th e youngest so n (his fathe r s companion in walks “ t e e M af er the ld r brothers had gone abroad) says , y e th e e father belong d to old school of walk rs , which H . e e is rapidly growing extinct scorned the carriag , m H e and ade no rash experiments with the bicycle . Mr e Th e Las t C hro nic le o B ars e t was like . Crawl y of f ' e s Mr e e in that r pect . . Crawley (r aders of Trollop w ill remember) cherished that walk down the muddy te n H o le sto c k roads , miles from gg to Barchester , h Mr e e t e s . e and many w r devices of Crawl y , faithful e th e soul , to short n road for him . Often would she sugge st to a farm e r who was travelling the same 1 68 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

— - way , to appear as though by accident with his gig , Mr th e and occasionally . Crawley did not see through a e b e manoeuvre . S uch w s ev r the point at issue

e and . e th e twe n my mother my dear father Tru , contest was always a quiet one— my mother too tact ful and sympathetic to press him out of season ; and my father too gentle to rally to the struggle with the ‘ ’ Mr aggressiveness of . Crawley . I can walk , was

- e . his battle cry , and everybody knew what it m ant

There followed a sweet protesting on her side , a gentle in murmuring on his ; and the two dear souls , who all their long partnership differed but on this one m point of domestic econo y , would arrange a com m pro ise . Bound by a promise , my father would be set free to his cherished dusty road , as a stron g spring

u . is wound p , an d then lightly released The n was

- le t he as a blithe school boy loose from school . “ a fl m C ution was ung to the win ds . His si ple soul expanded with the merriment of the sunshine and the glad whisper of the breeze . H is seventy years sat n lightly o him . With the joy of a child he would

- e o ne spread under his straw hat , to cover his n ck ,

- e of those large business like handkerchiefs , which lik e H e the rest of him was g nerous and white . would swing his favourite stick , laugh in the sunshine and in e still more merrily the rain , and greet eag rly the I passing milestones . n his country holidays he was a familiar object of reverence and de light to all the

— h e countryside delight , for would smile to the

me n — children , and the knew him for a friend rever th e ence , for on his white head there shone glory of another world . And he was as happy himself , and me t o m as welcome to all who him , in the cr wded slu s H e th e of great cities . seemed to know password which admitted him to the market or the engineering

1 7 6 GEORGE EDWARD J E LF

’ posed . My father s popularity with eve ry class of society— achieved as it was without the slightest b e trayal of his own e xalted standard— is a dire ct denial of the modern fashion . There are too many of us who do as Rome does , who are all things to all men , and therefore nothing to ourselves . My father was ” always himself , and therefore always had friends . “ One of his daughters write s : O ne of the liveli e st e recollections we have of our dear fath r , is of his e e - e v r r ady sympathy . The smallest concerns in the e us e daily lif of each one of , wer to him of great b e importance , and it will impossible ever to forget an his wise counsel d loving advice . “ What infi nite trouble he would take for our pleasure — oh our holidays arranging delightful daily expeditions , and entering keenly himself into the enjoyment of them all . Can we ever forget his eager inte rest to hear all about the th e atre (though h e him e it th e th e ? We self nev r went to ) , concert , or dance often used to think the telling him was almost th e s we happie t part of all looked forward , too , with joy to the welcome he gave us on our return home from some visit . “ Then what beautiful prese nts he gave us— for his was a truly generous heart — always making much e e of our birthdays , and arranging som special tr at for ’ H e the Geburtstags Ki nd . loved , too , the Christ e e e mas festivities , wh n the assembl d hous hold sang carols round the Christmas tre e (which we always ke pt up in G e rman fashion) ; and his inimitable ’ rendering of Dick e ns C hris tm as C aro l was a yearly e no t pleasur , without which the even ing would have been complete . “ S undays were always very happy days ; perhaps because they were so differe nt from other days . No A MEMOIR 1 7 1

talk of money or business was allowed . Newspapers we disappeared , and were encouraged to read some good book of biography or poetry . We could see from th e expression o n his face what a happy day We e e S unday was to him . shall nev r forg t the

th e - delightful ending of the day , with hymn singing , ’ my father s b e autiful reading aloud of standard ’ a nd m poetry , y mother s delicious playing of

B e ethoven and Mendelssohn . “ S ’ How much he made of the aints Days , when he would wear his b e st clothes— so characte ristic of him ’ Perhaps an echo came to him of Law s religious use S erio us Call of apparel in his , a book much read by my father . H e always discouraged talk of other people at e f meals , l ading the conversation to a fairs of public e s int rest and telling u of what he had been reading . We l e arnt from him also to b e interested in th e e e religious questions of the day , as he oft n talk d ' r of Church afi ai s . I neve r remember him to have an e said an unkind word of y one , his sever st expres ‘ ’ e sion being , I don t f el particularly drawn to him

. H e c or her , and even this was seldom said learly us loved to tell stories , and many were the anecdotes e o wn e we h ard of his childhood , and of incid nts at

. H e e e the Hanoverian Court himself would , on th s occasions , as an old woman once said of him , throw ’ ’ ’ e art ! back is ead , and laugh that y “ It was a great joy to us that our own fri e nds love d in him so much , for he took the greatest interest thei r e e e liv s , always trying to help th m , and making th m

e e s . O ne feel that th ir opinions wer worth li tening to , e m now a master at a public school , writing aft r y ’ d : father s death , sai One of the thi ngs that always struck me most about him was his charming manner 1 7 2 GEO RGE EDWARD JE LF

. H e us to youn g men , like myself treated j ust as

respectfully as if we had been old and experienced . H e was indeed the most courteous and chivalrous ’ gentleman that , I think , I have ever met . Another ’ e friend sp aks of him as a big friend , another as her ’ ideal of a saintly servant of God , and more than o ne writes of the beauty of his character shining in ’ o ne his face . There is m uch that would like to say ; but it would be impossible here to describe all the beauties of character which made him the ideal father that he was— the father who helped us to realize ” the true meaning of home . e an A v ry old friend , who was in mate of Highgate “ in e 1 86 1 H e in Parsonage the y ar , says , was quoted

Mr. the house hold as an ideal to be followed . Dalton ‘ i th e would often remark , I regard George Jel as

- m most pure mi nded an I know . I do not think he would be capable of a thought that was not tru e and ’ e good . From the i ntimate relations xisting between lifi d m Mr. ua e the , Dalton had been singularly q to test the powers and singleness of motive of his young

colleague . The steadfast purpose of those early years of h is ministry gradually e xpanded without interrup e in tion into the result appar nt matured manhood . afl e c tatio n Essentially himself , with no trace of , his peculiar grace of man ner and te nde r sympathy with

others expressed the genuine instincts of his nature . These gifts inte nsifi e d his gentle power and infl ue nc e ” over others . The following is from the p e n of a layman “ ’ F T f e . D . O lf ( . ) G orge Je s pastoral work and the more strictly religious sid e of his life I c an only speak it as one who watched , so to say , from the outside . I know well th e testimony borne by those who shared infl ue nce s n that work or came under its . I ca only

1 74 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

i fi n allegorical s gni c a ce of the I dylls . And another ’ feature of his talk thrust itself ve ry soon o n one s notice— that he never said an unkind word of any

o ne . There was , i n fact , something elevating in his c o n mere presence , something which tended to keep versation on a high level : an d this elevating infl u ence was all the stronger because he himself was it quite unconscious of . That is the chief impres sion which abides with me of personal intercourse with e e lf Georg J . No one could fail to carry it away after e the briefest converse with him in some cases , ind ed , as I have reason to know , a chance meeting with him at which nothing passed beyond ordinary civilities , became a memo ry fruitful in its results . “ B ut apart from reminiscence s of my o wn social e lf intercourse with George J , I must try to set down more generally what seemed to me the re al d istinc e tion of his characte r . His life in its main outlin s was that of many other clergy who lead busy , useful l H fi l . e l ives , and worthily positions of responsibility had great gifts as parish priest , missioner and

e e . preacher , and he n ver spar d himself i n their use

B ut there was somethi ng more than this . What specially seemed to me to mark him was a quality e th e not too common ev n among professedly religious , and seldom found so unalloyed even among the most spiritual . I mean the direct and continuous infl ue nc e of religious belief upon thought and action . The complete surrender of self and self—will to the religious e conscienc always wins respect . B ut it may take many forms no t all of them of equal value— a devo tio nal e mysticism out of touch with the facts of lif , a sac rifi c e (such as that of the Jesuit) of the individual personal will to authority and th e intere sts of a society , the i ntolerance of the fanatic , or an e x c e s A MEMOIR 1 7 5

I n sive te ndency to morbid introspection . George Je lf it took o ne form only : it was conce rn e d strictly and unceasingly with conduct and practical duty . It asserted itself only in the unde viating practice of ordering his o wn life by the rule of the Gospel , and e helping others to do th e same . Ther was not a trace about him of the morbid , the fanatical , or the Jesuit e ical . His vivid r alization of spiritual things might well have made him a mystic ; and with much of the teaching of the mystics , Catholic and Protestant , he far m . no doubt had uch sympathy B ut , so as I no t an know , he did regard y one of them as his sp e cial teacher . “ R e ligion was with him essentially a matter of H e daily work . was , of course , devoted to the in Church of England , and believed profoundly her e authority and her forms of observanc . B ut he never forgot that the fi rst duty of a Churchman is to live the Christian life . This recogn ition , never weaken th e ing or shrinking , of practical claim of religion o ne was , of course , secret of his power as pastor , an pre acher and religious writer . B ut it gave him infl ue nc e e , too , indep ndent of the substance of his teaching . It spoke , unconsciously but with certain ffe e ct , to those whom scriptural or devotional doctrine me n th e in might fail to reach , to of world little th e sympathy with religious attitude of mind , and inclined sometimes to fee l that it is too often aloof in from the conduct of life , that , short , religious ‘ people are no better than other people . Through out his whole life George Je lf was a conspicuous and consistent witness to th e practical value of th e Chris

H — tian religion . e was and it is the highest praise that c an b e given to a good man always th e same — always revealing the same complete single - mincl e d 1 76 GEORGE EDWARD JE LF

unfl inc h in . ness , the same gentle but g rectitude It is the impression which comes forcibly to th e mind fi ur as one recalls his face and g e . No one who saw in hi m at home , society , or in the pulpit , could fail to be aware of his unce asing consciousness of the true e fi n l business of his lif . The e y chiselled lines of the re fi ne d face , with its austerity , the straight upstand fi ure ing g , the active walk preserved up to the begin

ning of his last illness , with a characteristic habit of throwing back the head and straightening th e neck as if from an instinctive dislike of any slovenliness

w in gait or c arriage th e se things live in the memory . in c o unte n B ut one remembers , too , something the n t ance which showed another side . There was o a

trace in it of anything hard or aggressive . It ex pressed rather a gentle and appealing kindliness : and though he was always cheerful and quick to share ’ e others happiness or m rriment , his expression when in repose was rath e r (so it seemed to me) o ne of a

serious humility . The word recalls a side of his ’ character which impressed itself the more upon on e s

notice the more i ntimately one knew him . His humility was absolutely unaffected it was an integral

h im . Th e part of , and one of his most lovable traits fact that he was held deservedly in high resp e ct was

one of which he himself seemed to be wholly unaware . H e always spoke with a sort of grateful surprise of the friendliness an d regard with which he was treated H e among strangers or casual acquaintances . never spoke of himself in any self—conscious tone of depre c iatio n , but there is no doubt that he regarded his o wn work and powers as e ver falling short of th e e id al which he had before him . “ As I try to focus the main impression which a long intercourse with George Je lf has left on my

R IC H AR D CLAY 8: ONS LI MIT E D S , ,

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