a There were poor parishioners who had lost their beloved Pastor, and who did not know how to weep enough for their own loss, though they knew that it was his unspeakable gain, and so could even with sincerity thank God that it had pleased Him to take to rest the holy man who had so long been to them their best and dearest friend on earth. There were those who had come from afar to pay their little tribute of respect to the great and good man, who had passed away in peace from all earthly scenes. There were some whose feelings were too much for them, who sought some place in which to weep apart from the crowd around them, all having in their minds such thoughts as Dean Milman has expressed in his beautiful words :— "May each, like thee, depart in peace, to be a glorious guest, Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest!" While those who had known the Poet best might clearly trace in him the character of a good Priest given by Bishop Ken : "Give me the Priest these graces shall possess Of an ambassador the just address, A father's tenderness, a shepherd's care; A leader's courage, which the Cross can bear; "To his parishioners he was everything-guide, counsellor, and friend."-(Winchester Diocesan Church Calendar for 1867, p. 80.) b One of these, (a layman noted for good works, a holy life, and active zeal in the cause of the Church), just as the coffin was about to be lowered into the grave, threw upon it a wreath of "immortelles," which was let down with the body of the holy man into its lowly resting-place. That good layman is now himself at rest. See "Church Review," 1867, p. 327. A ruler's awe, a watchman's wakeful eye ; A guide's dexterity to disembroil; A prophet's inspiration from above; A teacher's knowledge, and a Saviour's love." Whilst the nearest relations of the dear departed retreated mournfully to the Vicarage, accompanied by one or two others who had been most intimate with him, there were several of his old friends strolling slowly and thoughtfully about in the Vicarage grounds, amongst whom a worthy MEMORIAL of the Saintly Christian Poet became the subject of earnest conversation. These soon determined to meet together immediately at the house of Sir William Heathcote, whose intimate friendship with Mr. KEBLE had extended over a period little short of half a century. Amongst those thus gathered together for this worthy object were Sir William Heathcote himself; the two Bishops who had been present at the funeral; the Dean of Chichester; the Earl Nelson; the Rev. Edward Bouverie Pusey, D.D.; the Rev. Henry Parry Liddon, M.A.; the Rev. Robert Francis Wilson, M.A.; W. Butterfield, Esq.; the Rev. Precentor Lear; and the Rev. W. Upton Richards. This small body of Mr. KEBLE'S friends soon started the plan for a MEMORIAL COLLEGE in his honour, and drew up a short circular to be sent to other known friends of the holy man, inviting co-operation, and asking the opinions of those who might feel sympathy with them, and interest in the good work proposed. For this commencement of the work Mr. Liddon and Mr. Wilson became provisional secretaries, the former undertaking the most responsible part of the office, and collecting letters upon the subject from all who, taking an interest in it, wished. to express their feelings and opinions in the matter. This small beginning aroused a deep feeling amongst lovers of “The Christian Year" throughout the land; thousands joining in the wish for a national MEMORIAL to the author of that book "which has been for years the cherished companion, in their best moods, of numbers of the best men, of the most diverse characters and schools, who have lived in our time "." An influential and important meeting was soon after this convened at the Archiepiscopal Palace at Lambeth, under the presidency of His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had been placed in the First Class at his examination for his degree in Michaelmas Term, 1815, when Mr. KEBLE was one of the Examiners. At this meeting resolutions were passed to the effect that a College should be built at Oxford for at least one hundred students, as a MEMORIAL to the Christian Poet, when a sum of not less than fifty thousand pounds should have been raised for that purpose. Large sums of money were forthwith promised, and an influential Committee was formed to carry out the objects of the meeting. The public journals soon contained lists, increasing from week to week, of the names of those who joined in this grand scheme. From that time to the present there has been a steady, though not a rapid "An Essay on the Author of "The Christian Year,' by J. C. Shairp, 1866, p. 113. This little book is recommended for the perusal of all who are interested in the life and writings of Mr. KEBLE. increase in the number of subscribers (America nobly taking share in the work), so that the greater part of the required sum is promised, and a considerable portion is actually in the hands of the Treasurer; leaving little doubt that the time is not far distant when the whole of the required sum will be raised, and the building will be begun in that University, of which the departed Saint was one of the very brightest ornaments. A plan for a new college at Oxford, on economical principles, was proposed some years ago by one much loved and respected at Oriel, who was called away in the prime of life, before he could perfect the project which he had begun. In this plan Mr. KEBLE, at that time, took great interest, as is manifest from a letter of his to the projector of it, dated," H. V., Sunday evening, Jan. 18, 1845," in which he says, "Your plan seems a large one, and beset with many difficulties; but may God speed it, for questionless, if such as you can bring it to bear, it will be both a cheering sign and an excellent work. I suppose you have more encouragement than I know of, else you would hardly dream of getting a Charter." The well-conceived scheme for the Memorial College-so like this plan of Mr. KEBLE'S Oxford friend now at rest-was mentioned to Mrs. Keble as she was lying upon her death-bed, and she was greatly pleased with it, rightly thinking that it would further the work of sound Christian education which Mr. KEBLE always had much at heart, as well as tending towards the supply of well-prepared candidates for holy orders, and being a great and lasting MONUMENT to him who had lived and died in his Master's cause, as one of His most devoted servants, and as a faithful Priest in the Church of England; throughout life true to her teaching and to her discipline, and himself by his writings a teacher of tens of thousands even in ages yet unborn. As Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem, in the days of Nehemiah, did what they could to hinder the good work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, so will there always arise enemies to oppose any good work, yet the work which is of God will prosper. Many, from various causes, have spoken discouraging, slighting, and even evil things about the proposed MEMORIAL COLLEGE, some even good and earnest men disagreeing with the plan, and conscientiously objecting to it; and yet we doubt not that the work will go on; and though this generation may possibly be passed away before the College is completed, yet we trust that future generations will reap the fruit of the exertions of the present Committee and of others who have helped on the work, and that the raising of this KEBLE COLLEGE will in some measure aid towards filling up the ranks of the faithful, maintaining the Catholic faith, and saving the souls of thousands and of unnumbered millions in ages yet to come. In the March number of the "Monthly Circular" of the English Church Union (p. 57), we find the following statement relating to the Keble Memorial College : "Mr. Portal, after introducing the subject of University Extension, moved, and Mr. Brett seconded, That the Keble College is deserving of the support of all Churchmen.' Mr. Shaw Stewart observed that the Keble College was the only scheme at present started which promised to promote University Extension in d Nehemiah vi. 1-16. |