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THE LATE MR SACKVILLE PHELPS.

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THE LATE MR SACKVILLE PHELPS. OBITUARY NOTICE. We much regiet to announce the death of Mr Sackville Phelps, of Newlands, Machynlleth, which took place at his residence, at 3 a.m., on Tuesday last, the 24th inst. Mr Phelps had been ailing for p some time past, and was under the care of Dr A 0 Davies. He had latterly kept his bed and passed away peaceably as stated. The deceased gentleman was the youngest son of the Rev H Phelps, of Tar- rington Vicarage, Hereford, and was born in 1821. Educated at Bridgnorth School, he was the contem- porary of Bishop Fraser, of Manchester, Mr Osborne Gordon, Lord Lingen, and other well-known men. In early life Mr Phelps farmed extensively in Kent. Whilst touring in Wales some fifty years ago, Mr Phelps visited Machynlleth, and was so charmed with the neighbourhood that he de- cided to settle down in the district. Residing for short periods at Pendre and Fronygog respectively, he acquired a small estate and erected Newlands, which for many years has been his well-known residence. A keen sportsman the deceased was in his younger days a well-known figure in the Vale of Aylesbury, especially with Baron Rothschild's hounds, and since residing in Wales he was until recently a regular follower of the Plas Machynlleth and Gogerddan hounds. To the last he was an excellent shot, but above all he was a sincere devotee of the piscatorial art. Shortly after settling in Machynlleth Mr Phelps, in conjunction with the late Marquis of London- derry, the late Sir Watkin Williams- Wynn, and the late Col Pryse, of Peithyll, instituted the Dovey Fishery Olnb, an association which has done so much to preserve and enhance the salmon fishing in the district. Of this club, which was formed by gentlemen from all parts of the kingdom, the deceased was- the most active member. For forty years he filled the office of honor- ary secretary, retiring on account of advanc- ing years, only so recently as 1898 when, in appreciation of his faithful services, he was pre- memb(;,rs of the Club, with a massive the presentation being made by Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest, President of the Association. Mr Phelps, in addition to his love of sport, painted with no mean skill, and his interest in art and antiquarian lore was considerable. An excellent neighbour, Mr Phelps was beloved by all and succeeded, as few do, in gaining the esteem and re- gard of all classes and ages and, in spite of an in- firmity which would have discouraged most men, he, in Dr Johnson's phrase, "kept his friendships in repair." As' the older generation passed away, be seemed to find himselr as much appreciated and beloved by the nsw. The secret of his charm was to be found in his ab- solute sincerity and a power of forgetting himself entirely in the welfare of others. To the poor he was the kindest of friends and the range of his generosity was only equalled by its delicacy. He gave with a free hand, not only in money but in help of every kind. When the losses of the year are reckoned up few men will be more generally or more deeply missed. The deceased took great in. terest in agriculture and was upon many occasions vice-president of the Machynlleth Agricultural Show. He was a staunch churchman and for many successive years was churchwarden. In poEtics he was a progressive and broadminded Conservative The deceased gentleman was twice married-first to Matilda, daughter of the Rev J Goodall of Dinton Hall, Bucks, and secondly to Frances Scott, daughter of Mr J Darlington of Wigan, who pre- deceased him. He leaves no issue. THE FUNERAL. The funeral took place on Friday at Machyn- lleth. Fortunately the weather was bright though cold, and the principal inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood met at the Newlands in the after- noon. Lord Henry Vane-Tempest telegraphed his condolences and regret at inability to be present. Lady Londonderry wired, I deeply mourn the loss of a true and valued friend." Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest attended the funeral. The service at the house was conducted by the Rev Canon Trevor, rector, assisted by the Rev D T Hughes. The processiou from the house, marshalled by Mr G Pryce, was as follows :-Medical profession, clergy and ministers, members of the Urban Council, the coffin of oak with massive. brass mountings and bearing the inscription Sackville Phelp. died Dec 24,1, 1901 bo™, by t.» work- MrH D W mourners, Mr G H Phelps, Mr H D Phelps, and the Rev L R Phelps, nephews of the deceased and sons of the eldest surviving brother, Rev Pep • Lord Herbert walked with the chief moncers The female servants carrying beautiful ea followed and then came the /ooJrisI those present and Josiah Jones, Dr A O Da > r<rjffiths, R M Campbell (Brynllwynwvn), G W^ far lib)ths R Rees, J.P, Col Ruck, Major John Bonaa]11, Major Hugh Bonsall, W Gilbertson Pritchard (Cen a_), Edmund Gillart (chairman of the Urba ), R Gillart, J.P., John Rowlands (clerk to the, Drban Council), Ed Hughes, J.P., Af T°TF Lvfes J P Council) T W Bonsall, J.P.(McEbew),Ei Davies J.P Dolcaradog R C Anwyl, J.P.; B, W Hengj .PJ» Machynlleth E Williams, J.P., Checkland Williams, Borth R Sang Superintendant 0= „»d.r Evans, ironmonger TTdwards, Brvnffjnon ?5 Bank7 Humphrey Inc. e1., Fronygro'g; David Gillart, J-Fi^ M Howell, Craigydon, Aber ovey Wynnstay Clerk of Aberystwyth; DC Egta/e Offil5 fcanuthers,Tb R Griffitb, L. & P. Bank; Office; J Carrutner Morgan, Londonderry ? JOMSECC J6S w Jones" Glasgow bouse, house; E Rees, J. r b] gardener at Plas; E Morgan, solicitor Williams, Maengwyn W Evans, watchmaker; street; J Micah, cattle dealer;.I M Bree-, g D Lewis, Hendre Genon; 1 B Wima^, garreg; John Jones, survey David Evans, Matthews, Dr Evans Llanwu Trevor jun„ solicitor, Clerk to the Justices T /gecretary Rectory; J I-scell-Pen-aen Dovey (^^J of the Association), Per cy j^Williams, acco«n- Lewis Edwards, saddler; he vis 'fc Morris, tant; J Jones, workhouse master■ JderD j Maengwyn-street; Richard joueS) Clements, postmaster Grimn water bailiffs, and many others. Carriages were sent by the Marchioness (D) of Londonderry Mrs Annie Steele (Talgarth), Mr Lascelles, and the Rev J Williams (Penegoes Rectory). During the time the procession was on its wav through the town to the churchyard all shops were closed, shutters put up and blinds drawn, signifying in no small degree the universal respect in which the deceased gentleman was held by the people of the town. At the gate asurpliced choir met the cortege and the service in the Church was attended by a large congregation. The service opened with the singing of the hymn "Days ar.d moments quickly fly," fol owed by the chanting of the 90th Psalm. The Rev Canon Trevor read the uaual lesson, and this was followed by the rendering of the anthem "I heard a voice" (Hodges) 1 he service concluded with the singing of that beautiful hymn, Jesus lives no longer now and the sad procession, again headed by the surpliced choir, left the church for the grave-side, Mr Howells, who presided at the organ, playing the Dead March. The grave had been lined throughout with moss, the last token of respect for their beloved master which the gardener and the servants were able to show. The service, which was a very touching and impressive one, was conducted by the Rev D T Hnghes and Canon Trevor. Mr Edward Et-wards led the singing of "OFrynau Caersalein," and soon after the mourners dispersed. J3eJ I °L Sh Church> which had been muffled by Mr Sadleir, of the Glyndwr Hotel, ran- out a real. The wreaths were sent by Mrs Herbert Ashley Cooper (niece); Mr and Mrs H Darlington Misses Darlington, Wigan; Marchioness" (D) of Londonderry, A mark of true and sincere regret at the loss of an old and valued friend"; Lord Henry Vane-Tempest; Mrs Evans and family, Fronygog, Mr and Mrs Lascelles and family, Mr and Mrs Smail, Rev J and Mrs Williams, Penegoes, Mrs Howell and family Craigydon, Mr and Mrs Bonsall, Morben, Dr and Mrs A 0 I .vies, Major John and Mrs Bonsall, Capt and Mrs Adams, Carno, Mrs Doctor Lewis and Mrs MfClellan, Llandovery, Messrs Gillart, Llyn- lloed, ;'ss Griffiths, late the Rectory, Machynlleth, Major Hugh and Mrs Bonsall, Galltylan, Mrs Anwyl, the householcf serVal" 1.i¥n..m1!MJW, LL.G ever grateful remembrance of the kindest of masters." The undertaker was Mr John Thomas, and the coffin was made by Mr R Rees, and the hearse was supplied from the Wynnstay Hotel. The whole of the arrangements, which were satisfactorily carried out, were in the hands of Mr R Gillart, J.P., who was a close friend of the late Mr Phelps. Refresh- ments were provided at the Lion Hotel for all friends from a distance. TEE LATE MR. SACKVILLE-PHELPS- FUNERAL SERMON. Preached in the Parish Church on Sunday morning by Canon Trevor, M.A., rector. Tixt, Psalm 90, verse 12, So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." If I were thinking alone of the last Sunday in the year, and what it suggested, possioly I could not have selected a more appropriate text than this. Each year as it passes over us brings us nearer to the end of our journey. And when the journey of life is ended, the question remains—What then ? Shall we pass hence to the Paradise of God, or to the fearful looking forward to the judgment that await us ? If there is anything more certain than another as regards each one of us individually, it is the certainty of death, the breaking up of the ties which unite us with our present surroundings. We are never more reminded of this, than ""h,cm -J TO .L' one is at length taken from us who has lived among us for more years than we can reckon. We become so used to the order of things, seemingly so per- sistent, that when the inevitable change comes, we are scarcely able to realise the fact. The sad event of last week, if indeed we can call that sad which has so much in it for which we may be thankful, has brought home to us very Tividly and impressively the truth that we have no abiding city here." In the course of the year that has gone by, many another who was with us last Christmas, has been called away- young and old-and before another year is ended, no one can tell who among us will be no longer here. So let us apply our hearts unto wisdom." But apart from the appropriateness of the words of the text to the thoughts that naturally arise in us on the last Sunday of the year, I am constrained to express the thoughts that are uppermost in your minds to-day. A very dear and valued friend has been removed from among us by the hand of death. But his spirit now dwells in His holy home. I could testify, if need were, to the greatness of the loss the poor sustain by his death. I could refer to his extensive and unostentations charity, to the love and affection with which he inspired those among whom he lived. But all this is known and felt by yon all. It is impossible to say how greatly we are influenced by our im- mediate surroundings and by the tone and thought of those we come in contact with, but my own experience leads me to think that the example of a high-minded Christian man living in a neighbour- hood affects the welfare not only of his own contemporaries, but more or less moulds the habits and character of the rising generation. It cannot be douoted that the young are greatly influenced by what they see and observe in those who are older than themselves, and consciously or uncon- sciously they follow their example. This is true both of bad example and good example. But it is a, good example we most need, and when it is found it becomes us to acknowledge it with thankfulness, and I therefore make no apology for referring to our indebtedness as members of the church in this parish to the good example which our dear departed friend set to young and old. He was one of the few remaining representatives of a class we can ill afford to lose. He loved order and respected authority. He was a churchman of the old school. Never when he was able to attend did he forsake the public worship, morning and evening, on Sun- days, and on the chief festivals of the church. His observance of his religious duties-when now for many years owing to the infirmity of deafness he coald not hear a single word that was said—was truly pathetic. To me this one characteristic pro- claims the deep religious feelings, the instinctive sense of duty, with which he discharged all the I offices and relations of life. Among us he was J ever ready to give with a bountiful hand and never gave but what was wortny of his hand to give. He was the supporter of every cause his benevolence to the poor and needy was such as only those who received it would know anything about it. I know how greatly beloved he was by them and what their loss will be. What he gave, and how he gave it; Ask the poor, and you shall have it." In so far as we can see in others the tokens of goodness manifested in their lives of benevolence, uprightness, and holy reverence, let us thank God for it and take courage and profit thereby.

MACHYNLLETH.

IABERYSTWYTH.

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