a satisfactory conclusion the important work with which they were assembled to deal, and they acted accordingly. There was another Determination of no little importance passed by the Synod, viz., 'Rules for the trial of bishops for certain offences.' It is interesting, as connected with the subject of this memoir, to mention that upon the proposal of the President, which was 'received with acclamation,' the following letter was sent to the Bishops of Sydney and of Adelaide respectively : To the Right Reverend Frederic, Lord Bishop of Sydney and Primate of the General Synod of the Dioceses in Australia and Tasmania, And the Right Reverend Augustus, Lord Bishop of Adelaide, Senior Bishop,Greeting: We, the bishops of Australia and Tasmania, and the clerical and lay representatives of the Church in the said dioceses now in Synod assembled, feel that we cannot separate without making known to your lordships how constantly we have in our minds the recollection of your presence with us at our former meetings, and how deeply we regret your absence upon this occasion. We wish to tell you how sincerely we sympathise with you in the endurance of those infirmities and sufferings which your Heavenly Father has permitted to come upon you with advancing years, but which, as we cannot doubt, are accompanied with those heavenly consolations which are never withheld from those who seek them. We feel assured that He whom you have served so long and so well will never leave you nor forsake you. And we pray that His Holy Spirit may dwell with you and comfort you ever more and more unto your lives' end. Signed by the authority and on behalf of the members of the General Synod aforesaid. MATTHEW B. HALE (Bishop), October 12th, 1881. President. LETTER TO BISHOP-REPLY. 397 This letter reached the Bishop of Sydney at San Remo, and elicited the following reply, which shows both how much he was affected by this kind remembrance of him by the Synod, and how completely satisfied he was with the result of those deliberations in which, though long anticipated, he had not, in the providence of God, been permitted to take an active part. To the Members of the General Synod of the San Remo, Italy, 16th December, 1881. MY DEAR BRETHREN, I have received from the President a copy of the very kind resolution passed at the recent session in Sydney, conveying your sympathy with my dear brother of Adelaide and myself in the cause of our absence from the important gathering for the third time of the General Synod at Sydney. It was a solace to my heart to receive so touching an expression of your loving remembrance, and to feel that I was to some extent permitted to bear a part in your counsels and deliberations. I can with truth assure you that the conclusions at which you arrived have my cordial approval, and I venture to think that in the all wise overruling of Divine Providence, `my absence tended to bring those conclusions to a more speedy and satisfactory issue. As regards myself, I am thankful to say that my health is gradually but surely returning. Under advice I spend this winter in the south of Europe, in the hope that with the blessing of GOD I may be restored to my diocese in the course of next year. I cannot close without congratulating you upon the success which crowned the labours of the recent session, nor without tendering my hearty thanks to all who in the spirit. of love, and wisdom, and of a sound mind contributed to bring about so happy a conclusion. Believe me to remain, my dear brethren, With grateful remembrance, Faithfully and affectionately yours, F. SYDNEY. A copy of this letter was sent to every member of the General Synod by the Executive Committee, by whom it was received. CHAPTER XVI. 1882. Second attack of Paralysis-Last Illness and Death-Burial at Baslow-Address of Bishop Perry-Testimony of Sydney Morning Herald-Service in Cathedral-Resolutions of Sydney and other Synods-Concluding Remarks. At the time of writing the letter mentioned at the close of the last chapter, the Bishop had regained his strength to a very considerable extent, and he then and for several subsequent weeks felt so much better that he entertained sanguine expectations of being able to return to his diocese within a short period. This was undoubtedly his strong desire he was much attached to the colony and felt a warm interest in its progress. He loved also still more his own work in it, and the diocese committed to his care. But it was not so ordered by his Lord. On the 9th of March, 1882, the Bishop was again seized with paralysis, which in a few weeks proved fatal. That morning he arose as usual, and went to his bath, which he had only just taken when the attack came on, his left side becoming entirely powerless, and his speech very much affected. His recovery from the first attack, which he had in Sydney fifteen months before, led his friends to entertain the hope that he would once more be restored to them, though not to active work. Day after day, however, passed away, and still there were no signs of returning power to the limbs. He suffered greatly from weariness; but his patience, gentleness, and submission to the will of God will never be forgotten by those who had the privilege of ministering to him. The account of what followed is taken from a short narrative of his last illness which was written at the time by one who witnessed it from day to day. Bishop and Mrs. Perry were staying in the hotel on the 9th of March, the day of the seizure, and on the 12th, by the earnest desire of the Bishop of Sydney, Bishop Perry was allowed to see him, and he offered up a prayer at his bedside, by which he was greatly comforted. Once more only he was permitted to see his much loved friends before their departure for England on the 24th of March. On the 16th the Bishop seemed to be aware of the serious nature of his illness. He said, 'I think this shows that I must not go back to Australia. I am perfectly composed. I am on the Rock-the Rock of Ages. As I have had a second attack, there is no reason why I should not have a third. Ebenezer. "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait!"' The 17th of March was his birthday. The previous night he had been very restless, and he asked for a verse of the hymn At even ere the sun was set,' to be repeated, mentioning the line 'Oh, with what joy they went away!' He evidently felt that his end was not far off, |