DEATH OF THE REV. F. H. LONG.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 308, 30 December 1895, Page 3

DEATH OF THE REV. F. H. LONG.

It ia with much regret -that we record the death ot the Rev. Fletcher Halliday Long, who succumbed, yesterday morning, at Hamilton, to an affection of the lungs from which he had euflered for years. It is a considerable) timeainc6 Mr Long was forced to relinquish ministerial work through illhealth, but up to the very day of bis death he was able to bake a deep interest in current events and could wield a trenchant pen. Ho was a valued contributor to these columns', and in journalistic circles his clear, good judgment and his wide culture wore highly appreciated. The peculiar nature ot his disease made it difficult for him to go much about or to cultivate many friendships, but all who had the pleasure and advantage of hie society can bear testimony to his unassuming manners and never-failing courtesy and kitidfless. He waa of an eminently sympathetic character, and accustomed to take a moat lenient view of the failings of others, though he was not at all backward io denounce any mnnifest instance of injustico or ignobl&nese. Mr Long's career as a clergyman was comparatively short, but during tho timo he was in the ministry he waa distinguished as an eloquent preacher and a conscientious worker. Had hio health permitted his continuance in actirooor vice there is little doubtthat he would have been ono of r»ho moat popular and useful men in tha Church. He entered on religious work early, befng probably influenced in that direction Co a large extent by bis parentas'e. Aa Ahe son of the Rev? Joseph Long, well known aa the father of Primitive Msrhodiflm in New Zealand, it is nob surprising thub he should have developed leanings to the ministry. Ho was accordingly, for some time, associated with the PrimiCivo Methodists and the Wasloyans, but eventually he took orders in the Church of England, studying, at Moore College, Sydney. For sunvd' time he waa engaged in active duties i n New Zealand, whither Ilia father had returned uft^r aa absence of fourteen yea\rs. While in Auckland in 1880 hd took tl)je place of the Rev. Canon Nelson in old St.N Paul's, that gentleman being'absent at the General Synod in Chrietcburob. Mr Long's ministrations duristg that abort period were much appreciated, tho church being crowded with those who came to bear him, One who remembers him at that time speaks of hifl sermona as being very powerful. He had an excellent delivery, and the subject matter was always thoughtful, and expressed in an attractive form. In 1883 Mr Long was appointed curate to St. Luke's, Emerald Hill, Melbourne, but at that time his throat had begun to trouble him, and probably, tho rather uncommon disease, emphysema, of which he died, had also .made ita appoaranco. He had therefore to give up his appointment, and came to New Zealand. On his arrival he took charge of fcjb. Peter's, Takapuaa, and it was hoped that the change of air would do him good. Although, however, he continued in the district tor four years, giving groat satisfaction to his parishioners and "being universally re«pocfced, he was forced to abandon active ministerial work for good, ;.uid to devote himxelf bo journalism. Mr Long was 39 years of age at his deeAli. He ban two sisters living in Auckland, and v, brother, with whom he was spending a hojiclay at the time of Mb death, is postmaster at Hamilton. His father died in 1392, aged 74 years. Tho following aro the particulars of Mr Long's death, aa supplied by our Hamilton correspondent : — A very sudden death occurred in the Hamilton Babhg on Sunday morning. The Roy. i!'. Long, who had bnen staying with his 'bro.bar, Postmaster at Hamilton, bud just: come out of the bath, when ha apparently fainted, and poured out a torrent of blood. He was carried to the bath-keeper's room, and Dr. Brawes waa sent for, but "Mr Loug was unconscious when the doctor arrived, and expired almost immediately. BeceafcOd l>aa been tin invalid for some timo, and did not hold a euro, having been • living in Auckland. No inqaesfo will be neces/ssry. The funeral takes place at four o'clock to-day.