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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5005, 11 February 1878, Page 2

DEATH OF BISHOP WIL, LIAMS. On in more from among the remnant of that old devoted band who went forth from England, to preach the Gospel of Peace to a race at that time, only known for deeds of blood and savagery, long before the thought was entertained of annexing this country to the British Empire, has been taken to his rest. On Saturday evening, between 9 and 10 o'clock, Bishop Williams breathed his last. For some time past no hope of recovery from illness had been indulged in, though life was prolonged beyond expectation. On the 25th March, 1876, fifty years to a day from the date of his arrival iv New Zealand, he was struck with palsy, from which, though rallying for a while, by force of a constitution unusually strong, he never entirely recovered. He felt that his time had come — that he could no longer discharge the duties of his office so efficiently as before — and he lost no time in making way, by resignation of the charge of his diocese, for the services of a younger man. He lost strength by degrees, though wonderfully supported ; nor was it until about three months since that immediate danger was apprehended. Then, for a while, he appeared to be sinking fast ; but the end was not yet. Again he rallied, and hope was almost entertained, though never encouraged by the medical attendant. No immediate danger was apprehended until Friday last, when he became restless, and a change was evident to the practical eye ; and on the following day, without any appearance of suffering, he breathed his last. Bishop Williams was born July IS, ISOO. He was educated for the medical profession, thus acquiring •knowledge which stood him in good stead iv another career. But he early changed his views concerning a profession in life, entering himself at Oxford, where he prepared for holy orders, with a view to joining his elder brother, who had already proceeded as a missionary to New Zealand. In 1525 he was ordained by the Bishop of London, coming out shortly after, via New South Wales, to this country, where he arrived March 25, 1826. After working, in conjunction with hi.s brother Henry, for some years at Paihia and the Waimate, in the Bay of Islands, he set forth for Poverty Bay, where he arrived early in 1840. His duties then took him over the whole country from Hick's Bay to Cape Palliser. Towards the end of 1850, he left fora visit to England, where hisold University, to which his name had travelled from the antipodes, conferred upon him the honorary degree of D.C.L. In April, 1859, the Diocese of New Zealand, till then held by Bishop Selwyn, having been divided, he was consecrated Bishop of Waiapu. Until 18G5, he made Poverty Bay his head quarters ; when his removal "was rendered necessary by the Hauhau invasion, and the distraction of the mission station, the circumstances of which are still fresh in tho memory of our readers. In 1807, after a temporary sojourn at the Bay of Islands, to which place he had carried up his native schools, consisting of young men, boys, and girls, mainly of the Ngatiporou, he came with the concurrence of Bishop Abraham to Napier, which then formed part of the Diocese of Wellington, in the following year the boundaries of the Diocese of Waiapu were extended, so as to include the whole province of Hawke's Bay. Our readers need no rcmiudings from us of his work, performed among ourselves, to the satisfaction and profit of all. His best monument is in tho loving memory of al) who were under his charge.