DEATH OF THE REV. E. BEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 19 November 1900, Page 5

DEATH OF THE REV. E. BEST.

EXPIRES WHILE CONDUCTING j DIVINE SERVICE. ! A profound sensation was caused last evening when it became known that the Rev. E. Best had died while conducting evening Divine service at the Union Free Church, Wel-lesley-street. ~ The rev. gentleman was so well-known, and so universally esteemed that the announcement came with a great shock on the several congregations where the sad tidings became known. The serj vice had only just commenced, and he had j asked for a hymnbook of larger print, which someone had handed to him, when he uttered the exclamation, "What?" and fell forward to the arms of Mr. R. H. Swales, and expired. As soon as possible the body I was taken into the vestry, and the service brought to a close, though a number of the people remained about. At a later hour the body was removed to his late residence, ! Collingwood-street. There is little doubt that the cause of death was heart disease. It appears that Mr. Best had taken the morning service at the Mount Eden Wesleyan Church, getting a lift out in a trap with the Rev. W. Ready, who was preaching at Kings land. Mr. Best dined with Mr. Burton, and walked back to town in the afternoon, and complained of feeling, tired. He had undertaken to furnish supply for the Union Free Church, and Mrs. Best, on going to St. John's Wesleyan Church in the evening, left him at his desk, looking over his discourse for the Union Free Church. Mr. Best had gone down Franklin Road, across Freeman's Bay, and then ascended Welles-ley-street West, for he met Mr. Shepherd Allen near the church, and complained of the hill winding him. , On entering the church he died almost immediately. The Rev. W. J. Williams was with him at Motutapu on the Prince of Wales' Birthday, and they ascended the hill together. Mr. Best then complained of pain in his left arm, and of singing noises in his head, as he also did to Mr. Ready yesterday morning. A friend went up from the Union Free Church to St. John's. Ponsonbv, to break the sad tidings to Mrs. Best, and she was called out of the service, and the mournful tidings that her husband was no more communicated to her. The fact was announced at St. John's, and the Rev. W. Ready brought the service to a close with prayer for the bereaved family. At Pitt-street Wesleyan Church the sad tidings was also announced by the Rev.' J. G. Chapman, and the organist (Air. Forbes) played the "Dead March" in " Saul," the congregation standing. At St. David's Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Best frequently preached during the recent vacancy, information of his painfully sudden death was received just after the sermon, and the sad announcement made to the congregation by the minister (the Rev. W. Gray Dixon). Prayer was offered up after the announcement, and after the closing hymn Mr. Warner, the organist, played the " Dead March" in " Saul," the congregation standing. Mr. Best was in his 75th year, and the 51st of his ministry, his ministerial jubilee being celebrated last. year. He was originally connected with the Irish Wesleyan Conference, but 21 years ago he came out to New Zealand, being stationed first at Dunsdin, then in Christchurch, afterward:? at the Thames, and subsequently at' Auckland. From .Auckland he went to Napier, where, hi? health failing, he decided to go Home for a year, and on coming out he became a supernumerary, and settled in .Auckland eight and a-half years ago. Although a supernumerary he occupied his spare time in helping various Churches, not only of bis own denomination, but of others. It is only about two or three weeks ago that he went to New Plymouth to furnish ministerial supply for the Rev. S. J. Serpell, who was indisposed, and he expressed his gratification at the result of his labours there. He was assisting the Union Free Church on the night of his death, and died as he would have liked to die. in harness, for of him truly it might be said — His body with his charge laid clown. And ceased at once to work and live. At a late hour Inst night the Revs. W. J. Williams and W. Ready paid a visit to the bereaved family, and offered such condolence as was in their power. A short mortuary service will be held at the Pitt-street Weslevan Church to-morrow afternoon, at half-past two o'clock, prior to the funeral cortege proceeding to Purewa. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow, three sons, and nine daughters to mourn their loss. Two of the daughters are married to Messrs. H. and W. Wilson, of the Herald, and one to Air. E. C. Brown, of the D.1.C.. Christchurch. The Rev. E. Best was one of those men who are the friends of all, the enemies o{ none, and his praise was in all the Churches, as a broad-minded, lovable man, who, like the great founder of his Church, regarded "the whole world.as his parish." It is characteristic of him that he had looked forward to his end, perhaps a sudden one, as he had had his grave prepared at Purewa, and all the arrangements in connection therewith made.