DEATH IN A CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 38

DEATH IN A CHURCH.

- .. Auckland; November 19. • , I'lie vßev. E. JBest died suddenly Avhenconducting service in "the Union Free Church last evening. Service .had only jixsk .commenced". • He Jiad asked .for a •hymn .book of.- larger print, which someone; jhandea -bo him, when "he 'uttered the ex/clamation'^What!" fell forward -into the arms of Mr R. H. Swales, and expired. His -body\nvas taken , into' the vestry, and the' , s.ervice -brought tol a close.; ' " -v , .The Rey.'.E. Best had complained latelyof weakness. There -is little doubt .that -his, -death- was due to heart (disease. The de-, ceased clergyman was in '-his seventy-fifth, year, and 'the sfifty-first of his ministry.' He belonged' to the Wesleyan Church', and arrived in the colony in December, 1879, by the New Zealand Shipping Company's iWanganui." " ' He" was first stationed '"at, Trinity Church, Dunedin, ' then at Christchurch, Thames, Auckland, and Napier. . From Iris last place he went Home, and 'on , ..returning -to. Auckland became a super- , numerary in his church. He was well known and universally^ respected, and had ihelped the various churches of other deDominations on many occasions. He leaves' a' widow, .three sons, and nine daughters. Deceased had' made all the arrangements for ihis grave, .evidently expecting that .the , end was .near. ,