Obituaries Australia

William Hughes was born in Bathurst on Good Friday, March 29th, 1839. Last Good Friday, which also fell on his birthday, found him near to the end of his earthly life. He was 'born again' during a gracious revival in the little Glyndwr Church, Oberon Circuit, in 1860, under the ministry of Rev. R. Caldwell. For 47 years he lived a beautiful and blameless Christian life. The characteristics of the 'men of the Beatitudes' were found in him in striking fulness and balance, meek in spirit, pure in heart, hungering after righteousness, kind and merciful, enduring earthly loss for righteousness' sake, and always in earnest to win men to Christ — these are the features of William Hughes that will be best remembered. Such character as his is the best product a church can have, and her most convincing credential. In the Bathurst district he was well known as a local preacher and greatly useful. As a class leader he also helped many in their Christian life. He was the pioneer of more than one Methodist cause. Never very rich in worldly wealth, he was rich in faith and good works. During the past 21 years he lived, mostly in Parramatta, serving our Church and God's Kingdom in his own humble yet efficient way. He was a man who walked with God, digging deep into Scripture, and becoming possessed of no mean theological attainments. He spent himself with great self sacrifice. In his earlier days he would travel great distances between Saturday afternoon and Monday noontide in order to conduct several services on the Sunday. His affliction which cut him off, after a few days agonising suffering, was borne with beautiful patience and resignation. It was as though 'angels ministered unto him.' The city of God was near. 'He leadeth me' was his constant and satisfied testimony. He knew 'the power of Christ's resurrection' and passed away while yet the Easter rejoicings were echoing in our ears. Few knew of his death until after the burial; but a goodly number honoured his memory in Parramatta Church on April 14th. As with Mr. Valiant-for-truth, we believe that 'all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.'