In the chapel in which Mr. Rowland preached for so many years, a marble tablet has been placed, on which are inscribed the following words: In Memory of the REV. JAMES ROWLAND, FOR THIRTY-SIX YEARS THE BELOVED AND FAITHFUL PASTOR HE PASSED AWAY QUITE SUDDENLY, "The law of truth was in his mouth, Mal. ii. 6. This Tablet is erected by his attached Friends. Since JESUS the Saviour of men had been the Alpha and Omega of Mr. Rowland's preaching, the designs I.Ĥ.S. and A. 2. were placed on either side of the monument which marks his grave. The following is the inscription which the stone bears : IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF THE REV. JAMES ROWLAND, FOR 36 YEARS THE DEVOTED PASTOR HE WAS SUDDENLY CALLED TO HIS REST AND REWARD, "He walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." "I give Thee back Thine own again, With heart resigned, though aching; What comes from Thee I know is gain, The giving and the taking. What best I love, what most I prize, My God, upon Thine altar. It came from Thee, and still is Thine; Nor doth my faith e'er falter. Thou takest it. I know Thou hast Safe lodged with Thee my treasure; And therefore, though my tears flow fast, I give it Thee with pleasure. 'Tis better there than here to be; And should I one day come to Thee, That unto Thee I gave the best Extracts from Letters of Sympathy. MORE than three hundred letters of sympathy were received at "The Manse," after our dear father's removal. A few of the loving and comforting thoughts they contain will occupy this chapter. "LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, Oct. 22nd, 1872. "It was with deep sorrow that we heard on Monday of the sudden decease of our dear friend, your honoured and beloved husband. What a heavy, heavy loss to you all! What a glorious gain to him! So far as he is concerned there is nothing to regret. He was so loving, so true, so good, and the Master made him so useful. Heaven is his true home, for here he truly led the heavenly life. It is we who miss him and suffer loss. 66 Henley will be a different place without him. That charming anniversary in May, which was unique among our country public meetings, will be a blank without his active, genial presence; and even in London we shall not only miss him from our meetings, but we shall lose those little visits and half-hours which were always such a pleasure. The Directors desire to offer you and your children the expression of their sincere sympathy; and they trust that you will richly enjoy the consolations of the Gospel in your hour of deep sorrow.' The following kind resolution of sympathy was passed at the autumnal meeting of the Association of Ministers, with which Mr. Rowland was connected : "That this meeting would express its deep sense of the loss sustained by the Berks, South Oxon, and South Bucks Association, in the removal by death of their much loved and honoured friend, the Rev. James Rowland, of Henley, who was for many years an earnest and devoted member of the Association. It would express its great admiration of the unusual beauty, saintliness, and Christ-likeness of his character, and it would magnify the richness of that grace by which he was what he was. And while devoutly thankful for so gentle and peaceful a termination of a gentle and peaceful life, would offer to his bereaved widow and family its assurance of the most prayerful sympathy with them in their irreparable loss." 66 A former member of Mr. Rowland's Church, writes,'My recollections of your beloved father and our pastor for fifteen years are very sacred and pleasant. My association with him during this lengthened period was unbroken by a single jar. As a minister and pastor I always considered that he had few equals. His punctuality and order in managing the affairs of the Church produced the happiest results. His deacons were his inseparable associates and companions at all Church meetings. I cannot recall the slightest discord arising during the above period of our connection with the Church. His invariable kindness and sympathy in seasons of difficulty have soothed many. His unflinching fidelity to the consciences of men, in private as well as in pulpit appeals, was a marked feature in his character." "On Sunday morning I was singing in my dressing-room, 'O happy servant he,' etc. Little did I think that such an illustration was to be found in the quiet study of the parsonage at Henley, the occupant having sung or prayed himself away to everlasting bliss. He was a man of God. I felt it to be an honour to know him, and a great privilege to have |