The Masterpieces Of Catholic Literature, Oratory And Art (1910) (Hardcover)

PREFACE 1, ENJOY the uphill, struggling path most of all. So wrote James Hannington of himself and his whole life was a testimony to the truth of this estimate of his own character. Each achievemeit was but a stepping-stone to some fresh conquest and all his striving had for its object, not personal glory and gratification, but the glory of God and the good of others. In the following pages no attempt has been made to tell in full detail the story of Bishop Hanningtons career, but merely to give in outline the principal facts and most prominent incidents in a life that was singularly rich in all those qualities of heart and mind which make a man beloved of those who live in close communion with him. A more unselfish soul never breathed, nor one whose personality was more attractive. His earnestness of purpose was evident in all that he undertook. Alike in his home life, in his ministerial work, and in his brief but glorjous missionary career, he proved himself capable of complete devotion to the interests of those who loved and trusted him and in the supreme sacrifice of his life on the threshold of Uganda, he showed that it is possible for a man who is consecrated, heart and soul, to the service of God and humanity, to give up literally all that he hath in noblest surrender for the purpose to which he has deditated himself. James Hannington, Bishop and martyr, is dead, but his spirit lives and to-day the story of his bravery and devotion has power to move the pulses and stir the hearts of those who can appreciate the highest attributes of our human nature. We leave the story to speak for itself. It is one of th - e most inspiring in the annals of missionary endeavour and achievementand it has its lesson, not only for those who hear the call to go forth to the fields that are white unto harvest, but for all who own the supremacy of the Lord whom James Hannington loved even unto death. It only remains for the author to acknow ledge his indebtedness for many of the facts contained in this volume to James Hanning tolz A History of his Life and Work, by the Rev. E. C. Dawson, M. A. The Wonderfa2 Story of Uganda, by Rev. J. D. Mullins and to Mrs. Hannington and the Church Missionary Society, for kind permission to quote from the Bishops diaries and from the Societys journals. CONTENTS CHAP. I. BIRTH A ND BOYHOOD . IV. ORDINATION AN D A COUNTRYC URACY V. PARISH W ORK A ND HOME L IFE A T HURSTPIER POINT . VI. THE CALL TO SERVICE . VII. THE FIRST M ISSIONARY J OURNEY . VIII. ADVENTURE B S Y THE WAY . IX. THE SECOND M ISSIONARY J OURNEY . XI. THE STORY OF THE MARTYRDOM LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS DEATH O F BISHOPH ANNINGTON . Frontispiece FACING PAGE BISHOPH ANNINGTON . 44 JAMES HANNINGTON C H A P T E R I BIRTH AND BOYHOOD J AMES HANNINGTON was born on 3rd September, 1847, in the pretty Sussex village of Hurstpierpoint, about eight miles from Brighton. He was the eighth child of his father, Mr...