ROBERT ANDREW

THE LATE MR. ROBERT ANDREW

On Thursday afternoon the funeral took place of Mr. Robert Andrew, who died on the previous Sunday in the 85^th year of his age. The body was conveyed to the Primitive Methodist Church, where the funeral service was held, the Revs. J. Neville and W. Bridge officiating. The hymn sung was “There is no night in heaven,” and the address was delivered by Mr. Neville. The body was afterwards conveyed to the cemetery, the mourners being his daughter, Miss Esther Andrews, and his three sons, Rev. R. Andrews, Messrs. Walter and Fred Andrews.

The deceased had been a member of the Primitive Methodist Church from the year 1837, and for 66 years had been a local preacher, the journeys in the early days being long and the work arduous, all of which was done without fee or reward. The labours of these early pioneers did much to lay the foundation of the prosperity which this church now enjoys. It is related of Mr. Andrews that he walked to Petersfield, in Hampshire, conducting a camp meeting on the Sunday, and returning the following day on foot.

As a Bible scholar he was deeply read in the Scriptures, and living as he did in the atmosphere of prayer it was no matter for surprise that his last utterance should be the prayer, “Lord help,” evidently impressed by the Psalm which his son read to him shortly before “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” With the deceased prayer was

His watchword at the gates of death,

He enters heaven with prayer.

The memorial service on Sunday morning was preached by the Rev. W. Bridge, his subject being “What are these which are arrayed in white robes?”

Newbury Weekly News 11 February 1904

Not in Mrs P.

Buried 3 February 1904 Bk 1899 p.079 no. 7827