Edward Knight's Family
| |
|
John Morland Rice continued.
... was still Rector when he died.
Caroline York was well endowed with fortune, and was a most agreeable, lovable woman. She made an ideal wife for a husband of variable moods and he depended entirely upon her.
During all his years as Rector, Morland Rice devoted himself to his Parish, carrying out the duties of his office faithfully in the fashion of his day. His inability to preach must have been a handicap both to himself and to his people in their relationship to him; but he visited assiduously.
His Church views were of his day. His time at Oxford coincided with that of the Tractarians' later days and he was well acquainted with their views and writings. They certainly affected him to some extent intellectually, but it would seem in no way as regards his doctrines, as expressed in the regulation of his Services. He came of a family influenced by the Evangelical Revival, but he was in no sense at a low Churchman.
The Services of Bamburgh Church were quiet, dignified and reverent. The organ was beautifully played by Mrs. Rice, who trained the choir. The Rector wore a Surplice; no black gown – the choir were unsurpliced. The Rector read the Services on alternate mornings and evenings, the Curate preached. On Sunday afternoons one or other of them walked across the ...
[72]