RIDLEYS OF BURY ST. EDMUND'S, ENGLAND.
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ley, at his own request, was buried by the side of a favorite little daughter
who died many years ago. In his address at the funeral the Rev. Mr.
Patterson spoke warmly of the pure, blameless, and thoroughly Christian
life. of the deceased, his unassuming character, and his self-denying labors
on behalf of those around him. Those who knew him were as confident
as they were that they lived, that Mr. Ridley's spirit was now with his
Saviour above.
The following verses were taken from the Town and County Journal
of Oct. 5, 1878 (an Australian newspaper), from which the preceding
notice was largely copied :-
"IN MEMORIAM-REV. WILLIAM RIDLEY, M. A.
"The world knows not its greatest men'-nor best!
And so our brother passed unto his rest,
Which darkly comes to all of mortal breath-
The solemn silence of the calm of death-
Like the good priest, who, in his Master's name,
6
Did good by stealth, and blushed to find it fame,'
Has lived a life of usefulness and worth;
And through his toiling pilgrimage on earth,
Where 'en he saw a sorrow or a sin,
Saw-sorrowing for each-and tried to win
The sinner back to virtue! and for grief
And want, gave active sympathy's relief!
"His was no narrow soul, that narrow saw,
But any Heaven, justified by law,
By vengeance only!- but believed that God
Was Father always! and affliction's rod,
His minister, to train each child of time-
Nor make of earthly sin-eternal crime !
"When far off Namois' ancient heathen tribes,
Sunk dwindling 'midst the fellow-stockmen's jibes,
Thy manly spirit saw a fitting field,
Where the true missionary soul' could shield
Thy sable brethren- and perchance, in time,
Sow seeds to ripen into faith sublime!
And now Kamilaroi's unlettered tongue,
Thus rescued from oblivion, has sprung
Whatever know we of that dim, dark past,
Which science craves to save from out the vast
Mysterious deep of hoary ages gone,
Whose hieroglyphs are buried flint and bone.
Nor hath thy sympathy and kindness failed,
Nor been forgotten! - to this day is hailed
Thy gentle memory, and with fond acclaim,
The wild tribes' loving honor RIDLEY'S name!
"Servant of Christ, thy long day's task is done,
(His soldiers fall not till the fight is won!)
And we who sorrowing, yield back to death thy dust,
Tell, earth has lost one more good man, and just.
-
R. A."
John Ridley (5), third son of William5 (1), was born at Hartford
End, Essex, Eng., and is now (1883) at Damerham, Wiltshire; unmarried.
He has made some investigation, and could undoubtedly provide much
additional genealogical information if he could find time to do so.
Maria Ridley (1), daughter of William (1), was born at Hartford
End, Essex; was married Sept. 17, 1839, to Curling, and has issue.
Now (1883) a widow.
