We regret to record the death of another of the Rushden veterans whose life and work have been closely identified with the growth and progress of the town. On Monday last, shortly before noon, at his home in Griffith-street, Mr. Chas. Bayes passed peacefully away, after an illness of about six months’ duration. A builder by trade, Mr. Bayes had passed his life in active connection with the town and district. He was also keenly interested in the public and social life of the town, though perhaps best known for his connection with the temperance cause and the Old Baptist Church. He was one of the founders and an earnest supporter of the County Temperance Union, and was also actively connected with temperance work in Rushden and district for over 60 years, besides being for many years identified with the local Tent of the Rechabites Society. He was one of the oldest members of the Baptist Church referred to, serving the church in the capacity of deacon for a long time, and he was a familiar figure at the annual gatherings of the County Baptist Association and Free Church Council gatherings. He also served his fellow-townsmen for about 16 years as a member of the Board of Guardians, and was always a willing helper in what he believed would further the interests of the people generally. Some months ago he celebrated his golden wedding, but though able to get about, had been for some time in a feeble state of health. The news of his death was received with many expressions of regret and sympathy on every hand.
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Mr Charles Bayes
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The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon amid numerous signs of respect and esteem. A service was first held in the Park-road Baptist Church, in the presence of a large congregation. The Rev. W. F. Harris, pastor of the church, conducted the service, and was accompanied by the Rev. T. Ruston (Long Buckby), secretary of the Northamptonshire Temperance and Band of Hope Union. Mr. Geo. Farey presided at the organ, and as the congregation assembled played Handel’s “But who may abide,” and other selections. The service opened with the singing of the hymn “How Blest the righteous when he dies.” After reading the opening portions of the impressive funeral service, Mr. Harris said that they had that week been reading of the fall of the great Campanile at Venice, a landmark of the city, and an adornment of its church. Some who had seen Venice could scarcely conceive what it would look like without that ornament, but there were other things they prized missed from their accustomed places, and they greatly missed the strong and sturdy character of their friend. Churches, however beautiful, existed only to make beautiful lives, and in the grace of Jesus Christ and in good work the life of their friend was beautiful. There were comparatively few paths of usefulness in which he did not walk, and from which he would not be greatly missed. He joined the temperance movement shortly after it was commenced in the town in 1840, and remained a staunch upholder of its cause to the end, attending most regularly to its work. This was also true of the county temperance movement, and his form was a familiar one at its gatherings. As a member of the Board of Guardians he took an active interest in its labours, and from the commencement of the Free Church Council movement was its ardent supporter. But the first place in his affections was held by the church with which he was connected for so many years, and which he served so faithfully as a deacon. He was most regular in his attendance at the communion service and all the services at the church. He was also well-known, revered, and respected throughout the town, and the gap made by his departure would not be easily filled. But they thought of him now as “gathered home” in a ripe old age, having rested upon the sure foundation, Christ Jesus. They almost thought of him as belonging to the Old Testament order of saints. After sever suffering, patiently, uncomplainingly and hopefully borne, he had passed into the presence of the Saviour he loved and served for so many years. – After an earnest and impressive prayer by the Rev. T. Ruston, the hymn “There is a land of pure delight” was sung, and the strains of the “Dead March” pealed forth from the organ as the mourners slowly left the church.
The chief mourners present were as follows:- Mrs. Bayes (widow) and Mr. George Bayes (son); Mrs. Tailby (daughter) and Mr. C. E. Bayes (son); Mr. F. Bayes (son) and Miss Bayes (daughter), Mrs. G. Bayes (daughter-in-law), Mr. T. Tailby (son-in-law), Mrs. Fred Bayes (daughter-in-law), and Mr. E. Knight (brother-in-law); Mrs. E. Harris and Mrs. G. Collins (nieces); and Mr. J. Sargent (brother-in-law). Other representatives of the family were Mr. Fred Knight, J.P., and Mrs. Knight. Messrs. R. F. Knight, John Knight, and W. E. Sargent. Representatives of various public bodies attended as follows:- Messrs. Darnell, James Clarke, Jonathan Lack, F. Corby, F. Ballard, John Colson, W. H. Perkins, and F. Negus (deacons of the Park-road Baptist Church): Messrs. Fred Cave and C. L. Bradfield (Finance committee of the church); Mrs. John Sargent, Mrs. Nathan Crick, Mrs. C. White, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Darby, Mrs. Hartwell, sen., Mrs. M. E. Parkin, and others (Rushden B.W.T.A.); Rev. T. Ruston, Long Buckby, and Mr. John Newman, Kettering (county Temperance and Band of Hope Union); Mr. J. T. Newell, Bristol (U.K.A.); Mr. John Claridge, C.C., Rev. M. E. Parkin, Messrs. F. Vorley, H. H. Darby, and W. Desborough (Rushden Temperance Society): Messrs. C. White, William Flood, and H. Mackness, (I.O.R.); Mrs. C. Smith, Messrs. T. W. Linnett, A. Wright, and G. R. Turner (Rushden), Caleb Parsons and J. T. Payne (Irthlingborough), and Cooper (Wollaston), (Wellingborough Board of Guardians); Messrs. R. Marriott, H. Sparrow, G. Fountain, E. Whittington, and W. B. Madin, Surveyor (Builders’ Association): Messrs. G. Denton, C.C., and J. T. Colson (Rushden Liberal Association): Mr. B. Vorley (District Temperance Association): Messrs. J. Farey, and W. Skinner (Park-road Baptist Choir). In addition there were also present a large number of others connected with the church and the various organisations of the town.
After the service in the chapel the funeral cortege wended its way to the General Cemetery, where the committal portion of the service was read by the Rev. W. F. Harris. The body was enclosed in an oak coffin, with brass furniture, the breastplate bearing the following inscription: “Chas Bayes, died July 14th. 1902, aged 73 years.” The beautiful wreaths bore the inscriptions:- “With deep sympathy from the Master and Matron of the Workhouse”; “In affectionate remembrance from Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Knight and the children”; “With loving sympathy from May and Lillie”; “With deep sympathy from J. D. Knowles, Basingstoke”; “A tribute of respect from the employees”; (permanent wreath in globe); “With sincere sympathy from Henry and Fanny.”
Mr. Harry Knight efficiently discharged the duties of undertaker.
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