It is with sincere regret that we have to chronicle the death of Mr. James Bull, who passed away at his residence in Little-street, Rushden, on Saturday morning at the age of 78 years. Deceased died of heart failure following bronchitis.

Mr. Bull went out for a walk on Wednesday week towards Bedford-road, where he was taken ill. Help was secured, and he was removed home, but did not recover. Deceased had a seizure about a year ago, and had not since been able to do any work, though he was not confined to the house thereby.

Mr. Bull was born at Wymington. From thence he went to Souldrop, where he was married, and he then

this being about 60 years ago.

The late Mr. Bull was a great worker in the Independent Wesleyan Church and Sunday School at Rushden, and was a trustee of the church. His name is the first on the church register. He filled the positions of teacher, and subsequently was superintendent of the Sunday School. Occasionally he conducted services in the surrounding villages. He received the diploma from the Sunday School Union for long service and valuable work in the Sunday School. For many years he was president of the Independent Wesleyan Band of Hope.

All his life he was a whole-hearted

At the annual temperance demonstration on Whit Monday last he was at the head of the procession, and the same evening he spoke on the Green. All temperance people in Rushden will mourn deeply the loss of their fellow-worker.

Mr. Bull was Chief Ruler of the Rushden Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites for some time, and he also occupied the position of steward. He was one of the first members of the branch.

Deceased was a pioneer of the Rushden Co-operative Society, he being the one who put down the first shilling to inaugurate the movement.

Deceased had four sons, but they all pre-deceased him. His sons were well knows as cricketers. Deceased leaves a widow and three daughters.

about the demise of Mr. Bull is the fact that his daughter, Mrs. John Mackness, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, America, was on her way home to see her mother and father, and did not know that her father was dead until the news was broken to her at Wellingborough by Mr. Wrighton, one of Mr. Bull’s executors. Mrs. Mackness was accompanied by her daughter Louie.

The funeral of the deceased took place on Wednesday. An impressive service was held in the Independent Wesleyan Church, Rushden, the Rev. C. J. Keeler officiating. The pulpit was draped in black and purple. The organist (Mr. L. Clipson) played “O for the wings of a dove” (Mendelssohn), and the following hymns were sung “Now the labourer’s task is o’er” and “Rock of ages.” Those present in the large congregation included Messrs. D. Darnell, J. Willmott, French, J. T. Mackness, Ben Vorley, T. C. Clarke, W. Desborough, J. S. Clipson, G. Denton, S. Parker, W. Hardwick, C. G. Cunnington, J. Jaques, A. Wright, W. Clarke, and others.

Mr. Keeler said they had lying before them the remains of the oldest member of the Independent Wesleyan Church. His name stood first on the church register. Mr. Bull had been

of the Rushden Independent Wesleyan Church ever since its foundation. Through thick and thin, through sunshine and storm, he had been a steadfast worker in the Church. There were people in Rushden to-day who were leading Christian lives through the influence of Mr. Bull. His work in the Church had his soul in it. It was with sorrow that they had to say “Good-bye,” but amid all the gloom there was a feeling of brightness and satisfaction in knowing that their brother had gone to his home. He had done his work in the world, and the world was much better for it. Their brother was associated with almost every cause that went towards

and of his fellow men. He was a whole-hearted supporter of the temperance cause. And now God had seen fit to take him away. In the tears they shed there was the joy and anticipation of soon seeing again the face they loved. With one desire, and with one voice, might every one of them endeavour to find the Christ that had enabled their brother to persevere in storm as well as sunshine.

The solemn cortege then slowly left the edifice, the organist played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Rev. C. J. Keeler conducted the latter part of the service in the cemetery where deceased was interred; Mr. J. Mackness read a portion of the Rechabites’ burial service.

were:- Mrs. J. Bull (widow) and Mr. T. H. Stapleton (son-in-law), Mrs. John Mackness and Mrs. W. Stapleton (daughters), Mrs. T. H. Stapleton (daughter) and Miss Louie Mackness (grand-daughter), Misses F. and Ethel Stapleton (grand-daughters), Miss Maud Stapleton (grand-daughter) and Mrs. T. Bromage (daughter-in-law), Mrs. John Bull (daughter-in-law) and Mrs. W. Shelford (niece, Wellingborough).

The Independent Wesleyan Church was represented by Messrs. J. Jaques, G. Denton, W. Lack, J. T. Mackness, C. G. Cunnington, J. Willmott, and George Smith.

Mr. George Ambridge represented the Rechabites.

The Rushden and District Band of Hope Union and the Rushden Temperance Society were represented by Messrs. William Clarke, Ben Vorley, T. C. Clarke, and W. Desborough.

Mr. J. S. Clipson attended on behalf of the Rushden Mission.

Mr. E. Wrighton, executor to Mr. Bull, also followed.

were received as follow:-

In loving memory, from his wife, children, and grandchildren.

In loving memory of dear Grampy, from Leonard Ray and his mother. “And God shall wipe away all tears.”

From Mr., Mrs. and Miss Hazeldine.

From Mrs. Horton.