CHARLES GOWER
Another aged and highly respected parishioner is removed by the death of the Rev. C. Gower, who twenty-four years ago removed from Upwey, near Weymouth, to Thatcham, where for eleven years he exercised his ministry as pastor of the Congregational Church, and on resigning the same preached for eight years at Bucklebury. For the last four or five years he has retired from active duties, preaching only occasionally, as health and opportunity favoured. His visits to the sick and poor were much prized, and he leaves behind a very grateful memory. He was buried on Saturday at Newbury Cemetery, in the same grave as his wife was laid 17 years previously. The coffin was of polished oak, inscribed:

Charles Gower
Died April 13 1887
Aged 70
Weep not for me

Among the mourners were the brother of the deceased, Mrs. Ellen Lawrence, who had acted as his house-keeper for a number of years. Around his grave was also to be noticed Mr. J. Lawrence, Miss Sarah Lawrence, Messrs. J. Carter, Padbury, E. Pinnock, A. Brown, Mrs. Griffiths, Mrs. Lay, Mrs. Cousins. The Rev. E. Griffiths officiated, and the funeral arrangements were conducted by Mr. R. Rickarby, with whom was Mr. A. Bailey.
On Sunday evening the Rev. E. Griffiths preached the funeral sermon from the passage, “For me to live is Christ; to die is gain”. The preacher said that two of their neighbours had during the past week gone to be with Christ, which was far better; he referred to Miss Bailey and Mr. Gower. As to the latter, they knew what a consistent follower of Christ he was. It was only the last Sunday he was on earth that in the midst of his suffering he remarked “And this is East Sunday; how unlike East Sunday! How I should like the old hymn once more, “Christ the Lord is risen to-day”. The hymn was sung by those waiting on him, and then he exclaimed “Oh, I wish the angels would come and fetch me away!”. It was not the, but three days afterwards that his wish was gratified, the angels came and carried him to be for ever with the Lord”.