Intelligence reached Chippenham on Sunday morning of the death of the Rev. Thomas Augustus Strong, who for the long period of 44 years was rector of St. Paul's, and who only in October last relinquished the living, being succeeded by the Rev. J. Fred Griffiths.

It will be remembered that on leaving Chippenham a striking proof of the high esteem in which the Rev. T. A. and Mrs. Strong were held, not only in the parish, which for over a quarter of a century had been the scene of Mr. Strong's labours, but also in the town generally, was forthcoming when all sections of the community, to many of whom Mr. Strong had been such a well known figure, combined to give tangible expression of their respect and affection. The question of a testimonial was no sooned mooted than it was taken up most heartily, and in a short time the handsome sum of £111 18s. 8d. was got together, there being 288 subscribers, and the presents which Mr. and Mrs. Strong received were a silver kettle and silver bowl with a purse of sovereigns.

On leaving Chippenham Mr. and Mrs. Strong went to reside at Bath, but their life of repose and retirement was soon saddened by the death on January 12 of their only daughter, the wife of the Rev. R. Peacock, who from 1881 to 1885 was curate of Chippenham Parish Church. This was a great blow to the aged couple, but shortly after they were called upon to bear another equally crushing by the death of their only son, the Rev. F. W. Strong, who was associated with his father in the ministry at St. Paul's for about a year, namely, from May, 1898, till July of 1899. 'Master Willie,' as he was generally called in the parish, contracted the deadly disease of consumpption and passed away at Boscombe on the festival of the Ascension, namely, May 24 last. Thus daughter, son, and father have within the short space of eight months followed each other

Most fitting was it that the remains should lie amid the scene of his long and faithful ministry, and it was in consonance with the wish of not only the parishioners of St. Paul's, but of the whole town that the interment should be made at St.Paul's Churchyard. The body was brought from Bournemouth to Bath by rail, and thence by road to Chippenham, the coffin, which was of plain oak, being conveyed in a glass hearse. There also journeyed from Bath Mrs. Strong (the widow), Mr. Savary (cousin, Truro), Mrs. F. W. Strong (dughter-in-law), Miss E. Brown (Mrs. Strong's maid), and Colonel Strong (nephew, Exeter).

The hour fixed for the ceremony was 2.45 on Thursday, but long before a large crowd assembled at the church and in the churchyard, at the gate of which on the New Road side the cortege was met by the following surpliced clergymen: the Rev. J. Fred. Griffiths (rector), Canons Rich, Mayne, and Awdry, Revs. W. W. Lloyd (Leigh Delamere), R. E. Neville (Draycot), O. Cockraft (Littleton Drew), R. Dawson (Sutton Benger), O. Buckley, and Sheppard (curates at the Chippenham Parish Church), Mr. C. Cater (churchwarden), the following sidesman, Messrs. G. A. H. White, R. E. D. Rudman, F. Coward, McWalters, Beszant, Hodgson, and the choir, who preceded the remains up the path to the church, the schoolchildren and Church Lads' Brigade being formed up on either side. At the gate there joined the funeral procession the Rev. R. Peacock (son-in-law, of Woodland St. Mary, Berks., Colonel and Mrs. Greig, Sir John Goldney, and Mr. F. H. Goldney.

The church still bore its adornments for the harvest festival held the previous day, but the pulpit, lectern, reading desk, and communion table were draped in black. The service was commenced by the singing of Mr. Strong's favourite hymn "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds," followed by the chanting of the 90th Psalm. The lesson was read by Canon Mayne, rural dean, the second hymn being "For all Thy saints who from their conflicts rest." Slowly to the strains of the Dead March the procession left the church for the grave, which was at a spot chosen by deceased by the side of the path near the southern entrance to the church.

The committal prayers were read by the rector and by Canon Rich, and at the conclusion of the hymn, "How sweet the hour of closing day" to the tune 'Holley,' was sung. The scene around the grave was a very impressive and affecting one, the one figure among all which excited pathetic interest and brought tears to many eyes being that of the aged widow, Mrs. Strong, who is left to bear her sorrow in a world in which neither husband nor child any longer form a living part.

At the close a muffled peal was rung on the bells, and all filed past the grave to take a last look at the coffin, which bore the inscription "Thomas Augustus Strong, born May 27, 1819, died September 23, 1900." There were a number of beautiful wreaths.