March 2001 ERIC LOVELL Monday, February 5th, 2001:    People began arriving long before the time of the service, some of them having travelled many miles. By about 10:30 many of the available seats in the chapel were occupied and by 11:00 much of the schoolroom was also full, with some of the ladies sat on the stairs. The service began at 11:30 with some bible verses emphasising the theme of thanksgiving and the singing of the hymn "There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son". Then Chris Esbester, our youngest deacon, came forward. Before he read from John 14, "Let not your hearts be troubled...", Chris spoke movingly of the influence of Mr. Lovell upon his life, and afterwards other former young people of the fellowship testified that his words described so accurately their own experience of kindness and hospitality. Keith Walker spoke on behalf of the family. He described how "Dad" took a close interest in everything they did, how sometimes he said little but prayed much, his love of conversation in the home and around the dinner table (or any other - breakfast included!) and his wisdom in both practical and spiritual matters. He described a very happy home life where godliness was evident and the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ was known. The Gideons were represented by Mr Paul Robins. He made it clear that Eric had been an asset to their work over many years and the source of much help and sound advice. He laid particular emphasis upon the fact that Margaret would continue to be a valued member of the Gideon family. We sang the chorus: "He is Lord, He is Lord, He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord". This expressed clearly the faith and hope of Eric Lovell which centred on the Living Christ who has conquered every foe - including death itself. An appreciation on behalf of the chapel came from Mr John Dallyn. He described Eric as a welcoming, loving and forgiving man - many present could identify easily with what he said. He spoke of those long years of faithful service to the Lord and to the chapel and drew attention to the book Mr. Lovell has written on the history of the chapel in the village. There was more to be said than anyone could possibly fit into a short space of time. The pastor took as his text a verse to which Keith had already drawn our attention. The words of the apostle Paul, found in his letter to the Philippians: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain". From this verse he spoke of his - Commitment to Christ. Concern for the church. Confidence in the face of death. Death for the Christian means - freedom from the sin of this world. Fellowship with the people of §od in glory and a Face to face meeting with the Son of §od in heaven. Christ himself is the glory of heaven and to see Him is the desire of every Christian. People were challenged to face the prospect of meeting with Christ without their sins forgiven - a very different matter. The service in the chapel concluded with the singing of that glorious hymn of triumph: "Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son, Endless is the victory, Thou o'er death hast won". Mr Lovell was buried in the graveyard next to his parents outside the chapel where he spent so much of his life, and where he died on Sunday the 28th of January, aged 75. He spent his last Sunday on earth in the place he loved, with the people he loved, worshipping the Qod he loved, listening to the Word that he loved and of which he could testify "'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". Some may ask "Why are good men taken from the earth? This man had evidently finished his work on earth and was READY for heaven - are we? "People stayed behind afterwards and talked for ages - there was so much to share. The "young people" who had grown up in the village and had spent so much of their time together, had an emotional reunion - Eric would have loved that! E.Jones (pastor).