VETERAN MINISTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22960, 11 February 1938, Page 15

VETERAN MINISTER

KEV. ALEXANDER GREIG DEATH IN 100 TH YEAR 9 y . PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LOSS [BY TELEGRAPH I'RESS ASSOCIATION j DUNEDIN, Thursday The oldest Presbyterian minister in New Zealand, tho Rev. Alexander Greig, who was reported yesterday to be seriously ill, died' to-day in his 100 th year.

Mr. Greig was born in the parish of Durris, Kincardineshire, on August 10, 1838. His parents both died when he was very young,; and in consequence he had a hard struggle to secure any special education. For years he worked 10 hours daily on his grandfather's farm, and, with very little help, studied for another six or seven hours. He attended Aberdeen University, where he gained several prices', arid at the end of four years obtained the degree of M.A. At the completion of four years at the Free Church/ Divinity Hall, Aberdeen, during which he had a distinguished academic career, he served as locum tenens at Gamric, in Banffshire, and Auldearn, near Nairn.

Failing eyesight made, it necessary for him to refuse an offer to take up missionary work in China, and he was then asked if he would go to Otago, where ministers were urgently needed. After short deliberation, Mr. 'Greig consented. He was then just 29 years of age. On August 23, 1867, he was married to Miss Jane Masson, and on September 2 left with his wife for New Zealand in the ship Robert Henderson, which arrived at Port Chalmers ou December 14. A month later the Presbyterian Synod sanctioned Otago Peninsula as a charge, and Mr. Greig was sent to the district and he was inducted on April 18, 18G8. For 36 years, without a break, he laboured at his charge, until in April, 1904, feeling that he could no longer continue such strenuous work in a manner satisfactory to himself, he resigned and made his home at Portobello, where he lived for six years. Since then he had resided with his daughter, Mrs. J. Bell, of Bay View Road, Sit. Clair.