THE LATE REV. WILLIAM JOHN TONE, MA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1555, 27 August 1881, Page 22

THE LATE REV. WILLIAM JOHN TONE, MA.

The Rev. William Jobnßtone, the pastor of

the Presbyterian Church at Port Chalmers,

' expired on. Snnday last at midnight, after « lingering illness, borne with the ntmost patience and resignation., HU last illness extended over a period of two months, during which time prayers were offered on his behalf in various churches at the Port, the reverend gentleman having become so endeared to the people that bis welfare was a subject of general interest.

His long residence in this Colony ; his arduous , labours, so cheerfully performed ; his strong , and wide sympathy, and his exemplary life will cause bis memory to be long cherished

with kindly feelings by many people in this part of the Colony* The Rev. Wm. Johnstone was born in Aberdeensbire in 1823, and was the son of a freeholder in the same shire, who died recently over fourscore years of age. He received a part of bis education under the celebrated classical teacher Professor Melvin, of Aberdeen ; entered the University of that town, and graduated as M. A,, taking a distinguished ' place in mathematics. Of his theological oourse, he passed two sessions in the Aberdeen " JVee Church Theological Hall, of which Dr Lumsden was principal, and two sepsions in the Free Church Theological Hall at Edinburgh. ' Shortly afterwards he was licensed to preach ' the Oospel, and received a commission from the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland to tbe Presbyterian Church of Otago and arrived here in the year 1858 jby the Stratballan. Very soon after his arrival he was inducted as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Port Chalmers, iwd was for yean* the only minister of religion ■, at that plsoe. E'er many years his parish was an •xctedinply larga od« — on the east it in" (faded tbe P nlninU, from tha North-Eaat Jlwbour to the Sendi j and v a tbe north from

Port Chalmers to the Waitaki. He visited the part of his parish extending northwards quarterly, on foot, fording the rivers as best he) could ; and once every three weeks he crossed > to the North-East Harbour and Portobello, sometimes under the pilotage of Captain Thomson, bnt very often alone. Daring his ministry at the Port the old church was replaced by the present substantial stone, building, which overlooks the harbour; and the* manse has been twice rebuilt, as at first it was, burned down by a bush-fire before it was, tenanted. About 19 years ago the Rev. Mr John stone was laid aside by a serious illness,, but through the liberality of his congregation he then paid a visit to Sydney, and after residing seme months there returned to Port Chalmers in restored health. At the time of his death he was Senior Fellow of the Senate of the New Zealand University. Since his appointment he regularly attended the meetings of the Senate, and at all times displayed a lively interest in matters appertaining to higher, education, J

As a preacher, tbe Rev. Mr Johnatone was plain, practical, and remarkably earnest ; and as clerk of Presbytery and a member of Synod he took a keen interest in ecclesiastical work. He was uniformly courteous, and was always on the side of progress, and in favour of the adaptation of Christian ordinances to the circumstances of the colonists; while as a citizen he commanded the respect of all classes, by his upright character and straightforward conduct. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and four children — one son (a student at; the Otago University, who holds* the Eiohard son Scholarship) and three daughters.