GREENHAM, Edward Reuben George, Rev , B.A. B.D. (1886-1947)
Assembly memorial minute, 1948
Mr. Greenham was born at Dartmoor, Victoria in 1886, and received his early training in the Western District. In early years he showed signs of grace and inclinations to Christian truth and service. The Rev. J. Meers, while minister at Casterton persuaded him to conduct divine services, which led to the decision to enter the Home Mission service of our Church. He worked as an earnest and efficient pastor in the stations of Lucindale and Kingston, Landsborough, and Moreland. He was married at Willaura in 1922, and the following year entered the Theological Hall at Ormond College, completing exit in 1925, when he was ordained and inducted into the Charge of Nyah West, whereto he had been appointed by the Home Mission Committee.
Early in 1928, he accepted a call to Kyabram and was there inducted on the 8th of February. In this closer-settlement district, and in the highly industrial town of Kyabram, he did his best work, seven years of zealous and devoted labour in spite of indifferent and weak health, for he was never robust. His gracious manner and a sympathy born of his own painful experiences won for him friends of all ages in this important area. Amid the exacting demands of this large canning area, his spiritual witness met every challenge in the strength of Christ, to whom Mr. Greenham was deeply consecrated. On the 12th of June, 1935, he was translated to the quieter parish of Yea, from which after four years, he was forced to resign, 9th May, 1939. The strain of constant pastoral work had taken heavy toll, so that he went into partial retirement for three years, thereafter to accept an appointment to Port Melbourne, where he was inducted in November of 1942. During these years he suffered bereavement in the death of Mrs. Greenham'. The work in this charge was too much for his health so that, broken in body, but not in spirit, he resigned, much against his desire, on the 3rd of April, 1946.
Mr. Greenham never sought publicity, and was not widely known, since his voice was not heard in the higher courts of the Church. Zeal for the glory of God and a keen desire to win souls were his constant care. Being strong in faith, he was a man of prayer, living in constant communion with God. He had a capacity for hard work, which, his friends knew, was only sustained by a stern discipline upon a frail body. He was patient in suffering and self-effacing in his devotion to duty.
The remaining 16 months in retirement were not fully enjoyed. A fall appeared to have robbed him of all resistance. He died peacefully in his sleep, at his home in East Malvern, on the 12th day of August, 1947.
The Assembly tenders its sincerest sympathy to daughter and relatives.
Gender
- Male