HUME-HUMPHREYS, William Hugh, Rev (1867-1946)
Assembly memorial minute, 1947
William Hugh Hume- Humphreys was born at Bangor, Carnarvonshire, Wales, on August 1st, 1867, and there he received his early education. With a view to becoming a minister of the Welsh Presbyterian Church, he attended the Bala Theological Hall. He was ordained on June 20th, 1895, at Wolgelly, Merionethshire, Wales. For three years (1894-1897) he was minister of Stockton on the Tees, in County Durham, England. He returned to Wales as private secretary to Principal Edwards of Bala, a position which he occupied for two years (1897-1899). His next charge was that of Llandudno, Denbighshire, Wales (1899-1905). Two more charges in England followed, namely, Birkenhead on the Mersey (1905-1906), and Southsea, on the south coast of England opposite the Isle of Wight, where he remained for ten years (1906-1916). For the next three years he was engaged on war business.
He then decided to come to Australia, and arrived in Melbourne with his wife in 1920, leaving their son Thomas in the Old Land. Being received by the General Assembly of Australia, he was inducted into Young, N.S.W., in 1921. His second and last charge in Australia was that of Echuca, where he did good work from 1922 to 1928. It was at Echuca that he lost his first wife. This sorrow, and his own failing health, led him to resign from Echuca, and he settled in Ascot Vale. For many years, though unable to accept a settled pastorate, he did a good deal of supply work in various parts of the State. In 1938 he was made a Minister Emeritus, with a seat in the Presbytery of Melbourne West. He took a Home Mission appointment at Moonee Ponds in 1942. Despite the loving attention of his wife, his health steadily failed, and he died on May 18th, 1946, two days after the close of the General Assembly.
The Rev. Hugh Hume-Humphreys was a gentleman of kindly disposition, ever disposed to friendliness towards all. He was not without a touch of Welsh fervour and impulsiveness, and his preaching was warmly evangelical. His remarkable gift of penmanship really expressed much of his character. His was a “tidy mind. ” If he accepted an office he was most punctilious in the discharge of its duties, and only on compelling causes was he absent from his meetings. So, too, he never failed in waiting at the Throne of Grace: he was scrupulous in keeping all his engagements. The Assembly Tryst could always rely on his presence. This conscientious exactitude would permit of no loose ends or slovenliness in the management of his life. Whatever he put his hand to, he sought to do well. He has left a fragrant memory in many hearts.
To his devoted wife, and to his son Thomas, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male