MACDONALD, Aeneas, Rev , M.A. (1880-1946)
Assembly memorial minute, 1947
Aeneas Macdonald was born in the Manse at Toorak on 2nd September, 1880. His father the Rev. Murdoch Macdonald was at that time the minister of the Toorak Presbyterian Church; later he became more widely known as Professor of Theology and of Church History in the Theological Hall, Ormond College, and is remembered with affection by his former students.
Aeneas Macdonald received his early education at the Scotch College, whence he proceeded to the University of Melbourne. He took his Master of Arts degree in 1902. For the next three years he studied in Ormond College Theological Hall, completing his course in 1905. A journey to the old country followed, and he did a post-graduate course at New College, Edinburgh. England, Scotland, France and Switzerland were all visited in turn.
His first charge in Victoria was Drouin, where he was ordained and inducted in October, 1907. He was the first minister of our Church at Drouin. He was translated to St. Arnaud in 1912, and to Murrumbeena in 1923. He thus had sixteen years of valuable experience in the country, before coming to a suburban charge. Beyond doubt that long country discipline helped greatly to fit him for his remarkable work in Murrumbeena. A lasting symbol of that work is seen in the new and beautiful church at Murrumbeena; a still more lasting memorial is in the multitude of lives which he touched while in that charge. He demitted the Murrumbeena Charge on 15th October, 1945, after a ministry of 22 years. But a long period of breathing “the still air of delightful studies” was not to be his lot. In less than a year he passed away in St. Andrew’s Hospital on 17th July, 1946, to the great sorrow of many.
Aeneas Macdonald had a mind and heart richly stored with intellectual and spiritual treasures—a store that was always growing; for in him was clearly seen the working of that profound law of growth: “To him that hath shall be given. ” This growing enrichment came along many lines, supremely, of course, from God, through habits of personal fellowship, and the devotional reading of the Bible. But the area of his reading was remarkably wide; as Milton expresses it: “He read incessantly, ” but he also brought to his reading “a spirit and judgment equal or superior. ” His visits to the historic scenes of the old lands added to his inner riches, and in our own lands his constant intermingling with men gave a knowledge, sympathy and insight which books alone will never give. This enrichment was not something terminating in him. He freely received, and freely gave. His giving was along a remarkable number of different channels. As a preacher he always sought to feed and to help his people. As a pastor, his “delightful informality” made him the beloved and wise and sympathetic friend of all the flock; at all times but especially in war times, he left a blessing behind him in the hearts of his people.
A third channel was that of his work as a lecturer in the Theological Hall. His own intense love for history was communicated in greater or less degree to all the students. Further, as an examiner, by his refusal to give passes easily, he helped to raise the standard of knowledge among the students, to the benefit of the parishes beyond. In his work for “The Messenger” we have another channel through which many lives were enriched. For a brief time he was its editor. For a longer time he was Convener of “The Messenger” Committee. But chiefly was he the well-known “John Mandeville Junior, ” penetrating reviews of books were full of stimulus to all who loved good literature. How he found time for all this varied work is a mystery to most of us, but doubtless his love for these things is the explanation.
Further, he poured a rich stream of interest and influence into the lives of the children, for he was for long the Editor of the “Children’s Record. ” (A pathos attached to his last letter to the children, he was dead ere it was published. ) Further his historical knowledge and his literary touch made him the Assembly’s inevitable choice for the production of the Century History of our Victorian Church. His aim to tell an accurate but readable story, such as would give pleasure or pride to the ordinary reader, was abundantly realized. For many years to come his “One Hundred Years of Presbyterianism in Victoria, ” will be an inspiration throughout our Church. Through all these, and many other channels (such, for instance, as the Church Service Society), the riches he himself received from God and man, he passed on to man for the glory of God.
To his widow and to his family, and also to his gifted sisters, the Assembly tenders its sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male