FIDDIAN, James Roland, Rev, M.Sc. (1873-1943)
Assembly memorial minute, 1943
The Rev. James Rowland Fiddian was born in Creswick on July 13th, 1873. His father, Samuel Fiddian, M. A., a distinguished scholar in Classics and Mathematics, and a Wrangler of St. John’s College, Cambridge, became, in 1872, the Principal of the Creswick Grammar School. This school gave many outstanding men to the service of Australia, and in it were laid the foundations of that wide scholarship which later distinguished the Rev. James Rowland Fiddian. He graduated Master of Science at the University of Melbourne, devoting himself especially to Biology. Feeling the call of the holy ministry, he entered Ormond College Theological Hall in 1898, as a Methodist student. His petition to be received as a student for the Presbyterian ministry was granted, and in 1900 and 1901 he concluded his Theological Course. His first charge was Nhill, where he was ordained and inducted in October, 1902. He was translated to Unley in 1909, and spent nine fruitful years in South Australia. He was Moderator of the South Australian Church in 1915. Returning to Victoria in 1918, he became Editor of “The Presbyterian, ” at that time the official organ of the Church. In October, 1922, he was inducted at Dunolly, and on May 31st, 1927, was translated to the charge of Kerang. In April, 1941, he resigned from Kerang and became a Minister Emeritus. On February 20th, 1943, he was at Creswick, intending next day to conduct service in St. Andrew’s Church, but he died suddenly at the home of a brother-in-law, a few yards from the place where he was born.
In addition to his parish work, Mr. Fiddian rendered fine and varied service to the Church. In 1939 he was elected Moderator of the Victorian Assembly. His conduct of the Moderatorial duties was marked by an unaffected naturalness and gentle dignity. His literary gifts made him effective in journalism. For many years he edited “The Banner, ” the official organ of the South Australian Church. As stated, in Victoria he edited “The Presbyterian. ” In 1915 he succeeded the Rev. W. M. M. Alexander as Editor of the Year Book, and carried on that important work till his death. In South Australia he had been fascinated by the character and work of the Rev. Robert Mitchell, and his biographical sketch, “Mitchell of the Inland, ” is a little gem of its kind. In 1941, as secretary of the Editorial Committee, he became responsible for the issue of “The Messenger, ” and carried on that work to the end. Very noteworthy was his weekly review in “The Messenger” of Assembly proceedings. Another labour of love, lasting many years, was the securing of subscribers to “The Presbyterian Register, ” a remarkable journal devoted to the quarterly review of the work of Presbyterianism throughout the world.
Mr. Fiddian was a man of the kindliest and most gentlemanly spirit. His science course contributed to a fine tolerance and breadth of sympathy. He was a true “Son of Encouragement” to others. While so wide in his knowledge, what gave his life its peculiar fragrance was the knowledge of Christ. It was well said of him that “he served by being, ” even more than “by doing. ” His love was manifold: he loved science, he loved literature, he loved the Bible, he loved the people in his parishes, he loved the beauty of natural scenery. He was a man of wide vision, and deeply interested in world-Presbyterianism. A notable feature of his life was his intense earnestness in all that he undertook; it was noted in early days when he was studying Biological Science, and not less but more so when he was in the Theological Hall. Each text-book was for him a delightful privilege rather than an. appointed task. The same persistence in study was marked till the end of his career, very specially so in his Moderator’s Address, when, on lines laid down by the Master Himself, he compelled the facts of science to be parables of spiritual truth.
In all his work he had the constant sympathy and inspiration of Mrs. Fiddian, and to her and to the family the Assembly tenders its deep sympathy.
Gender
- Male