MEERS, John, Rev (1882-1941)
Assembly memorial minute, 1941
The Assembly desires to place on record its profound sense of loss owing to the death of the Rev. John Meers, minister of Hawthorn West. Mr. Meers was born in Launceston in the year 1882, and received part of his early education at the Scotch College in that city. He did splendid work as a Home Missionary in Tasmania; during his stay at Sheffield the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was opened in that town. With a view to entering the Ormond College Theological Hall he came across to Victoria, doing his first year there in 1911. While pursuing his theological studies, he acted as Student Missionary in Ballarat; he was assistant to the Rev. A. H. Moore, of Scots Church, Ballarat, and also had charge of the Paton Memorial Church there, and of Knox Church (an adjunct to Scots Church). His work there won the highest praise.
He finished his Theological Course in 1913, and was appointed as an Exit Student to Elmore. Owing to his fine work in Ballarat, where he was now so generally known, it was the Presbytery of Ballarat which on September 24th, 1913, conducted the licensing service. His stay at Elmore was short. His first full charge was that of Murtoa, where he was ordained and inducted on January 13th, 1914. He was translated from Murtoa to Casterton on August 5th, 1916; from Casterton to Tatura on August 1st, 1922; from Tatura to Dandenong on February 3rd, 1927. Records abundantly testify to the earnest and effective work done by Mr. Meers in all those places. His fifth and last charge was that of Hawthorn West, where he was inducted on March 16th, 1938.
Mr. Meers was, as a preacher, endued with great gifts. He read widely and methodically, and made his reading contribute to the interest and spiritual enrichment of his pulpit message. He was well known for the especial care which he bestowed on the devotional portion of the service; few could fail to realize the beauty and the power of public worship as conducted by him. He was a man possessed of strong moral courage. His religious convictions were deep and assured. His pastoral care was unremitting. Mr. Meers was a man who never obtruded his personality on others, hence he was not known quickly; but the better he was known, the more was he honoured and loved.
For many years he was Clerk of the Presbytery of Flinders, and all his work in that capacity was marked by meticulous attention to detail. More recently he did fine service in connection with our Youth Work, and acted as co-convener of the Youth Work Committee. He took leading parts at Youth Conferences, his last Conference being that at Sandringham, which ended on January 2nd, this year. His health was far from good, but he accepted increasing obligations.
His death took place quite unexpectedly on February 2nd, 1941, in Geelong, when he and Mrs. Meers were taking their annual holiday. In all his work Mrs. Meers aided him with sympathetic encouragement. The Assembly mourns the loss of a brother beloved, and tenders its sincere sympathy to his widow, his sister, and to his two brothers.
Gender
- Male