ADAMS, Hugh, Rev (1878-1939)
Assembly memorial minute, 1940
It was with deep sorrow that his friends heard of the sudden death of the Rev. Hugh Adams, which took place on 19th December, 1939, at Winkleigh, West Tamar, Tasmania.
Mr. Adams was born at Laen in the year 1878, and belonged to a highly- honoured Presbyterian family. He received his early education at the Laen East State School, and later on he attended the Grammar School at Warrnambool. He spent many years working on the farm, and, like Elisha of old, he may be said to have received his call to the ministry while following the plough. It was largely through the influence of the Rev. J. H. Shallberg, then of Donald, that his eyes were turned to what became his life work.
He completed his theological course at Ormond College in 1911, and was sent as an exit student to Sea Lake. He had five charges in all, his first being that of Sea Lake, which called him in 1912, and he was ordained and inducted on 24th July of that year.
It was while he was at Sea Lake that he was married to Miss Battarbee, of Warrnambool, a sister of the well-known painter. His next charge was Kyabram, where he was inducted on 6th December, 1916. Thence he was called to Narracoorte, beginning there on 10th March, 1922. His five years’ ministry there was followed by a ten years' ministry at Auburn, where he was inducted on 7th July, 1927. While at Auburn his health was bad, and he underwent much suffering—an experience which issued in a wonderful enrichment of his message. He left Auburn for Chalmers Church, Launceston, where he was inducted on 24th February, 1938. He threw himself with fresh zeal into his Tasmanian work, and his influence was strongly felt in many directions. There was, however, a weakness of the heart not known to many, and he passed away in his sleep at the home of the Hon. Neil Campbell, M.H.A., after a heavy day’s Church business in that vicinity.
The Rev. Hugh Adams did his full share of the general work of the Church. For years he was the active Convener of the Temperance, Committee. He was greatly valued as a helper in connection with the Luncheon- Hour Services of Mr. Jarvis. Home Mission and Church extension work was very congenial to him. His interest in the Warburton Mission during his Auburn ministry will be well remembered by his fellow Presbyters. In Tasmania, he continued to exercise his now matured powers in similar work. He was a member of the Scotch College Board, Launceston, and gave religious instruction there, and also in the Technical College, and in the Charles Street State School.
In character, Mr. Adams was such as to win the respect of a wide circle of friends. There was about him a frankness, brotherliness, and modesty, which drew all to him. He was most generous in his appreciation of the work of others. And he was deeply interested in all that made for the betterment of the conditions under which men must live.
In his preaching there was a simplicity, a directness, an unaffected sincerity, which gave it great power. He was outspoken in his condemnation of evil, but the tone of his preaching was thoroughly evangelical. Expository preaching had a great fascination for him, and he employed it very largely. He was strongly in favour of carrying the Gospel out into the streets and lanes of the city. With his sympathy for the poor, he always emphasized the necessity of carrying the spirit and principles of Christ into the economic life of the community.
He has left a widow, and a family of two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Adams was ever a faithful co-worker with, and encourager of, her husband. To her and to the family the Assembly extends its deep sympathy.
Gender
- Male