BAIRD, George Mackie, Rev, B.A. (1872-1939)
Assembly memorial minute, 1939
Mr. Baird was born at Geelong in 1872, where his father, the Rev. C.J. Baird, minister of St. Andrew’s, long held an honoured place in the Presbyterian community. He had the advantage of an excellent education at Geelong College, proceeding to the University of Melbourne and Ormond College, in the activities of which he took a full share.
During his theological course, which he completed in 1901, he was in close touch with the Rev. Dr. Meiklejohn; and that eminent leader of the Church used George Baird, with one or two others, to found the Montague Mission.
He was appointed as an exit-student to Omeo, and to meet the special needs of that district he was in 1901 ordained by the Presbytery of Melbourne South. In 1903 he was called to Numurkah, and in 1909 to Mt. Gambier. There he ministered till 1914, when he received a call from Richmond. Eager, however, to use the special opportunities in war service overseas, he eventually resigned his city charge and joined the A. I. F. in France. There he became Chaplain of the 3rd Tunnelling Company, and won the esteem of all for his self-forgetfulness.
On his return in 1920 he was called to St. Andrew’s, Launceston, and laboured there till 1927. In September of that year, he was appointed to foster the newly-formed congregation of South Hawthorn. Inducted in 1928, he went on building up that church till his sudden death on April 25, 1939.
Mr. Baird thus had an unusual variety of experience in the congregations to which he ministered. But he was adapted to each type. For his industry was able to carry through an immense amount of work. Active all his days in healthy sport, he made that subservient to his manifest duties, serving on committees, honorary secretary for years of the United Missionary Council, etc. His last work on earth was preparing one of a series of lectures in deaconess training.
Behind all that labour, and above it, was his complete devotion to Jesus Christ, Who went about doing good.
Mr. Baird was a true helper of men, for he liked them, and especially liked and won the love of little children. And his spontaneous friendliness irresistibly won the affection of all who knew or even met him.
To his widow, and son, and daughter, and also to his brothers and sister (themselves all active in the Church’s service) the Assembly conveys its warm sympathy.
Gender
- Male