LEGGE, Herbert Sutherland, Rev, M.A. B.D. (1875-1938)
Assembly memorial minute, 1938
Mr. Legge was born in Dunolly in 1875, and received his early education at the Dunolly State School. Having won the Mollison Scholarship in Italian, he did the Arts Course at the University of Melbourne, and gained Final Honours in History. In 1899 he was appointed Principal of St. Andrew’s College, Bairnsdale, a position which he held till 1907. Mr. Legge had always been keenly interested in Church work, especially in the Fellowship, and he now resolved to devote himself entirely to the ministry. Having completed his Theological Course at Ormond College, he acted as assistant to the late Rev. David Ross, of Alma Road Church, St. Kilda.
Maldon was his first charge, where he was inducted in 1911, and subsequently he laboured in Murchison, in Woodend (1924-1935) and in Woodford. He wrote many devotional articles in “The Messenger, ” and for years was an examiner in Hebrew for the Melbourne College of Divinity. He preached what proved to be his farewell sermon at Woodford on May 8th, and died in Melbourne on June 25th, 1938.
Though seldom heard in the Assembly, Mr. Legge was a diligent and active member of the Presbytery. His brotherliness, tolerance, and genial humour won for him many friends among his fellow ministers. For a time he was Clerk of the Presbytery of Seymour. In every charge he won the abiding affection of his people, and his work in the Bible Class was most effective. As a preacher, his sermons were marked by deep thought lucidly expressed, while his prayers breathed a spirit of rich devotion. He had his share of trials, but “he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. ” His pastoral work was discharged with loving zeal, for he was ever the friend of his people. With a wide knowledge of the best literature went poetic gifts of a high order.
To his widow and four sons the Assembly tenders its deep sympathy.
Gender
- Male