MACMILLAN, Thomson, Rev, M.A. D.D. (1868-1938)
Assembly memorial minute, 1938
Thomson Macmillan was born in Madras on October 4th, 1868. He was educated in Aberdeen, and secured the Master of Arts degree of the Aberdeen University. He then took his theological course in the Free Church College, Aberdeen, and was ordained to the ministry in 1895.
The impassioned pleading of the veteran missionary, Dr. J.G. Paton, led him to volunteer for Mission work in the New Hebrides. Going out as a missionary of the Presbyterian Church of South Australia, he arrived at Tanna on May 10th, 1896. By the same vessel, the “Dayspring, ” came three other new missionaries, the Rev. Frank Paton, Dr. J. Sandilands and the Rev. F.G. Bowie.
Mr. Macmillan was stationed first at Weasisi, but the proximity of an active volcano led to his settling on Whitesands. His first wife, a daughter of the Rev. Professor Robertson, of the Free College, Aberdeen, was brought to Tanna in 1897, and gave ten years of splendid service, dying in 1907.
In 1913 he married Miss Elsie Stocks who, in spite of ill-health due to the climate, was a true helpmeet and fellow- worker. In 1920 he was transferred to the service of the John G. Paton Fund Committee. Mr. Macmillan concurred in the transference, though with considerable regret, for he loved the Church in South Australia, and had been called by it to the office of Moderator. After fifteen more years of strenuous work—often as many as 600 gathered together at a communion season—his health gave way. He retired in 1935, and settled in Surrey Hills.
In 1937 the Aberdeen University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He died at his home on May 10th, 1938.
His work was arduous and varied. He prepared hymns and catechisms for the native Christians, and translated the New Testament into their dialect. He was constantly travelling among the hill villages or sailing to the neighbouring islands of his parish. Medical knowledge acquired in his student days proved most useful among the natives. Ever striving to lead his people to higher things, he was a workman that needed not to be ashamed. He was also a most competent clerk of the Mission Synod.
The Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to his widow and four sons.
Gender
- Male