FORSTER, Karl Dow, Rev, M.A. B.D. Dip.Ed. (1875-1945)
Assembly Memorial Minute, 1946
Karl Forster was born on November 15th, 1875, at Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo. His mind was early turned to the ministry, largely through the influence of John Barnaby. Karl at once threw himself into his studies with characteristic earnestness. At the time he was carting timber to the Bendigo mines, and many a time was he seen, book in hand, perched on the top of his dray-load, studying. In the Sunday School class which he taught was E. H. McLean Shugg, who has since become Home Missions Director and Moderator of the State Assembly.
Mr. Forster did the Arts Course at the University of Melbourne (1901-1903), and obtained the degree of Master of Arts. The next three years (1904-1906) were spent in the Theological Hall, Ormond College. He secured the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. Later on he obtained the Diploma of Education, as he was always profoundly interested in the relation of Education to Religion.
During his years of study and preparation he applied himself strenuously to the tasks in hand, as he was obviously ambitious to equip himself as thoroughly as possible for the work of the ministry. He was ordained and inducted at Cobram on October 30th, 1906.
Thence he was translated to Casterton on August 7th, 1909. His next Charge was Colac, where he was inducted on February 16th, 1916. He was translated to his final Charge, Brighton, on July 5th, 1922, and he remained minister of St. Cuthbert’s for 23 years, a ministry terminated, after six months’ painful illness, by his death on July 18th, 1945.
Karl Forster will be missed, especially by the older members of the Assembly. He was deeply interested in all the work of the Church, held decided convictions, and expressed them with lucidity and force. There was a dignity and self-restraint which gave power to his utterances. He was beyond dispute one of the wisest and ablest leaders of our Assembly. In his preaching he showed himself faithful to the great pillar-truths of the Gospel. He was a diligent and much-loved pastor in his various Charges, but particularly in his last Charge was his parish work carried on at great cost to himself. For he held most responsible positions in connection with the work of the Assembly.
He was examiner for the College Committee of the General Assembly of Australia for 13 years (1909-1922), and also Secretary of the College Committee. He was Convener of the Home Mission Committee from 1934 to 1944. The faithful attention to detail in which he was involved by this position, while it gave him great and abiding influence in this important branch of the Church’s work, heavily taxed his energy and strength. Outside his parish, his greatest work was in connection with the College Committee and Home Missions. He never slurred over this work (or any work), and his meticulous care over details made him a wise and competent adviser. His interest in religious education also made him a most helpful member of the Ormond College Council. And he never failed as an instructor in religion in our State Schools.
A moving tribute was paid to his memory on the day of the funeral by the scholars and staff of the Brighton State School. The confidence and goodwill with which he had inspired the members of the Assembly, led to their calling him to the office of Moderator in 1938. Here again he never spared himself. With Karl Forster gone, we certainly feel that the Assembly is changing. He was a landmark indeed.
In all his work he had the eager and sympathetic help of Mrs. Forster. To her, to the two sons, Murray and Alec, and to the Rev. Peter Forster his brother, the Assembly tenders its sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male