HEYER, Johannes, M.A. (1872-1945)
Assembly Memorial Minute,1946
Johannes Heyer was born at Germantown (now Grovedale), near Geelong, on April 29th, 1872. His father, the Rev. George Heyer, a native of the (then) French Province of Alsace, was minister of the Lutheran Congregation in that place. Religious persecution had driven many Germans to come to Australia. Johannes received his early education first at the village school, then at the Flinders State School in Geelong. Having won a State School Scholarship, he was enabled to take two years at the Geelong College, then under Dr. George Morrison (1887-1888). It was this Exhibition, together with Ormond and University Scholarships, that made his education possible.
During his Arts Course (1889-1891) he was in residence in Ormond College. He took his B.A. degree in 1892, and M.A. in 1894. In 1892, for health’s sake he took a year off at home, and it was then that, after great hesitation, and with much diffidence, he yielded to the Divine Call to the ministry. Next year was spent in Ormond College, when he met and was profoundly influenced by Frank Paton. He began his Theological Course at Ormond College in 1894, still in residence in Ormond, where he received the rare distinction of being invited for meals to the Master’s table—an honour which brought him into contact with many distinguished guests.
Other beside his immediate theological interests were the Ormond Debating Society (where he won the Oratory Prize), the Ormond College Missionary Union, and the Students’ Christian Union. During his residence in Ormond his enthusiasm for music received a wonderful development. In 1896 (his last year in Ormond College), he wrote all the music for the production of “The Birds” of Aristophanes, for which the Classical Tutor, Mr. Darnley Naylor, was responsible. In 1896 also he met Dr. John R. Mott, of the World Student Federation. Along with Graham Balfour and Samuel Howell he was on the First Committee of the Student Movement. Dr. Mott secured him as the Australasian representative to the International Conference to be held at Northfield, U.S.A. He left our shores on September 18th, 1896: among those who saw him off was Dr. John MacFarland, the Master of Ormond College, between whom and Mr. Heyer a warm personal friendship had sprung up—a friendship which profoundly influenced Mr. Heyer.
In England and Scotland he met many of the men of greatest fame in the theological world. After visiting Germany and Switzerland and his father’s home, he went to Northfield, where he met D.L. Moody. The Conference consisted of 600 delegates from 32 countries.
Mr. Heyer reached Melbourne in November, 1897. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Geelong, the service being held in High Church. In 1898 and 1899 he acted as assistant to Dr. Marshall of Scots Church, Collins Street, having special charge of the Scots Church Mission and other charitable agencies. This experience was of great value to him in extending his knowledge of a side of life and of human nature to which he had been largely a stranger.
He received a call to the Charge of Healesville and Yarra Glen (two congregations of very dissimilar characteristics), and was ordained at Yarra Glen in January, 1900. The Aboriginal Station of Coranderrk was part of this Charge, and helped to widen his experience of men. Also, inspired by a son of Mr. David Syme of “The Age,” he opened a private school or college in Healesville, which flourished for a time.
A trip to New Zealand during this ministry had momentous issues for our Church and State, for he met Mr. Littlejohn during that trip, and it was Mr. Heyer’s recommendation of him to Dr. MacFarland, the Master of 'Ormond, that led to his appointment as Dr. Morrison’s successor at the Scotch College.
In August, 1904, Mr. Heyer entered upon his long and fruitful ministry at St. John’s, Hobart. His marriage in 1905 with Miss McGregor brought a wonderful enrichment and inspiration to the St. John’s ministry. Much time and energy was taken up with the general work of the Tasmanian Church. As Clerk of Assembly and Presbytery for many years, Convener and Treasurer for Foreign Missions, and Moderator of vacancies and several Home Mission stations, he found the strain too great, especially as he had no assistance. He demitted his charge in April, 1923, but remained as a kindly and helpful father to the Church in Tasmania. To commemorate the centenary of the establishment of the Presbytery of Van Diemen’s Land, he, in 1935, published a volume entitled, “The Presbyterian Pioneers of Van Diemen’s Land. ” It is a great piece of work, involving an extraordinary amount of research in every Charge, and is practically a history of our Church in Tasmania.
Mr. Heyer died on October 18th, 1945, having been predeceased some months by his wife. Mrs. Frank Paton is a sister of Mr. Heyer, and to her the Assembly tenders its sincere sympathy.
Mr. Heyer was a warm, tender-hearted and enthusiastic soul. A fellow- student and lifelong friend thus writes of him: “Joe was a gifted soul. His academic work was distinguished, especially in languages and literature. He was almost a musical genius. His industry was unflagging. He had a flair for making and keeping friends. Towards this his natural brightness of personality and his keen sense of humour predisposed him. He was righteous, and fearless in its expression. He would have made his mark anywhere; events determined that it should be in Tasmania. Surely he served his generation by the will of God, and his works will follow for years to come. ”
To this so true and felicitous expression may be added one or two points. Mr. Heyer had an eye for the good in everything and in everybody. Hence he had friends in every rank of society, and also in other Christian Communions, including the Roman Catholic. He says himself that some of his happiest recollections of his Hobart ministry sprang from his Christian fellowship and personal friendship with some of their archbishops and priests.
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