BUTTON, Clifford Norman, Rev, M.A. B.D. Ph.D. (1888-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1951
Norman Clifford Button was born on the 9th February, 1888, in London, where he was educated until 14 years of age. For six years he was employed in Government and commercial work in Britain and on the Continent. When he was twenty, he came to Sydney to fulfil a Government appointment.
During five years he attended evening lectures at the Sydney University, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1915. The following year he entered St. Andrew’s Theological Hall and completed exit and received the Master of Arts Degree in 1918. He was ordained that same year, and inducted into the pastoral charge of Bingara. In 1920 he was translated to the Glebe. This congregation, in 1923, provided the means whereby he visited America and London.
While in New York he did a post graduate course at the Union Theological Seminary, obtaining the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1924. At Edinburgh he received the degree, Doctor of Philosophy in 1927, and in 1929 was admitted ad eundem gradum to the B.D. degree of the Melbourne College of Divinity. He was called to the Candlish Church, Edinburgh, in 1924. This he resigned in 1927, and set sail for Australia.
While at sea he received a call by wireless from the congregation of St. Andrew’s, Ballarat, where he was to labour faithfully and prodigiously for 22 years, as the fourth minister in this congregation’s 93 years of life.
During the Second World War, Dr. Button was called, in 1941, to the chair of Moderator of the Victorian Assembly, and to receive the unique honour of a second year of this office in 1942. During these two difficult War years, he manifested a dynamic personality, was challenging in criticism and wise in leadership. In 1935 he was appointed chairman of the Council of Ballarat College, and at the time of his death was also chairman of the Clarendon College Council and a member of the Management Committee of the Queen Elizabeth Benevolent Hospital.
After a brilliant academic career, Dr. Button continued his scholarly interests. He was an omniverous reader, an independent and original thinker. He had several publications to his credit, and was engaged on others at the time of his death. He was a frequent contributor to the Press, both in England and in Australia.
As a preacher he was virile and vital, setting himself a high standard. His sermons bore proof of careful preparation and meticulous care of detail. As a master in his craft he knew the use of words. The spirit of prophecy breathed through his utterances. He was a fearless warrior, with a passion for righteousness and a burning desire that the Church should play a full part in the community. Courageous in the condemnation of evil, he was provocative in the best sense of the term. He stood firmly convinced in his own opinions, while humble and honest in the admission of error. His rich talents were given in unreserved service.
He was genial of nature, with a keen sense of humour and a sound judgment He was essentially a modest man and was ever ready to give honour where it was due.
Six weeks previous to his decease, Dr. Button sustained an accident that seriously impaired his health. He had been working late in his study on the Saturday night in preparation for the Communion on the morrow. On retiring he suffered a severe heart attack, and passed away at his Manse, early Sunday morning — 4th June, 1950.
To Mrs. Button, her son and two daughters, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male