MACNICOL, John Duncan Allen, Rev , M.A. B.D., Prof (1915-1951)
Assembly memorial minute, 1952
Duncan Macnicol was bom in 1915, in Perthshire, Scotland, at the Manse in Pitlochry. Very early in life he displayed rare gifts of scholarship. Secondary education was secured at Daniel Stewart’s College, Edinburgh, of which he was Dux and Captain of the School. From the University of Edinburgh he graduated in 1936, with First Class Honours in Classics. He attended the University of Oxford for one year, where he, in Balliol College, won an Open Classical Exhibition. A Divinity course was taken - 1937 to 1939 - at the University of Edinburgh, where he continued to gather scholastic honours. He gained the J.S. Blackie Travelling Scholarship and did Archaeological and Linguistic work in the Near East, becoming a Member of the British School at Athens.
In 1938, and also in 1940, he was assistant to the Minister of Corstorphine Old Parish Church, Edinburgh; Student Missionary at Machrihanish, Argyll, in 1940; Ordained Assistant at the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling, and Minister of St. Paul’s Extension Charge, Provanmill, in Glasgow.
Being elected by the Victorian Assembly of May 1947 to the Chair of New Testament Studies, the Rev. J.D.A. Macnicol came to Australia and was inducted into that professorship by the Presbytery of Melbourne West, within the College Church, Parkville, on the 19th February, 1948. On October 31st of that year he was inducted into the Session of College Church. At the beginning of 1951 he was appointed Session Clerk. He was acting-Principal of the Theological Hall, during the absence of the Principal on Sabbatical leave.
Professor Macnicol won the respect and devotion of many friends within and outside the communion of our Church. Catholic in outlook he was the comrade of members of other communions. He gave with gracious humility to all who called upon him, and wherever in Christian charity he saw the need of help and inspiration. In Presbytery and Session alike, he was a beloved Presbyter, not given to much speaking, but, whenever led to do so, his words carried weight of wisdom and balance of utterance. He revealed a maturity gleaned over years of gifted experience and training.
As a member of the Senatus, the Theological Education Committee and the Melbourne College of Divinity, he was a true colleague, well-informed and of sane judgment. Professor Macnicol made a deep impression upon his students, as, with profound knowledge, incisive scholarship and deeply spiritual insight, he opened up the scriptures. He influenced them most by his warm friendliness. His ready smile, breaking easily into laughter, was a feature of the unofficial life of the Students' Common Room. Men found encouragement and enlightenment in the intimacy of his study. He was richly endowed with gifts; these he developed by long and diligent studies. Thus did ths Lord present His servant a workman not ashamed, discerning and delivering the Word of Truth. With energy and conviction he preached, in word and deed, the evangel of his Lord. He was in constant demand in pulpits of the Church, and utilised such opportunities to deliver a message for the times and a word in season for the seeking heart.
He died suddenly in his home on Sunday, 2nd September, 1951.
To his mother and wife and young children, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
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