LEGGE, James, Rev , B.A. (1873-1951)
Assembly memorial minute, 1952
James Legge was born, of Scottish parentage, at Dunolly, on the 2nd July, 1873. He entered Scotch College for secondary education and was Dux of the School in 1890. He matriculated with First Class Honours and an Exhibition in Greek and Latin. In his first University year he won Firsts in those two subjects. Graduating as Bachelor of Arts, he entered the Education Department and was teaching for four or five years. He then decided to take a Medical course. Again he showed a natural gift of scholarship, securing First Class Honours and sharing an Exhibition in Physiological Chemistry, Histology, Materia Medica, Medical Botany and Elementary Therapeutics; and in second year obtaining Second Class Honours in Senior Anatomy.
In 1900 he responded to a call to the ministry and entered the Theological Hall, to complete exit in 1902. The Home Mission Committee appointed him to the parish of Boort, where at Durham Ox he was ordained and inducted on the 13th May, 1903. He was translated to Clunes in 1907; to Preston in 1917; to Mildura in 1920; to Dandenong in 1924 and to his final charge, Kew, in 1926, where he laboured most faithfully for 16 years, until retirement on the 20th July, 1942.
From 1938 to 1946 he was convener of the Memorial Minutes Committee. In his old charge of Dandenong he served as Locum Tenens for two years - 1942 to 1944 - during the absence of the minister as Chaplain with the A.I.F. In 1946,the Home Mission Committee appointed him to the new charge of Mitcham, where he laboured until a few weeks before his death.
Mr. Legge was a sincere and devout follower and minister of his Lord, striving to follow the Divine example of going about doing good, and in a marked degree winning the hearts of friends, parishioners and citizens in general. He was a thoughtful and convincing preacher, because his utterances bore witness to personal experience of the Word of God. His own life inspired assurance and comfort, and a strengthening for life’s trials and testings. His natural friendliness went far to share with his fellows the unsearchable riches of Christ.
His love for children won their trust, and he accepted their affection as being among his greatest blessings. Daily, almost until the last, he took a regular walk, still receiving their responses to his friendly advances. Young people were blessed and guided by him in Sunday Schools, Bible Classes and Youth Organisations.
He was a faithful Presbyter, contributing to the life and the witness of his Church in wise counsel and thoughtful debate. He possessed the rare gift of appreciation, thus being eager to mark the good points in men. He won their confidence and brought the best to the surface, by making them feel that he wished to prove himself worthy of them. His sincere humility won the affection of a wide circle of acquaintances.
He passed away at his home in Blackburn, on Sunday, 21st October, 1951, after 48 years of Ordained Ministry.
To Mrs. Legge and Miss Legge, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male