YULE, Alexander, Rev, M.A., Prof (1862-1952)
Assembly memorial minute, 1953
Alexander Yule was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on the 21st April, 1878. When he was very young, his parents and their family came to Australia, and, in 1891, his father became the first minister of College Church, Parkville. Alexander Yule was educated at Scotch College, becoming Dux of the School in 1895. During a brilliant course at the University of Melbourne, he won scholarships and exhibitions, with first class honours throughout the course. He shared the Exhibition in the Final Honours examination. During 1900, he acted as Classical Tutor at Ormond College. In 1901, he entered the Theological Hall and was the outstanding scholar during the three years.
He then went overseas to do, for some years, post-graduate work in Germany and Edinburgh, where he studied under Dr. Marcus Dodds. Upon returning to Australia, he relieved Professor Rantoul for a year in New Testament work at Ormond, and, upon the death of Professor Rentoul in 1926, shared the work in New Testament Studies until the appointment of Professor John Gillies.
In pastoral work he served the Church at Berwick and Beeac where he was ordained and inducted during May of 1907. In 1913 he was translated to the new charge of Elwood. This he resigned in September, 1924. On the 4th May, 1925, he was inducted in the new charge of Balwyn, where he firmly laid foundations of the present charge during a pastorate of fifteen years.
The Church recognised his worth and scholarship by calling him to the Chair of New Testament Studies at Ormond Theological Hall, in 1940. In 1947 he resigned and retired.
During his young years, he was keenly interested in tennis and became the Singles Champion of the Presbyterian Tennis Association in 1922.
Alexander Yule was a lovable character. His friendly nature won friends and admirers. His sense of humour, inherited from his talented mother, never deserted him. He could be critical but never cause discomfort to his fellows. He was widely read and gave to parishioners and students the rich blessing and benefit of a highly cultured mind. Nevertheless, he never lost his simple faith, but held "fast that which was good." He knew Whom he believed, a faith most evident in his earnest preaching. He was first and foremost a man of God, walking daily with his Lord. His entire life could be described as “a going unto the Father”.
He was a faithful Presbyter and for many years was deeply interested in the Church’s responsibility to the Jews. From 1914 he was convener of the Victorian Mission to the Jews and from 1926 convener of that Committee in the General Assembly of Australia.
After 45 years of ordained ministry, the Rev. Professor Yule passed peacefully away, in hospital, on Sunday, 13th July, 1952.
To Mrs. Yule, her two sons and three daughters, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male