SOUTAR, John Alexander, Rev, M.A., Prof (1891-1952)
Assembly memorial minute, 1953
Mr. Souter, a son of the Manse, was born on 23rd May, 1891, at Penola, South Australia, where his father, the Rev. D.A. Souter, was minister for many years. Here he received his primary education. After attending for a time Mr. D. Lawson’s College (later known as Warrnambool College), he studied at Scotch College in preparation for Melbourne University, entering the Theological Hall, Ormond College, in 1916. He completed Exit in 1918 and was appointed to Tarnagulla, where he was ordained and inducted in 1919.
In 1922 he was translated to Wedderburn, in 1925 to Elmore, in 1938 to Gisborne and to his final charge, Ballan, in 1952, where, after seven or eight weeks, he passed away.
During the 13 years at Elmore he was for five years clerk of the Bendigo Presbytery. Mr. Souter worthily carried on a great tradition - his father being an accomplished student. He did not speak often in the Assembly, but he was a faithful and painstaking pastor. He had the rare gift of making everyone feel at ease, as in the presence of a friend. He was a fine tennis player and used this ability to attract and hold the interest of young people in the Church. He took the call to the ministry most seriously, and gave his congregations of his best, after long and exhaustive preparation. In a most humble way he gave advice in committee and Presbytery work, revealing a mind well versed in the doctrine and law of his Church.
Apparently the large and exacting charge of Gisborne, where Mr. Souter laboured for 14 years, had strained his constitution more than his friends realised, for he died suddenly on Monday, 29th December, 1952, at the Ballan Manse, before he had settled into the work of a charge where there had been a prolonged vacancy.
To Mrs. Souter and John, their son, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male