MACLEAN, Walter, Rev, M.C. E.D. (1882-1954)
Assembly memorial minute 1955
Born at Green Island, New Zealand, on 1st November, 1882.
Educated at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and at the Theological Hall, Knox College, Dunedin.
Ordained at Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand, in July, 1912.
Served as chaplain with the first New Zealand Expeditionary Forces from 1915 to the end of 1919.
Supervised educational classes at Torquay, Devon, England, for men from the discharge depot at Torquay.
Inducted to St. Andrew's Church, Oamaru, New Zealand, on 20th January, 1920.
Translated to St. Andrew’s Church, Bendigo, Victoria, on 11th September, 1934.
Elected Moderator of the Victorian Assembly, 1944-1945.
Elected editor of "The Messenger" and inducted on 7th November, 1946.
Died on Friday, 8th October, 1954.
The Rev. Walter Maclean was well-equipped to take a leading part in the life and work of his church. In his final year at Knox College, Dunedin, he attained first place. After two years of pastoral work he enlisted and served as a chaplain for four years with the first New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross. After a faithful pastoral ministry of thirty-four years, he manifested remarkable ability as editor of "The Messenger" within our church in Victoria.
Mr. Maclean was ever vigilant for the truth and the right. He did not hide his convictions but strove to bring to every issue spiritual value and meaning. He "toiled to mould Christian thought, inspire Christian convictions, and make luminous the revelation of God’s love and grace in Jesus."
As editor of "The Messenger" he was a worthy and able guide, enabling that magazine to become a force for Christian good in the community.
As a minister he inspired confidence among his parishioners who recognised in him a faith, strong and practiced. He was untiring in Christian duty and won gratitude and respect as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was an able preacher, painstaking in preparation and convincing in pulpit utterance. He was well-informed, which knowledge, together with his Calvinistic training, gave him an intellectual grasp of the gospel. His devotion made the message glow with love and gratitude to his Lord. He gave unstintingly of his rich gifts of mind, heart and spirit, being ever eager to assert and maintain the supreme and subordinate standards of the church. Above all, his purpose was to set forth the wonder and the glory of God’s infinite love and grace in Jesus Christ.
To Mrs. Maclean and her daughter, Mrs. Weymouth, the Assembly tender sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male