McLAREN, Charles Inglis, Rev, M.D., Dr (1882-1957)
Assembly memorial minute, 1958
Born - Tokyo - 1882.
Graduated - M.D., Melbourne University.
Ordained as a Medical Missionary, Scots Church, Melbourne - 1911.
Korea - 1911-1945 (retired)
Doctor of Victoria Presbyterian Hospital at Chinju.
Professor of Neurology at Severance Union Medical College in Seoul, until internment.
Active Service - First World War - first a Medical Officer with the Chinese Labour Battalion; Medical Officer with armed forces in France.
Second World War - Imprisonment Camps at Fusan at outbreak of Pacific War in 1941.
Retirement - Victoria - 1945-57.
Died - 8th October, 1957.
The Rev. S.G. McLaren was a missionary educationist in Japan, and his son Charles was nurtured in this missionary atmosphere. Dr. McLaren ever retained and developed this zeal, under the power of the Holy Spirit. His personality and devotion were marked and respected during his thirty years of service in Korea. His decision to serve as a Medical Officer during the First World War, as well as his willingness to suffer and be imprisoned with his people during the Second World War, left imprints that can never be assessed.
He was esteemed for his independent thought and judgement, as well as for his complete honesty. He possessed great moral courage, and a remarkable freedom from concern for himself. He fought for principles, but though he differed, sometimes feelingly, from others, he knew nothing of personal resentment, for he had a capacity to harmonise loyalty to truth with friendship. He was a Presbyter who loved greatly, and was greatly loved by all.
After the extreme hardships of imprisonment and internment he retired and returned to Victoria. His last years were burdened with ill-health.
From time to time during the twelve years of his retirement, he was seen on the floor of the Assembly, revealing his amazing mind, as he contributed wisdom within a wide field of problems. During his last illness he was planning a new book to add to the list of his publications.
To Mrs. McLaren and her daughter, the Assembly tender sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male