MITCHELL, Robert, Rev. (1851-1929)
Assembly memorial minute 1929
The Rev. Robert Mitchell was born at Meigle, Perthshire. Scotland, on January I2th, 1851. He came to South Australia with his parents in 1855, and lived at The Gap and Craggy Lea, near Springton, until he came to Adelaide and attended Whinham College, which was then known as the North Adelaide Grammar School.
He was trained for the ministry by members of the Presbytery of Adelaide. Early in 1872 he was settled in the charge of Clare, being the first minister to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Sth. Australia. Later in the same year he was married in the Flinders Street Presbyterian Church to Miss Mary Fraser, who proved a true help-meet for nearly sixty years.
In 1882 he was called to Port Augusta, where he remained until 1894. The way then opened for him to become the pioneer minister of the vast Smith of Dunesk Mission, where he worked through more than four years of fierce drought, driving out from Beltana for almost incredible distances.
He was called to Goodwood in 1899, and remained there until his retirement on the day of his ministerial jubilee, February 17th, 1922. After this he did faithful work at Morphett Vale from 1924 to 1926. His last service was rendered in the Smith of Dunesk Mission which he had created in 1894, and to which he returned with his wife at the age of 77 in order that the lonely settlers might not be left without Christian ordinances.
He returned to Adelaide at the end of 1928. Not many weeks later both he and his wife fell ill, and his death on February 28 was followed by hers eleven days later. "Lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their death they were not divided."
Mr. Mitchell possessed an interesting and lovable personality. He was tall and spare, and even when the great strength of his youth broke down through overwork, his zeal and energy remained undiminished. He had the true spirit of the pioneer, whose heart was in the salt-bush country long before and long after his ministry there. He was wonderfully kind and sympathetic, and the hospitality of his manse amazed all who were privileged to enjoy it. His slow, picturesque speech, with its strong common sense and quaint turns of expression never failed to interest his hearers. Best of all, he was a simple, evangelical Christian, who by his earnest preaching, faithful ministry, and consistent character, did much to lead others into a richer life.
The Assembly conveys its deep sympathy to his son and three daughters in their sad bereavement.
Gender
- Male