BALFOUR, Graham Henty, Rev., M.A. B.D. (1866-1930)
Assembly memorial minute 1930
Mr. Balfour was born at Jolimont in 1866, the second son of the Hon. James Balfour. He was educated at Brighton and Toorak Colleges, leaving the latter dux of the school. With the purpose of becoming a minister of the Presbyterian Church, he took up residence in Ormond College. After taking his M.A. degree, he entered the Theological Hall, gaining a high place in his studies. He completed his training in New College, Edinburgh. After graduating B.D. of St. Andrew’s University, he returned to Victoria in 1894.
His first appointment was to the Home Mission Station of Garvoc. From Garvoc he was called to West Hawthorn as its first minister. Later he became minister of St. Cuthbert’s, Brighton, and then of St. George’s, East St. Kilda. In 1911 he accepted a call to First Church, Dunedin, where he remained 12 years. In 1923 he visited Scotland, returning later to Melbourne. He did not seek a settled charge, but in many other ways he put his rich gifts at the service of the Church. By our Assembly he was appointed Director of Practical Training in Ormond and St. Andrew’s Colleges, a position he filled for two years. He passed away on 3rd April.
Mr. Balfour took his full share in the general work of the Church. At the time of his death he was Convener of the East Melbourne Girls’ Hostel Committee. But he was pre-eminently a pastor and preacher. To the end of his life he held by the simplicity of the Gospel in which he had been nurtured, though the years brought experience and culture, which were ever adding fulness and richness to his message.
Books were his delight, and he turned his reading to fine account, bringing to it a mind open to the last to new thoughts and new movements. He was ever interested in the problems of the day and in everything that made for the advance of the Kingdom of God. He travelled in many lands, and his preaching and life were enriched thereby. He was in all his ways the Christian gentleman, modest and devout, cheerful and unselfish, a wise counsellor, a friend valued and beloved.
May the consolations of God be abundantly vouchsafed to his widow, his daughters, and to all other members of his family.
Gender
- Male