MACKAY, James Hannah, Rev. (1857-1919)
Assembly memorial minute 1919
In the death of the Rev. James Hannah Mackay our Church has lost one of her ablest sons and most faithful ministers. Mr. Mackay was a man of quite unique endowments. Very widely read, with the exact knowledge of the expert in some departments of learning, he had a most tenacious memory and a remarkable gift of forceful and picturesque expression. With this thorough equipment for service, he had the passion of the evangelist, laying all his gifts on Christ’s altar.
Born in Dumfries-shire, near Ecclefechan, he had his early training in Scotland. Ill-health prevented the completion of his University course, and brought him to Australia. Though he never gained a robust constitution, his health greatly improved, and, after a distinguished course at Ormond College, he entered on his ministerial career in the pastorate of St. John’s, Ballarat.
Some of the young men whose hearts God touched through him there are to-day honoured ministers in our Church. From Ballarat he went to the Korean Mission field as the representative of the Fellowship Union.
After a few years there his health gave way, and he returned to take up work in St. John’s, Bendigo, where he is still held in affectionate remembrance.
In Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, he laboured for seventeen years, the present commodious church and manse having been built during his tenure of this, his last, pastorate. Besides recurrent attacks of illness, he had to contend with the usual difficulties of our city churches; but he loved his work, and was loved by his people, and died in harness. He was loved also by all his brethren, for he was a big-hearted man, very tenacious of his own views, but with no bitterness towards those who differed from him. His was a truly brotherly spirit.
To his widow and children the Commission of Assembly expresses its earnest sympathy in their great sorrow.
Gender
- Male