LIVINGSTONE, Hugh, Rev. (1842-1922)
Assembly memorial minute 1923
The Rev. Hugh Livingstone, who, after a severe and painful illness, entered into his rest on September 25th of last year, was born in Glasgow in 1842, and came to the Colonies as far back at 1856. He was accepted as a student of the Free Church of Eastern Australia in 1867, and after fulfilling the prescribed duties, was appointed to congregations at Parkes and Richmond River, N.S.W.
He came to Victoria in 1886, having accepted a call from the Wimmera congregation of the Free Church of Victoria. In 1902 he was received into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, and after engaging in mission work in Scarsdale and Carisbrook, accepted a call to Stanley, Tasmania, in 1908, returning for a time to Victoria in 1914.
He was identified in his retirement with the congregations of St. John’s, Hobart, and South Yarra, in both of which he served with great usefulness in the eldership.
He was a great reader, and a man of eager thought and strong convictions. His personality was an unusual combination of childlike gentleness and fearless force. He was ever keen in the championship of truth and righteousness, and in upholding the evangelic faith in the columns of the press, as well as in the pulpit.
To the aged who found it helpful he gladly ministered in Gaelic, in cases where this was their native tongue. He also took an active interest in the aborigines, and wrote, by request, a grammar and vocabulary of the dialects of the north-east coast of New South Wales, which was published as an appendix to Dr. John Fraser’s book on the aborigines by his last illness.
His whole career is a striking record of indomitable perseverance in humility and trust, which were with him to the end. His kindly nature won many friends, who will sorrow at his loss.
He leaves a widow with her family of three daughters and one son, who, we pray, may be comforted by the secret of the Heavenly companion, to which is added the sympathy of his brethren in the service in which he for so long had borne a very worthy part.
Gender
- Male