SOUTER, William, Rev. (1833-1924)
Assembly memorial minute 1925
The Rev. WILLIAM SOUTER departed this life at his residence, Moonee Ponds, on November 20, 1924, in his ninety- first year. He was a native of Leith, Scotland, and began his life’s work as a compositor, in which calling he was entrusted with difficult forms of type-setting, on account of his exceptional accuracy. Actuated by the call to the holy ministry, he began preparation for it in Scotland.
His ministerial training was finished after his arrival in Victoria, and he was ordained and inducted into the charge of Whittlesea. While there he was married to Miss Robertson, who was. throughout a long and happy union, a valuable helpmate, both in domestic life and in Church work. After 20 years’ service at Whittlesea, he was translated to Lake Rowan, where, over a wide field, he carried on a faithful and conscientious ministry, when the conditions of country life were much more trying than they are now.
On his resignation of the charge of Lake Rowan, he was appointed Chaplain to the Metropolitan Hospitals, in which capacity he fulfilled his duties earnestly and sympathetically. In disposition he was kindly; in character, irreproachable. His sermons were always evangelical and carefully prepared. He, had a special gift of utterance in prayer, and his ministrations were both acceptable and profitable.
For the greater part of the time of his residence in Melbourne, his home was in Coburg, where, with thorough approval, and in various ways, he frequently assisted the Rev. Dr. Mathew. Mrs. Souter, who had been a devoted wife and a sincere Christian, warmly attached to her Church, had predeceased him in February. 1924. Seven sons survive, one of whom is the Rev. F.S. Souter, B.A., of Mount Pleasant, South Australia. The Rev. Wm. Souter was a younger brother of the late Rev. Frederick Souter, who had set him a fine example of devoutness and whole-hearted Christian service.
Gender
- Male