John Ferguson (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
Rev. John Ferguson was a Scottish
born Australia
n Presbyterian minister.
, Scotland
, the third son of William Ferguson, a farmer
, and his wife Elizabeth, née Mitchell. He migrated to Otago
, New Zealand
, with his parents in 1862.
Upon leaving school at the age of 14, he became a pupil-teacher, and also acted as laboratory assistant in the chemistry
department at the University of Otago
. Ferguson soon realised his desire to enter the ministry
, and subsequently, the congregation of Knox Church at Dunedin
, gave him a bursary
to complete the full course at New College
, Edinburgh
.
, Old Deer
, Aberdeenshire, Ferguson returned to Otago and was ordained
to the ministry on 20 May 1880. He was then sent to work with the miners at Tuapeka in the Central Otago goldfields
.
Ferguson married Isabella Adie, from Old Deer, on 4 February 1881 at Dunedin. He soon became colleague and successor to Rev A. Stobo at Invercargill
, where he remained in full charge for fourteen years. In August 1894 Ferguson was inducted to St Stephen's, Phillip Street
, Sydney
, the largest Presbyterian congregation in Australia
. His ministry in Sydney was very successful.
Ferguson took a full part in Australian religious and public life, becoming moderator-general
in 1909. His inaugural address, published as The Economic Value of the Gospel, caused controversy in Melbourne
and praise from trade union
leaders. Labor
politician William Morris (Billy) Hughes
(who was to become Prime Minister
in 1915), said:
As the senior Presbyterian chaplain
in New South Wales
, Ferguson preached on many special occasions, including the arrival of H.M.A.S. Australia
and the memorial services at the end of the South African War
and World War I
. Ferguson's ecumenical interests led him to seek an audience with the Pope
on a visit to Rome
in 1914, an action that evoked much criticism in Sydney.
On 22 May 1913, following the resignation of Rev. Dr Andrew Harper
, Ferguson was appointed Senior Chaplain and Chairman of the exclusive Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney
Council, retiring in 1923 due to ill health. Whilst in this role, he actively worked towards the planning and establishment of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble
in 1916, a branch of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney. He was also the first chairman of the board of the Australian Inland Mission
, a member of the Council of The Scots College
and St Andrew's Theological College, and Vice-President of the Highland Society of New South Wales. He was also to become the Acting Principal of St Andrew's Theological College
at the University of Sydney
in 1917.
It is said that Ferguson was a "tall, dark-haired man, with a drooping moustache and a commanding presence. An attractive preacher, with a genial and informal friendliness, he seldom forgot a face or a name and few entered St Stephen's without a warm personal greeting. He was admired and respected by all the Churches."
of St. Stephen's Church and subsequently died at his home, 'Atherton', on Bayswater Road
, on 1 March 1925. He was survived by his wife, three sons including Sir John, Judge
of the New South Wales Industrial Commission
, and Eustace, a notable pathologist and entomologist, and by two daughters. He was buried at South Head Cemetery in Sydney.
at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney is also named after him.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
born Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Presbyterian minister.
Early life
John Ferguson was born on 27 December 1852, at Shiels, AberdeenshireAberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the third son of William Ferguson, a farmer
Farmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
, and his wife Elizabeth, née Mitchell. He migrated to Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, with his parents in 1862.
Upon leaving school at the age of 14, he became a pupil-teacher, and also acted as laboratory assistant in the chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
department at the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
. Ferguson soon realised his desire to enter the ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
, and subsequently, the congregation of Knox Church at Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, gave him a bursary
Bursary
A bursary is strictly an office for a bursar and his or her staff in a school or college.In modern English usage, the term has become synonymous with "bursary award", a monetary award made by an institution to an individual or a group to assist the development of their education.According to The...
to complete the full course at New College
New College, Edinburgh
New College was opened in 1846 as a college of the Free Church of Scotland, later of the United Free Church of Scotland, and from the 1930s has been the home of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
Career
Licensed as a probationer by the Free Church presbytery of Deer at StuartfieldStuartfield
Stuartfield is a small inland village in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, situated south of Old Deer. Formerly known as Crichie, a name still in use among locals today.-Services:...
, Old Deer
Old Deer
Old Deer a parish and village in the district of Buchan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The population as of 1901 was 4,313. The village lies on the Deer or South Ugie Water, 10.1 miles west of Peterhead, and two miles from Mintlaw station on the Great North of Scotland Railway Company's branch line...
, Aberdeenshire, Ferguson returned to Otago and was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
to the ministry on 20 May 1880. He was then sent to work with the miners at Tuapeka in the Central Otago goldfields
Central Otago Gold Rush
The Central Otago Gold Rush was a gold rush that occurred during the 1860s in Central Otago, New Zealand...
.
Ferguson married Isabella Adie, from Old Deer, on 4 February 1881 at Dunedin. He soon became colleague and successor to Rev A. Stobo at Invercargill
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
, where he remained in full charge for fourteen years. In August 1894 Ferguson was inducted to St Stephen's, Phillip Street
Phillip Street, Sydney
Phillip Street is a street in the central business district of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. While the street runs from King Street in the south to Circular Quay in the north, the present street is effectively in two sections, separated by Chifley Square...
, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, the largest Presbyterian congregation in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. His ministry in Sydney was very successful.
Ferguson took a full part in Australian religious and public life, becoming moderator-general
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
in 1909. His inaugural address, published as The Economic Value of the Gospel, caused controversy in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and praise from trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
leaders. Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
politician William Morris (Billy) Hughes
Billy Hughes
William Morris "Billy" Hughes, CH, KC, MHR , Australian politician, was the seventh Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923....
(who was to become Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
in 1915), said:
As the senior Presbyterian chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Ferguson preached on many special occasions, including the arrival of H.M.A.S. Australia
HMAS Australia (1911)
HMAS Australia was one of three s built for the defence of the British Empire. Ordered by the Australian government in 1909, she was launched in 1911, and commissioned as flagship of the fledgling Royal Australian Navy in 1913...
and the memorial services at the end of the South African War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Ferguson's ecumenical interests led him to seek an audience with the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
on a visit to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1914, an action that evoked much criticism in Sydney.
On 22 May 1913, following the resignation of Rev. Dr Andrew Harper
Andrew Harper
Rev. Dr Andrew Harper was a Scottish–Australian biblical scholar, teacher, and school Principal.-Early life:...
, Ferguson was appointed Senior Chaplain and Chairman of the exclusive Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney
Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney
The Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for girls in Croydon, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, Australia...
Council, retiring in 1923 due to ill health. Whilst in this role, he actively worked towards the planning and establishment of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble
Pymble Ladies' College
Pymble Ladies' College, , is an independent, non-selective, day and boarding school for girls, located in Pymble, a suburb in the North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
in 1916, a branch of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney. He was also the first chairman of the board of the Australian Inland Mission
Australian Inland Mission
The Australian Presbyterian Mission was founded by the Presbyterian Church of Australia to reach those "beyond the farthest fence" with God's Word. It is better known as the Australian Inland Mission . Rev...
, a member of the Council of The Scots College
The Scots College
For other schools with a similar name see Scots College.The Scots College is an independent Presbyterian day and boarding school for boys, located in Bellevue Hill, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
and St Andrew's Theological College, and Vice-President of the Highland Society of New South Wales. He was also to become the Acting Principal of St Andrew's Theological College
St Andrew's College, Sydney
St Andrew's College is a Protestant co-residential college within the University of Sydney, in the suburb of Camperdown.-History:St Andrew's College was incorporated by Act of Parliament and received Royal Assent from Queen Victoria on 12 December 1867. The St Andrew's College Act 1998 replaced the...
at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
in 1917.
It is said that Ferguson was a "tall, dark-haired man, with a drooping moustache and a commanding presence. An attractive preacher, with a genial and informal friendliness, he seldom forgot a face or a name and few entered St Stephen's without a warm personal greeting. He was admired and respected by all the Churches."
Death
In October 1924, Ferguson collapsed in the pulpitPulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
of St. Stephen's Church and subsequently died at his home, 'Atherton', on Bayswater Road
Bayswater Road, Sydney
Bayswater Road is a major street in the Kings Cross district of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.The street is lined with nightspots, eateries, adult venues, dance clubs hotels, and is a popular destination for both Sydneysiders and tourists...
, on 1 March 1925. He was survived by his wife, three sons including Sir John, Judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of the New South Wales Industrial Commission
Industrial Court of New South Wales
The Industrial Court of New South Wales exercises the judicial functions of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales. The Commission has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of industrial disputes in New South Wales, a state of Australia...
, and Eustace, a notable pathologist and entomologist, and by two daughters. He was buried at South Head Cemetery in Sydney.
Legacy
Following Ferguson's death, a memorial hall and tablet were erected at St Stephen's Church, Sydney in his honour. Ferguson HouseHouse system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney is also named after him.
See also
- Presbyterian Church of AustraliaPresbyterian Church of AustraliaThe Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. .-Beginnings:...
- List of Australian Presbyterians
- Notable Aberdonians