DEATH OF DR. WILLIAM WATSON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1515, 10 August 1912, Page 9

DEATH OF DR. WILLIAM WATSON.

GIFTED PRESBYTERIAN PREACHER. By the Midden, death on Sunday, mornins .(Juue 231, at the ago of 57, of the Rev. William ..'Watson; -D.D., of. -Trinity Church, Birkenhead, tho Presbyterian Church of England' has lost n minister of wide culture, .'sound scholarship, nnd very great preaching ability. ' Dr. Watson was on n visit to Dumbarton (where ho was ordained in 18S0), and was tohavo preached in his old church at Bridgend on .Tune 23, but was taken ill suddenly on tho previous evening. Glasgow University had decided in March to confer upon him tho degree of D.D. Special references to his work and service were made in some of the Liverpool churches, Canon Robson making a notable tribute at Christ Church, Claughton, to his , work iu Birkenhead. After a distinguished college career at Glasgow University, the Theological Hall in Edinburgh, and Leipsic, Dr. Watson took charge of Dr. Young's congregation (Woodlands, Glasgow) while the minister was visiting India. Ho then accepted the call to Dumbarton, and from tho outlet his ministry was abundantly successful. A large new church was built soon after his ordination, and there wcro largo increases in the membership. In 1891, when Trinity Church, Claughton, became vacant, ho yielded to great pressure, and , consented to cross the border. In Birkenbead, as elsewhere, Dr. Watson speedily won tho hearts not only oE his congregation, but also of his fellow townmen. Home mission work always attracted him, and the Brassey Street Mission is a standing memorial to his earnest labours. He was a warm friend also of foreign missions, and his congregation supports two missionaries on the field. His wido outlook, his sane and direct method of treating difficult problems, together with tho warm evangelical tone of his preaching, secured for him a loyal and affectionate congregation. ' In November last tho Nomination Board decided to propose him for the Moderatorship of Synod, but he reluctantly decided that tho office would provo too great a strain, and declined tho honour. — "Christian World."