THE OLDEST CLERGYMAN IN THE WORLD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 195, 16 September 1878, Page 4

THE OLDEST CLERGYMAN IN THE WORLD.

The Rev. John Incram, M.A., a clergyman of forty years' experience, and junior minister of the Free Church, Unst, Shetland, preached lately in Free Grey friars' Church, Lauriston, Edinburgh. Mr John logram, though himself a man well Hdvanced in years, occupies the position, honored as it is peculiar, of being colleague to his father, Dr. logram, who in April last entered on bis 103 rd year. At the close of the service on Sunday afternoon, Mr Ingram said he had been requefitad, when entering the church, to tell the congregation something about his aged parent, He indicated he was rather averse to making a statement of the kind in such an assembly, but if it would afford them any gratification he would comply. Mr Ingram then proceeded to mention a few particulars having reference to his father, who he said was born in Aberdeensbire in 1776. There are few men in the world older than be is; he was the oldest minister in the Free Church, and perhaps tbe oldest minister in the world. Of course his memory had very much failed. He remembered events connected with his early days, but matters having reference to later occurrences seemed to make very little impression upon his mind, and appeared to pass from it almost immediately. His physical health was not so very bad ; all his vital organs were thoroughly sound, he took his food well, he generally slept well, and was able to move about a little, leaning on his staff. When he was able he laboured very hard. He was exposed to'very much hardship. He had two churches, and had to cross the sea in order to get to one each alternate Sabbath. He often experienced wet, boisterous weather, which it might have been thought would have told very much upon his health ; notwithstanding all these difficulties and trials, his health had been preserved, 'and he had attained the age of 103 years. He had no doubt that the fruits of his father's labors would be found after many, many days. When Dr. Ingram went to TJnat it was in the state of a modern wilderness ; there was a great deal of drinking and bad conduct of every kind. He instituted an abstinence society, and they should keep in miud that* since then he who had enjoyed such health 8 and had attained such longevity, had himself never tasted intoxicating drink of any kind.