DR. MORLEY DEAD.

Shannon News, 4 June 1926, Page 2

DR. MORLEY DEAD.

BIG METHODIST PERSONALITY

DUNEDIN, May 28.

Many., persons besides the Methodists will share, their sense of loss in \ the death of Dr. Willi am Morley, for lie was ibuj enough in intellect and personality to belong io Australasia ■ast large. He died at Kew, Melbourne, yesterday after an illness that lasted two or three years, having reached ,

the age of 84, though Ihe oointiinucd preaching until four years ago. Rev. Win. Morley was born in England and came to New Zealand in 1864, appointed by tha British Methodist Conference. His first station in the colony was at Auckland, where, by reason of his learning, his speaking powers, and his spiritual force, he soon came to be regarded as the rightful successor of the big Wesleyans of that time—Thomas » Buddie, George Buttle, Alexander Reid, James Buller and oliers. Subsequently he

was stationed at Wellington, Wanganui, Lyttelton, Auckland again, and at Christchuirch twice. He came to Dunedin about 1885, and was minister of Trinity Church for three years. He was twice president of the New Zealand Methodist conference—in

1870 and again in 1884. The distinction of D.D. was conferred upon him by the American University after a visit to the United States, during which he -wrote several papers that were deemed important. • In 1894 he

was president of the General Conference of Australia and New Zealand. In 1883 the church inaugurated a loan fund and the Rev. Morley was appointed secretary. For about ten years before leaving New Zealand lie held the position of cohnexional secretary for the Methodist Church of the Dominion. At the general conference held in 1901 lie was appointed general treasurer of the supernumerary fund of the church. He left Dunedin in 1902 for Melbourne, and continued preaching until 1922. Hie had dived in retirement for fie ■ last four years. Dr. Morley was always keenly interested in all foreign mission work, and was a membea- oi the Foreign Mission Board of Australia. He also took an interest in educational matters connected with the church, being a member of the board of governors of Queen's University College in Melbourne.

Dr. Morley was twice married. His first wife was the only daughter of the Rev. George Buttle. Of that marriage there were four sons and three daughters. William, the eldest of the sons, went into business in Christchurch. Mrs W. H.. Duke, of Dunediin, is the youngest daughter. Dr. Morley's second wife, who survives him, was Miss Grace Webster, of Christchurch. A child of that marriage is a son, who is still with h:s mother.