IN MEMORIAM.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 434, 4 January 1890, Page 3

IN MEMORIAM.

MR JOHN MILNE, OF AUCKLAND. “The Australian Independent” contains a portrait of the late Mr John Milne, together with the following biographical notice of the esteemed Auckland citizen, written by the Rev. Joseph Robertson, M.A. :—By the steamer which left for Auckland early in December were conveyed the remains of one who during the last few years has rendered valuable service and filled an important place in New Zealand Congregationalism. Mr Milne, before coming to the colonies, had been very closely identified with the London Rond Church, Leicester, a church started by Rev. R. W. McAll, the founder of thegieat mission which bears his name in Paris. Besides taking a leading part in the work of London Road Church Mr Milne was an earnest labourer on the Committee of the L.M.S., and in connection with the district Association' of Churches. The County Union gave him a splendid testimonial on his leaving Leicester. During a long series of years, we believe, he was never absent from the Annual or Autumnal Session of the English Union. His failing health, however, necessitating a removal from England, he decided to settle in New Zealand, and having left his eldest daughter and only son in the old land, he arrived in the beginning of 1880 with his wife and four daughters. On his arrival in New Zealand he joined the church at Beresford-strcet, Auckland, and eventually became a deacon nod secretary of the church. In the year 1884 the Congregational Union of New Zealand was founded by the amalgamation of tho.Unionsof the North and South. Mr Milne was one of four whom the Beresford-street Church sent with its minister to Wellington to assist in establishing the Union. The writer was elected first Chairman, and Mr Milne one of the first Secretaries. He became in time its sole Secretary, and held that office till his death.

Many will remember hi 3 spare, bowed figure at the Jubilee in Melbourne about a year ago. He had just passed through a most trying ordeal. His devoted wife, who had hoped to accompany her husband to the Melbourne Conference, and had made every preparation for doing so, wae, by a very short illness, almost suddenly removed. She died September 11th, 1888. Mr Milne had, therefore, to come over with Dr. Hannay and Mr Lee under the greatest sorrow a man can know.

Having left an only son in England, and being strongly attached to the old land, he longed to look on old scenes once again. It was more than he should have attempted, but, strong of will, he undertook alone the voyage from which he was never to return. While in England he represented the Congregational Union of New Zealand; wrote, advocating its claims in the “Nonconformist;” took the chair at the special meeting of the Colonial Missionary Society, and tried to raise a fund for helping young churches in New Zealand, somewhat along the lines laid down by the Rev. Edward Walker, when on a mission several ears ago. He seems to have stayed a month too long in England ; for the severe weather tried him, and while at Adelaide on his return trip, after a very hob day he took a chill, pleurisy followed, and he never again was able to leave his cabin. The doctor of the* vessel, the Britannia, was very attentive, and a steward was specially told off to wait upon him. Very providentially Mrs Cousins, an esteemed member of the church at Beresford street, was returning by the same steamer, and was able to render him very kind and helpful services in his last days. The Britannia left MelbourneYor Sydney on Saturday, November 30th, at noon, "Mr Milne being somewhat better; but when his daughters went early on Monday to meet him, Giey saw the flag flyinsr at half-mast, their father having died at sea. Mr Milne was quite conscious of his condition and thought he could not do much more than reach Sydney. Hedreaded being buried at sea, but when Mrs Cousins read him the 36th Psalm, on the last evening of liis earthly life, he commented upon it with very great joy. He quietly fell asleep in Jesus about 8 o’clock on the morning of Sunday, December Ist, when off Gabo Island. The day of his death was the anniversary of the birth of his only son. By his own request his remains were taken to New Zealand, bo be laid beside those of his wife in the quiet little cemetery at Devonporb, North Shore, Auckland.

Mr Milne was a man of iron will, bub of a very quiet spirit. He was a capital business man, and made an excellent Secretary. Even those who may have differed from him will cheerfully testify to his sterling worth, and tothe admirable manner in which be fulfilled the duties of his office. He leaves a son in England, and five daughters, two of whom are married and oneunmarried inNew Zealand, and one married and another unmarried in Sydney. The writer, as an old New Zealander, is sure that from all parts of that colony there will be wafted to them hearty sympathy and goodwill, and that many in these Australian colonies who knew and esteemed their father will join in commending them to the God of all comfort.