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Smith, James D.
Full NameSMITH, Very Rev James Douglas, B.A.
Biography
Secondary school education at Southland Boys High School Invercargill and Wellington College.
Attended Victoria College Wellington where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Theological Hall 1911-1913
Licensed by Wellington Presbytery
Ordained 1914
Relieved for a time at Knox Church, Dunedin 1914
“(Rev) Smith could not bear to remain silent in the presence of falsehood, or error, or evil custom,or hurtful institution. He spoke out fearlessly against what was foolish, hurtful or wrong. But he was not merely negative. With unwavering courage and strong conviction, he championed all that was good and wholesome and redeeming in human endeavour.
(Rev) Smith has strong convictions, yet he was not rigid and unyielding in those convictions or
mastered by preconceived ideas or prejudices. He always seemed free to judge a question on its
merits, looking for the living answer to a living situation. That surely was one of the qualities that made him so flexible in his thinking and so wise in his judgements.
(Rev) Smith had a clear, incisive, judicial mind which enabled him to make firm judgements, and to express them strongly; but he also had a generosity of spirit, and a capacity for deep feeling, which enabled him to understand other points of view and to speak with a gentleness and a tolerance that added strength to the witness he gave.”
Moderator of Assembly 1947-1948; prominent in Temperance Committee (also acted as Convener); Clerk of Dunedin Presbytery for some years; he was a prominent figure in Church Courts where his contributions were clear, concise, and powerful, conveying sound judgement. Served on the Missions Committee and Overseas Missions Committee for thirty years.
“One of the best known and most trusted Ministers of our Church”.
Biography- born 4 June 1889 Invercargill
- second son of the Rev John Gibson SMITH and Annie GIBB
- married 5 November 1914 Ellen (Nellie) WINDSOR, born 2 August 1888, died 15 August 1981
- children Douglas Gibson SMITH 1916, Rev Robin Gibson SMITH 1923
- died Auckland 4 December 1968
Secondary school education at Southland Boys High School Invercargill and Wellington College.
Attended Victoria College Wellington where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Theological Hall 1911-1913
Licensed by Wellington Presbytery
Ordained 1914
Relieved for a time at Knox Church, Dunedin 1914
- Waipawa, Hawkes Bay 13 May 1914
- Manaia, Taranaki 11 December 1919
- Kaikorai, Dunedin 2 June 1927 — during this time the strenuous workload during the depression years caused a breakdown in his health.
- Mt Eden, Auckland 7 July 1938 — retired 30 November 1952
“(Rev) Smith could not bear to remain silent in the presence of falsehood, or error, or evil custom,or hurtful institution. He spoke out fearlessly against what was foolish, hurtful or wrong. But he was not merely negative. With unwavering courage and strong conviction, he championed all that was good and wholesome and redeeming in human endeavour.
(Rev) Smith has strong convictions, yet he was not rigid and unyielding in those convictions or
mastered by preconceived ideas or prejudices. He always seemed free to judge a question on its
merits, looking for the living answer to a living situation. That surely was one of the qualities that made him so flexible in his thinking and so wise in his judgements.
(Rev) Smith had a clear, incisive, judicial mind which enabled him to make firm judgements, and to express them strongly; but he also had a generosity of spirit, and a capacity for deep feeling, which enabled him to understand other points of view and to speak with a gentleness and a tolerance that added strength to the witness he gave.”
Moderator of Assembly 1947-1948; prominent in Temperance Committee (also acted as Convener); Clerk of Dunedin Presbytery for some years; he was a prominent figure in Church Courts where his contributions were clear, concise, and powerful, conveying sound judgement. Served on the Missions Committee and Overseas Missions Committee for thirty years.
“One of the best known and most trusted Ministers of our Church”.
P-XO-21.9
Relates to
Recollect CollectionPeople
Smith, James D.. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 19/04/2025, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/112666
