Stewart BYRON

BYRON, STEWART (b. Newton Stewart Wigtownshire, Scotland, 1849; d. St Kilda, Vic, 14 April 1916). Presbyterian evangelist and minister.

Born in good covenanting country, Stewart Byron was the son of Hugh Byron and his wife Isabella Dunlop. In the early 1880s, he was a city missionary in Liverpool. In 1885, the Presbyterian Church of Queensland invited him to work in the outback as an 'ord. missionary' for the Presbytery of Rockhampton. His first base was Emerald, from which he itinerated widely and where he built a church. There and at Springsure, he related well to all classes. He then conducted missions widely across Qld. Next he ministered briefly at Bulimba near Brisbane, and moved to Gladstone, 1889-98, again making long pastoral journeys and sadly losing his wife. After three years at Mt Morgan, he visited Vic and was called by Framlingham in 1901. A brief pastorate in Heidelberg was followed by a call to Devonport in Tas, where he sacrificed his income but 'reaped a rich harvest of souls'.

Moving back to Vic in 1912, Byron was called to build up the new charge at Fairfield. Shortly after, on the first day of 1913, he was appointed hospital chaplain and three months later prisons were added to his task. He was an inspired choice, earning the respect and affection of both patients and prisoners.

He preached a simple gospel, earnestly and attractively, equally well to children and adults. He was known as 'the singing evangelist', using his rich baritone voice, both in the pulpit and frequently in pastoral visitation and in evangelism, to sing favourite hymns. His courage, cheerfulness and ability to make himself at home with all sorts of people impressed those to whom he ministered, and gained him their attention for the preaching of the gospel. He followed the call of God, rather than self-advancement, hence his frequent moves, and gave unstintingly of his energies for the gospel he loved to present. He fell ill suddenly in September 1915 and died in pain after an operation, but radiated courage, love and resignation to the will of his Master.

J Mathew 'In Memoriam The Rev Stewart Byron', The Messenger 28 April 1916, 26; Minutes and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria May 1916

MALCOLM D PRENTIS