James MARTIN

MARTIN, JAMES (b. Hackney, England, 12 Sept 1821, d. Perth, Tas, 3 Feb 1877). Baptist minister.

Following his conversion at 16, James Martin became a member of his parents' church, Mare St Hackney Baptist Church, under the pastoral care of Dr Francis Augustus Cox. Noting his devotion and ability, the church encouraged him to enter Stepney College, London (now Regents Park, Oxford), to prepare for the Christian ministry. He graduated in Arts at London University, and undertook post-graduate studies at Bonn, Germany.

On his return to England, Martin became assistant minister of the Lymington Baptist Church where Isaac New (q.v.) shared in his ordination. Subsequently he had the oversight of churches at Stockport, Lancashire, at Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh (1857-8), and at Derby Road, Nottingham (1858-69). Here the church grew rapidly, so that he was known as 'Martin of Nottingham'.

Commended by English Baptist leaders, the Collins St Melbourne Baptist Church called him. He entered upon this ministry in October 1869. The congregation had passed through a troubled period, but quickly responded to his wise leadership. Martin was a fine scholar. In England he had translated German works for Clark's Foreign Theological Library. Now in Melbourne he wrote a small volume, Origin and History of the New Testament (Melbourne, 1871). Selections of his sermons were also published: The Melbourne Christian Record (Melbourne, 1870), and The Christian Mirror, and other sermons (posthumously, London, 1878). The two volumes provide an insight into his pulpit power. His preaching was biblical and evangelical. A contemporary described his style as 'clear, impressive and elevating'.

He not only built a strong church, but did more than any other person to bring stability to the slowly developing Baptist cause in Victoria. Martin exercised a strong, gracious influence over his brother ministers, inspiring a new spirit of unity among them and the churches they served. He gave leadership to the formation of the Victorian Baptist Home Missionary Society in 1871, the objects of which were 'to establish and sustain Baptist churches in central towns and to facilitate the training of young men for the ministry'. Prior to this, for the most part churches had been staffed by ministers trained overseas. Martin believed that theological training should be available to suitable young men born in the colony. Though fully occupied in a demanding city ministry, he gave time to ministerial training, serving as tutor of Baptist and Independent students at the Congregational College which had been established in 1862.

Martin had the competent support of his wife, Hannah. She herself actively promoted overseas missions. Twice Martin was honoured by his election as chairman of the Victorian Baptist Association (1870-1; 1875-6). He was a man of broad sympathies, highly esteemed far beyond his own communion. He died suddenly while on holiday in Tasmania.

Baptist Union Archives, Hawthorn, Victoria; B S Brown, Members One of Another (Melbourne, 1962); F J Wilkin, Our First Century (Melbourne, 1939)

BASIL S BROWN