Isaac NEW

NEW, ISAAC (b. Sheffield, England, 9 May 1803; d. Brighton, Vic, 14 March 1886). Baptist minister in Victoria.

Born of Independent parents, Isaac New was nurtured in the Christian faith and, typically in Sheffield served an apprenticeship as a cutler. Conversion and baptism led to membership in the Sheffield Baptist Church. Discerning ministerial gifts, the church in 1824 sent him for theological training to Horton Academy, Bradford, the principal of which, Dr William Steadman, was a strong evangelical. Subsequently New ministered at Loughborough, at Arnsby, for 10 years at Salisbury, and a further 10 at Bond St, Birmingham. There he was recognised as a noteworthy preacher in a city of pulpit orators.

For six years at Birmingham he was secretary of the local auxiliary of the Baptist Missionary Society, and was in demand throughout the country as a deputationist. The auxiliary, concerned about spiritual need in the Australian colonies, prevailed on the BMS to send a Birmingham minister, James Taylor (q.v.), to Melbourne as its 'messenger'. When the Albert St Church in that city sought a minister, it was inevitable that the BMS should encourage New to follow him in 1857, although aged 54.

Under his leadership, the Albert St congregation increased rapidly. A larger building was erected and opened early in 1859. Children, as well as older people, warned to him. He not only developed a strong Sunday school at Albert St, but commenced others in neighbouring suburbs, purchasing land and erecting buildings for them. He trained his men as preachers and leaders, sending them out to help weak congregations.

New came to be regarded as one of the colony's foremost preachers, with a stirring eloquence and chaste disciplined style. It was said of him, 'His themes were pre-eminently evangelical, and he never got far away from the cross'. Other colonies sought his help. He was also renowned as a public lecturer, drawing crowds wherever he was advertised to speak. In controversy, he was a formidable opponent, yet generous to his rival. Firm in his own convictions, he nevertheless detested a narrow sectarianism, exemplifying what he sought in others: 'that heavenly charity which breathes forth its benediction from a loving heart'.

From its commencement, he was involved in the Baptist Association of Victoria. With James Taylor he edited its first venture in journalism, Australasian Baptist Magazine (1858-60). His appeal to the English churches to establish a Baptist Colonial Missionary Society as the Congregationalists had done was unsuccessful, so that churches languished for want of trained minsters. For years he travelled widely throughout the colony, encouraging scattered congregations, forming churches, and giving wise counsel to inexperienced leaders. When the Association was reconstituted, he was elected its first stated chairman (1862), an honour accorded him on three subsequent occasions (1866; 1869-70; 1872-3). When it was formed, he was active on the committee of the Association's Home Mission.

His failing health prompted his church to seek a younger assistant, without success. He resigned from the pastorate in 1868 and retired to Brighton. Thereafter, as health permitted, he took occasional services to help his Baptist and other Christian brethren until the close of 1878. There followed a long period of confinement in his home, surrounded by his cherished theological books. As the end drew near, he insisted that there should be no eulogy: 'Depress me... exalt Christ'.

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