Raymond PRESTON

PRESTON, RAYMOND (b. Yeadon, Yorks, England, 3 Aug 1861; d. Concord, NSW, 4 July 1950). Methodist minister and evangelist.

Raymond Preston began working in a weaver's mill at 13. He was converted the same year, and began preaching when 27 years old. He possessed a good tenor voice, and his complete dedication to Christian work was registered in a Mission in 1888 when he sang

Take my voice and let me sing

Always, only for my King.

After conducting several missions he was appointed lay evangelist for the Cardiff and Swansea District of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Thirteen years later he was appointed evangelist for Great Britain. He conducted successful missions in many parts of the UK (including the Shetland Islands).

In 1913, at the invitation of the Rev W G Taylor (q.v.), he visited Australia for special missions. He began in the Central Methodist Mission, Sydney, after which he held missions in many country towns in NSW. He was received into the ministry by the NSW Conference in 1914. For fifteen years he conducted even more successful missions. Many young men, including this writer, experienced conversion in these missions and entered the Christian ministry. Preston was also a forceful temperance advocate.

Preston paid two visits to England (one after retirement), and also visited the USA, New Zealand and other places, conducting missions as he travelled. Everywhere his message was proclaimed in song and in sermon. His happy, sunny disposition endeared him to fellowministers and to the people to whom he ministered. He enjoyed playing cricket, and was instrumental in leading the Australian Test cricketer, Victor Trumper, to commit his life to Christ.

W Kingscote-Greenland, Raymond Preston, British and Australian Evangelist (London, 1930)

ERIC G CLANCY