G.A.R.
| JOHN MATHISON November 9, 1915 – May 17, 2007 |
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May 19, 2007,
Hi Gordon,
Dad passed away and is finally with our Lord. It was my honour to care for him until his death. Yes, he could be rough but he had many soft spots if you knew where to look.
God bless and keep you and yours, Gordon Mathison.
Obituary is in today's Vancouver Sun as follows:
MATHISON - John Gordon. Born: Liverpool, England, on November 9, 1915; Lived: in Toronto 1953-1989, in BC until May 17th, 2007.
With much sorrow we announce the passing of John Mathison, leaving his son, Gordon, daughter-in-law Donna, and granddaughters Chantelle and Erin, providers of his last earthly home. All were by his side as he passed peacefully into the Lord's embrace.
- He also will be sadly missed yet forever remembered by his oldest son, William.
- He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Anne "Nan" (1995), daughter Rosemary (1997) and grandson Jonathan (2003) and lovingly remembered by his other grandchildren, Paul, Alison,
Jenny, six great-grandchildren and nephews and nieces overseas.
- For nearly nine decades he had trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and relied on the assurance of a glorious future with Him.
| DANNY PAUL January 3, 1918 – May 13, 2006 |
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Our sister Lila Paul wrote: Dear Gordon and Betty, [Danny was 88 on January 3, 2006 and, on account of great bodily weakness, had been confined to bed for some months. GAR]
Some extracts from 'Account of the burial meeting for my beloved husband Victor Daniel Paul, held at 5 p.m., on 14 May 2006, at the Delhi Cantonment Cemetery, Delhi'.
… Brother Rahmat Masih spoke feelingly about Daniel's fervent love and zeal for the Lord, his great desire to be at the meetings in spite of his bodily weakness, that Daniel and Lila would come in time for the meetings all the way from Gurgaon, and Daniel would sing the hymns with great joy, his favourite being the hymn,'Rock of Ages cleft for me' …
Brother Rupin Desai spoke: I have known Daniel since my school days and now as I look back over the years, in retrospect, many moments of my contact with him come to the fore.
Our brother Rahmat Masih has remarked that the hymn "Rock of Ages' was one of his favourite hymns. This was so because our brother Daniel had a deep sense of Christ as the Rock …
Lila Marilla Paul
My darling husband, my sweet Danny went to be with the Lord on the 13th May at 4 a.m. He developed fever on Lord's Day 7th May morning …
| ROY DEVENISH August 16, 1917 – October 13, 2004 |
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The Lord Jesus took our beloved brother I. Roy Devenish to Himself on Wednesday, October 13th.
- We sorrow with his daughter, our dear sister Rosemary Harding,
- but rejoice that Roy has been released from his weakness and pain and is now present with Christ.
- Marian – Roy's wife of 60 years went to be with Christ on March 22, 2000.
Betty and I had many happy visits with Roy – whom we had known for over 40 years – at Bethany Lodge, a home for seniors in Unionville, where Roy and Marian resided for a number of years.
- Previously, Roy and Marian had lived in Hamilton, in Galt, and for many years in Toronto, Ontario.
- During World War II, Roy had served in the Canadian army in Britain as a non-combatant conscientious objector.
- He was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Devenish, of London, Ontario. JWD served the Lord in ministry for many years.
The burial is on Monday, October 18th.
G.A.R.
| ROBERT G. FEAR August 21, 1916 – October 19, 2003 |
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"Jesus Wept", John 11: 35
The One who wept at Bethany,
With Oh such tender love,
Though not on earth now feels for thee
In priestly care above.
And yet so near! In troubles, cares,
And grief we're ne'er alone;
All understandingly He shares
Our sorrows as His own!
He bears His people's griefs today
With feelings just as deep
As once, when cares athwart His way
Had moved Him e'en to weep.
What limitless resources are
At hand for thee above! –
The great unmeasured reservoir
Of Jesus' heart of love!
We recommend the sympathy
In which thou canst confide;
The One who wept at Bethany
Is standing by thy side.
R.G.F. – Bristol, June 15, 1938.
Robert G. Fear, the composer of the above – and hymn 109 in the 1973 hymn book – was born in Bristol, England, on August 21, 1916.
- He received his higher education in Paris, France, and became himself a professional educator.
- He married "in the Lord" a sister, Jessie Caldwell of Kilmarnock, Scotland, on August 18, 1951.
- Jessie went to be with Christ on Thursday, July 21, 2005, after months of physical suffering.
- They initially lived in Bristol, later for a few years in Leeds and finally, from 1958, in Prestwick, Scotland.
- Prior to his retirement he was Headmaster of a school in Ayr not far from their home.
- They had one daughter named Margaret.
Robert was in the Royal Army Medical Corps [he was a conscientious objector] during World War II and took part in the D-Day landings of June 16, 1944.
Our brother was well-versed in the Scriptures and in his understanding of the truth.
- He was used over the years in the ministry of the Word among brethren, in the course of which he travelled to various parts of the world.
- He was fluent in French and, I believe, to a lesser degree in German.
Robert was one who felt deeply the years of departure among brethren who had been greatly favoured by the precious unfolding of the truth from the days of John Nelson Darby and others,
- and yet maintained rightly both the necessity and privilege of carrying 'all the saints' in his mind, heart and prayers.
- He felt, as doubtless others of us, the real need of getting our bearings in relation to the blessed Man in the glory.
- I was privileged to enjoy mutually with our brother regular contact by telephone and letter in which we sought genuinely to encourage each other as also our dear wives.
The Lord exercised His right to take our beloved brother home to be with Himself on Lord's Day, October 19, 2003 [in his 87th year], after a long period of declining health.
Andrew Roberton, Centerville, MA, U.S.A.
October 21, 2003.
May our dear sister Jessie, and their daughter Margaret, experience the comfort that only our Lord Jesus can give.
G.A R.
| ROBERT H. SMITH 1918 – October 16, 2002 |
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Robert H. (“Bob”) Smith was born in 1918 in Westfield, New Jersey.
- He was the third child and only son of Robert M. Smith and Maude M. Smith. He had two older sisters – Marjorie and Janet.
- He lived in and around Westfield for his entire life.
When Bob was born, his family was attending the Presbyterian Church. His father left that church because the minister did not believe in the resurrection of Christ.
- After a period of time Mr. Walter Mooney, a brother in the meeting at Westfield, invited Bob’s father to the meeting.
- He accepted the invitation, and began to break bread soon after. Bob’s sisters also attended the meeting for a time but never broke bread.
Bob’s mother became ill when he was a teenager, and she died when he was 16.
- About a year later, Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, and he began to break bread when he was 18.
- After graduation from high school, Bob began to work in the financial industry in New York.
- He was drafted into the Army in 1941, but mercifully, was never sent overseas and never saw any combat.
- Bob was initially sent to Virginia, but he spent most of his time in the Army in Great Falls, Montana.
- While there, he began to attend the meeting in Kalispell, and the brethren there were extremely kind to him.
- Bob’s link with Kalispell and his love for the brethren there remained strong throughout his entire life.
Bob was discharged from the Army in 1945, and the following year, he married Elizabeth Clews from Detroit,
- whom he had first met at meetings in London, Ontario some years earlier.
- They settled in Cranford – the neighboring town to Westfield – and had two children, Jim, and Mary Elizabeth.
- Bob returned to work in New York and continued to work in the financial industry for over 15 years.
Bob was very devoted to the Lord and His people. He was a bright testimony to all he came in contact with, both in the Army and during his years of employment.
- He also was respected among those he walked with in Christian fellowship, serving frequently in the Gospel and occasionally in other meetings.
- He became increasingly concerned with the trends among the company during the late 1950s, and when unscriptural teachings began in the early 1960s,
- he, his family, and his father withdrew with much sorrow and after very much soul searching.
- Bob and Elizabeth soon began to break bread in their house – in fellowship with brethren of like convictions in the U.S.A. and abroad –
- and continued to do so for the rest of Bob’s life.
Bob was stricken with leukemia in the summer of 2001. He remained fairly well for about another year, and then his health began to deteriorate seriously.
- He was taken to be with the Lord as he slept during the night of October 15, 2002 [early on the 16th]
- and was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ, on October 18.
Bob contributed two hymns to 'Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Flock of God' published in Auckland, New Zealand. See 'Bulletins' for August 2001.
- One of his hymns is reproduced below.
Of the praise of every heart,
Now made consciously among us
And from us, will ne'er depart.
We regard Thy precious service,
As the Comforter now giv'n,
Sent by Christ to love and keep us,
While on earth in view of Heav'n.
Tender, lowly influence ever,
Whence we learn Thy secret love,
Seen on Christ in sweet communion,
Holy – peaceful, as a dove.
Waterbrooks and springs and fountains,
In abundance speak Thy worth,
Early – latter rains refreshing,
Life produced in place of dearth.
By Thy power sustained to worship,
And Thy joy to set us free,
Singing hearts and voices blending.
Rise up Well! Sing unto Thee!
Blessèd Holy Spirit promised,
We are sealed and do abide,
In the joy of fullest blessing,
Till Christ claims His cherished bride.
Following a conversation with Elizabeth (Mrs.) Smith, the above account [with a few additions] was submitted by
D. Tom Hawkins.
| KATHLEEN STOTT October 31, 1905 – July 3, 2002 |
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On July 3, after a brief illness and at 96 years of age, our dear sister Kathleen Stott – an "elect lady" known and loved by many – went to be with Christ.
- Following the burial meeting at Hampton, she was buried in Brighton beside her husband Robert Stott – d. 1976 – a former trustee of Stow Hill Depot and a founding trustee of Kingston Bible Trust.
- Mrs. Stott is the maternal grandmother of MB's guest Hannah Hutton.
- Betty and I have fond memories of a 1971 visit from Robert and Kathleen and, with the family, sorrow in the loss and rejoice in the release of our sister. GAR
| JOHN HUNZIKER – May 30, 2001 |
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The Lord took our beloved brother John Hunziker, of San Francisco, to Himself on Wednesday, May 30, 2001, in the early morning.
- In recent months John had several serious operations for cancer but its spread could not be halted. The last days he was in great pain which the doctors could not relieve.
We sorrow with our beloved sister Liz (Diener of Chicago), her son Robert and all the family, but rejoice that John is out of his suffering and with our blessed Lord Jesus.
John was marked by boldness in confessing Christ right from the start.
- As a young man he would regularly stand in front of the office building in which he worked and preach on the street.
- He filled a vital role within his local meeting and will be missed
greatly.
- 'My Brethren' has been enriched by correspondence with John, and by his contributions of rare and out-of-print items and reference material. His encouragement in the work of MB will always be remembered.
The burial service took place on Monday, June 4, 2001, and there were over 150 in attendance.
- Words were given by Arthur Widtfeldt Jr. and Ben Taylor. The body was committed to the Lord at the graveside by Arthur Widtfeldt Sr.
John's aged (93) mother – Alice (Hjort), sister of Mrs. Grace Hesterman of New Jersey – was taken by the Lord just a few days before John. She was buried on Thursday, May 31, 2001.
| MARIAN DEVENISH December 17, 1916 – March 22, 2000 |
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The Lord Jesus took our beloved sister Marian Devenish to Himself on Wednesday, March 22nd.
- We sorrow with Roy – her husband of 60 years – and their daughter Rosemary Harding,
- but rejoice with them in the certainty that Marian is with Christ – her sufferings forever past.
In November, Marian had undergone radiation therapy for cancer of the tongue and lymph glands.
- Despite the pain, she remained bright in spirit through it all and we had many happy visits with her and Roy.
- Marian continued to weaken physically and latterly was confined to bed.
Roy and Marian had lived in Hamilton, in Galt, and for many years in Toronto, Ontario.
- In recent years they have lived in Bethany Lodge – a home for seniors – in Unionville, just outside Toronto.
- Marian was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Markham, of Cranford, New Jersey.
The burial took place on Friday, March 24th.
| CHARLES DUNN – January 22, 2000 |
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Our dear brother Charles Dunn, of Reigate, England, went to be with Christ on Saturday, January 22nd.
- He had been on a business trip about 10 days earlier in Spain with his wife, Freda, and returned well,
- but developed Legionnaire's Disease – bronchopneumonia – and died within three days.
Charles was the son of the late Mr. Robert Dunn of Reigate, and brother of Mary (Mrs. Ken) Wyllie of Kingston, Ontario.
- We sorrow with his wife and family, and with Ken and Mary Wyllie, old and valued friends.
| JIM SOUKOREFF January 10, 1938 – November 26, 1999 |
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The Lord took our beloved brother Jim Soukoreff, of Vancouver, to Himself on Friday, November 26, at 9:00 a.m.
- See Daniel Soukoreff's account below.
We sorrow with our beloved sister Susan, her son Daniel and all the family.
- Jim was a faithful brother and a defender of the truth.
- His personal friendship and his encouragement of the work of 'My Brethren' will always be highly valued.
- See Jim's contributions to 'My Brethren' on
History: Decline and Departure and
History: Wrong in Principle?.
- See Jim's contributions to 'My Brethren' on
Jim and Susan's three sons – Paul, Greg and Daniel – shared together in the burial service on Tuesday, November 30.
Tue, 1 Feb 2000
Dear Gordon and Betty,
Thank you for your thoughtful email, very sorry for the delay. Greetings from us all and my mother. She has up days and down days, but in the main feels supported of the Lord.
I was just coming over to my parents house to work on Nov. 26, 1999 – I had bought out my father's business in October 1998. He ran the engraving business from the basement.
- When I went downstairs I saw my mother, leaning over my father, who was flat on the ground. Mother looked up and said "Danny, Dad's dead!"
- My mind keeps coming back to that scene, the shock of it, the terrible feeling of helplessness, deep sorrow but the total unreality of the situation.
- Mother had called 911, and was doing mouth to mouth but I could see that it all was over.
- It was moving day, they were moving from Vancouver to Delta where Paul and I live. They were looking forward to all the things they would do together in retirement.
We expected that we had time, thus the suddenness and as far as our links in this world go the finality of his death, have been the hardest things to deal with.
- Kerstin and the children came over immediately, Jacob cried in the car for a very long time. It was the first time someone really close to the children died and each child took it in a different way.
- Paul and Esther came and organized the movers, as the move was to go on because the new owner wanted possession that day.
- Lorraine and Carolyn flew in, Lorraine with her husband, Bruce Henry.
On Monday night all the Russian relatives came down plus some others including Doug Hugill and my cousin Julie and her husband Ron, some Hymns and the Lord's Prayer were said in Russian.
- My cousin Julie read a letter of how my father had been a father to her after her father died at a young age. She finished by reading that powerful revelation which the Apostle John received in Revelation 21: 1-7. I was really affected by the majesty and the reality of "our blessed hope" as brought out in that section.
- Monday night was also the first time my brothers and sisters actually saw my father dead. It was really hard for them to come in the room for the viewing, they had heard of father's death but now they would see it.
Burial Service
On Tuesday, we had the burial service in the burial grounds chapel at 12:00 noon. Greg and I greeted the ones coming in, it was amazing we expected 60 or so but there were probably 120 or more including Dick Price, father's friend since teenage years.
- I asked for and was very conscious of the prayers of many that my brothers and I would be given words to comfort and challenge.
My brother Paul gave out a hymn – #421 What will it be … – and prayed that God would be glorified.
- Paul read: 1 Corinthians 15: 51-58 "this mortal must needs put on
immortality" He plainly spoke of the fact of the "mortal" side of his life, his faults and shortcomings but through his faith in Christ, God was working out his own work (the real gold), of eternal value in father's soul.
- Philippans 4: 7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses understanding shall guard your hearts and your thoughts by Christ Jesus" He spoke of how many scriptures we read perhaps hundreds of times but how through a trial you suddenly have the reality of a scripture in your heart, such was his present experience of this scripture and it is available to each one who puts their faith in Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 "the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we, the living whoremain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord" He spoke of how father had preceeded us into the Lord's presence.
My brother Greg spoke on the question, What is the measure of a man? and read 1 Samuel 16: 6-7 "for man looketh upon the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh upon the heart" He spoke of man's measure and God's measure and of what is insignificant to men but precious in the sight of God.
- The most important day in my father's life Greg explained was when he and his teenaged friend, Dick Price, went into a Gospel peaching, and
convicted of their sins confessed Christ as Savior.
- He spoke of how God saw all the time and energy he spent on others, his standing alone for what he believed was the truth.
- Greg asked father, after dear Frank Holmes death, what he wanted to be remembered for when he died and father said "that I loved the truth" without hestitation.
- Greg said he could not honestly remember one cruel word spoken by father, and of his unconditional love for friend and stranger.
I spoke on Hebrews 1 "Thou hast loved righteousness and hast hated lawlessness" My father had a very strong sense of right and wrong.
- In the world around us each one to some degree has a sense of right and wrong. The Doukhobors – the Russian community my father was born into – have a strong sense of right and wrong, they refuse to take up arms, this is in the scriptures, thou shalt not kill and they have suffered to maintain it.
- But looking to man there is a confusing number of standards of right and
wrong, God's standard is Christ. God … has spoken to us in the person of the Son. God is setting forth, Christ, the effulgence of his glory and
the expression of his substance. He will not accept less.
- We have fallen far short of God's standard, our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. Ours is to repent and receive God's righteousness in the person of Christ. But what about my sins?, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.
- This scripture speaks of Christ's sense of right and wrong, how far greater than ours! This feature of Christ was found in my father. But some one might say such a one wouldn't be compassionate, but how compassionate was Jesus, how compassionate God is "for God so loved".
We sang a the hymn – #31 A while, yes a very short while – and Greg closed with a very heartfelt prayer asking God's comfort for mother.
- I committed the body at the graveside and we sang #238, When peace
like a river … John and Marion Bellamy and Mike and Adrienne Gardiner were at the graveside.
- Refreshments were served at a room provided and we were able to have conversations and learn of the appreciation of others for father as well as follow up with some who wanted to speak of eternal matters.
- May there have been seeds sown for God's glory.
Love to you, Daniel.