Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1965), Saturday 7 September 1912, page 11


Rev. James Kinghorn

A generous and popular clergyman has crossed over the Great Divide. The Rev. James Kinghorn, M.A., who had suffered for many months from an internal com-plaint, passed away on the 22nd instant at the Manse, Blue's Point road, North Sydney, at the age of 51 years. The deceased clergyman was a native of

Aberdeen, Scotland, and was born on August 6. 1861. His father was a well known alderman, distinguished for per-sonal and civic virtues Mr. Kinghorn was educated at the Grammar School of his native city, afterwards entering the University and Divinity Hall. He com-pleted his course in Arts and Theology, and then took the full theological course. He was licensed as minister in the Established Church of Scotland in 1886, and immediately left for Sydney, arriving on December 16 of the same year, under commission to the Presbyterian Church of this State from the Free Church of Scotland. Shortly after landing he was sent to the far west, and became the first minister of Presbyterian charge at Bourke, where he remained till June, 1892, when he was inducted colleague to the Rev. Dr. Cameron,

at Richmond. While in Richmond he was appointed colonel-chaplain to the Australian Light Horse a position he held up to the time of his death. Three years later he received a unanimous call to Bathurst, and became the colleague of and successor to the Rev. Dr. Geikie. In 1904 he responded to a call to St. Peter's Church North Sydney, where he had been minister in charge for the past eight years. Right through his career the Rev. Kinghorn was conspicuous for his pastoral willingness and excellent pulpit ministrations. He had a unique gift of friendship, and possessed a personal charm which won him many friends, even beyond the confines of his parish. He possessed a poetic temperament and considerable literary ability. Gems from his pen frequently appeared in this paper while he was stationed at Richmond. He was considered to be one of the foremost Browning scholars in the Commonwealth.

Always a hard worker in matters appertain-ing to the church, and an enthusiast and generous giver to every movement that had for its goal some charitable object, yet he refrained from taking any high offices in the management of the Presbyterian body. He refused on more than one occasion the Moderatorship of the State, preferring to work in the ruck where big efforts would be of greater value and help than in an admini-strative position. He, however, recently accepted a seat on the council of Scots College, Sydney, and the Presbyterian Ladies' College at Croydon, He leaves a widow and three grown up children — Messrs Roy and Bruce Kinghorn, and Miss Ruth Kinghorn. A military funeral was accorded the de-ceased clergyman on the 24th ultimo. St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, North Syd-ney, was crowded, when a memorial service was held. Rev. J. F. Blair (Moderator of the Presbytery) presided, and was assisted by Rev. Dr. Harper. Rev. A. M. Ogilvie, in an address, said deceased had told him of his first church away in Bourke, and the job he had in that far-away parish. But it was in North Syd-ney, in touch with the great Sydney pro-

blems, that he came into his own, for there his spiritual life developed and his talents found ample scope. Not only in the city were there those who mourned his death, but in the way-back places of the country many were sad because of his going. His nature was not an aggressive one, his power was won by personal attraction. As a student he was well acquainted with the best thought of his day. His wonderful expositions of Browning, Dante, and Tenny-son would long be remembered. As a public speaker he was unsurpassed. His commanding presence, ready utterance, and quickness of vision made him a popular preacher, and through his influence those who listened grew into a deeper knowledge of spiritual things. He was of a nervous temperament, and to preach in a strange place was an agony to him, wherein pro-bably lay the reason why he refused the high honor offered him by his fellow minis-ters who would have made him Moderator

of the Assembly. He won men by his breezy presence, kindly look, and warm hand-shake, and his glory, his life, his passion, was to draw men to God. He had passed out from the work he loved so well, and they were glad he was relieved of his pain and suffering, and at rest. The coffin was carried from the church by the office-bearers and put upon the waiting gun-carriage, the Union Jack being placed over it. The funeral cortege moved off through a great crowd that lined the street. The R. A. G. Artillery Band led the pro-cession, playing the ' Dead March in Saul. ' They were followed by men of the Scottish Rifles, Irish Rifles, and Australian Light Horse, the ministers of various denomi-nations, and the office-bearers of St. Peter's

Church, the gun-carriage, in charge of Ser-geant Bell, of the R. A. Field Artillery, coming next in order. It was one of the largest funeral processions seen in North Sydney, and along the line of route to Gore-hill Cemetery many people were assembled, At the grave a military service was con-ducted by Revs. H J Rose, and R Scott West, military chaplains, the coffin being carried to the burial-place by men of the Irish Rifles, Scottish Rifles, and Australian Light Horse. Mr. Rose said he was there to do honor to one who was a perfect gentleman, a gallant soldier, and a loyal servant of Jesus Christ, He was truly one who lived the spirit of the words ' Play up, play up, and play the game. ' The ' Last Post ' was sounded, and Rev A Clark pronounced the Benediction. Among those at the funeral were Messrs F W and C A Walker, Mr William Mitchell, late of Richmond, Revs. B. Dinning (Methodist) late of Windsor, and R. Edgar, late of Pitt Town. Many clergymen of different denominations, and many in-fluential citizens were also present.