A New Comer
to Simcoe
(Tawas, Mich., Herald)
Rev. John Bayner Lomas has
been advised by a throat specialist to rest, to refrain from
preaching or lecturing for three months. Forty-eight years of
continuous, strenuous work at his active ministerial work are
beginning to take their toll.
For 34 years Rev. Lomas
preached and lectured under the auspices of the Wesleyan Methodist
Church in England. For three years he was reporter for one of the
English daily papers during the time of the Fenian troubles.
He took an active part in
the initiatory work of the English Methodist Forward movement in
some of the largest cities. As an evangelist he was very successful
and his services were in great demand. Among the fruits of his
ministry are 17 ministers, his youngest son being one of them.
In this country [the U.S.]
his credentials secured for him immediate openings in the largest
churches of different denominations, notably Port Huron.
The building of three
successful churches is to his credit, all paid for within a period
of 12 months.
A liberal giver himself, he
holds and preaches that the truest and richest blessing of worship
of God is in giving. "God loves a cheerful giver" is the
subject of one of his famous lectures.
For nearly 11 years he has
held pastorates in this country in the M. E. church. He did
strenuous work during the war as a four-minute man. Daily calls were
made upon him for service. A souvenir signed by ex-President Wilson
commends his services.
Frequently he gave his
services in aid of the Red Cross. His lecture on the war from nine
angles was successful in aid of the Red Cross funds. In St. Clair
and other counties all the time that he could devote he freely gave
in the state's wet or dry fight.
He took an active part in
organizing and getting Billy Sunday to Port Huron. The result of
that speech very largely turned that city to the dry side.
He is author of articles on
various subjects in English magazines.
Rev. Lomas did not preach
last Sunday. He tried to arrange for a substitute for his pulpit in
this city, but failed, as preachers at this time are scarce.
His first wife died in
February, 1920, ripe in years and rich in Christian experience. He
married recently Mrs. M. E. Watts, an estimable lady, to share with
him their joys and sorrows of advanced age. They both have grown up
families, doing well and enriched by Christian parentage on both
sides.
Rev. and Mrs. Lomas
contemplate a change to a drier climate in a western state. To
regain, as far as possible, his voice, he intends to act upon the
advice given him by the throat specialist. For a time he intends to
take absolute rest. He will not occupy the M. E. pulpit in this city
any longer.
__________
Note by Reformer editor -- A
short article incorporating the above facts appeared in last week's
Reformer, which gave in addition the ages of the bride and groom as
84 and 74 -- see last week's article.
This was the result of a
"smart" joke on the reporter, who had seen Simcoe for the
first time on the previous Monday, and who had not, when he wrote,
seen Mr. and Mrs. Lomas.
A glance would have been
sufficient to demonstrate their years to be greatly less -- in fact,
69 and 67.
Mr. Lomas has come to Canada
with the thought of prosecuting his calling as a clergyman, and
naturally he dislikes being described as an octogenarian.
The Reformer regrets that it
was made the vehicle of a joke at his expense, its ideal not to
cultivate a reputation for smartness at the cost of a moments
undeserved pain to any one.
