MACE, Joseph 1875 - 1950

Obituary from the Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1950, page 155

Born at West Hartlepool in 1875. He began his ministry in 1902 after training at Headingley College. Most of his years of service were given to Scottish Methodism.

For some years he was Chairman of the Sunderland and Durham District, and was Secretary of the Methodist Synod in Scotland. But it was as minister of the churches that were from time to time under his charge that he excelled.

Most painstaking in his preparation for the pulpit, in visitation, and in the oversight of all the Church’s activities, he was a faithful shepherd of the flock. No service was too menial or irksome if by it he could help anyone in need. He sought no prizes, but was content to labour day and night throughout the long years in the service of his people.

For nearly fifty years he went steadily on, never looking back, never getting out of step, never alternating between extremes of fevered activity and cold inertia. His was ‘ a calmly fervent zeal’, which kept him constant and patient and faithful all through the years.

He was a dedicated soul; a true minister truly called of God to dispense the holy and healing Gospel committed to his hands.

For the last fifteen months he was laid aside and suffered much pain, but on the morning of 17th June 1950 a sweet peace fell upon him and quietly, in the seventy-fifth year of his life and the forty-eighth of his ministry, he passed over to the other side. His great-hearted and fruitful ministry had been offered to God who had called him to this high office.

‘ Therefore to thee it was given

Many to save with thyself;

And, at the end of thy day,

O faithful shepherd ! to come,

Bringing thy sheep in thy hand.’

 

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 195

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