From [Joseph Henry] Ashton in Seafield Avenue, Kingswood, South Australia, to [Lewis] Court.
He was very grateful to receive Court's letter concerning Miss Lowie??? Perryman, the German nurse and the Centenary records. Ashton's aunt, widow of the Revd. James Ashton, who was ninety-five on her last birthday, and Ashton's cousins were delighted to read them. Court's book is greatly appreciated in Australia. Mr Tancock?? brought a copy out some time ago, Dr Torr has read it, as has Dr Richards, Revd. John Raymont, W. S. Shapely and others, and all speak very highly of it. Ashton has not yet received it from Mr Hooks but hopes to do very soon.
Revd. [William Henry] Cann the other day asked Ashton if he could have a look at it.
Court referred to the fact that the old Bible Christian families are getting very thin in number in England - it is the same in Australia. A few weeks ago, Revd. [Ernest John] Piper of the Home Missions invited a few of them to lunch, so that they could meet his father Revd. [Thomas] Piper, who is 82 or 83 years old. Those present included the ministers John Raymont, E. Matthen??, [William Henry] Cann and Ashton himself. Ashton's cousin J. G. Ashton was also present. They had a very pleasant time.
Revd. [Octavius] Lake who came out to Australia with [Thomas] Piper has just died in the Methodist Memorial Hospital. Revd. J. H. Neild, ex-President of the Conference, who gave a very beautiful address at the graveside, is to conduct a memorial service in the Draper Memorial Church on Sunday evening. Lake who was a man of outstanding ability, underwent a serious operation a few months ago from which he never recovered. He was about 82 years of age.
It pains Ashton to report that [William Francis] James has a severe mental affliction and has had to be put into a home. James's wife died a few months ago but he does not seem to realise the fact.
Mr J. F. Cox was unable to attend the Conference because of domestic problems. Ashton sympathises deeply with him in the loss of his sons.
Ashton read in the U M magazine that Court had a wonderful tour through Italy.
Notes .
- John Raymont entered the Bible Christian ministry in 1868. In 1873 he offered himself for the work in Australia. He served as South Australian President in 1889 and Secretary in 1888. He transferred to the South Australian Methodist Church in 1901. Source: Beckerlegge
- William Henry Cann entered the Bible Christian ministry in 1879. He offered himself for the work in Australia in 1883 and served as President of the South Australian Conference in 1897. He transferred to the South Australian Methodist Church in 1901. Source: Beckerlegge
- Ernest John Piper was the son of Thomas Piper, a pioneer of the Bible Christian Church in Australia. He entered the Australian Bible Christian ministry in 1891 and served for ten years in China. He transferred to the South Australian Methodist Church in 1901. Source: Beckerlegge
- Thomas Piper (b.1840) entered the Bible Christian ministry in 1858, and offered himself for the work in Australia in 1869. He held many Connexional positions including Conference President in 1877 and 1890. He transferred to the South Australian Methodist Church in 1901. Source: Beckerlegge
- Octavius Lake (1840-1922) entered the Bible Christian ministry in 1863. He offered himself for the work in Australia in 1869, serving as Australian Secretary in 1878. He transferred to the South Australian Methodist Church in 1901. Source: Beckerlegge