THE esteemed subject of this brief sketch passed away, as noticed in our September issue, on the 16th August, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and it now falls to us to give a few more particulars of his life and career.
Mr. Parker was born on the 24th January, 1836, and was the only son of the late Rev. Gavin Parker, of Bon-Accord Free Church, Aberdeen, who died in 1845, two years after the famous Disruption in the Church of Scotland. It is no exaggeration to say that the Rev. Gavin Parker was one of the most solid, weighty, and devoted ministers of that bright period in the history of the Church. Such as are familiar with the “Memoir” of the Rev. Prof. John Duncan, Edinburgh, by Principal Brown of Aberdeen, will remember that Dr. Duncan expressed great indebtedness for the spiritual teaching he had received from the Rev. Gavin Parker during one of his early seasons of spiritual darkness and distress. “Mr. Parker,” said Dr. Duncan, “taught me what sin was.” Under Mr. Parker’s preaching he was led into deep views of the infinite evil of sin, as well as into a keen sense of the necessity of possessing a faith in Christ, that stood not in human wisdom or ability, but in the power of God. Mr. Parker’s ministry was much owned of the Most High in the conversion of sinners and in the edification of the saints. His son, John, the subject of our sketch, was thus highly favoured in having such a gracious and honoured father, but he was early bereft of the privilege, for he was only between nine and ten years of age when his father died. However, Mrs. Parker, who was likeminded with her husband, survived him for many years, and the two children who were left (one died in infancy) were blessed with the prayers, instruction, and example of a wise and godly mother. The following note will exhibit her thoughts and views as to herself and children, dated 10th July, 1856, and found long after in her desk:—”I write this note to obviate difficulties, not knowing that I shall, as hitherto, be preserved in absence from home. Many are being suddenly removed. I know not the day of my death. For many years the general desire of my heart has been that He, whose right it is to reign, should be served by me and mine. Though I have been ignorant and ungodly, never realising the end of my existence, I have been marvellously cared for, and encouraged to cleave to the truth and a testimony for the truth; and even now I cherish the hope, and exhort that my two children cleave to the one Gospel way of salvation, as was taught and practised by their father, and seek for themselves the eternal life which he prayed the Lord to give us.” Mrs. Parker died in 1880. Much might be written about the Rev. Gavin Parker and his excellent wife, but we cannot enlarge further meantime.
Possessing such privileges from his youth, Mr. John Parker was, by the blessing of God, early led to make choice of the good part; and though we cannot claim for him that he attained to the spiritual stature of his parents, yet he gave distinct evidence of being a sincere follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. As to his education, he was trained at the West-End Academy and Grammar School, Aberdeen, and he afterwards graduated M.A. at Marischal College in 1857, when he was twenty-one years of age. He then, after a course of training, entered the legal profession, and continued in connection therewith until 1888, when he retired.
Mr. Parker took a keen interest from his early years in everything pertaining to the kingdom of Christ. He was a decided Protestant, and made close observation of all the advances of Romanism. He loved the Lord’s Day, and was zealous in advocating its preservation from evil encroachments, and he was of a kind and sympathetic disposition, willing to help those in need or distress. He took a great interest in the Aberdeen Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society, and was for many years its treasurer, frequently addressing on the Sabbath the congregation at the Institute, Rose Street. The Directors, since his decease, have recorded their high appreciation of his personal character and services.
Church Affiliation
Mr. Parker became a member of the John Knox’s Congregation in Glasgow in 1896. It may be explained that his mother sympathised with the Rev. Jonathan Anderson, Glasgow, when he left the Free Church in 1852, and the family, becoming disassociated from said Church, gave their sympathy and support to those who adhered to Mr. Anderson, and met in John Knox’s Tabernacle, Glasgow. Mr. Parker, and others, appreciated the Free Presbyterian movement in 1893, and joined the F.P. Church in 1896, when a regular ministry was begun in the Tabernacle after a vacancy of thirty-seven years.
Character and Anecdotes
Mr. Parker possessed an interesting personality, and the longer he was known the more his worth was seen and valued. His prayers were always orderly and appropriate, and although he frequently used the same modes of petition, there was a spiritual ring about them that the discerning relished. He occasionally conducted services, and gave short evangelical addresses, some of which appeared in our Magazine. In conversation he often made very apt remarks that linger in the memory of his friends. He had a clever gift of repartee. On one occasion, when proceeding to the Communion services in Glasgow, he met a friend in the city who was not altogether sympathetic with the F.P. Church. The friend asked him, “Where are you going?” Mr. Parker’s reply was, “I am going to Zion, with my face thitherward. Come thou with us, and we will do thee good, for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.” In referring at another time to the experiences of his boyhood, he said that he was once punished at school for not having prepared the following verse, Ps. xvii. 4:
“As for men’s works, I, by the word
That from thy lips doth flow,
Did me preserve out of the paths
Wherein destroyers go.”
“That verse,” Mr. Parker added with a tone of special meaning, “is the one I best remember in the whole book.” He evidently saw a spiritual lesson in the incident. He was well versed indeed in the Psalms as a whole, and could repeat some of them at full length with a clear and solemn enunciation.
He had special delight in the Word of God, and in a sound gospel, and regularly attended the John Knox’s half-yearly Communion services as long as strength permitted. But the last Communion he ever was present at was in connection with a congregation in the North (Halkirk). This took place in July, 1916. He enjoyed the season exceedingly. Though frail, he attended every service and took part in all the prayer meetings. “The spirit was willing,” and lively. He was deeply interested in the Friday Fellowship Meeting, and remarked that he felt the divine presence in it, and could have sat till midnight. He has now joined the fellowship that is above, and we do not grudge him the glorious privilege of the society of the heavenly Jerusalem. But those who knew him and formed a personal attachment to him on earth, feel a decided blank in his removal. A man of prayer, a witness for the truth, and a humble follower of the Lord has been taken away, and the Church and the world are poorer. The John Knox’s congregation has lost a loyal friend and a generous supporter, whose memory will not soon be forgotten.
Mr. Parker passed away suddenly in bed from heart failure, after a few minutes’ illness. He was unmarried, and his remains were buried beside those of his parents in Old Machar Churchyard. We extend our deepest sympathy to his attached and devoted sister, Miss Parker, and to other relatives in the great loss sustained. “There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God.”
J. S. S.
Postscript
WE cannot refrain from adding a postscript of touching interest. Mr. Parker was a child of many prayers on the part of his godly parents. When quite an infant, he was twice at the point of death, and was given up as not likely to live, but, in God’s providence, he lived far beyond the allotted span. The following is a pathetic extract of spiritual beauty from his father’s Diary on one of these occasions:—”24th December (1836).—The boy’s trouble increased: I feared much that he must die. I was much agitated, and ready to be overwhelmed in soul. I felt much need of such a friend as Jesus. I had little expectation of his ever seeing the light of this world again. I now tried to speak to Jesus. O living Saviour, welcome to my soul, welcome to the family! My poor boy is like to die: give life. O consolation of Israel, give me consolation. Holy Saviour, give holiness to my boy, and to all of us. Thou art near to Jehovah as Mediator: bring us all near to the family, friendship and communion of Jehovah. Thou hast the keys of death—give victory over death. Conqueror of death, give John to conquer. In the paradise and house of Jehovah, prepare a mansion, a dwelling-place for him. Shepherd of Israel, guide, comfort, defend him in the valley (Ps. xxiii. 1-6). Thy covenant is everlasting, provide him with everlasting good.
“O Prophet, light of the world, illumine my soul: still I am in much darkness. O Priest with God, give me reconciliation, and access to Jehovah, and to heaven. O King of glory, enter in. Come in, thou King of glory. Bring all within me into subjection. I need comfort from the Three-one Jehovah. O Father of mercies, who knowest the heart of a father—pity me and my child. O loving Friend of sinners—a brother born for adversity—pity me. O Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter, love and comfort me with compassion. Pity, also, O Three-one Jehovah, a tender-hearted mother. Also, O Jehovah, pity —. I have not asked enough till I ask eternal life for us all. Grant us all eternal life, even justification, a new nature, admission to the family of God, communion with the Divine Three; growing sanctification and eternal glory. Grant these to us all as the free gifts of sovereign grace.
“If death is yet appointed to come to John, I need great preparation. I have, all along his troubles, had some hope that he may be spared, and that hope is not yet fled. I think I have been encouraged to ask in prayer for him both life and salvation, usefulness and happiness here, and glory in heaven. But if I am mistaken, O Three-one Jehovah, prepare me and all of us for the solemn change. I thought that liberty was granted me in thus speaking to Jesus, my friend and advocate. I thought it duty to seek sleep, in view of preaching three times to-morrow.
“25th December.—A kind of pleasant surprise to find John alive, and somewhat relieved. Thanks be to God! I had two sets of discourses for to-day; one, had he died, on death, etc. I took the other, and preached three times. 26th.—He was a little better. 30th.—Decidedly better: able to take more nourishment, and his state more promising. Thanks be to God!”