STRACHAN, Alexander 1793 - 1865

Obituary Minutes of Conference 1866

Alexander Strachan; who was born in Perth, December 4th, 1793.

The responsibility of his training rested chiefly with his mother, who, in the fear of God, accomplished well her task.

In 1813 he removed to Glasgow. Though free from immorality, and regular in his attendance upon public worship, he was, at this time, a stranger to renewing grace; hut, having been persuaded to attend the Wesleyan ministry, he was deeply convinced of sin, under a sermon by the late Rev. Valentine Ward; and, after some days of severe conflict, was enabled to believe with the heart unto righteousness, realizing with clearness and exulting joy his adoption into the family of God.

Having first given himself to the Lord, he gave himself to the church by the will of God, and became an intelligent and faithful witness for Christ.

After diligently and usefully occupying various subordinate offices, he entered, in 1815, the Christian ministry, and for forty-three years discharged con­scientiously, and with untiring energy, its manifold duties.

When unable, from physi­cal infirmities, to take the full work of a Circuit, he continued, as his strength permitted, to render good service to the cause of Christ.

Possessing a clear and vigorous understanding, and haviug early formed habits of patient and laborious research, his mind became well furnished, not only upon ecclesiastical and theo­logical question, but also upon general and scientific subjects, of which ample proof was given in his writings and public addresses.

As a preacher he was charac­terized by originality, argumentative power, and unswerving fidelity in unfolding the mediatorial work of the Lord Jesus.

He was wise in winning souls, exemplary in pastoral duties, and his attachment to Methodism was combined with the widest catholicity of spirit.

For some years prior to his death he frequently endured excruciating pain, which lie bore with Christian fortitude; and during the illness which immediately preceded his decease, amidst great bodily suffering, his mind was peaceful, resigned, and happy. “I know,” said he, “ whom I have believed : my trust is in the Lord Jesus. He is precious: Christ is my hope and my all.”

He died October 5th, 1865, in the seventy- second year of his age, and the fifty-first of his ministry.

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