Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/352

 ?26 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Hon. John Langdon Parsons, M.L.C. SOL'TH AUSTRALIA is jiossessed of many eloquent speakers, among- whom the Hon. J. L. Parsons is of the chief. A clear reasoner, and with a wide knowledge, he dresses his subjects in such choice language that he may be termed a purist. There is a charm and vitality about Mr. Parsons as a speaker that have won the applause of many a large audience. Langdon The Hon. John Parsons was born at Botathen, near Launceston, Cornwall, in 1837, and is the son of Mr. Edward Parsons. He studied for the ministry in the Baptist de- nomination, at Regent's Park College. London, and came to .South Australia in 1863. Re- maining here for but four months, he proceeded to New Zealand, and at Dunedin had charge of the Baptist Church for four years. At the expiration of that period he returned to South Australia, and became pastor of the Angaston Baptist Church during the absence of the Rev. J. Hannay. Then, upon the retirement of the late Rev. G. Stonehouse, in 1869, he accepted the pastorate of the North Adelaide Baptist Church. He re- mained there until after the erection of the Tynte Street Church, when he retired from the ministry, and stump & Co., Photo ^^^^ ^^ England and Norway for the sake of his health. After some months, he resumed his connection with the Province, and adoj)ted a commercial career. Because of his marked abilities, it was not likely that Mr. Parsons would long remain out of public life. He was for .some years a useful member of the old Council of Education, and in that capacity demonstrated a vital interest in educational matters. In 1878 he was elected to represent Encounter Bay in the House of Assembly, and, as members of the Council of Education drew fees from the Government, he resigned that appointment. Parliament supplied an excellent scope for a man of Mr. Parsons' calibre,