Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/574

 548 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Rev. G. Stonehouse in the great cause gradually impaired his health. There were no half- measures about him, and whatever he applied himself to do he did with his whole might. His conception of the ministry was of the highest. Weakness of voice and haemorrhage eventually compelled him to relinquish his charge. Two opportunities were now afforded him. He was invited to go to India to take charge of a college at Calcutta, but declined. Mr. G. F. Angas, that enthusiastic helper in all religious work, was desirous of founding an undenominational college in Adelaide for the training of young men ; and, upon his invitation, Mr. Stonehouse and his wife came to South Australia, arriving in 1845. It was hoped bv his people at Chipping Norton that he would soon be able to return to that pastorate, and, as a consequence, they did not permanently fill the office for 12 months. Owing to a commercial crisis in England, and to the fact that the Province was too young for such an institution, Mr. Stonehouse did not establish the projected college. He opened a large boarding school for boys at Angaston, which he conducted on his own account for two years, at the same time preaching to a local congregation. He then received a call from the Baptists at North Adelaide, where soon after, at Lefevre Terrace, he founded the first Congregational Baptist Church in South Australia, in which place, for about 19 years, he continued to officiate. It was here that his best work in South Australia was done. The qualities which made him so successful in the old country were applied with as much success in this Province, with the advantage that in a young country the work of such men is bound to more widely affect the destinies of the Church. He was able to increase the power and extend the influence of the denomination, and to infuse some of his own vigor as a colonist into the work of his brethren. Year after year he drew his congregation more closely to him, and year after year by precept, and, better still, by example, he led them towards the higher life. Several years later he formed the Baptist Church at Flinders Street, Adelaide. He was recognised as an influential minister outside of his denomination, and was associated with numbers of movements which tend to the improvement of the community. On May 13, 1867, he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who throughout his married life had been an amiable and affectionate helpmate. "The Baptist Magazine" (January, 1868), referring to her long illness and estimable character, said : — " Her faith never wavered, her submission seemed entire — not a single repining word was ever heard from her lips." Thenceforth the health of Mr. Stonehouse declined. Two years after his bereavement, failing health caused him to retire from the ministry, especially because his voice had become exceedingly weak. The Rev. J. L. Parsons succeeded him at Lefevre Terrace, and, "through the generous help of Mr. G. F. Angas, the beginnings of a Baptist College were started in Adelaide, over which Mr. Stonehouse was appointed resident tutor." This position he held up to the time of his death, which occurred on July 24, 1 87 1, from acute bronchitis. The obituaries published in several newspapers praised, in glowing language, the splendid work and life of the deceased, and funeral sermons testifying to the greatness of his mission were preached ncjt only in South Australia, but also in far-away Middleton Cheney. The Church had just previously removed to new buildings in Tynte Street, and on Wednesday, July 26, 1871, the tuneral service was held there, the church being draped in black cloth. The coffin, covered with beautiful