John Enoch PARSONSON, was born at Pietermaritzburg, in the year 1849.

When nine years of age he went to England with his parents, and was educated at Woodhouse Grove. He was some years in business, and in the year 1871 he was accepted for the Ministry and sent to Richmond College. He remained there for three years, profiting greatly, especially under the tuition of the late Dr. MOULTON, for whom he always retained a reverent affection.

In 1874 he was appointed to South Africa, where he laboured diligently and faithfully for twenty-five years. He rendered most excellent service not only in Circuit work, but in connection with the Conference for many years as Secretary of the Board of Examiners, and of the Conference. In 1882 he was appointed to Queenstown to establish the Grammar School. For ten years he successfully discharged the duties of Governor and Head Master, and as such spared neither time nor labour to advance the interests of the School.

He secured in an eminent degree the confidence and affection of the pupils, especially of the Boarders, over many of whom his influence for good will be life-long in its effects.

His last Circuit was Cradock, from which he proceeded in July to England on a year’s furlough. The sermons and missionary addresses which he had the opportunity of delivering in England were greatly appreciated. The information which he was able to impart on the present state of affairs in South Africa being most valuable. Mr. PARSONSON was a man of boundless energy, an untiring worker, and throughout his life a diligent student. His scholastic attainments were considerable, and he had a wide acquaintance with general literature. His conversational powers were exceptional, and he was exceedingly popular with young men.

As a preacher he was fluent, interesting, and often very impressive. He had a remarkable gift in prayer, and his pastoral visits to the sick and troubled were rich in sympathy. He died suddenly at Saltcoats, Scotland, on the 14th March, 1900, in the fifty-first year of his age and twenty-seventh year of his ministry.