HARLAND, John Raymond 1892 - 1950

Obituary from the Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1950, page 142

Born at Crooke, near Darlington, in 1892. He was a member of an old Methodist family, and both his father and grandfather were Methodist preachers. His mother was a Quaker, and in his own life there was a blending of the mystic Quaker experience of the Inner light with the Methodist ‘ Warmed Heart’ .

He entered the Ministry in 1918, and after being at Headingley College for a short time, he served during the First World War. He completed his theological training at Didsbury College, later exercising a varied ministry in East Anglia, Kent, Lincolnshire, the Midlands, Yorkshire, and South Wales. During this period he also served as prison chaplain at Canterbury and Swansea, and ministered to the Borstal Institution at Boston.

He was an earnest preacher and a devoted pastor. A man of prayer, he loved to lead others to the throne of grace. He was beloved by all his people, and especially by the children.

His quiet gift of dry humour won him many friends. In circuit and District affairs he proved himself a capable administrator and a wise counsellor.

Moving from Canterbury in September 1949 to become the Superintendent of the Swansea (Brunswick) Circuit, he had already endeared himself to all by his evangelical preaching, wise counsel, and kindly spirit, when he was suddenly taken seriously ill.

After a fortnight’s illness he was called Home on 11th February 1950, in the thirty-second year of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950

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