Person:John McDonald (72)

Mr, J. R. McDONALD

In our last issue we briefly mentioned the death of Mr John Rodrick McDonald, one of the best known residents of Central Lansdowne. He passed away at his home on Thursday evening, following a stroke on the previous Saturday. Deceased was a son of the late Mr and Mrs James McDonald, and born at Moto 67 years ago. At the age of four years, he moved to Central Lnnsdowne with his parents, and spent the rest of his life on the property secured by his father. The subject of this notice was responsible for a good deal of pioneering work at Lansdowne. The Central Lansdowne post office was established on the property many years ago, and it is believed that his late father was asked to name the office, and it still retains the name he gave it. Forty-two years ago he was married to Miss Essie Redman, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. P. Redman, of Hannam Vale. Deceased was engaged in dairying all his life. He was a lover of animals, and always had a good horse. When motor cars came into vogue, he was one of the first Lansdowne residents to acquire the new means of transport. Mr McDonald was a Christian gentleman in the best sense of the term. He gave his life to God at the age of 18 years, and his Saviour was so real to him that he became a local preacher of the Methodist Church. His greatest concern in life was that all men should come to know something of the experience that had influenced his own life to such a marked degree. He had no enemies — no one could be at enmity with a man of such lovable nature. He was never known to use a hard word about anyone, and he was able to see some good in everybody. The only time he indulged in passionate language was in denouncing sin and its author. Like his Master, he possessed a deep hatred of sin, but he loved the sinner, and for nearly 50 years, as a preacher, he sought to help others to understand and embrace the teachings of God's word. There are numerous residents in this district who look back with gratitude to the counsel and advice, and words of encouragement received from Roderick McDonald. He was a foundation trustee of the Koppin Yarratt Methodist Church, and was its secretary right to the time of his death. Only last month he attended the 46th anniversary tea meeting of his church and then read a lengthy paper on the history of the Church. He had been a justice of the Peace for a lengthy period. The passing of Mr McDonald leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill. Following his death a prominent Lansdowne resident was heard to remark: "Lansdowne has lost its best man. Mr. McDonald is survived by his widow and the following children: Miss Essie McDonald (Postmistress at Central Lansdowne), Mrs A G Drury (Central Lansdowne) Messrs. Rodie and Wallace McDonald (at home). There are six grandchildren. Sisters are Misses May McDonald (Wentworthville) and Jessie McDonald (school teacher at Granville) . The Methodist Church at Koppin Yarratt was crowded with mourners and sympathetic friends on Saturday, for the funeral service. The hymns sung in the service where his old favourites as was also the solo, . 'Beulah Land,' which was sung by Mrs. C. C. Drury. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. O. Fullerton, who in the course of his address said, that such a large number was gathered in the church to pay their last respects to the mortal remains of one of God's good men; a loyal soldier of Jesus Christ. Mr. McDonald who was better known by his affectionate title of Roddy McDonald. This district will be pooler through his passing, for no district can lose people of such quality of character and riot be the poorer. And there are few in this district who have not at some time or other, been befriended or helped or influenced for good by him. He was known from one end of the Manning to the other, and in places far beyond. And everyone who knew him held him in the highest respect , as a man of soundest moral integrity who tried to practice what he believed and preached. He was truly an identity of Koppin Yarratt and it is hard to as sociate the locality without him. The preacher went on to say that if he were to choose an appropriate Bible text for the occasion it would be "Let my last end be like his. On the Saturday, morning before his death Mr. McDonald suffered a stroke apparently while on his knees at prayer. At first it was thought to be of only slight severity, but as the days of the week passed he grew weaker in body and on Thursday night his soul was called from its earthy tabernacle. He died peacefully and he died ready to meet his God. It was at the age of eighteen years that he was converted, and very soon after he began to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for almost fifty years he preached the same gospel with an imperativeness and power that brought fruit for his labour. Roddy McDonald, lived and died one of God's children: It is fitting that we should gather in this church which he loved so much. We know how he was looking forward with the rest of us to the new church we are getting ready to build here and we are sorry that he will not be here for that great day. But we know that by his upright life, his sincere and faithful preaching, he has been doing his part to build up the living church of men and women not only here at Koppin Yarratt, but in all churches in this circuit and in other places as well. It is impossible to assess the full influence of his preaching, but we know that he was instrumental in bringing many to Christ. Among the pall bearers were two local preachers who, on behalf of their fellows were performing a last sad act of love for one who was their senior local preacher and who had served in that capacity faithfully and often to point of self sacrifice. The preacher paid a tribute on behalf of all ministers who have served in this circult. He said that it was an inspiration to be associated with Mr McDonald, for his encouragement and counsel have counted more than, can be estimated. At his home the minister was always gladly welcomed. The hospitality of Mr McDonald, together with his good wife, was a by-word. And that same friendliness and hospitality was shown to everyone. In conclusion he went on to extend warmest sympathy to the inner circle of the family and to assure them that while we morn it is not as those without hope, for we believe that those who love the Lord will meet again in the 'House of many Mansions. It is that which comforts and steadies us in our sorrow. The interment was made in the Dawson cemetery in the presence of a large and representative company. The burial service was read by Mr. Fullerton and the address at the graveside was given by Major Bailey of the Salvation Army. Members of the Loyal Orange Lodge also carried out their funeral service. Mr W. T. Howard was the undertake.