Hi All It has been a while Obituary of William TYSON William TYSON, born in the county of Cumberland, 1st Nov., 1823. Much of his earlier life was spent in the Isle of Man, where he was truly converted to God, and where he was pressed into the service of the Church, preaching his first sermon when about 18 years of age. He offered for the Ministry in 1846, and was at once sent to the island of Jamaica where he laboured with great acceptance for about 16 years. Returning to England in 1862, he spent 11 years in several important Circuits in the northern countries. In 1870 he was sent to South Africa by the Missionary Committee, upon the invitation of the Grahamstown Circuit, where he laboured for five years, his other South African Circuits being Kingwilliamstown and East London. In 1884 he was ordered home for medical treatment, and in that year he was the Representative of the South African Conference at the Yearly Conference. Recovering health, he was asked by the Missionary Committee to take charge of the Honduras District, whither he went in 1885. As Chairman of that District he was very successful in carrying out a policy of extention. Brought close to the gates of death by an attack of yellow fever in 1890, he was compelled to return to England and retire in 1891 from the active work of the Ministry, after a period of 45 years faithful and successful Service. As a colleque Mr. TYSON was considerate, kind and loyal; his piety was a robust and manly type; he loved all things good and beautiful, and was highly esteemed for his personal character. He never "whiled away time," he was conscientious in the discharge of his pastoral duties, was an insatiable and extensive reader, a vigorous thinker, taking special interest in natural and moral philosophy. He was an able theologian, his preaching was mainly expository, and his sermons were thoughtful and edifying. His "Lectures on the Epistle to the Romans" testify to his diligent and constant study of the Scriptures. The years of his retirement were spent in South Africa, during which he rendered valuable service as an occasional preacher in several Circuits. The last year of his life was one of quite waiting until "the weary wheels of life stood still." He passed away on May 5th, 1898, in the 75th year of his age, and the 53nd of his Ministry. From;"Minutes of Wesleyan Methodist Church of 1899" Transcribed by Darryl Allwright P O Box 166 Grahamstown 6140 Cell: 076-091-2764