James Cotton Torr
JAMES COTTON TORR. Methodism owes much to the hundreds of stalwart Christian men in the circuits who are practically unknown to anyone outside their own parish. Such an one was James Torr, the eldest son of John Torr, of the Burra, one of the most earnest and gifted in prayer during the great revival in the sixties of last century, when such men as James Blatchford, John Stephens, Thomas Pellew, John Pellew, and John Halse helped to found the Bible Christian Church of forty-seven members, to welcome the Revs. James Way and James Rowe. Trained in a Methodist Sunday school, the son of Godly parents, it is probable that the subject of this memoir never knew the exact date of his conversion. Like Lydia, his heart opened to receive the message of salvation. He followed farming pursuits at Mintaro, Blyth’s Plains, Redhill and Crystal Brook, and was one of the first to interest himself in building a house of God. In 1864 he married Rhoda Gullidge, of Mintaro, who, for fifty seven years was his companion, adviser, and loyal supporter in every good word and work. He was a liberal giver, for he had been well trained in that talent from boyhood. He was laid to rest on the quiet hillside of Mitcham cemetery alongside his beloved nephew, Claude Montrose Torr. The Revs. W. W. Finch and Eric Tregilgas officiated at the grave and the joyous note was dominant—joy that he had ceased to suffer and though absent from the body, he was present with the Lord. Eighty years of patient witness, Crowned with victory at last. May we triumph so, Wlien all our warfare’s past, And dying leave our latest foe Under our feet at last.