Roy Littleproud was born in Forest, Ontario, on February 21, 1889.
His parents were both Christians, meeting with those gathered to the
Name of the Lord Jesus in that place. Under these circumstances he grew
to young manhood, knowing the atmosphere of a home where Christ was
recognized as Lord. In later years, he often referred to the godly
character and life of his father and mother, and their influence on his
life.
From his youth he seemed to be especially qualified as a student,
and as a young man commenced his career as a teacher in a country
school in that district.
When about seventeen years of age, he became awakened to the need of
his soul's salvation. About this time he became acquainted with a young
woman, Miss Hilda Vance, who was very faithful in speaking with him
about eternal things, and it was through her instrumentality he was
later pointed to Christ through the truth of that wonderful and
well-known word, John 3:16.
Five years later, this same young woman became his wife on April 19,
1911. Hilda Littleproud was a true helpmeet to him through the 30 years
of their happy married life, and those who knew them often heard him
pay glowing tributes to his beloved wife.
After eight years teaching in the Munsey Indian Institution, he
moved his family to teach in London, ON. He later became a
vice-principal. During these years two boys, Hugh and Donald, were born.
In 1926, he received a government appointment to the position of
Inspector for the Penny Bank of Ontario, which resulted in his taking
up residence in Toronto. In this position he was particularly
successful in his task of encouraging the careful handling of money
among the children of Ontario.
On coming to Toronto, Littleproud made his home in the east end of
the city, where he became associated with the Swanwick Assembly, where
he continued until his death.
His moving to Toronto brought him into contact with a considerably
larger number of the Lord's people. As he became acquainted in the
different assemblies, his exercise and ability in the gospel, among
young and old, soon manifested itself. His kind and sympathetic nature
made him many close friends, while his knowledge of the Bible, coupled
with his ability to minister, soon put him in great demand among the
Lord's people.
In 1927, Mr. Littleproud was exercised about helping some of the
young men in his assembly. They arranged to meet in his home every
other Saturday evening to study the Word together. These meetings
commenced with about a dozen, but the numbers soon increased until his
home became too small.
As some of the young men attending were coming from the west end of
the city, it was felt advisable that a central location be found. The
Central Hall brethren offered the basement of their building. For 14
years it was carried on through fall and winter, with 100 or more
attending regularly. Other brethren assisted Mr. Littleproud in this
work, but the main responsibility of the class rested on him. He was
untiring in his labors, preparing regularly detailed notes of all the
studies taken up. These were given to everyone attending.
Some of the subjects taken up during those years included: the
Doctrine of God, of the Lord Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit; the
Tabernacle; Prophecy concerning Israel; the Tribulation and the coming
of the Lord. One of his most intensive studies with the young men was
the "Principles of the Christian Assembly." These studies lasted
through a number of seasons. They were published in book form under the
title of "The Christian Assembly."
Four years after the start of the Toronto Bible Class, Littleproud
became associated with some other brethren interested in the promotion
of the gospel among the young. He edited the Sunday School Teacher's
Lesson Manual, which has been wonderfully used by God in developing a
systematic scheme of lessons throughout various assembly Sunday
Schools, as well asproviding helpful instruction for the exercised
Sunday School teacher. Much of this material was incorporated into the
present curriculum of the Modular Bible Lessons produced by Gospel
Folio Press.
His writing in the Manual were deeply appreciated. The publisher of
the material, William Pell, said of his contributions: "Mr. Littleproud
was one who, like Nehemiah, sought the welfare of God's people (Neh.
2:10). Oral ministry demands time; written ministry demands more time,
and to both he gave himself willingly. Someone has said: 'Duty makes us
do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully,' and the latter
was true of Littleproud. Not only had he choice thoughts, but he sought
to find acceptable words (words of delight, marg. of Eccl. 12:10) in
which to couch them, and every detail of composition and punctuation
was done with the greatest exactitude. Thus those who labored with him
'in the service of the Best of Masters' (as he often ended his letters
to fellow-workers) felt inspired to do the best things, and to do them
in the very best way, for 'as iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth
the countenance of his friend' (Prov. 27:17).
James Gunn also worked with Mr. Littleproud. At the time of
Littleproud's passing he made this comment: "He was a true
fellowservant. He would not only share the work, but he would most
gladly share the honor. In fact, he would help you in the work, and
then commend you because it was well done."
Mr. Littleproud was also a great help in his ministry at Sunday
School Teacher's Conferences. Many addresses of a devotional character
were an inspiration to discouraged teachers; but particularly his
instructions in the art of teaching were invaluable.
His work as the Inspector of the Penny Bank of Ontario took him out
of town a great deal, and on most of these business trips he drove his
own car. On January 17, 1941, he left Paris, Ontario, to start for
home. Suddenly the steering in his car broke and it swerved from the
road, going down a 15-foot embankment, and crashed into a tree. The car
was a complete wreck, and he was pinned in his seat by the steering
wheel so that it was necessary to use a hack-saw to finally release
him. He was taken to a nearby hospital. As well as cuts and broken
bones, he suffered severely from shock, and it seemed a miracle that he
had not succumbed to these injuries at the time of the accident.
For several weeks he was in a very weak condition. However, he
gradually gained in strength, and was greatly encouraged when able to
read a little. In fact, in the latter weeks of March he began preparing
material for an address that he had been asked to give at the Sunday
School Teachers' Conference in May, hoping he might be able to attend.
The first week in April he was finally able to have his leg taken
out of the harness, and he was living in great expectation of going
home. But on April 7, an X-ray revealed that a fracture in his upper
leg had not healed properly. It was decided after consultation that an
operation should be performed, enabling him to be moved home within a
week or so.
His wife was with him on the following day when the operation was
performed. The doctors assured them that everything had gone well, and
apart from feeling very tired and weak, Mr. Littleproud seemed in
satisfactory condition when his wife said good-bye to him at the
hospital on Tuesday evening. He was left in the care of a special duty
nurse.
The nurse advised that he slept off and on during Tuesday night but
about 6 o'clock Wednesday morning he asked for a drink of water, saying
that "he felt a little faint." A moment later she turned to give him
the drink, but he was at Home with the Lord.
His funeral, shared by Hugh McEwen, Peter Hynd, and William Pell,
was attended by more than 600. Peter Pell, a co-worker with
Littleproud, received news of his passing while preaching in western
Canada. He wrote, "'The doctor promised he could come home by Easter.'
This was in the letter I received shortly before the notice of our
brother's homecall...'Home by Easter!' Yes, but far better than his
expectations. It is good by His will to be here, but better by far to
be there."