John Trew Dickson
A zealous evangelist and a tender shepherd, John Trew Dickson, was called home to be with the Lord on August 25, 1968, at Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He had devoted some 65 years of his long life to the ministry of the Word of God on both sides of the Atlantic.
John Dickson was born at Market Hill, Ulster, Northern Ireland, 1881, and was saved in 1901 through the preaching of Mr. Shields, a Baptist parson, but associated himself with those who gather simply in the name of the Lord. In a comparatively short time three of the Christian assemblies in Belfast commended him to full-time service for the Lord.
In 1910 he came to the United States and spent two years here in the preaching of the gospel. He returned again to this country in 1916 and established permanent residence in the Eastern States.
Faithfully he laboured in the gospel. Beginning in Ireland, his parish spread to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, the New England States, Central Canada, and over the entire continent. God used him much in the salvation of souls and in the founding of local churches. Many of his fellow-labourers have predeceased him. Among these were W. J. McClure, John Knox McEwen, William Glasgow, Robert McCrory, Benjamin Bradford, Samuel and Hugh McEwen, Isaac McMullen, and others.
Our brother prepared two biographies, one of W. J. McClure and the other of John Knox McEwen; this latter is still in the hands of the printers.
He was a source of encouragement to younger servants of Christ, and before them and all others an example to the believers. Consequently, he was highly esteemed by those who knew him.
The funeral services were held at Petersburg, Virginia, where he formerly had lived for several years. They were well attended by many friends from different parts of the United States and Canada. Those who participated in the services were his own son, Joseph Dickson, Herbert Marshall, Gordon Reager, Robert McClurkin and Roger Greer.
Brother Dickson is survived by his wife, a true helper during his long and active career for the Lord and His people; also by five children, three girls and two boys, all in Christ.