Dr. William Gordon Brown Article - 1974
Source: Evangelical Baptist (Official magazine of The Fellowship of Evangelical
Baptist Churches in Canada)
Date: May/June 1974
Author: Dr. J. H. Pickford, Vancouver, B.C.
HONOURED FOR THE WORK'S SAKE
Congratulations poured in from all parts of the country expressing heartfelt
appreciation to Dr. and Mrs. W. Gordon Brown as he reached his fiftieth year in the
Gospel ministry. Over one hundred telegrams and letters indicated the deep and
widespread contribution that this man of God and his wife have and are making to the
cause of Christ.
On Saturday, May 4, over 250 people gathered at a banquet in Temple Baptist
Church, Cambridge, Ont., in honour of the occasion. Nothing was overlooked by the
church under the thoughtful leadership of their beloved pastor, Dr. E. Sidney Kerr, to
make the evening appropriate and memorable.
Nearly 500 people met after the banquet in the main auditorium, and a standing
ovation greeted Dr. and Mrs. W. Gordon Brown as they were seated on the platform.
Memories were reviewed and much amusement kindled as slides were shown of Dr.
Brown's childhood and youth. Rev. George Bell treated the gathering to a great deal
of wholesome laughter as he dramatized the Dean showing slides. He did not miss a
beat.
Of necessity tributes had to be restricted both in time and number, but each speaker
in his recognition seemed to pin-point a particular phase of the life and ministry of Dr.
Brown. The president of the Fellowship, Rev. Robert Lohnes, spoke so feelingly
about the deep and far-reaching influences upon many of the pastors in the
Fellowship; Dr. J. H. Pickford pointed out the contributions to biblical scholarship and
Baptist leadership; Rev. Denzill Raymer, Dean of Central Bapjist Seminary traced the
years of dedicated and sacrificial toil in establishing, administering and teaching in the
Seminary so greatly blessed by the Lord; the twenty-five years of ministry at
Runnymede Baptist Church was shown by Rev. Vincent Trimmer, its present pastor,
to reflect a warm pastor's heart in concern for the salvation of souls and the edification
of the saints. A lovely human touch was added by Rev. Adam Galt, one of the
students of depression days, as he recounted the Christian love and thoughtfulness
that responds readily to others in sickness and need.
The general secretary of the Fellowship, Dr. J. M. Watt, presented Dr. Brown with an
illuminated citation. The citation appropriately recognized his abilities and
contributions as a scholar of the Scriptures, as an administrator of and a professor in
theological institutions; as a leader in the Baptist cause; as a pastor with a warm love
for souls; as a Christian gentleman who loves and lives Christ. Mrs. Brown was
presented with a cheque, recognizing her loyal support and personal effort and
sacrifice in standing with and sharing fully the great ministry that she and her husband
have been fulfilling. It was suggested that the cheque would enable them both to take
a good holiday.
A portrait of Dr. W. Gordon Brown in academic gown was presented to Central
Baptist Seminary to be displayed in a prominent place in the Seminary. It was
received by Mr. T. R. Flemming, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Seminary,
who spoke appreciately of the tireless efforts and enduring accomplishments of Dr.
Brown in his work as Dean.
The speaker of the evening Dr. John R. Armstrong, appropriately concluded the
tributes of the evening as he traced briefly the deep impact that the renowned Greek
scholar, Dr. A. T. Robertson, had upon Dr. W. Gordon Brown, and illustrated the way
expressions and habits had brushed off on him. He drew an effective lesson on faith
from Luke 17. A seed thought had been planted in his mind by a shade of meaning
brought out by the Dean years ago as he sat in one of his classes.
The service of appreciation was continued on Sunday, May 5, at Temple Baptist
Church. The life-long friend of Dr. Brown, Dr. W. S. Whitcombe brought the message.
He wove three texts of Scriptures together and enriched and edified our hearts and
minds with the need to obey those who are over us in the Lord and to honour them for
their very work's sake.
Perhaps the special item of music sung by Mr. Larry Johnson sums up the service of
appreciation for the life and ministry of these two dedicated servants of the Lord.
They have been "Something Beaufiful", a joy to the Lord and a source of continual
thanksgiving to all who have known and shared with them this great ministry.
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