Bible Christian Magazine John Rounsefell

Mr. John Rounsefell, B.A., B.Sc.
(Plymouth)

LEAVE thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in Me." These words, recorded by the Prophet Jeremiah, have rarely been more strikingly fulfilled than in the history of the family of which Mr. Rounsefell is a member. He is the second son of the late Rev. Peter Rounsefell, a greatly-beloved and most useful minister, whose early decease laid upon his widow the necessity of bringing up her children in the trust of which the prophet speaks. Her three sons and two daughters are living monuments of the fidelity with which she discharged the duty entrusted to her, until, in September, 1905, she entered

into her rest.

The subject of this sketch was born at Shebbear, in the year 1871, his father then being the superintendent minister of that historic circuit. During his childhood he accompanied his parents to Looe, Chagford, and Dartmouth, where his father died. After this sad event, Mrs. Rounsefell brought her young family to Plymouth in 1877, and heroically took upon herself business cares, that she might maintain her children in comfort until they were themselves equal to the task of fighting the battle of life. In 1881 John returned to the place of his birth, in order to secure the advantage of residence and education at Shebbear College. He was fortunate in securing a scholarship, which enabled him to remain until the year 1887. He then had thoughts of entering the Civil Service, but, in consequence of re-organization, no examination was held for two or three years in succession, and in the meantime he was offered the post of assistant master at the Hoe Grammar School, Plymouth. This offer he accepted, and for the past seventeen years he has

rendered excellent service to the school, besides doing a great deal of private tutorial work, which has been of the utmost benefit to the students in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, amongst whom he has a great reputation as an examination coach.

Mr. Rounsefell won first-class honours in Latin at the intermediate arts examination of the London University, and was also placed in the honours list for English at the same examination. He graduated B.A. with classical honours in 1896, and then for a time turned his attention to the science course of the university, which he completed by taking the B. Sc. degree in 1903. An all-round man, well-read in both literature and science, Mr. Rounsefell attributes his zeal for study to the intellectual stimulus of Mr. Ruddle at Shebbear. But he has not confined his energies to things academic. He is one of the most capable local preachers in the denomination, and is in constant demand for Sunday services, so that he knows little of what a day of rest means. He is also a popular lecturer, well known among the Wesley Guilds of the district.

His spiritual home is at Zion Street, Plymouth, where he first joined the church, during the ministry of Rev. J. Ninnis, in 1888. Here he has taken part in Sunday school work, and rendered valuable service to the social life of the community. Though he is an ardent Puritan, he is by no means one of the straight-laced type. He enjoys a good game at cricket or chess, and is an expert at the latter. A vein of quiet humour runs through him, and makes him delightful company for both young and old. This, together with his power of graphic description, chasteness of language, and quiet but forceful delivery, serve to fix the attention of his hearers, whether he speaks from the schoolroom desk or from the pulpit.

Mr. Rounsefell has not been so much in evidence at the Annual Conferences as he is in circuit work, but he is a valued member of the Central Board for the examination of local preachers, which does much useful work through the year. Having two brothers

in the ministry, he naturally takes much interest in everything which can contribute to the advancement of the cause to which they have devoted themselves. He has to a considerable extent sacrificed his own personal advantage for the good of his own people, but he has thereby proved himself a faithful son, a faithful brother, a faithful servant of Christ, and, without anything like the same claim upon him, a faithful colleague. - (G. P. D.)

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