Rack, Henry Tong B.A., B.D. (1898-1940)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

HENRY TONG RACK, B.A., B.D.: born at Kelsey, Market Rasen, in 1898, and educated at the Brigg Grammar School. After serving in the Great War, he offered for the ministry and studied for five years at Victoria College. 

He early proved himself a preacher of outstanding gifts. With a modern outlook and profound sympathy for the unprivileged he combined an earnest evangelism, itself the outcome of deep evangelical experience. The prophetic note was characteristic of his preaching. He specially delighted in village week-night services. For young people he had great sympathy and an inspiring message. Faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, his high Christian character commanded the respect of all. 

His sudden breakdown in health, in December 1939, evoked widespread sympathy, and his brief illness was borne with characteristic courage and fortitude. The call to higher service came to him in the meridian of his powers on February 24, 1940, in the fourteenth year of his ministry.

Family

Henry was born on 12 March 1898 at North Kelsey, Lincolnshire, to parents Denman Tong Rack, a railway engine fireman (1901), and Minnie. He was baptised on 25 December 1899 at Barrow upon Humber.

He married Annie Watson (1902-2005) in the summer of 1929 in the Oakham Registration District, Rutland. Birth records identify two children.

• Henry Denman (b1931) – a Methodist historian
• Margaret (b1939)

Henry died on 24 February 1940 at Grimsby Corporation Hospital, Lincolnshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1926 Melton & Oakham
• 1928 Luton I
• 1930 Chester le Street
• 1931 W Auckland
• 1932 Gateshead I
• 1935 Wisbech

References

Methodist Minutes 1940/178

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers