Tear, Edward (1811-1894)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference by J. Goodwin

EDWARD TEAR was born at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, on May 11th, 1811. He became a Primitive Methodist minister in 1837, and travelled in Sheffield, Bedford, Burton, Fulbeck, Melton, Boston, Lancaster, and Newton circuits. In 1847 he was appointed to Sydney, New South Wales, where he laboured with acceptance and success for four years. In 1852 he removed to South Australia, and was appointed to the superintendency of Mount Barker circuit, where he and his devoted wife were in labours abundant and endured many hardships. 

The circuit is large and difficult to work now, but it was much more so in those early days. During his six years on this station he formed societies, built churches, and did much to extend and consolidate the interests of Primitive Methodism. Towards the close of this period he was riding through the bush one night when he came in contact with the branch of a tree, which caught him in the chest, knocking him off his horse on to the ground and stunning him. Though much bruised, he took little notice of his injuries and went on with his work. Shortly after this, while out on his station, and before he had recovered from the effects of the fall from his horse, he slept in a damp bed, causing his health to completely break down. 

He was superannuated by the Conference of 1858. He was a genuine Christian, devout, reverent, and humble-minded, a lover of goodness and good men. He had a generous nature. Selfishness found

no place in him. His house was always open for the accommodation of ministers and others, and he contributed to the funds of the church to the full extent of his ability. His loyalty to Christ and Christianity, and his love and attachment to the Primitive Methodist connexion were decided and constant. 

As a preacher, and Christianity, and his love and attachment to the Primitive Methodist connexion were decided and constant. As a preacher, he was plain, pointed, practical, and intensely spiritual; and through his labours many souls were won to Christ and gathered into our churches, more especially in New South Wales. In official work he was punctual, careful, methodical, exact, and conscientious. 

For some months prior to his death he suffered much from dropsy and other ailments, but he bore his sufferings with resignation, patiently waiting for the Master’s call to the higher life and service. He died July 7th, 1894. His end was peace.

Family

Edward was born on 11 May 1811 at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, to parents Joseph and Sarah. He was baptised on 2 June 1811 at Brattleby.

He married Marion Stewart in 1849 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The reference in Petty records the early days in Sydney where there was a struggle to be able to open  a small chapel in March 1849.

Edward died on 7 July 1894 at Mount Barker, South Australia..

Circuits

• 1838 Retford
• 1839 Burton on Trent
• 1840 Boston
• 1841 Melton Mowbray
• 1843 Boston
• 1844 Lancaster
• 1846 Newtown
• 1847 Sydney – Australia
• 1851 Mount Barker
• 1857 Salisbury
• 1858 Mount Barker (Sup)

References

PM Minutes 1896/31

J Petty, The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, 1880, p484

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers