John Geddie | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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John Geddie

John Geddie, Presbyterian missionary (b at Banff, Scot 19 Apr 1815; d at Geelong, Australia 14 Dec 1872). Geddie came with his family to Pictou, NS, in 1816 and after studying theology with Thomas MCCULLOCH became a minister in PEI.

Geddie, John

John Geddie, Presbyterian missionary (b at Banff, Scot 19 Apr 1815; d at Geelong, Australia 14 Dec 1872). Geddie came with his family to Pictou, NS, in 1816 and after studying theology with Thomas MCCULLOCH became a minister in PEI. In 1848 the Presbyterian Secession Synod of Nova Scotia sent him to the New Hebrides islands in the South Pacific. Although 3 workers were murdered and several died of tropical diseases, Geddie persisted with his work until infanticide and polygamy were eliminated. His epitaph reads: "When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left, in 1872, there were no heathen."

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