STRATHIE . REV . RALPH Grant Minister of Zion - Dec 29, 1910 - Mar 10,1912 Born: 1872 Ordained: Jul 1, 1897 Died: Oct 14, 1912, age 40 Ralph G. Strathie , son of Mr. and Mrs. John Strathie of Harbour Grace, Nfld was born in 1872. He attended St Andrew's Church (founded 1855 closed 1924) in Harbour Grace and along with John Munn Allan, the two young men entered the ministry. He was educated at Dalhousie in Halifax and graduated Pine Hill Divinity College with a B. D . in 1897. He was ordained on July 1, 1897. He married Elize Stewart, daughter of Rev. R. Stewart of Middleton N.S . in the same year. As well in 1897, he was inducted in his first charge at Newport , Nova Scotia and after two years, St. Andrew's Church, Truro, N.S. Resigning this charge he went to Scotland where he took a post graduate course. On his return and in 1904, he was called to Summerside Presbyterian Church and attended his first Session meeting on October 21 as Moderator Pro-tem. He has his first communion with them on Oct 23 and his first service as their ordained minister on December 12. On January 1, 1905, 157 persons took communion with only $14.36 in the plate. He announced to the people on December 8, 1910, he had accepted a call from Zion Church to be effective December 31. The call to Zion on November 28 was signed by 330 communicants and 101 adherents and accompanied by a stipend of $1,600.00. He was inducted in Zion on December 29 and preached his first sermon on January 1,1911. He immediately took up the cause for the construction of a new church for the Zion congregation. However he was to preach his last sermon at Zion on March 10, 1912. By early 1912, it was learned he was suffering from a severe heart affliction, the gravity of his condition was easily recognized by both Session and the congregation. He was given half a years leave of absence and with his wife proceeded to his old home near St. John's, Newfoundland , in the hope that under the tender care and ministering of his own people, in time a measure of health might be restored. Notwithstanding the devotion of his wife and the best of medical care, he passed away on Thanksgiving Day, October 14, 1912, at the home of his sister, wife of Chief Justice Donald Morrison of St. John's, Nfld. The Session sent the following telegram: " Mrs E. S. Strathie : May our loving Father, whose faithful servant our dear pastor was, sustain you in your great bereavement. You have the deepest sympathy of our hearts. (Signed) Session and Congregation Zion Church." At a Memorial Service held on November 1, the following letter dictated by Rev. Strathie , shortly before his death, was read: 95-