 The second son of William and Hannah Gee, was born in
the township of Scarboro', on the 25th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1840, and died in Newcastle on the
6th of February, 1893. When but nine years of age he was converted to God, at a prayer-meeting held in his
father's house. In the early dawn of budding man there came into his soul a richer, fuller, baptism of
spirtual life and light. Then it was he heard the Master's call to go and bear His message of mercy to dying
men. He at once entered upon a course of literary and theological training in Victoria College at Cobourg.
He entered upon his probation for the Methodist ministry in 1864. The years of his probation were marked by
earnest and efficient toil, proving by gifts, grace and fruits that his call was divine. On the 7th day of
June, 1868, by the late Dr. Punchon, he was ordained to the office and work of the Christian ministry.
Shortly afterwards he was united in marriage to Elvira D. Crosby, of Markham, who with two
daughters and three sons mourn the loss of a kind husband and a loving father.
During these twenty-five years Brother Gee has labored successively
on the following charges: -- Stouffville, Alliston, Bondhead, Aurora, Thornbury, Norwood, Millbrook, Trenton and Newcastle.
As a preacher, our brother was clear, logical and instructive; as a pastor, kind and sympathetic. While
he ever sought to win the hearts of men to God, and build up true Christian character, he was also succesful
in church and parsonage building and improvement; and on may of the circuits where he labored, there are
standing to-day beautiful and commodious church edifices -- sacred monuments of his ceaseless energy and unremitting
toil. It was while thus engaged in extensive church improvements that he was summoned to his eternal rest.
On the last Sabbath in January he preached his last sermon. That night he was stricken with a fierce and
fatal disease that neither medical skill or ministry of loving hearts and hands could stay or cure. The call was
unexpected, but found him prepared. Responsive to inquiries respecting his hope beyond, he said, "All is
well, all is well, if God should call." But he would gladly linger with the dear ones in his home-circle
a little longer. But as the unseen messenger drew nearer, he whispered, "Christ was never sweeter and heaven
never dearer than now." At 3 o'clock on Monday morning, Feb. 6th, with a heaven-lit smile
that lingered on the face of clay, he passed from death into life.
The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, Newcastle, on
Wednesday, Feb. 8th, when the Rev. T. W. Jolliffe, Chairman of the District, preached
a most impressive and comforting sermon from Rev. xxi. 4, after which the Revs. President Roberts
and Wm. Buchanan delivered appropriate addresses. The remains were taken to the residence of P. P. Crosby,
of Markham. On the following morning, after an appropriate memorial service, conducted by the Rev. Jos. Young,
and assisted by the Revs. Messrs. Chambers, Anderson, Stewart, Real and Brown, all that was mortal
of our departed brother was placed in the silent tomb and there awaits the resurrection of the Just.
Minutes of the Bay of Quinte Methodist Conference, 1893, p. 17
United Church of Canada Archives
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