Peter Hynd Jr LOI 1953-1
From childhood Peter Hynd, Jr. knew the Holy Scriptures and, at the early age of ten years, became “wise unto salvation.”
His father was a prominent businessman, a brother beloved by the people of God in Scotland, and a faithful minister of Christ whose home was ever open to fellow Christians. Many can recall happy evenings spent there around the open Bible, for with great ability Peter Hynd, Sr., would take up such lines of truth as worship, government, ministry, the second coming of Christ, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, unfolding the development of these truths from Genesis to Revelation. It is, therefore, not to be wondered that Peter, Jr. should early be led to the Savior, nor that he should so definitely emulate his godly father.
In those early days the small assembly at Troon, Scotland, met in the Hynd home and it was during a gospel meeting in 1884 that young Peter was born from above. This early acquaintance with the Lord enabled him to give to Christ a long and full life of service. He obeyed the Lord in baptism and associated himself in fellowship with the saints in assembly testimony.
Natural ability, enhanced by spiritual gift, soon gave him a prominent place in Sunday school work. Prosperous times were being enjoyed by the little assembly, and it grew until the chapel now known as Bethany Hall was necessary to accommodate it. Peter Jr. was learning something of assembly responsibility meanwhile, and upon the sudden death of his father in 1904 he became treasurer of the assembly, holding this office until 1913 when he left Canada.
In 1901 he was united in marriage to Marina Sarah McLaren of Kilmarnock, who proved a congenial and spiritual partner. Mrs. Hynd shared sympathetically her husband’s convictions and in every respect entered with enthusiasm into his varied services for the Lord. Upon their arrival in Canada in 1913 they took up residence in Forest, Ontario, where for fifteen years our brother sought to help the assembly in its gospel activities and ministry.
In 1928 they moved to eastern Toronto and were associated with the Swanwick (now Danforth) assembly. Here an important aspect of his ministry had its beginning. Brother J. R. Littleproud had begun Saturday evening Bible classes for young brethren and finding Brother Hynd of kindred mind and exercise, sought his assistance. Several who attended these classes are now serving in the home land and abroad.
So gracious and effective was this ministry that Brother Hynd soon found his circle widening and these Bible classes became a stepping stone to a more general ministry. From this period on he was frequently found at Sunday school workers’ conferences in Ontario, Quebec, and the United States, giving both counsel and encouragement. This, in turn, led to invitations from assemblies in various areas and his ministry was greatly enjoyed.
In the course of time Brother Hynd moved to another part of Toronto and affiliated himself with the Central Assembly on Charles Street, endeavoring to exhort, edify, and comfort the Lord’s own in this and surrounding assemblies. He was regarded with the deepest respect and highest esteem by Christians everywhere.
His homegoing on September 28, 1952 was sudden, but was triumphant. The previous evening he had opened the ministry meeting at Central for Brother [G.M.J.] Lear of Argentina, leading in song and prayer. Shortly after retiring for the night he became ill, and before sunrise he was at home with the Lord. Few have been able to lay at the feet of the Lord 66 years of devoted service. The example of Peter Hynd’s life and ministry ought to stir the hearts of young men to service of the Lord and His people in a similar manner.
Sources
- Letters of Interest 1953-1; "Pioneering and Biography", written by James Gunn, ed. by W.R. Simpson.
- transcribed by Beth Snell on 10-24-2024 @ Emmaus