Rev. Canon John Macpherson Almond, rector of Trinity church,
Montreal, is a man whose practical piety has been demonstrated in
many ways, as a traveling missionary, on the field of battle, in
the pulpit and in quiet work among his people. His name stands as
a synonym for sincerity of purpose, upright living and breadth of
mind, and his accomplishments have already been important enough
to form a notable part of the history of the Anglican church in
Canada. Canon Almond was born in Shigawake, Quebec province, July
27, 1872, and is a son of James and Mary Ann (Macpherson) Almond.
He studied in the University of Bishop’s College at Lennoxville,
from which he was graduated B. A. in 1894 and M. A. in 1901. He
was ordained deacon in the Anglican church in 1896 and priest
in the following year, being stationed first as a missionary in
Labrador and becoming afterward traveling missionary for the
Quebec diocese. In October, 1899, he was commissioned chaplain to
the Royal Canadian Regiment and accompanied it to South Africa,
where he was chaplain to the Nineteenth Brigade, composed of
the Gordons, Cornwalls, Shropshires and Canadians. His conduct
during the campaign received high praise, more particularly in
connection with his attendance on the enteric fever patients
at Bloemfontein, and he was given a medal for courageous and
untiring work in all conditions of danger both from the enemy and
from disease and discomfort.
Returning to Canada in December, 1900, Canon Almond was made
assistant curate at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Quebec, and as
such remained one year, after which he was appointed rector
at Grand Mere. In 1904 he was transferred to Montreal, where
he has since filled the position of rector of Trinity church,
winning the love, respect and confidence of his parishioners
and the high regard of all who have an opportunity of knowing
his honorable and upright life. Canon Almond is a preacher of
great power and forcefulness and has won a wide reputation as a
speaker, delivering among others the oration at the decoration
of the soldiers’ graves in Montreal on Victoria Day, 1905. He
was elected president of the South African Veterans Association
of Montreal in 1908 and of the Last Post Association two years
later. Since March, 1911, he has held the office of chaplain,
with the honorary rank of captain, in the Sixth Duke of
Connaught’s Royal Canadian Hussars. In 1912 he was appointed
chaplain of the Montreal jails. Archdeacon Ker has called him
“a splendid preacher,” and the Toronto Globe speaks of him as
“a man of zeal, practical piety and unselfishness, with a knack
for executive work”--tributes which he has won by most able
and untiring work in many fields. Canon Almond was married in
October, 1901, to Nellie Estelle, daughter of H. G. Beemer of
Quebec.
WILLIAM LANGLEY BOND, K. C.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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