Torr did have set views on certain issues which may have been accepted at that time but would today be seen as 'politically incorrect' to say the least. After a visit to Fiji in 1903, which he thought was a sort of day dream, Torr commented that he had seen them in their weird native dances and in their love feasts. The islanders, he said, had only just emerged from cannibalism. However, there was hope. He thought that the native teachers could be trained to perform their work almost as well as their European confreres, but that it would take two or three generations. After his return his workload was increasing once again. In January 1904 Torr and his wife Albertina were spending ten days at Mount Barker and lecturing or preaching at Echunga and Macclesfield. Soon after he lectured at Houghton giving a talk on his trip to Fiji. In February he and his wife were at Gumeracha where he gave several discourses which were much appreciated, especially the one on 'The Land where Jesus lived and trod'. According to the reporter 'Many an inward promise was made that if God and Gold permit, Palestine would be visited by more than one member of the audience'. In May 1904 the Australian Christian Commonwealth carried a notice requesting readers not to try to make any appointments for Torr for that year as he was fully booked. Some of the places visited by Torr that year included Orroroo, Johnburgh, Port Augusta, Quorn, Wilmington, Melrose, Morchard, Riverton, Kersbrook, Bendleby, Carrieton, Hammond, Belalie, Jamestown, Crystal Brook, Solomon Town, Napperby, Port Pirie, Laura, Gladstone, Appila, Wanderah, Blyth, Clare, Saddleworth, Auburn, Mintaro, Yorke Peninsula, and Manoora. Boarders at Way College with Torr and his wife 1902. (SLSA) Later that year Torr and his wife went to Western Australia for seven weeks for mission work and once again attending numerous meetings, bible classes and Sunday Schools as well as giving over 60 lectures. William Torr, the Headmaster of old had become a preacher, conducting mission work throughout Australia and New Zealand, which he and his wife visited in 1905. Their work was eagerly followed in Australia and readers were pleased to hear splendid reports which spoke in glowing terms of Torr's methods and results. Leonie Torr and William Christie in 1905. (SLSA) It turned out to be a very busy time. Leonie Torr, daughter of Dr Torr and his first wife Charlotte, was married to William Christie in 1905. In 1906 Torr and his second wife Albertina, were in Queensland, where they remained for five months. In July the church in Bundaberg was crowded at every service. Other places visited were Charters Towers, Rockhampton, where 60 people converted, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gympie, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Warwick and Brisbane. During 1907 a lot of time was spent in the South East starting with a three-week stint at Lucindale, then Naracoorte, Tantanoola and Beachport. By July, Torr had to make it known that he was again fully engaged up to the end of the year and no other invitations could be accepted. The next year most functions and other duties were in and around Adelaide with an occasional country visit, including a crowded congregation at Edithburgh on 8 November. The Bible Christian Conference of 1909 decided 'That an institution be created to assist in the training of young men as Home and City Missionaries, Evangelists, and Local Preachers and that a Committee be appointed to launch the scheme'. A committee of 50 was duly appointed, with the Rev John Pearce and Dr Torr as secretaries and AC Catt as treasurer. Torr's sister had donated 50 pounds towards the cost incurred by her brother. It was also suggested that the institution should cater for a course of training to include elementary theology, pastoral theology, embracing homiletics, circuit and mission management and voice culture, as well as Biblical introduction and literary instruction. A little later it was further decided that evening classes should be held for the benefit of those unable to attend during the day. Three months later it was stated that the name of the institution would be the Methodist Training Home. More resolutions were passed on 12 May, such as; that the offer of a furnished cottage in Downing Street, Brighton, for 10 shillings a week up to December 1, 1909, be accepted and Dr Torr be the Honorary Governor and his wife Albertina, Lady Superintendent of the institution. The first student, Arthur Dearlove, was alone for the first 16 days, but before the end of the year 13 students had made their appearance. Later, Torr would write that Dearlove became one of our best helpers for 19 years. In 1910, Dr Torr erected a building, at his own cost, near his home for the use of the institution. Rev FG Rogers commented 25 years later; 'What a unique and most remarkable character was Dr Torr. A man with a strong personality, a serene, unfaltering faith in God. One who loved, believed in, trusted and most lavishly served his fellow men'. 'What a remarkable venture of faith was his creation of an institution for the enrichment of heart and mind of those who felt called to Christian service. When that first student was admitted on 7th June, 1909, what daring soul would have ventured to predict that ere the Methodist Training Home was superseded by Wesley College, 56 young men would be received into the South Australian Methodist Ministry. A truly wonderful achievement'. 'The young men attending the Methodist Training Home came from all walks of life. Many of them were without even the qualifying standard in education. There were men who had toiled with pick and shovel, miners, blacksmiths, farmers, carpenters, journalists, telegraphists, bootmakers, painters, drapers, gardeners and schoolteachers. Yes, they were all there at some time or other, and from 15 to 37 years of age. But was there ever a man so methodical'. The institution was carried on for 12 years. During that time 164 students attended, of whom 76 entered the ministry in various parts of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America; 40 of these were in the South Australian Methodist ministry; 31 became ministers' assistants or home missionaries; 43 went out as local preachers; 41 enlisted in the Great War, and eight laid down their lives. Over 10,000 pounds was received in voluntary contributions and gifts and no appeal to Conference for help was necessary. Well before its official opening, William G Clarke had written to the Editor of the Australian Christian Commonwealth that; During the past few years our Home Mission stations have greatly multiplied, an Evangelistic Department has been established, whilst many of our circuits have found it necessary to employ lay agents to meet the demands of present-day developments. It is a pleasure to be able to announce that owing to a fortunate combination of circumstances the thought has now become concrete and the institution established. A suitable building at Brighton had been procured, in which the Home would carry out its operations for the time being. The committee reported that it had been fortunate in securing the services of Dr WG and Mrs Torr, and said, 'The interest taken in young men by Dr Torr and his success in the past in their training are too well known to need comment. Many of our most useful citizens owe the beginning of their careers to the influence of the Doctor'. Training Home Management 1911. (SLSA) The committee also said; 'Combined with high scholastic attainments, Dr Torr possesses pulpit ability much above the average. This, with evangelistic fervour, has given him unusual success as a soul-winner. This fine combination of qualities, together with his training in theology at Oxford fits him in an unusual degree for the position he has agreed to undertake. Mrs Torr, who has in the past so ably assisted the Doctor in his work amongst young men, has also kindly volunteered to give her services as Lady Superintendent. This fact is sufficient guarantee that every attention possible will be given to the comfort and care of the students'. 'The committee has every reason to be grateful to Dr and Mrs Torr for their unexpected liberality in undertaking their duties gratuitously. It is this fact that has made it possible for the committee to begin the work of the institution at once. The devotion to the welfare of our young men thus shown will, we believe, inspire many of our people to further assist in this movement. Even with the utmost economy on the part of the committee it will be apparent that the success of the institution must largely depend upon the liberal support of Methodism'. 'Many of the young men who would most wish to avail themselves of the training provided will be able to contribute but little towards the cost of their tuition. We believe, however, that our people will readily respond on their behalf. Very gratefully we acknowledge the response that has already been made, about 90 pounds having been subscribed. To save the committee from anxiety, and in the interests of our Home Missions, Evangelistic Department, and the pulpits of our churches, we confidently make this appeal'. 'Subscriptions can be forwarded to the treasurer, Col AC Catt, East Adelaide, the secretary, Rev J Pearce, South Terrace, and Dr WG Torr, the governor of the institution, Brighton or to the President, West Adelaide. Cordially commending the claims of this institution to our people, and praying that it may be of great service to our Church, I am, Sir, etc., William G Clarke. The Institution will be open for reception of students on 7 June. Dr Torr can be contacted by telephone, Glenelg 119 or 131'. The Committee for the Training Home had arranged for the opening celebration of the institution on Saturday, 5 June at 3 pm and looked forward to the co-operation of all the ministers and the Methodist community in general. At its meeting great satisfaction was expressed at the suitability of the home at Brighton which Torr had secured for the housing of the students. The committee was also gratified with indications of interest in its purposes that were becoming more and more widespread. It was convinced that it should be a gala day at Brighton, and Methodists should assemble in large numbers to inaugurate a movement that could mean much to future Methodism. The opening of this institution for the training of home missionaries, evangelists, and local preachers marked the consummation of yet another important enterprise in the forward movement of Methodism in South Australia. The scheme had been under consideration and gradually matured for two or three years. At the last Conference, on the motion of the Rev J Pearce, the proposal for a training institution was carried into effect. A large and enthusiastic company assembled on Saturday, 5 June, to take part in the opening ceremony. The President of the Conference the Rev WG Clarke presided and gave a brief account of the steps leading up to the establishment of the Training Home. The rapid expansion of Methodism had rendered necessary the employment of a large number of young men as home missionaries and circuit assistants. Torr's wife Albertina's role of First Lady Superintendent was only of a short duration as she died six months later on 10 December. She was born at Hammersmith, London on 10 June 1845. She had extra ordinary aptitudes for the position. When Torr's position at Way College had ended and he became an evangelist Albertina became his helpmate and took part in most of the meetings and any other work. Her death inflicted an irreparable loss on the institution. During that time, she had also been connected with the South Australian Female Refuge, Home for Weak-minded children, the Blind, Deaf and Dumb School, Women's Auxiliary of Foreign Missions and the Brighton Sunday School. From the beginning the Methodist Training Home was conducted in a rented private house but soon became too small for its 37 students. To solve this problem Torr build a new commodious two-storied building for the Brighton Training Home in 1910 at a cost of 1400 pounds in Wattle Avenue. The building was a miracle of economy and efficiency. Torr was a genius for inspiring other men and women with his love of culture, breadth and independence of view and quenchless evangelical enthusiasm. By May 1911 it had a library of 1500 books and 39 students had passed through. On 6 February 1912 Torr married Mary Frances Buchan, nee Walter, a widow at the Catholic Apostolic Church, Melbourne. They were back in Adelaide the next day. Torr went back to work assisted by his new wife in all his efforts for the next 25 years. At the end of 1912 they took a holiday and toured Tasmania for two weeks. In an effort to have younger children involved in their religion, Torr started a Worshipping Children's League in June 1914. A longer holiday was taken in 1916 when they went to Kangaroo Island. This was followed by another family tragedy which occurred on 5 March 1917 when Torr's son Claude died at the age of 31. Two years later, at his 66th birthday, it was stated that Torr, whose enthusiasm in the work of the Training Home was unabated. However, it was also decided 'not to increase his stipend which will for the current year at least stand at 0 pounds'. During 1920 Torr supported the Home Mission Department's move to increase the wages for its missionaries. Whereas they were looking at an increase of 25 pounds per year he would like to see an increase of at least double that amount. In September the Home Mission Society wrote that Torr's contribution couldn't be computed and that they had been highly privileged in having his valuable and gratuitous services for so many years. That same year he was elected president of the Methodist Training Home Old Boys' Association and again for 1921 and 1922. Everyone agreed that Torr rendered a splendid service and was well equipped for the work required. Unfortunately, Torr was not getting any younger and had to admit that he was beginning to feel his age. He intimated that he would like to retire as governor of the Brighton Training House as he was approaching the 'age limit'. Many received this news with profound regret but at the same time 'wished him a gracious eventide, sweetened and blessed with the satisfaction of a noble trust worthily discharged'. The Brighton Ladies Croquet Club didn't think so and invited him to open their club on 29 October 1920. Torr's resignation became official on 4 March 1921 and Rev John Pearce became the new governor. *** If you would like to find out more, please go to home page for more information. Thank you for visiting South Australian History, We hope you enjoy your stay and find the information useful. This site has been designed and is maintained by FRR.