Barnabas J Shaw (Jnr)

Barnabas J. SHAW, was born on the 1st February 1821 and was the son of the eminent missionary the Rev. Brnabas SHAW. Hewas educated at Woodhouse Grove School and won considerable distinction in classics and mathemathics. It was his intention to devote himself to Educational work, but after his conversion to God he heard the call to the higher tasks of the Christian Ministry. He was trained at the Hoxton Theological Institution, and offered himself for service in India. With a view to his new sphere he devoted himself to the study of Canarese. Circumstances however, prevented his going to India, and he laboured for a time in circuits in England. The Missionary Committee afterwards decided that he should join his father in South Africa, and to fit himself for his work he went to Holland to study the Dutch language. His first appointment in Africa was to the Cape Town Circuit, from whence he removed to Raithby, where failure of voice began to trouble him.

After a brief visit to England he settled at Salem as the first Principal of the Industrial School established by Sir George GREY, and when he spent many years of happy and prosperous life. He finally settled at Grahamstown and became eminently succesful as Head Master of a Private School. As a Christian educationist Mr. SHAW had few rivals in South Africa. Many of his pupils have attained high positions in various professions. Mr. Shaw rendered valuable service as a preacher of the Gospel. His sermons were deeply spiritual and instructive, and were delivered with peculiar grace and unction. He was a most lovable man, full of sympathy and always a welcome visitor to the homes of the people. His last days were marked by a singular calm and serenity of mind, and displayed in an eminent degree of beauty of Christian saintliness. He died at Grahamstown on the 15th of June 1902, in the 82nd year of his age.