Rev. Thomas Aitken
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During a period of thirty-eight years Mr. Aitken exercised a ministry characterized by strength of conviction, fidelity to the truth of God as he understood it, and unswerving devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. His manifest sincerity and integrity commanded the respect of the community wherever he laboured, while he was greatly beloved by those who knew him in more intimate Christian fellowship and friendship. He ever sought to win others for hid\s own Saviour to magnify Whom was the chief aim and glory of his life.
Trained at Harley College, Thomas Aitken served the work at Cape Verdes Island from 1896-1897 and then he did a fine spell of service at the Baptist Church of St Helena from 1897-1905 which brought him into touch with South Africa where he served the South End Church in Port Elizabeth for another five years of formative ministry. Pastorates followed in Durban where he pastored both Lambert Road and Bulwer Road from 1910-1913 and concentrated on Bulwer Road from 1913-1918. His last three ministries were spent respectively at Wynberg (1918-1920), Germiston (1920-1924) and Kingwilliamstown (1924-1935).
The Assembly was most closely associated with Mr. Aitken in his work as the General Secretary of the Baptist Union of South Africa. He was first appointed to the secretarial office in 1919 and held the position for sixteen consecutive years, his re- election year after being eloquent evidence of the confidence and regard of the denomination as a whole. By both personal character and gifts he was eminently fitted for the important office he held so long, and to the very end he carried out the work which grew constantly in volume and importance, with thoroughness, impartiality and courtesy.
