John Laurence Rentoul

[1] At Ormond College, Rentoul had a great influence over many generations of candidates for the Presbyterian ministry, and was a conspicuous figure in all the counsels of his church.

He showed great ability in conducting religious controversies, for which he was equipped with wide reading and knowledge of the languages of the original texts.

He stated once that he never entered on a fight willingly, but once the contest had started he fought with great vigor and, many of his friends thought, with a full appreciation of the joy of combat.

He was made moderator-general of the Presbyterian Church of Australia for 1912–14, and when World War I broke out was appointed chaplain-general of the Australian Imperial Force.

Rentoul's last years were clouded by the long illness of his wife following an accident, and the nervous breakdown of his younger son Ormond, a youth of extraordinary promise, while studying for his examinations.

Rentoul was a fine scholar, learning all his life, and his erudition, keen wit, versatility, strength of conviction, and scorn of compromise, made him a remarkable preacher and lecturer.