The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]
The Rev. Edward Best
The Rev. Edward Best,
sometime Wesleyan Minister at Ponsonby, was born in Newry, Ireland, his ancestors having come from Kent with Oliver Cromwell. Mr. Best received his primary education in an endowed grammar school, and studied theology at Liverpool. In 1848 he received his first appointment from the Irish Wesleyan Methodist Conference, in connection with which he spent thirty-one years. Among other circuits he was stationed at Dublin, Belfast, and Cork, and from several of these received beautifully illuminated addresses, as well as very substantial proofs of their kindness and appreciation. Owing to the critical state of his wife's health, necessitating a change of climate, he successfully applied to the
New Zealand Wesleyan Conference for service, arriving at Port Chalmers in 1879. Mr. Best laboured successfully in Dunedin, Christchurch, Thames, Auckland, and Napier, at which latter place, after forty-four years of ministerial duties, he was compelled to retire from active work owing to ill-health. The reverend gentleman still preached at intervals, and continued to take a great interest in the spiritual life of his church. He died on Sunday, the 18th of November, 1900, whilst conducting service in the Union Free Baptist Church, in Auckland.
The Late Rev. E. Best.