EDGER, SAMUEL (1828-82) was born at Pixton, East Grinstead, Sussex, of devout and pious parents. He graduated B.A. at the University of London and entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, accepting charge of a congregation in Birmingham, and later at Kimbolton (Huntingdonshire) and Abingdon, Berkshire.

As early as 1850 Edger came to the conviction that sectarianism or denominationalism was a sin against the New Testament, and when the Albertland Special Settlement Association invited applications for a minister to accompany their emigrants (1861) he believed it would be an excellent opportunity for putting his convictions into practice. With his wife and family he sailed in the Matilda Wattenbach (Sep 1862). On arriving in Albertland, they encountered great difficulties, but, having anticipated farming, Edger had brought with him a party of agriculturists with whose help his farm was soon working on co-operative lines with every prospect of success. There was no church at Port Albert and he held unsectarian services both there and at Te Arai for several years, making provision for Church of England requirements as well as those of the Nonconformists. While in Port Albert he contributed regularly to the Gazette.

At the end of 1865, on the retirement of the Rev T. Hamer, Edger went to Auckland to supply his place for eight months. He returned to his post at Port Albert, but losing his house by fire (Aug 1866) he shortly afterwards moved into Auckland and for many years preached there, at first in the Parnell Hall and afterwards in the Oddfellows' hall and other places. Though holding forward views, his style of preaching was rather deep and scholarly for the ordinary church-goer. Edger was a prominent supporter of the temperance movement and had a deep interest in music and art, being a vice-president of the Auckland Choral Society and a committeeman of the Artists' Society. He died on 30 Sep 1882.

Two of his works, The Problem of Life (1884) and Autobiographical Notes and Lectures, were edited by his daughters, Mrs K. M. Evans (q.v.) and Lilian Edger. A son, Herbert

Cycl. NZ

Reference: Volume 1, page 130

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