Joseph Dare (1831–1880) was an Australian Wesleyan Church leader.
A native of Dorsetshire (now Dorset), England, Dare emigrated to South Australia when a youth. [1] Possessed of a noble presence, and favored with a magnificent voice, he was a very attractive preacher. He was as useful as he was popular. His health failed, and his friends subscribed the cost of defraying his expenses for a visit to the United States and Great Britain. [1]
While in the United States he preached at Bound Lake camp meeting a sermon remarkable for its eloquence, and for the unction which attended it. [1] On his return to Australia he was elected President of the Victoria and Tasmania Conference. [1]
One story related about Dare is that he chaired the church meeting in which Henry Howard first tried to make a public speech, and completely broke down. [2] The next day, Howard told Dare that in view of his failure, he had resolved never to attempt public speaking again. Dare replied, "I don't call that a failure, a real failure is when a man talks for an hour and says nothing". [2] Howard went on to become a noted Australian Methodist minister and writer.
Dare's health gradually declined, and he died at the early age of forty-nine. [1] He had two daughters, Emily and Annie. [3] A street in Ocean Grove, Victoria, is named for him. [4]