The Life And Ministry Of Joseph Chamberlain
John E. Hazelton, “Hold Fast”:
“Among the ministerial friends of [William] Huntington were Isaac Beeman (1766-1838), who for twenty years preached at Cranbrook and occasionally in London, and Joseph Chamberlain (1778-1856), of Salem Chapel, Leicester. From an early age Chamberlain was under concern respecting his eternal state, and when in spiritual distress he met with some of Huntington’s works and derived abiding benefit from them; subsequently he heard him in London and Leicester, and was brought into gospel peace and liberty. After Huntington’s death he was strongly solicited to succeed him, but he could not be persuaded to leave his people at Leicester. For many years he visited congregations at Nottingham, Newark, Grantham, Bottesford, Lakenheath, Littleport, Downham, and other places, these meetings continuing for the most part to the present time. Mr. Chamberlain was a man of good natural ability, and was a well taught experimental preacher; large assemblies gathered to hear him, and in common with all whose public testimony the Lord blesses he had an almost overpowering sense of the solemnity of the work. In a letter from Clapham Rise, in 1823, he writes: “Sunday was a day of light, of gladness, of joy and of comfort; a time of refreshing, a feast, and a good day to many; the old fare not being out of favour. Today, from what I feel, I augur that the Lord will be with me. The Word I have heard from His mouth to speak from is in Micah 7:7, “Therefore will I look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” I have spent the morning in searching the Scriptures, in waiting upon the Holy Spirit for instruction, and in meditating upon my text. My employment now will be to entreat the Holy Spirit to fulfil His office in bringing to my remembrance what He has suggested to my mind, and to apply the Word with power. I feel myself happy in God; His goodness in Christ passes before me; His love melts me; His favour satisfies me; His blessing fills me with pleasure and delight, while He communes with me.” O for more of such religion today, for in such is reality and power! His end was blessed. Among his last words were: “And I shall sing, ‘Worthy the Lamb.’ They shall cry, and I shall cry, ‘Worthy the Lamb!'”
Joseph Chamberlain (1778-1856) was a sovereign grace Independent preacher. He served as pastor for the church meeting at Salem Chapel, Leicester.
