The Life And Ministry Of Joshua Banforth
Gospel Standard 1872:
Death. On Dec. 27th, 1871, aged 76, Joshua Banforth, of Slaithwaite, Yorkshire.
He was baptized by the late Mr. Kershaw, for whom he always retained the highest regard; and he also frequently spoke of dear William Gadsby’s ministry as having been a blessing to his soul. Living in this neighbourhood, he removed his membership from Rochdale to Slaithwaite.
For nearly forty years he was in the habit of supplying many of the causes of truth in Yorkshire and Lancashire, and was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. He was an earnest advocate for a living, experimental acquaintance of the things of God, and his own soul partook largely of the gracious work and power of the Holy Ghost. In his life he was sustained by the truth that he preached in all holiness, godliness, and sincerity.
His last illness was of short duration, a few days being sufficient to cut the thread of life. He was taken with a kind of sleepiness; and it may be said that he slept himself into heaven. A few hours before he died, we roused him to tell him how near he was to heaven, when he should see the King in his beauty; “Yes, I am,” was his prompt reply. We then asked him if the Lord had manifested himself with power to his soul in the affliction. We shall never forget the bright smile that lighted up his countenance when he said, “Yes, he has.”
The last words he was heard to say were, “Happy! Happy!” Thus the soul of our departed brother left us in order to join the company of the redeemed in glory.
The last time he preached was at Saddleworth, on Dec. 17th, and the word was with power. His mortal remains were buried in the Baptist chapel graveyard at Slaithwaite, followed by a large company of friends, who came from a distance to testify the regard they felt for his memory. It may be truly said, his end was peace.
Thomas Sykes
Joshua Banforth (1795-1871) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served as an itinerate preacher for forty years, traveling throughout the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire heralding the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
