The Life And Death Of John Booth
Gospel Standard 1928:
Mr. John Booth, for 30 years pastor of Zoar Particular Baptist chapel, Bradford, Yorkshire.
John Booth was born of humble parentage at Thurlestone, a moorland village near Penistone, Yorkshire, on October 19, 1861. Lacking the privileges of even elementary education he worked in a factory, but applied himself to mastering the rudiments of education in his leisure hour.
He was called by divine and sovereign grace in June, 1882, and was baptised by the late Mr. Wm. Schofield, in October, 1889. In August, 1890, the church meeting for worship at Thurlestone asked him to read at their prayer meetings, as some of the members had it laid on their minds that the Lord intended him for the ministry. He so feared that this reading would lead to the pulpit that he refrained from exposition, and that brought bondage. The work of the ministry, however, was so laid upon him that he had to wrestle with God for direction. He was led to Proverbs 11:24, and it went like an arrow to his conscience, but the 25th verse gave him encouragement, and when he read on to the 30th verse he closed the book, sank to his knees crying, “Lord I will go, if Thou wilt make a way.” He commenced preaching on the 3rd Lord’s day in February, 1894, and was sent out to speak the word wherever the Lord should open a door, in September of the same year.
In all he had twelve calls to pastorates. He had three in the house at one time, and being led by the unerring Wisdom of God he accepted that from Bradford, and commenced a pastorate in January, 1898, which hag lasted 30 years. During these years he has seen an old church pass into eternity, and a younger one grow up around him. He was loved by all, and with his members and others, esteemed highly in love for his work’s sake. Though of a cheery and sociable disposition, the solemnity of his position as a minister of the gospel was marked by his deportment and expression, particularly before he was due to preach. The burden of the word of the Lord was a real one to John Booth. A true preacher of the gospel, he ever waited for the word at the Lord’s mouth, and many are the witnesses in our land who can testify to the way it was commended to their consciences.
Whilst on his way to preach in London and the south on February 10th [1928], he broke his journey at Peterborough to visit a friend lying ill. On leaving the station he hurried to avoid a motor ‘bus, but was knocked down by a horse. Falling on to the pavement he sustained bruises, but on examination no bones were broken. He was removed to the friend’s house, and their doctor attended him. He wrote cheerfully each day, and the doctor gave him permission to return home on Friday, February 17th. Arriving at Bradford, his wife met him, but he was very cold and very dazed, and he was quickly taken home and his own doctor called in. The writer saw him before he retired to bed, and was shocked at his condition. After a restless night he sank into a sleep about 8 a.m. Saturday, from which he never again regained consciousness. A specialist was called in on the Monday, who strongly recommended an operation on the brain. He was removed to the Infirmary near his home and survived the operation, which itself proved without avail, and he passed away about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22nd, in the 67th year of his age.
The funeral took place on Saturday morning, February 25th. Mr. A. McKenzie (Holinwood Lane), read the 90th Psalm and engaged in prayer at the house, and committed his body to the grave in Scholemoor Cemetery, Bradford, in the pure and certain hope of glorious resurrection. Mr. G. Whitbread (Manchester) gave a short address at the grave side, and the writer was favoured to conduct the service in the chapel, where he had so long and so faithfully been enabled to preach the glorious gospel. Despite the early hour the chapel was filled with the mourners from the causes in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Mr. Booth leaves a widow, two sons and three daughters.
W. G. B. V.
John Booth (1861-1928) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He was appointed the Pastor of Zoar Particular Baptist Chapel, Bradford, a position he served for thirty years. Walter Brooke wrote of him:
“With mingled feelings of pleasure and sorrow I accede to the request to write a short Foreword to the memoir of the life of my late beloved and esteemed friend. His removal is a great personal loss to me, having walked in loving friendship with him for about thirty years. Un- broken fellowship is a choice and rare privilege in these days when misunderstanding too often sadly mars our communion. In dear John Booth one possessed a friend to whom the heart could be opened freely. And if one was compelled to differ in judgment, which in this present imperfect state is well-nigh inevitable at times, there was no fear of communion being in any degree interrupted. His mind was large enough to admit that the freedom he claimed for himself should be accorded to others. Many interesting, entertaining and profitable hours did we spend together in friendly argument and discussion. Of him as a preacher one needs not to say much, as his praise is in the churches. But having had the privilege of hearing him on several occasions, perhaps a little personal testimony may be seasonable. His style was very clear and concise; his remarks very direct and pointed. This was the result of much prayerful thought and careful study. Our friend was no loiterer in the Lord's vineyard. Here is a specimen of his terse and suggestive mode of teaching: I was listening to my esteemed friend on a special occasion, and as he read his lesson, on reaching the words, " Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done," he paused, and in a most forceful manner remarked, Do you know what that means ? That means, Crucify me.” What a volume of meaning appeared to me in these few words! His simplicity of purpose, and the fearless expression of his deep convictions, were marked features of his preaching. There was no mistaking his meaning. John Booth believed and acted upon the words of his Lord and Master, " And call no man your father upon the earth, for One is your Father which is in heaven; neither be ye called masters, for One is your Master, even Christ." He sought his message from his Lord, and delivered it " not with enticing words of man's wisdom," but that "which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." His labours were indeed abundant. His heart was in his loved work, and he always aimed to give his hearers of his very best. During my long, painful affliction his tender sympathy was marked, and he believed the time would come when I should again testify of the grace and love of the Lord Jesus. And it is my great comfort that he was spared to know that his convictions were true. In September of last year we met in Sussex, and I then heard him preach, from Rev. 19:6: "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." How we rejoiced together! On hearing of his lamented end, my heart was gladdened amid the sorrow in reflecting that his ransomed soul had joined the heavenly host in singing " Alleluia!” May those who have taken in hand the production of this volume be cheered and encouraged by a quick and extensive sale. And may we who are left for a while to labour on, remember the word of exhortation: "Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever."
John Booth Sermons
Further Study
