The Life And Ministry Of William Sharp
Earthen Vessel 1855:
Brighton has sustained the loss of another minister of the gospel in Mr. Wm. Sharp, who died February 24, in his 73rd year. Mr. Sharp was upwards of forty years over a congregation meeting in an upper room in the Lanes, Brighton. Mr. Sharp’s views of the ministry were in strict accordance with those of the late W. Huntington. In his early days he gave out the hymns for Mr. Brook, for whom the Church-street Chapel was built, who, for truth and conscience sake, gave up the living of the Brighton Parish Church, St. Nicholas.
Mr. Sharp’s pulpit ministrations were not characterized by eloquence of words. He was a Scripture preacher, and spake as the word of God speaks. He shewed no Jezebel’s proud face to deceive, nor did he use the arts of such who learn from colleges to preach, nor did he make merchandize of his holy office; for he gave up a lucrative business for a despised ministry, taking his example from the first followers of Christ, Acts 2:37-47. Scripture authority was his rule—not ecclesiastical. Great simplicity, combined with sterling integrity and an inwrought experience of what he preached, characterized him in the pulpit. And in this strain, without deviation, he continued to the end of his work, which finished with the last Sunday of his life, having spoke on that day from the words, ‘The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lost.’ And before the next Lord’s-day, after a few days’ illness, he entered into his rest.
As Mr. Sharp was particular and singular, as well as solemn in the pulpit; he was equally so out of it. Brighton has seen in his primitive patriarchal life, a walker with God, and a world-condemning life. The profession of the gospel in the present day, he received as without a Scripture foundation, and opposed unto the New Testament plan and order of uprightness, and as such he walked apart from it. His life exemplified the doctrine he preached—‘Faith wrought with him, and by works was faith made perfect.’ And his end was honored of the Lord without a cloud; his sun set in joy, security, and peace.
William Sharp (1782-1855) was an Independent High-Calvinist preacher. He served forty years as Minister of the Huntingtonian Chapel, Brighton.
