The Life And Ministry Of Francis Yates
Waymarks Vol 4 (1932):
Some of us have lost a very close friend, and the Church of God is the poorer, since the Lord has been pleased to take to Himself another of His servants—Mr. Brands Oakes Yates, the dearly loved Pastor of the Strict Baptist Church at Gave Adullam, Beeches Road, Blackheath, Staffs. The departed had entered upon his 84th year, forty-two years of this long life having been lovingly spent with the aforenamed church.
Our friend passed away very peacefully in his sleep, in the early hours of October 11th, his funeral taking place on the following Saturday afternoon, at the spot where for so long a time he was enabled to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ. It is estimated that about 500 people gathered at the funeral service, at which Mr. T. Gole and Mr. S. R. Hunt officiated, in accord with the expressed wishes of their late beloved friend. Before the mourners left the house, another old friend of the deceased, Mr. J. T. Adams, engaged in prayer. As we purpose giving a biographical account of Mr. Yates in the December number of “Waymarks,” let it now suffice for us to add our heartfelt expressions of Christian sympathy with the bereaved family and Church. We are persuaded that these sentiments will be feelingly endorsed by the people of God up and down the country.—Samuel Hunt
“An Old Disciple”
Being a short account of the wonders of sovereign grace in the life and death of FRANCIS OAKES YATES, the late dearly loved Pastor of the Strict Baptist Church, meeting for divine worship at “Cave Adullam” Chapel, Beeches Road, Blackheath, Staff’s
Francis Oakes Yates was born at Broseley in Shropshire, on March 3rd, 1849. At the age of eight years he removed with his parents to Gradley Heath, near to Old Hill where he resided until his death. Far from being of a religious turn of mind, our friend not only grew up in gross darkness as to the letter of truth, but openly pursued a very wild course of living for a number of years. At an early age he was married. Very often have his friends heard him refer to the many heavy trials through which he was called to pass in later years, as fatherly chastisements filled with sorrowful reminders of the vanities in which he spent his youth. Such would be his expressions, “My sins and my follies have brought my sufferings upon me, and I have to pay the price for my headstrong youth.” Again and again these painful reflections were made the subject of tender warning from the pulpit by Mr. Yates, to the young people. When thirty years of age, the decree went forth concerning our friend,—“Almighty love, arrest that man.” It was in the midst of a serious illness, and upon the never-to-be-forgotten Christmas night of the year 1879, that this old disciple learned for the first time what Brewer meant when he said—
“I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding-place.”
In awful agony of mind, under this painful but clear teaching, our friend made three attempts upon his life, but Satan was defeated, and his sins were pardoned before the break of day. By the same ever blessed Spirit who had convinced of sin, a sweet and solemn discovery was made to Frank Yates of the Lord Jesus on the cross, so that a wondrous deliverance from sin and guilt was wrought in his soul. Such was the precious effect produced, that the Heavenly Teacher and His humbled disciple walked together in sweet communion for about six weeks. From that time our friend attended Old Hill Church, under the ministry of the late James Ormiston, of honoured memory, and a close friendship was established between these two men of God. It was at a Prayer Meeting in this Church that the voice of this young disciple was first heard in public prayer, and it is evident that be prayed indeed, because of the effect that his utterances had upon the godly present. Shortly after, Mr. Ormiston organised Cottage Meetings, and Mr. Yates used to attend them with him. One night Mr. Ormiston purposely stayed away, because he was impressed that it would be right for Mr. Yates to speak at the meeting. The sequel worked out in accordance with Mr. Ormiston’s desire, but above all we firmly believe—in accord with the plan of Him who, after a similarly striking call by grace, anointed Saul of Tarsus to preach the gospel. Subsequently Mr. Yates fulfilled a preaching engagement at Coseley, and a young woman was called by grace under the sermon then delivered. There was also an old man present who attended the chapel at Jew’s Lane, Gornal, and he was so blessed in hearing, that he told Thomas Tomlinson, one of the deacons there, that he believe he had found the right minister for them. The mind of this deacon, if appears, became much exercised in this matter, until he had to go to Mr. Yates and make known his case. When Thomas Tomlinson and Frank Yates met, the former addressed the latter thus: “They tell me you have started to preach,” to which statement Mr. Yates replied: Well, if I have begun to preach, I hope the Lord will stop me, for it will only be wood, hay and stubble if it is my work; but if He does anything by me, then it will stand.” The deacon burst into tears saying, “They’ll do, there’s a few poor cripples at Gornal would like thee to come and speak to them.” Our dear friend went on the following Sabbath, and again a week later. It was at Gornal where he was baptised in October, 1881, by the late Mr. Townsend of Cheltenham. The outcome of those two engagements was a pastorate of nine and a half years duration over the Gornal Church. During this time Mr. Yates remained in business, but towards the close he began to find that six days in the office, followed by the journey from Old Hill to Gornal on the Sunday, with the strain of preaching, became too much for him.
About this period, the deacons at Cave Adullam, Blackheath, asked him to supply the pulpit there, to which he agreed, and eventually he was led to transfer his labours as a stated minister to the spot which he often called “The Cave.” From thence, however, till about two years before his death, the Gornal friends welcomed the occasional Sabbath visits which Mr. Yates paid annually to them. Probably few ministers have been favoured by God with such a large place in the hearts of so many people, in one spot, and for so long a period, as Mr. Yates. His ministry which was exercised at Blackheath for 42 years, was one of gracious gospel simplicity, and had a remarkable effect, by the blessing of God, upon his people. Many were called by grace under it, and some can speak feelingly of times of Special favour and marked deliverances. How often this old disciple loved to exalt the grace of God that had brought him out of darkness into His marvellous light! How earnestly did he exalt the Lord Jesus as the only ground of hope for poor sinners, often clinching his testimony by saying: “You know I am behind what I say!” The last time our dear friend preached, was before his own people on Tuesday evening, February 23rd of this year, his text being taken from Psalm 27:8, 9. Bodily weakness, and the infirmities of old age, prevented him from continuing his loved work from that time. During the last few months of his life he passed through many seasons of trial as to his eternal interest. He would sometimes say to his friends: “I am afraid I am deceived,” when, in reply, they would remind him of the comfort he had given them many times, bidding him remember that the same God could, and would, help him right through. And so it proved, for light broke through from heaven at eventide. A week before the end came, one of his deacons called to see him, and the dear old pilgrim repeated the whole of Cowper’s hymn: “There is a fountain filled with blood.” When the verse was reached, commencing: “The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day”—he said: “All my sins are washed away.”
On the following Thursday evening we called, and could plainly see that our parting on earth was drawing very near. Such proved to be the case. On the following Monday afternoon, another deacon from our friend’s Church called, and his pastor said (referring to the times of darkness which had been experienced), ‘I have been devil-deluded, but now I know that He is a Sovereign, Eternal, unchangeable God.” In the evening this dear old disciple was quietly carried up to bed for the last time, for in the early hours of the following morning he passed peacefully away to glory, in his sleep. No words of ours can describe the closing scene as aptly as those which say of Jacob’s home going,’—“He gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people” (Gen. 49:33). As was stated in the November number, our late loved friend was laid to rest by the spot where for so many years he declared to others what his Saviour had revealed to him. A funeral sermon was preached by Mr. T. Cole, on Lord’s Day evening, November 13th, from the words: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). A large congregation gathered to listen with mingled feelings of sorrow and thankfulness, for while a consideration of the unsullied joy into which this old disciple of Jesus has been received for ever is matter for constant praise, the big gap which his departure hence has caused, makes nature mourn and weep.
Samuel Rutherford Hunt
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Digitised by the Strict Baptist Historical Society.
Francis Yates (1849-1932) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served nine-and-a-half years as pastor for the church meeting at Jew’s Lane, Gornal; and then forty-two years as pastor for the church meeting at Cave Adullam, Beeches Road, Blackheath, Staffs.
