The Life And Ministry Of George Mason
Earthen Vessel 1880:
The Late Mr. George Mason
For more than fifty years a Strict Baptist Church has flourished in the favoured village of Prestwood, a short distance from the town of High Wycombe. ‘l’he once venerable Benjamin Mason, of Knowle Hill, and several of his descendants and relations were faithful friends to the cause of Christ in those parts. Our kind brother in Christ, Mr. William Mason, of Paddington, has desired us to give the following brief sketch of the life and death of his brother George Mason, who was one of the excellent, the honoured, the beloved, and devoted pillars of the Prestwood Baptist Church. Mr. William Mason says:—
“To MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. C. W. BANKS.—DEAR SIR,—It is the desire of the relations and friends of my dear brother, George Mason, that a few lines be inserted in the VESSEL respecting his connection with the Strict Baptist cause, at Zion chapel, Prestwood. He had been a member and a deacon of that cause upwards of forty years. It pleased the Lord to call him by His grace in early life, and to show him the truth of those words, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” He was led to love the grand and glorious truths of the ever-blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ, in all its doctrinal points. In this sense he never feared frowns nor courted smiles. No! he would often repeat the words of the poet,—
“Then give all the glory to His holy name,
To Him all the glory belongs.”
It hath pleased the Lord to call him from the Church militant to join the Church triumphant above. He was apparently in as good health as usual on Sunday, Feb. 1, 1880; and as it was appointed to receive Mr. Lisley and wife into the Church at Prestwood, it fell to his lot to take them by the hand, in the name and with the consent of the Church to do so. It was observed by the friends how pleased and happy he appeared in that loving service, and Mr. Lisley spoke of it when preaching his funeral sermon. My brother, George Mason, returned home after that service, was taken ill, and on Friday, Feb. 6, he fell asleep in Jesus. With all the calmness and serenity possible, the happy spirit took its flight to join the glorified choir around the throne in glory, where he so often longed to be.
The body being left lifeless, the friends from the chapel met at the cottage, conveyed it to the new burying ground at the chapel, and our warm-hearted brethren Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Price, and Mr. Lisley took a very active part in the solemn services; Mr. Lisley read, Mr. Price prayed, and it was considered that everything was done in a good Christian and loving spirit.
We met in the chapel again in the evening when a good congregation assembled, and our friend Mr. Lloyd first addressed the friends, speaking of what the Lord had done for our dear brother, what strong faith the Lord gave him, and of the happy state he now possessed. After that, Mr. Price addressed us from those words: ”These are they which came out of great tribulation,” &c., and very highly extolled the great and ever-blessed God, at the same time assuring us he believed our dear brother had already joined that happy throng. Mr. Lisley preached on the following Sabbath, when he spoke faithfully to the unprepared, and of the satisfaction he had of my brother being freed from all care and affliction, and had entered into that rest that remaineth for all that are brought to love and glorify God here below. He was 72 years of age.
Excuse all failings: this comes from one who loves the same God and the same ever-gracious truths you preach.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
WILLI.AM MASON
Paddington
George Mason (1808-1880) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. He served upwards of forty years as Deacon for the church meeting at Prestwood, High Wycombe.
