-
The Life And Ministry Of Samuel Ponsford
The late Samuel Ponsford was born at Moretonhampstead, Devon, Oct. 23rd, 1801, of poor but respectable parents. He had only a faint remembrance of his father, being quite a child when he died. His mother was a godly woman, and a member of the little Baptist chapel at Moreton, where the late Mr. Garrett was pastor. The years of his youth, from 10 to 21, were spent in a farm-house, after which he went to Exeter, and was occupied as a market gardener. At the age of 23 he married. The influence of his mother's teaching made an impression upon his mind, which abode with him until he reached the age of 25, when it pleased God to reveal his sinnership to him, and by…
-
The Life And Ministry Of Joseph Casse
Our departed brother Casse, fell asleep in Jesus, August 23, 1897, in his 78th year. “Immortal love doth now repay The transient sorrows of the way.” Our dear parent has joined the happy throng in singing the glorious anthem, ''Unto Him that washed us," &c. To the honour and glory of God this brief memoir is given to show forth His love and faithfulness. Very early in life the departed one was the subject of a work of grace, being solemnly led to ponder on sin and its consequences. Attending Sabbath-school, he was much encouraged by a godly teacher, who, in giving him a book, prayed it might he blest to his immortal spirit. After many exercises of mind, it pleased the Lord to speak…
-
The Life And Ministry Of Joseph Billing
Mr. Joseph Billing has gone from us, and is now at home with the Lord. Born in Bermondsey, he was the son of Mr. Thomas Billing who, for many years, was connected with the Printers’ Pension Society. The fear of God was planted in early life in his soul, and we have heard him tell with that pathos that moved our hearts with a strange feeling of Divine fervour, how, as an earnest Churchman, he paid a visit to Bath on business, and whilst on the coach, just before reaching the city, he lifted up his heart in prayer to be guided to comfortable apartments, and how he was directed to the house of some godly Baptists, who during his stay, "They took him unto…
-
The Life And Ministry Of John Smart
The subject of this short sketch had the great privilege to be born of godly parents. His father was a member of the Church worshipping at Providence Chapel, Bath. His mother, though a godly woman, was one of those, "who through fear of death are all their lifetime subject to bondage," and only enjoyed deliverance at the eleventh hour. Concerning her end her son writes, that, when near the close of her pilgrimage, her husband asked her how it was with her, she replied, “Dark! Dark!" Mr. Burns, who supplied the pulpit at Providence, was brought to see her by her husband, and read and prayed with her, but it was still “Dark, Dark,” she said. The adversary so sorely tried her, while her husband…
-
The Life And Ministry Of John Bush
My Dear Brother,—At your request, and with the earnest desire that the Lord may help me, and that He may bless to your readers the recital of His mercy and lovingkindness to one who is unworthy of the least of all His mercies, and continually led with the poet to say:— “O to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be! Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee," I will give you a few particulars of the Lord's gracious dealings with me. To the praise of our gracious God, who in covenant purpose has left nothing out of His perfect plan, in His wonderful arrangements in providence and grace. I was born on the 24th of April,…
-
The Life And Ministry Of John Andrews
Beloved Brother In The Lord,—ln acceding to your wish to give a brief account of my call by grace and also to the work of the ministry. I must of necessity omit various details, my time being limited, seeing I have much to attend to in connection with my removal [Removing from Ipswich, Suffolk, to Hilperton, near Trowbridge, Wilts., to enter upon the pastoral office there, June 7, 1896], as also fearing to trespass upon your valuable space. Therefore I hasten to commence with the fact that I was blest with godly parents (both members of a Strict Particular Baptist Church, i.e., meeting at Zoar Chapel, Ipswich, where with them I attended till I was about 16 years of age) and was the subject of…
