• Samuel Ponsford

    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…

  • John Smart

    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…

  • John Bush

    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,…

  • John Andrews

    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…

  • J. C. Thurston

    The Life And Ministry Of J. C. Thurston

    Mr. Thurston was born at Colchester, Essex, and in mature years was called by grace, and soon after engaged in local preaching. He subsequently had a settled pastorate at Harwich for a period of about five years. From thence he removed to Halstead and was pastor there for a similar period. During the latter part of this pastorate, he preached occasionally in London, and at "Pump Pail," Croydon, and was heard acceptably; and on receiving an invitation from the Church of Christ assembling there he commenced his services, with a view to the pastorate, on the first Sunday in December, 1859. His first text being, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; it is the power of God unto salvation." He continued his…

  • J. Copeland

    The Life And Ministry Of J. Copeland

    It was my happiness to have godly parents. My father and mother were both members of the Strict, Baptist Church which used to worship in Dorchester Hall, Mintern Street, Kew North Road, London. My father was also a teacher in the school there for some years. l was reared in the midst of the truth. As a child, was ever ready to hear anything on Bible subjects. At school I might be seen close beside the teacher, drinking in his every word. When an address was given I had eyes and ears for no other than the speaker. What I heard impressed my heart too. I longed to be a Christian. When standing beside the baptismal pool, I used to wonder if I should ever…