{"id":26765,"date":"2026-09-04T11:23:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/?p=26765"},"modified":"2026-09-04T12:51:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T12:51:38","slug":"the-life-and-ministry-of-james-sharples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/2026\/09\/the-life-and-ministry-of-james-sharples\/","title":{"rendered":"The Life And Ministry Of James Sharples"},"content":{"rendered":"

Waymarks Vol 7 (1935)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Memory Of The Just Is Blessed\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

A Brief Account Of The Lord\u2019s Gracious Dealings With James Thomas Sharples, Late Pastor Of The Strict Baptist Church At Evington, Near Leicester<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the grace of God, James Thomas Sharples was what he was. Actuated by this persuasion, our pen moves with our heart, while endeavouring to make known what sovereign grace did for him, and how it eventually burst forth into glory when he left us for heaven. So, while the benefit of this little account shall be, we trust, far reaching; the glory must be given to Him, who alone being worthy, says: \u201cMy glory will I not give to another\u201d (Isa. 42:8). Be it known to all readers who were not privileged to come in contact with Mr. Sharples, that the grace of God shone in his humble, consistent walk, and low estimation of himself. Hence he considered that the diary containing an outline of the Lord\u2019s gracious dealings with him, was of too personal a character. Therefore he destroyed it. So in more ways than one, we feel very conscious of our limitations, in even attempting an adequate tribute to the honoured memory of this dear man of God, whom we so much loved. For what can be made known, we are greatly indebted to Miss Sharples, and other close relatives and friends, who have kindly taken such pains in assembling the following facts. We are convinced that the reason for their willingness to come to our aid, in the matter of laying before our readers some reflections of so godly a life, may be viewed from more than one aspect. In the first place, who will cherish a true record of one gone home to glory, more than those most closely related in the ties of nature? It is therefore very reasonable that these kind helpers should entertain a prospect of handling, what our tender regard for the departed one, makes us so anxious to give them. Certainly too, much thought has been given to the church and congregation at Evington, in whose midst Mr. Sharples laboured and dwelt for nineteen years. How highly these friends esteemed their pastor, in love, for his work\u2019s sake I \u2018\u2018Waymarks\u201d also, with its Committee and readers, we are sure, have been equally under consideration; for our late friend was always most deeply interested in the well-being of this Magazine. His articles upon \u201cGod\u2019s Witnesses,\u201d appearing in Volumes I. to IV., have doubtless been read, and will be re-read by many, with pleasure and profit. Truly, \u201dhe, being dead, yet speaketh.\u201d In the passing of this highly esteemed writer and friend, we have sustained an irreparable loss. The family and friends of Mr. Sharpies, in their kind oo-operation with us respecting this little account, remember too, undoubtedly, how true a friend he was to the Aged Pilgrims\u2019 Friend Society, and Trinitarian Bible Society. As a constant speaker on their platforms, and by the quiet help given in other ways, his sympathies were clearly seen. Neither can we forget how much appreciated was his assistance in the work of the Sovereign Grace Union. How dearly he loved and contended for the doctrines of free and sovereign grace, as set forth by this Union! More than once, when in his company, have we heard him quietly, but firmly deprecate looseness in dealing with sound doctrine. It would appear that the work of grace was begun in our friend when about 16 years of age. His depression at this time, under conviction of sin, was observed by those near and dear to him, and the experience through which he passed of sorrow and deliverance, he made known very simply but clearly, to his brother. During this heavy period of soul trouble, which lasted for several days, Mr. Sharples sought to be much alone, that he might wrestle with the Lord in prayer, confessing his sins, and begging for deliverance through the precious blood of Christ. Ultimately the darkness and depression was divinely dispersed in a remarkable way. One evening he rambled in the fields near his home, Bradley Hall Farm, near Blackburn, Lancs.; wondering whatever was the matter with him, and at a spot far away from any habitation, he sat down under an old tree, where he poured out his heart before God in prayer. The answer was given, and as the Word was applied with power, he felt as if a big burden had been removed, and his soul was filled with holy joy and peace in believing. This experience became an abiding anchorage throughout the life of our loved friend, who was ever determined, in his ministry, to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Evidently the Lord prepared His servant for the work of proclaiming the gospel, when still in his teens. One day, when at his home, after sitting in the orchard reading the Bible, he came in and told his sister that the Lord had been intimating to him that he had to be a minister of the gospel. From that time onwards, his mind never reverted from those convictions. While unable to give more particulars concerning the call to, and commencement of, the ministry of Mr. Sharples, we have the proof of that call in looking back upon the usefulness of his beautifully simple, scriptural, and unctuous testimony, which has made its mark not only at Evington, but in many places elsewhere. Another circumstance worthy of note is before us, concerning a homeward journey, from Blackburn Strict Baptist Chapel, when Mr. Sharples, in his youth, was walking and talking with his brother. The latter produced a pamphlet that had been given him, entitled, \u201cA brand plucked from the burning,\u201d and asked his brother what that title really meant. Whereupon our friend said that he knew, for he was \u201ca brand plucked from the burning.\u201d He proceeded to explain how and why he was such, showing that what the pamphlet said, exactly applied to his own case.<\/span><\/p>\n

Records are wanting as to early preaching days, but we have no doubt that there was some definite link in this part of the experience, between James Thomas Sharples and the church at Blackburn, where he stood as an honoured member for over forty years. Pastoral labours commenced at Evington on Sept, 1st, 1916, and were marked by the first sermon which was preached from the words: \u201cFor I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified\u201d (1 Cor. 2:2). So real must that holy determination have been to tins dear man of God, that we are told he took the same text on each subsequent anniversary of this occasion. One of his deacons tells us that he was with his pastor once, at an anniversary service, when the hymn commencing, \u2018\u2018Show pity, Lord; O Lord, forgive\u201d (761, Gadsby\u2019s), was sung. This first verse so affected him, that Mr. Sharples completely broke down and often in conversation did he speak of the power of that hymn, which he said was truly his prayer. Through the last long period of physical weakness, through which the friends at Evington were sadly deprived of hearing the voice of their Pastor from his pulpit, the reality of previous blessing on preaching days, was wonderfully confirmed. In the quietude of his study, where we have been favoured again and again with sweet converse together, the Lord has drawn very near to, and blessed him, as gleanings from some of his letters given in this Memorial Number will show. His patience, meekness of spirit, and acquiescence with the will of God, were truly beautiful to witness. His calm, childlike trust in Christ was wonderfully strengthened during his long illness, so that had he preached again, his desire was to testify with renewed confidence to the power of the cross of Christ. Often during the latter part of our friend\u2019s life, he would quote these lines:<\/span><\/p>\n

“In peace let me resign my breath,<\/span><\/p>\n

And Thy salvation see;<\/span><\/p>\n

My sins deserve eternal death,<\/span><\/p>\n

But Christ has died for Me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And indeed his wish was granted; for quite peacefully he fell asleep in Jesus in the afternoon of October 3rd, 1935. The never-to-be-forgotten words which appear on the cover, were spoken on the previous evening to one of his deacons, to whom he was very much attached: \u2018\u2018All I need, all I want, is Jesus, precious Jesus!\u201d Now he is satisfied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much to the joy of his flock, Mr. Sharples had conducted the mid-week Prayer Meetings for some weeks before he entered heaven, and at these times he had been helped to give some very gracious expositions of the Word. As recently as September 25th, he expounded upon Philippians 3, and even in the afternoon of October 2nd, he was meditating upon the Sermon on the Mount, anticipating speaking therefrom at the evening service, when the severe heart attack seized him, that terminated fatally, twenty-four hours later. Thus his days on earth were peacefully closed, considering Him whose blessings are rich and rare. And though it was not to be, that our beloved friend should meet his own people again in the courts of the Lord below, he is now at rest and at home \u201cwhere congregations ne\u2019er break up, and Sabbaths have no end.\u201d Often would he say: \u201cI shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness\u201d (Psa. 17:15). Now, having closed his eyes for ever upon earth, he knows what it is to be awake with, that likeness in glory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo Thou, Lord, \u2019midst pleasure or woe,<\/span><\/p>\n

For heaven our spirits prepare;<\/span><\/p>\n

Then shortly we also shall know,<\/span><\/p>\n

And feel what it is to be there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

S. Rutherford Hunt<\/p>\n

——————————-
\nDigitised by the Strict Baptist Historical Society.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By the grace of God, James Thomas Sharples was what he was. Actuated by this persuasion, our pen moves with our heart, while endeavouring to make known what sovereign grace did for him, and how it eventually burst forth into glory when he left us for heaven. So, while the benefit of this little account shall be, we trust, far reaching; the glory must be given to Him, who alone being worthy, says: \u201cMy glory will I not give to another\u201d (Isa. 42:8). Be it known to all readers who were not…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":652,"featured_media":26768,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1908],"tags":[1232,1226],"class_list":["post-26765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-james-sharples","tag-baptist-history","tag-gospel-preachers"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26765"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26771,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26765\/revisions\/26771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.baptists.net\/history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}