Preface
The following chapters have been mainly compiled from materials supplied to the Author from various sources. His task has, therefore, to a great extent, resembled that of one who binds together into a bouquet, a number of flowers, chosen and culled by others.
His special acknowledgments are due to Mr. J. E. Hazelton, without whose laborious and indefatigable help, this Memoir of his beloved father could not have been prepared.
To the Rev. C. T. Bust, LL.B., of Westerfield, Ipswich, and the Rev. E. Spurrier, of Colchester, he is under great obligations. His respected ministerial brethren, W. Barnes, of Walshamle-Willows; S. K. Bland, of Ipswich; W. Brown, of Colchester; G. Burrell, of Watford; J. H. Dearsly, of Clapton; W. J. Denmee , of Boro’ Green; J. Griffiths, of Plaistow; W. Hazelton, of Lewisham; C. Hill, of Stoke Ash; and J. Thornsett, of Reading, have afforded him very valuable assistance. He would also specially record his indebtedness to Mr. Henry Dadswell, who has not only revised the work in manuscript and in proof, but made several important suggestions for its improvement; and to Mr. W. P. Granville, who has kindly given permission to use the photograph, taken by himself, which so greatly adds to the interest and value of the volume. Miss Stubbins, of Brockley; Mr. C. Wright, of St. Neots; and his dear friend, Mr. Joseph Favell, of Cambridge, have also largely contributed to the accuracy of the following pages.
The many friends who have placed letters and other papers at his disposal, are cordially thanked for their kindness.
For the plan and arrangement of the book, the Author is solely responsible. He has done his best to blend the often fragmentary information, with which he was furnished, into a connected and consistent narrative, though he regrets the many deficiencies of his attempt to portray the character of one he so highly esteemed.
In submitting his labours to the Christian public, he craves permission to state that he has pursued them amid many engagements, and much weakness and pain. If, therefore, the conception of his work should appear better than its execution, he pleads that these facts may be generously taken into account.
W. J. Styles
Islington, August, 1888.
William Styles (1842-1914) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served as pastor for the churches meeting at High Wycomb (2 years); Lower Holloway (3 years); Providence, Islington; Keppel Street (10 years); West Ham (4 years); West Hill, Wandsworth (6 years). After his conversion to Christ while sitting under the ministry of the Congregationalists, he was baptized by C. H. Spurgeon and became a member of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. During this time, he enrolled in the Pastors’ School. He eventually embraced high views of sovereign grace and strict communion principles, thereby leading him to join the Strict and Particular Baptist denomination. He was an outspoken opponent of the pernicious teachings of duty-faith and the free-offer, believing that no church, minister or member had a right to identify as “Strict and Particular Baptists” if holding to those errors. He took a leading role in the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches and was a supporter of the Strict Baptist Mission. Both of these organizations now embrace the errors of duty-faith and the free-offer, standing opposed to the faith and order of the Strict and Particular Baptists.
William Styles, A Guide To Church Fellowship (Complete)
William Styles, A Memoir of John Hazelton (Complete)
