“Purchased To Himself A Good Degree”
Earthen Vessel 1896:
Mr. Charles Wilson
It was at our own special request that we asked permission to present our readers, at the commencement of this year, as a frontispiece to the Earthen Vessel & Gospel Herald, a portrait of our venerable and much-valued friend, Mr. Charles Wilson. In the April number for the year 1889, a portrait of Mr. Wilson was inserted from a very imperfect photograph; as we were very dissatisfied with the production, we give it again from a photo by Messrs. Russell.
Mr. Wilson concludes his second year of office in March next, as President of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches, which office, as a sincere Christian and devout man of business, he has filled with assiduity, combined with the warm and loving approbation of all who have been eye-witness to his earnest desire in furthering the interest of Churches of truth, and of poor and needy ministers of the Gospel, with a single eye to the glory of God.
Mr. Wilson is well-known in London, its suburbs, and the Eastern Counties, as a sterling man of truth. He is now approaching his four-score years, and, to the glory of God, without flattery we can add, a character unimpeachable, which, were we to ask him, he would say, “It is by the grace of God I am what I am.”
In the earlier part of his career his life was an eventful one, but by God’s blessing, in due time, was successful in business, and by which means he has, in numberless instances, helped many struggling causes and struggling individuals; and even now, to the glory of God, we can add, in the language of Holy Writ, “He bringeth forth fruit in old age” (Psa. 92:14).
Mr. Wilson was born in the parish of Stradbrook, Suffolk, May 13th 1817. His father being the village schoolmaster, he obtained knowledge which was useful to him in after days. After many changing scenes and vicissitudes he came to London; had a situation at Old Brentford; heard John Andrews Jones, whose ministry was blessed to his soul. Coming from Old Brentford to live in London, was advised to hear the late John Stevens, of Meard’s-court, under whose ministry his soul was set at liberty, and by whom he was baptized, which took place the Lord’s-day following the day Queen Victoria was crowned.
Soon after the death of Mr. Stevens, Mr. W. and his wife united with the friends at Mount Zion, Hill-street, where, through God’s goodness, he was enabled to unite with the various institutions connected with the Church, and where he has spent many happy days, and was highly favoured and blessed under the ministry of the late John Foreman. Here Mr. W. was soon called to the diaconate, which office he has filled with much credit. At this time-honoured cause Mr. W. has spent many happy days, and has often sang,
“Here my best friends, my kindred, dwell,
Here God, my Saviour, reigns.”
Mr. Wilson’s usefulness to the causes of truth in a spiritual as well as in a providential way, has made his name a household word in many a Christ-loving homestead. May he be spared to the denomination for years to come, is the prayer of many, as well as that of John Waters Banks.
Charles Wilson (1817-1898) was a Strict and Particular Baptist deacon. His first appointment was with the church meeting at Hill Street, Dorset Square, under the pastoral ministry of John Foreman. He ran a business, making provisions not only for his family, but distributing his resources to the poor. He was an active worker in several societies, including the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society. This earned for him the esteem of pastors and churches in and around London. Consequently, he was elected twice as president of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches, though not a preacher of the gospel.
