The Death And Funeral Of Charles Hancock
Earthen Vessel 1900:
Our Lord and Master has been pleased to take to Himself our dearly beloved and faithful pastor, Mr. Charles Hancock, of Sturry. On Monday, December 18th he conducted the funeral service of Miss Charlotte Moat, and remarked at the graveside that we must all come to this. The next day he left home for Leicester, with his wife and daughter, for a fortnight’s change at the residence of his son; on Sunday, December 24th he went to hear Mr. Realff. During the following week he was taken very sadly, and it was thought advisable to heve medical advice, and he was ordered to bed at once. During his prostration he wrote a loving letter to the senior deacon, Mr. Morris, stating how keenly he felt the hand of the Lord in laying him low, and asking the united prayers of his loved flock that he might be spared a little longer to them, if it was the Lord’s will, but it pleased Him to take him like a shock of corn fully ripe. He passed peacefully away on January 3rd. The tidings of his departure brought deep sorrow to his flock. He was interred in the churchyard at Sturry on January 8th. Strange to relate that date was fixed for the forty-first anniversary of his pastorate at Sturry. It is worthy of note how good the Lord has been to us, as a Church, to spare our dear late pastor these many years, and to abundantly own and bless his labours among us. Mr. Harlick, of Margate, was invited to take part in the anniversary services, but, how wonderful are the ways of God, instead of this, he came to conduct the funeral service. We, as a Church, have lost a true under-shepherd, but our loss is his eternal gain. He often used to give out that beautiful hymn, after preaching, ”The sands of time are sinking,” &c. He often spoke of his approaching end, and felt sometimes that his voice might no more be heard extolling the Saviour whom he loved to serve here below, and now his faith is turned to sight, where he will no more know or feel the responsibilities of a faithful servant of the Lord in standing between the living and the dead. No more here on earth shall we hear his melodious voice conducting the singing, but hope we may one day hear and join with him to swell the song above. May God in His mercy comfort and sustain the widow and family in this bereavement, and also the Church, for His Name’s sake.
T . Morris, J. Moat, Deacons
Sturry, February 13th, 1900
Charles Hancock (1821-1900) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He took the oversight of one church throughout the course of his gospel labours, ministering to the church meeting at Sturry, Kent.
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