The Life And Ministry Of Frank Fells

Earthen Vessel 1898:

Pastor Frank Fells, Martyrs’ Memorial Baptist Church, Beccles, Suffolk

Dear Christian Brother,—I feel it to be a very solemn and sacred matter to write a short sketch of one’s life. At your request, however, I will attempt to do so, craving Divine help, and guidance, so that experiences may be recorded, which shall most benefit those who read, and afford matter for reflection, and meditation to the spiritually discerning, who are able to see, couched in the language, the working of the Holy Ghost.

Being born in the town of Hitchin, on August 9th, 1866, it is my delight to look back and remember that the Lord began to deal with me at a very early age. I could not have been more than eight years old when spiritual impressions were first made upon me. It devolved upon me at my mother’s request, who was an invalid, to read hymns to her. On one occasion I distinctly remember she requested me to read,

“A few more years shall roll,

A few more seasons come,

And I shall be with those that rest

Asleep within the tomb.”

These words made a very deep impression upon me, which, of course, at that time I did not understand.

About a year later my mother died, and this was the occasion of deeper anxiety about my soul. If death should come to me, where should I go to? Where should I spend my eternity? These questions were real to me then. It was my privilege to attend the Sunday-school, and I praise my Lord for what He did for me through its instrumentality. This was at Bethel Chapel, Hitchin. The Lord was pleased to lead me yet deeper into the knowledge of my sinnership. I well remember Mr. Barringer, of Cranleigh, coming to address the school. Before he concluded his remarks, he asked us to remember a text, and repeat it to him when he came again; it was, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psa. 9:17). This was intended by the Lord for me, and its application to my conscience by the Holy Ghost, made me feel my utter hopelessness and ruin. My heart sank, fearing the future; not a gleam of light, nor a ray of hope did I see, or expect, although I believe, now, I was secretly upheld by the Almighty power of God. How kind and gracious the Lord is. In His own time it pleased Him, “To raise me up to a hope in the mercy of God.”

And it was on this wise—My soul was burdened with the guilt of sin; yet, I was afraid I did not feel sin deeply enough. I was troubled because I was not as I thought sufficiently troubled; I prayed because I could not pray; I repented because I could not repent. Ah, ’twas a solemn experience, I stood guilty before God. It was, however, laid upon my mind to make special prayer all through one week, that on the next Sunday morning I might receive the blessing I so much needed. Mr. Edward Smith, of Burwash, was engaged to preach on that particular day. He was blind, but he “Could see and tell of things invisible to mortal sight.”—Milton.

The Sunday morning arrived, and I wended my way to Chapel expecting something in answer to my prayers. There was nothing in the first part of the service which met my case; but, when the blind minister stood up and recited his text, it was just what I wanted. The words were, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry” (Psa. 40:1). Hope burst forth, and I was saved from black despair. This encouraged me to look for even greater things than these. Now I had not as yet clear views of the plan of salvation. I still thought there was something for me to perform ere I could experience gospel liberty. It is wonderful how the Lord shewed me that salvation is all of grace. 

One Sunday morning we were singing Toplady’s hymn, “Rock of Ages,” and when we came to the second verse, the first two lines,

“Not the labour of my hands,

Can fulfill Thy laws demands,”

scattered my legal workings, and I could then see plainly, that salvation must be by another.

About a month after this, it was my privilege to attend Southill anniversary. The late Mr. A. B. Taylor, of Manchester, was the after- noon preacher. He took for his text, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith was counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5). This was a very precious season to me, and in the doctrine of salvation by grace I was then confirmed by the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. Though my mind was now being educated in the truth of God, yet I longed for something still more decisive concerning my own personal salvation. How I prized the means of grace. I was all on the alert for more light, love, and liberty. Others could speak of experiences I knew nothing of. I was especially wrought upon by hearing solemn sermons. Nevertheless, I went for some time ere my soul was set at liberty under the Gospel. Easter Sunday evening, 1886, is a never-to-be-forgotten period in my history. I went to Gower-street Chapel, London, to hear Mr. Hazlerigg, of Leicester; his text was, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1). The preacher depicted a poor sinner of the first magnitude, and said, “Now when you feel this, you will thank God for the fountain;” and there was I, in the fountain, and washed clean. Liberty was granted, and nothing more appropriate could close that service, than, 

“There is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains.”

The subject of believer’s baptism was now impressed upon my mind. In God’s providence I removed to Winchester, and in September, 1887, was baptized by Mr. Smith, whose ministry I much enjoyed.

I now had an abiding and increasing desire to declare to others the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a short time the way opened for this, and the Spirit graciously enlarged my heart, and blessed the Word. Things went on evenly for some length of time. But affliction, bereavement, and sorrow overtook me, and rebellion, murmuring, together with a deeper discovery of my proneness to forget the God I loved, ensued. But I found it hard for me to kick against the pricks. My heart was overwhelmed within me, and poverty of soul was my lot. What bitter hours were then my portion; yea, the enemy came in like a flood; the Word of God made me tremble indeed. But this was all to make me feel more than ever my deep need of Divine upholding. All through this painful period I still had the desire to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. The time came when the Lord turned my captivity as streams in the desert; then could I say with the Psalmist, “The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad.” The Lord directed my steps to Hartley-row, Hants, in which place I witnessed for the Lord Jesus, until the call came for me to minister to the Church at Beccles. This was the Lord’s doing, I had no hand in it. There are evident signs in our midst of the Divine approval, and God is moving among the people. I feel my need of Divine assistance to discharge the duties of the pastorate. There are many friends rallying round us, and our prayer is, that we may have grace given us to press on, and to be found faithful “Until the daybreak and the shadows flee away.”

Yours in the Gospel, 

Frank Fells

Beccles, Suffolk.