The Life And Ministry Of George Banks
Earthen Vessel 1898:
George Banks, Of Willenhall, Staffs
The space at my disposal will only permit me to select a few of the leading features of my life, therefore what follows must be regarded as furnishing some illustration of the lovingkindness and mercy of the Lord.
I was born March 14th, 1856, at Gomer-street, Willenhall, Staffs., and here have spent the whole of my life with the exception of a short interval in my childhood. My early days were not characterised by many striking incidents, but a kindly Providence watched over rne, and preserved me from many ills. On one occasion I had a narrow escape from being run over by a horse and cart, the wheel, however, only passing partly over my foot and squeezing it badly.
At an early date I was sent to St. Giles’ Sunday-schools, but owing to the distance of the schools from my home, I was subsequently sent to the little Baptist Sunday-school then held in Gomer-street. I soon became attached to the friends there, and remained with them until February, 1868, when my parents removed to Birmingham. After an absence of about eighteen months, we returned to Willenhall, and I rejoined my class in the Sunday-school. My teacher took great interest in me, and persuaded me to attend the week evening prayer-meetings. I look upon this circumstance with peculiar pleasure, and gratitude, for it was soon manifest that the hand of the Lord was in it. About the end of the year 1871, while attending the Thursday evening prayer-meeting, the Holy Spirit convinced me of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come. The senior deacon, who was conducting the meeting, gave out the hymn,
“When Thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come,
To take Thy ransomed people home,
Shall I among them stand?
Shall such a worthless worm as I,
Who sometimes am afraid to die,
Be found at Thy right hand?”
The question was forced upon me, “Shall I among them stand?” The burden of sin weighed heavily upon me, I was seized with trembling and a “fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation from the Lord.” The mere repetition of the prayer taught at my mother’s knee did not suffice, but I earnestly implored, with many tears, the merciful forgiveness of the Lord. For many months I was in agony of soul. Sometimes I had a little hope, and again it was crushed. At times I vainly attempted to work out a personal righteousness, with the result that I was made to abhor myself more and more. In God’s good time the hour of deliverance came. In the spring of 1873, Mr. R. Turner, of Netherton, was the preacher for the day. In the morning he announced for his text, “Let Israel hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption” (Psa. 130:1). The sacred words were powerfully and sweetly applied to my soul by the Holy Spirit, and the sermon was confirming. I realized forgiveness of sin, and acceptance in the Beloved. My happiness I cannot describe; suffice it to say “Old things had passed away and all things had become new.” On May 31st, 1874, I gave an account of my experience to the Church, and was baptized by Mr. Richard Turner, on June 7th. Shortly after I became a teacher in the Sunday-school, then secretary, and by-and-bye superintendent.
In 1875, the late Mr. S. Cozens, who afterwards became my father- in-law, returned from Australia, and became pastor of the Church. Under his ministry I was greatly helped and instructed in the faith. Mr. Cozens resigned in December, 1877, and for some time the Church was ministered to by supplies, but these being few in the district, we were sometimes without a preacher. I was frequently requested to try and speak to the people, but declined, fearing to engage in such a solemn work without being satisfied that the Lord had called me to it. However, it transpired in June, 1879, after trying in all directions, the deacons failed to obtain a minister. They said they believed the Lord intended by this circumstance that I should speak in His name. I still declined, but on my way to Chapel, these words came forcibly to my mind, “Son of man, go and speak to this people.” As soon as I was seated the deacon came to me, and said, “You must speak to-day.” Tremblingly I went to the desk and spoke from the words which first set my soul at liberty (Psa. 130:7). I spoke again in the evening from Acts. 10:43. From that time till Dec., 1880, I continued to occupy the pulpit on alternate Sundays; then was pressed to take the pastorate, my ordination services being held Dec. 6th, 1880. The venerable Thomas Jones, of Broseley, who, to the day of his death, took a kindly interest in me, preached the ordination sermon and addressed the Church, and Mr. R. Turner, of Netherton, gave the charge to the pastor-elect. My pastorate at Gurner-street Chapel was continued in happiness and prospetity till June, 1884, when the Gomer-street Church united with the Little London Church, and I was called to the pastoral oversight.
Shortly after this union the Chapel was renovated at a cost of £500; and since then the mortgage has gradually decreased and other debts have been discharged, the minister’s house enlarged, and the expenses defrayed. During my nearly fourteen years’ pastorate most of those who take an active interest in the cause have been brought into Church fellowship, while on the other hand many of our dear old friends have been called home. It has been my prayerful desire, that more souls should be saved, but the results of our labour must be left with God. For some time the conviction has been growing upon me that it would be wise to resign, and, after much earnest prayer the step has been taken. My pastorate has been characterized by both joys and sorrows, and I part from the Church as from a family for whom I have lived, prayed, and laboured.
May the Lord bless His Church, and guide my future.
George Banks
George Banks (1856-1950) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. In 1880, he was appointed pastor of the church meeting at Gurner-street Chapel. After four years, the church united with the Little London Church, over which he was called to the pastoral oversight, resigning this role in 1898. In 1914, he was appointed pastor of Tenison Road, Cambridge, a position he held until 1938.
