The Life And Ministry Of George Thomas

Earthen Vessel 1891:

I was born in London in the year 1851, and I was the object of a loving mother’s prayers, who was a member of the Church at Hill-street, Dorset-square, having been baptized by the late John Forman, at the early age of 16. My earliest religious impressions were received when I was 14 years of age; but being placed in the midst of ungodly men, and being removed in providence from my home, these all passed away; and looking back upon the period of time between the ages of 14 and 22, I must cover that, and only say, I was the chief of sinners.

My conversion took place in the Whitfield Tabernacle, Tottenham Court-road, London, the second Lord’s-day evening in February, 1873, under a sermon preached by Dr. Bevan, from Matt. 18:11: “For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.” This was the turning point of my life. I was, at that time, in a situation in Oxford-street, London; but being removed to a situation in Finsbury-square, London, I attended the ministry of Mr. W. Cuff, in Providence Chapel, Hackney-road, and seeing that baptism, by immersion, was the only right way to, the Table, I applied for admission to the Church, and was baptized by Mr. Cuff in April, 1874, and was, for a few years, an active worker in the Sunday-schools, Mission, and Church; but something transpiring, in connection with the life and walk of one of the members, led to my withdrawal from that Church at the close of the year 1877, and for a time I attended various places, but could not find what my soul needed, until again another move brought me to the ministry of my dear friend, Mr. John Box, of Soho Chapel, Oxford-street; there my soul was fed, and the doctrines of grace, which I had never heard before, satisfied the longing of my soul.

Invited by my dear friend, the late Mr. W. Russell, I became a teacher in the school, and in 1880 I joined the Church there by experience. My membership having lapsed with the Church at Providence, and their not being of the same faith and order. I taught the Bible-class (young men), and the class rapidly increased from five members to thirty; some were blessed under the instruction, and joined the Church.

In the year 1882 a friend urged me to preach for him, and although it was with fear and trembling, I at last consented to try, and did so with some acceptance. I thought I ought to tell my dear pastor, Mr. Box, what I had done. The result of that was, an invitation to preach three times before the Church at Soho, which I did in the months of April and May, 1882. Mr. Box then recommended me to the Church at Borough-green, Kent, and I preached there for the first time, July 31, 1882, and was asked to preach two Lord’s-days in August and twice again in September, when I was desired by the Church to preach for three months, with a view to the pastorate.

After prayerful consideration I consented, and at the end of three months the Church decided to wait another month, and lay the matter in prayer before the Lord. And in February, 1883, I was elected pastor of the Church, only five members dissenting. The Lord was with us, and blessed the word. Congregation increased, and I had the pleasure of baptizing 18 or 20. But in the year 1886 I felt it my duty to resign the office I held, and with mutual regret on the part of the Church and myself, I left the Church at Borough-green the last Lord’s-day in September, 1886, carrying with me the love and good wishes of that kind and loving people. May the Lord bless them.

After much prayer the Lord directed my steps to Akeman-street, Tring. I entered upon my ministry here the first Lord’s-day in November, 1886, and was chosen pastor the last week in March, 1887, only one neutral. The Lord has blessed us, our congregations have increased, souls have been saved, and many have Joined the Church. The work is hard, but the Lord who sent me here has sustained me, and I trust He will still continue to do so (if His will) for many years. And my soul cries: “To His name be all the glory.” Amen.

I am, yours in Him,

George W. Thomas

George Thomas

George Thomas (1851-1936) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He had somewhat of an unsettled ministry, serving the pastoral office for eight congregations. (1) Borough Green, 1883-1886; (2) Tring, 1886-1891; (3) Tabernacle, Watford, 1893-1908; (4) Dunstable, 1909; (5) Beulah, Watford, 1910-1918; (6) Staines, 1918-1920; (7) Bexleyheath, 1920-1921; (8) Pulham, 1922-1933.