The Life And Ministry Of J. C. Thurston

Earthen Vessel 1890:

The Late Mr. J. C. Thurston, Pastor Of Derby Road Baptist Chapel, Croydon

Mr. Thurston was born at Colchester, Essex, and in mature years was called by grace, and soon after engaged in local preaching. He subsequently had a settled pastorate at Harwich for a period of about five years. From thence he removed to Halstead and was pastor there for a similar period. During the latter part of this pastorate, he preached occasionally in London, and at “Pump Pail,” Croydon, and was heard acceptably; and on receiving an invitation from the Church of Christ assembling there he commenced his services, with a view to the pastorate, on the first Sunday in December, 1859. His first text being, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; it is the power of God unto salvation.” He continued his services, and on Tuesday, June 27, he baptized six persons. In the following month he accepted a numerous invitation of the Church to become their pastor. On September 4, 1860, a recognition meeting was held, and at that meeting the following particulars of the cause at “Pump Pail” were given in the Earthen Vessel, for November, 1860.

“Pump Pail” Chapel was built in 1729; the trust deed was dated June 22, 1736, and contained a clear statement of the Articles of Faith of Particular Baptists. It is believed the cause was in existence several years prior to the building of the chapel.

The pastor preceding Mr. Thurston was Mr. Woodington, who was elected in 1849, and resigned in 1858. A few months previous to his resignation, a Particular Baptist Church had been formed at the North end of the town, and it was thought advisable for the two causes to unite. This was done on Whit-Tuesday, May, 1858. Brethren Moyle, Meeres, Bland, Keyworth, and Bracher, taking part in the services. From this time the cause began to revive, and this revival has continued. We are constrained to believe the Lord is in our midst. During the time our brother Thurston was with us the place became too strait for us.

As this prosperity continued for a period of five years, it was resolved in December, 1865, to build a new chapel, and in accordance with that resolve, the ground was purchased, and the memorial stone of Tamworth-road Chapel was laid August 31, 1866, by Sir John Thwaites. Mr. G. Wyard, Mr. S. K. Bland, Mr. Meeres, and Mr. Bloomfield, being present. It was a day of rejoicing. Our Wesleyan friends kindly lent us their chapel for the tea and public meeting.

The chapel was completed and opened for regular worship, and a great measure of prosperity followed for some years, and many were added to the Church, and the ministry was made a blessing to great numbers for a period of nearly ten years. But during the year 1875, Mr. Thurston, feeling he could no longer continue his ministry, tendered his resignation to the Church, and it was accepted. He preached his farewell sermon on Sunday, October 24, 1875. A portion of the Church and congregation, and Sunday-school, feeling desirous of profiting by the ministry of Mr. Thurston, left with him, and hired a room at the Public Hall; and Mr. Thurston, in response to an invitation, agreed to continue his services to them, and preached his first sermon at the Public Hall, on Sunday, October 31, 1875. The preaching of the Word at the hall was felt to be a blessing, and by the end of the year it was resolved to build a new chapel, and a building committee was formed. The ground at Derby-road was secured, and the present chapel and vestries were erected, and opened for the worship of God on June 21, 1876. Mr. Thurston preached on the following Sunday, and afterwards regularly.

In the early part of the year 1879, having paid for the chapel and the freehold, a Sunday-school was commenced; and on September 9, 1879, it was opened by tea to the scholars and friends; Mr. L. Payne, of Brighton, presiding at the evening meeting; Messrs. Alderson, Beazley, Gilfillan, and Moffat, taking part in the meeting. We felt greatly encouraged by the result of this opening, feeling that God had been very bountiful and gracious to us. Our school soon increased in numbers, to an average of 150 scholars, with a fair proportion of godly teachers, and continued to prosper.

On March 1, 1881, the trust deed, containing a full declaration of the Articles of Faith of Particular Baptists was signed by fifteen persons; Bro. Rowe and our late dear pastor being the only persons removed by death. On February 23, 1882, our pastor having reached the age of seventy years, the Church and congregation, as a proof of affection presented him with a loving address and a purse containing £77; also an album, containing the photographs of most of the subscribers, and in addition, a teapot was given to Mrs. Thurston, at an evening meeting held for that purpose. Our pastor could scarcely express his thanks in consequence of his evident emotion at what he felt to be a kind act.

June 23, 1885, at our ninth anniversary, we had the pleasure of paying the balance due to the Sunday-school, so that from that time the whole of the building and the ground were fully paid for.

From midsummer, 1883, our pastor was laid aside for a period of over nine months, with affection of the heart and paralysis. On the April 13, 1884, he, having gained strength again, resumed his ministry, although in great weakness of body, yet with spiritual power and sweetness, always exalting the Saviour for His great love to His people, and joyfully speaking of the privileges of the saint, and affectionately warning sinners and encouraging seeking souls, very beautifully showing the adaptation of the Gospel to meet the needs of those who feel their need; and thus he continued for a period of over five years, till October 20, 1889, when he preached from 1 Corinthians 2:7, and 1 John 3:16, and was unable to preach again until the last day of the year, when he preached from Psalm 31:15, “My times are in Thy hand.” After the service he tendered a letter of resignation to the Church; a Church meeting was called thereon, and they replied, that, while deeply sympathising with him, they could not accept his resignation: their wish being that he should still continue their pastor, ministering to them only occasionally, when his strength would permit. Our pastor expressed great thankfulness at this proof of love and esteem from the Church, and agreed to their wish.

During the whole time of this enforced absence from his ministerial duties, he took great effort, whenever he was able, in presiding at our prayer meeting, and also at the Lord’s table.

On Tuesday evening, he again preached from Heb. 2:25, with power and sweetness. He had a great desire to hear Mr. Carr, and as Mr. Carr could only preach on Sunday morning, March 2, 1890, Mr. Thurston preached in the evening, his last Sunday sermon from Heb. 12:2, and administered the ordinance. Again on Tuesday, March 11, he preached his last Tuesday sermon from Isaiah 43:25. The last time he administered the Lord’s Supper was the first Sunday in June.

On Tuesday, July 1, he was taken with an attack of paralysis, and for the first three weeks it seemed as if he might rally again; but on the 21st, he had an attack of pleurisy, and from this time he steadily declined, till on Wednesday morning, the 30th, he was called to join the ransomed throng, and to see Jesus, whom he loved to exalt.

On the last Sunday he was at chapel (June 29) he said he enjoyed divine things, much more when he had power to preach, but now he had not power. On the first day of his illness he seemed burdened at not having been able to preach. During the whole of his illness his mind was clear and mostly in a cheerful, thankful, and happy condition, loving to speak of the services to those around him, and of God’s great goodness and mercy. His emotion causing tears to flow, he said they were tears of joy.

On Sunday, July 19, his face seemed as if he had a sight of heaven. He said, “I have prayed that you may have a good day—that you may enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him,” he continued; “God’s people are not half joyful enough; they should praise God in the language of the Psalms.” He said at another time his feet were on the rock; and on the eve of his departure he said he was longing to depart, and that wish was granted him early the next morning. He thus died in the faith of God, July 30, 1890, aged 78 years.

On Tuesday, August 5, the funeral took place at Croydon Cemetery, the body being conveyed to the chapel, followed by ten members of the family. The solemn service was conducted by Mr. R. E. Sears and Mr. W. Horton: a hymn being sung at the commencement and at the close. The body was then taken to the Croydon Cemetery and buried near several of his flock, there to wait the resurrection of the just; Mr. W. Horton kindly and solemnly conducting the services at the grave. He drew attention to the fact that our pastor, on July 26, 1861, buried Mr. Garniss, one of his flock; this, being the first interment in the cemetery. Since then, over 24,000 persons have been interred, showing what a harvest death has reaped.

On August 10, Mr. Tooke preached to a large company of friends, with great solemnity and acceptance, from 2 Tim. 4:6,7,8, and afterwards read the above account of Mr. Thurton’s ministerial labours.

J. Woodward