The Life And Ministry Of J. Everett

Earthen Vessel 1896:

Pastor J. Everett, Of Grays, Essex

According to your request, I send you a brief account of my call by grace, to the ministry, and to the pastorate of Ebenezer, Grays.

I was born of godly parents in the year 1852, and, like the rest of the fallen sons of Adam, walked accordingly to the course of this world, 

“Wandering from Him while I could,

Till ‘shall come’ stopped my feet.”

This took place when I was 17 years of age, under the ministry of the late dear Mr. Parker, the then pastor of “Hope,” Norton-street, Bethnal Green, who took for his text one Sunday morning the words, “For we must needs die” (2 Sam. 14:14). The fear of death filled me with terror. It was then I was brought into the wilderness. A fearful dread of God’s wrath through conscious guilt, brought me into great distress of mind, fearing to go to sleep at night, lest I should wake up in eternal torment. I walked my room in agony, and such was the anguish of my soul, I was tempted to resort to extreme measures by drowning myself, and thus put an end to my miserable existence, but the overruling providence of God mercifully prevented. I went back to my room and earnestly implored His mercy, and before my eyes appeared the suffering Man of sorrows. I looked up into His face, and, as His languid eyes were fixed on me, my soul was filled with dread, for His very look seemed to bring home the charge of His death. Oh, how I wept! Satan seemed to whisper, “There is no hope,” and the thought of being lost for ever made me tremble in every limb, and with bowed head, I could do naught but weep. Oh, how I longed again to look, but dare not. At last I felt I must venture, and again I looked, and upon me He fixed His eye, and amid His sorrow, the mild beams of His mercy flooded my distressed soul; He seemed to smile and speak my sins forgiven. I arose from my knees with,

“O blessed be Jesus for answering prayer,

And raising my soul from the pit of despair.”

And now my soul sings:—

“It was all of Thy grace I was led to obey,

While others were suffered to go

The path which by nature we choose as our way,

And which leads to the chambers of woe.”

About two years after the Lord had called me by His grace, I was baptized in the same blessed house of prayer.

Call To The Ministry

Filled with love to my newly found Saviour, I longed to tell others of the grace that had saved me, and to extol His sweet name. I began preaching in the open air, and held cottage meetings. But feeling the want of a better education, I gave up my situation which I held for eight years in the General Post Office, and entered college. From college I went to Broughton in Notts., where, to the best of my ability, I laboured in the Lord’s vineyard five years, during which time I also preached at Long Clawson, on Tuesday evenings, and Willowby, in Leicestershire, on Friday evenings. Feeling the Lord had no more work for me to do in those parts, I resigned, when I was presented with twenty pounds, which has been spent long since, and a Bible, which I have in my possession and which I highly prize.

My next sphere of labour was in Colwell, Isle of Wight, where I laboured for the Master five and a half years. Here, to His honour be it said, many were brought to His feet. It was here also that Satan sorely tempted me to believe the Lord had never called me into the ministry, and so strong was his temptation, I came to the conclusion I would never speak any more in His name. I resigned and went back to business. No sooner had I done this, than I was troubled about leaving the ministry, to which the Lord had given, as I thought, evidences that He had called me, and these words followed me constantly, “Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel.” Nevertheless, I was determined to use no effort to get into the work again, feeling that if I was truly called to the work He would open doors.

About this time I attended prayer-meetings which brother Dainton held in his house. On one occasion, being at the prayer-meeting, I met one who was to me (at that time) a stranger, whom I found out afterwards to be brother Stevens, of Zion Chapel, Norbiton. After the meeting was over, the good brother asked me which way I was going. I told him; then said he, “We will walk together.” On our way, after speaking of the Lord’s dealings, he asked me if I went out preaching. I replied, “When the Lord opens doors.” “Well,” said he, “will you preach for us at Norbiton?” I consented, after a while, and went. (I shall not speak in my own behalf; let that dear brother speak for me). I was asked to speak the following Thursday, which I did. Feeling at home with the people, I joined the Church, not by letter of dismissal (having come out from “The Generals”), but by giving an account of the Lord’s dealings with me before the Church. After some time I was asked to supply two Lord’s-days in the month. From there I was sent to Streatham, and supplied two Lord’s-days a month, where I felt exceedingly at home. Dear brother Russell, one of the deacons, spoke to me about joining the Strict Baptist Ministers’ Association. A twelvemonth after I applied for admission. I preached my trial sermon, after which I received the right hand of fellowship. By that Association I have been sent out to preach at Dunstable, Thame, Irthlingboro’, Finchley, etc.

I became acquainted with brother Bond through the Association, and on one occasion he asked me if I would supply his place at Grays. I did so. The Word was blessed. I was asked to go again, but could not, having all Lord’s-days filled up, but promised on Wednesdays for several months. This led the Church to give me a three months’ call. After much prayer for guidance I accepted the invite. Another Church meeting was held, and dear brother Whithers, having to do business in Leyton, called at the office where I was employed and told me that at the Church meeting it was unanimously agreed that I be asked to take the pastorate. After much prayer for several weeks, feeling it was a call from the Lord, I accepted the same; and now, my dear brother, I have one desire, and that is—“

“To be nothing. Only to lie at His feet,

A broken and empty vessel, for the Master’s use made meet.”

Yours in Him, 

J. Everett