The Life And Ministry Of James Flegg

Earthen Vessel 1894:

Mr. James E. Flegg, Pastor Of Park Ridings, Wood Green

I was born in London in the year 1865. My parents were members at “Salem,” Meards Court, and l was the subject of many earnest prayers. For some years I went my own way; but during those years the Lord’s eye was upon me and He preserved me. I often look back upon those years and say with emphasis:—

“Preserved in Jesus when

My feet made haste to hell;

And there I should have been,

But Thou dost all things well:

The love was great, the mercy free,

Which from the pit delivered me.”

All the dark chapter of those years is known to Him who knoweth all things, and we would cover that while we rejoice in believing the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. About the year 1880, Mr. W. Thomas became teacher of the Bible-class at Soho. This was an important period of my life. I often wonder what would have become of me if the Lord had not called me when he did, and so prevent me carrying out plans I had arranged—to His name be the praise. Mr. Thomas soon won the esteem of the class, and we felt we had in him a friend—his teaching was very useful to me at this time. One Monday evening I felt constrained to go to the prayer-meeting instead of joining my ordinary companions. I went, and hurried out after the service. I could not keep away on subsequent Mondays. Returning home one Sunday from chapel, the words, “We love Him because He first loved us,” came with power to my mind, and from this time things with me became altered. The services of the sanctuary were attractive, I prized the company of God’s saints, and, as my soul thirsted for God, I listened with pleasure to the gospel as proclaimed by Mr. Box, and found in that what I wanted. Sin was a burden, and I was brought to the same place as the publican, pleading for mercy; I was gradually led from darkness into light. Some time after this, I had a season of spiritual darkness and a sight and sense of sin. I felt undone. I sought the quiet of my own room that I might pour out my complaint before the Lord, and with tears I pleaded for forgiveness: and presently the darkness was driven away, for He said, “Thy sins are all forgiven.” In 1880 I was baptized by Mr. Box. About the year 1883, a city missionary asked me to give an address at one of his services; I eventually consented. My mind was very much exercised concerning the work of the ministry at the time. This continued for two or three years. I then had an interview with Mr. Box, and told him my feelings in the matter. The result was, I was invited to speak before the church at Soho on several occasions, and the church having expressed their satisfaction, it was decided I should go forth. I received invitations from many churches, and was continually engaged until the year 1892. I then received an invitation from the church at Wood Green to serve with a view to the pastorate. This I accepted, and subsequently accepted the invitation to become their pastor.

The Lord has blest us and the Lord of hosts is with us. We abide in His strength. 

“A monument of grace,

A sinner saved by blood,

The streams of love I trace

Up to the fountain God;

There in His sacred bosom see

Eternal thoughts of love to me.”

Earthen Vessel 1893:

Recognition Of Mr. James E. Flegg As Pastor Of Wood-Green

Services of a very solemn, interesting and encouraging nature took place on Tuesday, April 25, 1893. In the afternoon Mr. Thomas, of Watford, presided, and after a hymn had been sung, commencing “Shepherd of Israel, Thou dost keep,” &c., read Psa. 103, and Mr. Dalton offered prayer. Mr. Thomas, in his opening remarks, thought that one older in the ministry should have been chosen to fill the position, but he was glad to be present and take a part in the recognition of his brother James Flegg, who was once a scholar in his (Mr. Thomas’) class at Old Soho. I have watched his growing up; I was with him when he came before the Church, with him when he was baptized, and with him in Church fellowship; and I am glad to be with him this afternoon. The work of the ministry is a very important one, and I earnestly ask you to pray for and be very kind to my young brother Flegg.

Mr. Box then proceeded to state the nature of a Gospel Church, which was clear, sound, scriptural, delivered with much freedom, and evidently under the Spirit’s influence.

At the request of the chairman, Mr. Flegg related his call by grace.

Call By Grace

It is neither an easy nor a pleasant task to have to talk about one’s self. We feel greater freedom in talking of others, especially when that which we have to say concerning them is worth saying. I would much rather talk about my Master than myself; yet there are times when it is fitting some reference should be made to the path through which we have been brought, and the present is such an occasion. On Aug. 20th, 1865, in a humble home in the parish of St. Paul, Covent-graden, a godly father had accasion for the fourth time to thank God for life spared and life given on the previous day. The child, what will he become? Who can tell? Committed to the care of loving parents, by them dedicated to the Lord, and watched over with care. Their chief concern and daily prayer was that their children might be saved, and they have lived to prove that God answers prayer, for out of five children four have through mercy been brought from darkness to light. The earnest supplications and the words spoken, particularly the tender appeals of my mother, still echo in my ears, and will while life shall last. The Spirit acts in a sovereign manner in bringing the redeemed to a knowledge of the truth, and in my own case there are not those thrilling incidents to relate which some have, for, as will be seen, the Lord graciously preserved me. For some years I went in my own way, as others, without any regard for the eternal welfare of my soul. During those years the Lord was watching over and preserving me. There are two incidents which, though not taken much notice of at the time, I have often thought upon since with feelings of deep gratitude, and I will just refer to them. On one occasion I was watching some workmen. They told me to move away but I did not. As I did not they three some lime into my face, some of which went into my eyes. On another occasion I had been teasing a dog for some time, until at length it turned and flew at my throat; but, though much frightened, I suffered no hurt. One cannot but call to mind in after life such interpositions, and make the preserving care of our heavenly Father. Though carefully instructed in the letter of the Word, and knowing the right way, I chose the wrong. I will not tarry to go into the events on that dark page of life’s history, for the recital of them would not be to the profit of any. All is known to One—even to Him who searcheth all hearts—and our rejoicing is to believe that the sins of those years have all been removed by the precious blood of Christ. In the year 1879 I went into my first situation. At that time I was in the Bible-class at Soho, and had a good opinion of myself. On Sunday I would pass my ordinary companions with a good-sized Bible under my arm feeling I was much better than they. This, however, did not continue long, for I liked their society. They loved the world and its pleasures, and these things were to my taste. In the society of these ungodly companions I was growing bolder in sin. To my own mind this was an important period in my life, and I often ponder to think where and what I should be now if the Lord had not drawn me from these things when He did. Plans were formed in my mind which I was prevented carrying out. Mr. Thomas became the teacher of the Bible-class, and taking a deep interest in the welfare of each scholar, soon won their esteem and confidence, and we felt we could talk to him upon anything that exercised us. His teaching was very simple, and made useful to me. It was on Monday evening when, after returning from business, I went out to join my companions as usual. I was standing by myself waiting for some of them. Whilst so standing a feeling came over me which I cannot describe, and I felt constrained to go to the prayer-meeting. I went, very quietly entered, and slipped into the back pew. As soon as it was over I hurried out, and told no one where I had been, but on subsequent Mondays I seemed unable to stay away. As I was returning home from chapel one Sunday morning about this time the words in 1 John 4:19, came to my mind with power—viz, “We love Him.” On reaching home I penned a few thoughts upon this passage, and in the afternoon gave the same to Mr. Thomas for his perusal. From about this time things seemed changed. The services of the sanctuary became attractive to me. I loved to be there and to listen to the Gospel as proclaimed by Mr. Box. I had been in the habit of hearing him continually, and also watching the clock for half-past twelve to come, being anxious to get out, for I was there not by choice but necessity, and had begged to be allowed to stay away. It was different now. I found in his preaching what I wanted. Former pleasures could not satisfy now. I had desires new; my soul thirsted for God. I truly could say, “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds.” Sin was a burden, and I was brought to the footstool of divine grace to confess my sins and seek forgiveness. The Word of God was now a delight to me. It will thus be seen here was not at all events to myself a sudden turning, but a gradual work. I did not at this time have that sight and sense of sin and of the evil of my heart as some have had. This was reserved for a later day, a day never to be forgotten. It was a Sunday afternoon, and I had been walking in darkness. I sat before the window and closely questioning myself, and then my sins seemed to rise up before me in all their horror, and I felt undone. I went into my bedroom and with weeping made deep confession of my sins, and pleaded for an assurance of forgiveness; and while there, as a ray of light breaking through the darkness to bring warmth and peace to my soul, the words flashed into my mind with such power, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” I used to remain to witness the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, and this service, solemnly conducted by Mr. Box, made a deep impression on my mind. I felt I should like to be amongst those who were thus gathered. About August or September, 1880, I told Mr. Thomas of my wish. He expressed his pleasure, and we went together to see Mr. Box, and in December, 1880, I was baptized by him. 

Mr. Thomas having expressed his satisfaction, requested his young brother to relate his call to the ministry.

Call To The Ministry

Now, with regard to the work of the ministry, it would seem that early I had a leaning towards public speaking, for my parents tell me that when about ten years old they remember me stopping my companions in play to lecture them, and from my conduct about this time and subsequently they believed that eventually there would be a work for me. It was my delight, when left at home during the winter months to have a Bible on a book-rest and with my brother at the other end of the table as clerk to conduct service in my own fashion. In the early part of the year 1882 one of the classes in the Sunday-school doing without a teacher, Mr. Thomas told me to take it. I did so, and some time after I became a regular teacher. About this time a City missionary asked me if I would give an address for him at one of the week-night services in his mission-room. At first I declined, but subsequently I promised him I would, and on Tuesday, March 21, 1883, I gave a short address from Matt 25:46. Prior to this my mind had been exercised concerning the work of the ministry. This concern increased until my experience in relation to the matter became most trying. Several times I made up my mind to speak to my pastor on th subject, but when the time came I did not do so. I earnestly sought the Lord to guide me right, and many times I had to lay aside my work and seek that relief which prayer affords, and plead with my God about the matter so distressed was my mind on account thereof. The work was, in my view, so exceedingly solemn. The texts taken and the sermons preached therefrom on the Sunday after I had been thus wrestling during the week at times seemed on purpose for me, dealing as they did with my experience. Two I well remember—one, by a stranger when I was away for my holiday, the text being, “Preach the Word,” and the other by Mr. Shaw, of Gravesend, at Old Soho, the text being, “My presence shall go with thee.” I kept the matter a secret between myself and God. I remember also one Sunday afternoon, as I was closing my lesson, Mr. Thomas came and sat on the end of the form of my class, and when I had finished he put his hand on my shoulder, and little knowing the working of my mind, said, “Jim, you’ll be a preacher some day.” I only smiled at his remark, which, however, was helpful to me. In the year 1885, whilst the Church and congregation of Soho were worshiping in the Albert Rooms, Whitfield-street, it was decided that some of the young me should hold open-air services, and in September of that year they were commenced. On Oct 18^th it came to my turn to give an address. One of our deacons happened to stay, and after we had finished spoke to me in an encouraging way about my remarks. My experience at this time was this:—I felt if I attempted to preach and the Lord had not called me I was wrong, and if I ought to preach and did not I was equally wrong, and I was therefore in a great strait, and begged the Lord to let me know one way or the other. Shortly after this, my mind having been much agitated about the matter during the week, Mr. Box gave out his text on Sunday evening, part of which, “Arise, go forth,” seemed to be spoken directly to myself. When the service was over I told Mr. Box I should like to have a little conversation with him, and he asked me to call upon him and talk the matter over. This I subsequently did, and some little while after I was invited to speak on certain Monday evenings at the prayer-meetings. This was followed by preaching on four Wednesday evenings. On Sunday, Feb. 9th, 1886, I preached at Borough-green, which was my first engagement. The members of the Church at Soho, at a Church meeting held subsequently, having expressed their satisfaction, it was decided I should go forth, and I received then and there from Mr. Box two engagements to preach for him in his absence. I soon afterwards received invitations from various places, and from then till now I have been engaged almost every Lord’s-day, besides many week evenings, and having received help of God I continue unto this day. Notwithstanding the Lord was pleased to bless the word, however, I often felt I had made a mistake, and ought never to have engaged in so solemn and important a work, but when I thought of giving up, these words seemed to ring in my ears, “No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” At last I came to this determination—that while invitations came for me to preach I would go, and when none came I would conclude my work was done.

Invite To The Pastorate

Mr. Waller, Church secretary, then gave the reason, or the leading of God, in causing them to invite Mr. Flegg to the pastorate, which is as follows:—

It gives me abounding joy to report the actions of the Church with regard to the invitations of our brother Flegg; first, to serve with a view to the pastorate; and secondly, to take the oversight as pastor. We are a praying people, and each step we have taken in these directions has not been without due consideration and much prayer. The Lord has, we firmly believe, honoured the prayers by sending a faithful servant, whom we have learned to love for Christ’s sake. It gives us pleasure to state that we already witness signs of the Lord working in and by him; but we do not build too much upon outward signs. Since his serving with a view to the pastorate, the congregations have wonderfully increased, and on the first day of his pastorate he had the privilege and joy of receiving four into fellowship; and there are two others before the Church whom we hope he will shortly receive in also. We praise the Lord for these tokens, and have faith to believe that ere long many who are hovering about the doors will be constrained to cast in their lot with us, perceiving that the Lord is with us. I will now briefly relate what led to the Church giving the call. We had, since the Church was formed (which was in August, 1888) been supplied by different able ministerial brethren, amongst whom was our brother Flegg. For about five years he occasionally served us, and I may say to profit. We, however, lost him for some time, owing to the invitation given him by the Church at Fulham, but after his decision with regard to that Church he again served us, but not so frequently as hitherto. After our giving up the temporary meeting-room we then worshipped in for to worship in this sanctuary, it occurred to us to have an alteration in the mode of engaging supplies by reducing the number to three to fill up the first six months of this year. This was considered last August, and we decided to endeavour to secure three brethren whose preaching had been well received. The idea of changing the method had been in our minds for some time, but I may say, for the encouragement of brother Cooler, that idea was strengthened after reading his paper on the “Supply System.” One of the brethren chosen was brother Flegg, whom we engaged to serve for two Lord’s-days in each of the first three months and the whole of April, also for the most of the week-night services during the time mentioned. However, after making this arrangement it was thought by some that for the welfare of the cause it was advisable to have a pastor, and at a Church meeting, held on the 16th November last, the subject was introduced. It was then unanimously agreed that brother Flegg be asked to serve during the time formerly arranged with him, with a view to the pastorate. The invitation was accepted by him, and he continued to serve acceptably. This led us to consider the inviting of him to the pastorate, and at a Church meeting, held on Feb. 25th, it was resolved unanimously that, as his preaching met with acceptance by the Church and congregation, the word having been heard to profit, and believing it to be the Lord’s leading, to invite him to the pastorate, that he be invited to commence his pastoral duties on the first Lord’s-day in April. He, feeling that it was a call from God, by its being unanimous, readily assented, and thus he is here today as our pastor. We thank God for sending him, and as our love to him continues to deepen, we pray that the union may be lasting. In conclusion, we seek your prayers, dear friends, on his behalf, that the Lord will sustain him, so that he might build up a spiritual Church here to the honour and glory of Him whom we love and whom we desire to serve. 

In answer to the chairman, Mr. Flegg related his call to the pastorate. 

Call To The Pastorate

Although the matter was mentioned to me on several occasions, I declined to entertain any thoughts of becoming a pastor feeling that was not my work, but to go here and there; so I continued until the year 1891, when I received two invitations to the pastorate, one from the Church at St. Albans, to preach for three months, with a view to the pastorate, and the other from the Church at Fulham to preach for six months. My position in business had then lately become altered so as to permit of my accepting such an invitation, and circumstances at the time seemed to indicate I should be right in doing so. After due consideration, I accepted the unanimous invitation given by the Church at Fulham, and preached for the six months, and had evidence of the blessing of the Lord resting upon my labours there. I look back with pleasure upon the time spent amongst the friends there; in fact, there I received a training which I find useful to me now. In February, 1892, a Church meeting was held with regard to the matter, and on the following morning I received a very kind communication from the secretary of that Church informing me of the result. As out of a small membership there was a minority, I deemed it better I should not go, and, though with feelings of the deepest regret, I wrote declining the invitation. Amongst the Churches I had served almost from the commencement of my ministry was that at Wood Green. After declining the invitation to Fulham, I served various Churches. In the autumn of 1892 our brother Waller, the secretary of this Church, in the concourse of conversation, said the friends here were desirous of reducing the number of their supplies, and wished to know if I would serve them during the months of January and February, 1893. Having already made engagements for part of that time, I told him I could not do this, but promised to serve them on alternate Sundays, and I afterwards Promised to preach on certain week-nights also. Towards the end of November, however, he asked if he might submit my name to the Church with a view to my becoming the pastor after having preached for a specified time. I told him I saw no objection. Some days after I received a letter stating it was the unanimous wish of the Church that the engagements I had already made with them should be with a view to the pastorate. To this I agreed. After having preached for some time, another Church meeting was held when the friends were still unanimous and requested me to become their pastor. As the Word was heard to profit, and I myself enjoyed liberty and freedom in preaching amongst them, I felt it was the Lord’s will I should accede to that request, which I accordingly did, and look to Him to supply the needed grace to enable me rightly to discharge the duties of a pastor.

Mr. Box then asked all the members of the Church present to stand up and hold up the right hand, thus ratifying the choice. This having been done, Mr. Box proceeded to unite pastor and Church by joining the hands of Mr. Flegg and Mr. Brain (representing the Church), offering solemn prayer, amid marked silence. The doxology brought the afternoon service to a close. 

Evening Meeting

Mr. Edward Mitchell, of Mount Zion, Chadwell-street, and president of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches, presided, and, after reading and prayer by Mr. Flegg, sen. (Father of the newly-chosen pastor), whose pathetic utterances moved the tender passions and touched a chord in the heart of all, which elicited a spontaneous response. The father had always prayed for his boy, he now witnessed the gracious answers thereto, and it would have been not a little surprising had the dear old man got through the solemn exercise without manifest emotion. Mr. Mitchell, in introducing the business of the evening said: It is a matter of great joy and pleasure to see young men being brought into the ministry. Some of us are getting on in life and growing grey; it delights our heart, therefore, to see the Lord is raising up others to carry on His work when we have passed away. I would not miss being here for ever so much to hear the father pleading for his boy. Mr. Mitchell then called on Mr. Flegg to state what he intended to preach. Our brother then gave a summary of the articles of faith he believed, which we need only say were in strict harmony with the Word of God.

Mr. W. K. Squirrell then addressed the pastor from the words, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Mr. Squirrell divided his text as follows:

J—ealousy. He hoped brother Flegg would be jealous of the honour of God and reputation of the Church, and prosper under the…

A—pproving smile of the Lord Jesus Christ.

M—essage. You will want to feel your message to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and you will have to

E—ndure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; for this you will need much grace.

S—ervant. Your life must be one of unbroken service, remembering you are a servant for Jesus’ sake, a servant of the Church, for Christ’s sake.

Mr. Adam Dalton then gave out a hymn, and addresses to the Church and congregation were given by Messrs. Sears, Reynolds, and Thomas. Among others who took part were Messrs. E.W. Flegg (brother of the pastor), Burrows, Barrett, Brown, Kingston, Gentle, C. Wilson, Dickens, White. &c. The chapel was crowded afternoon and evening. Messrs. Brain, R. Mister, Waller, and others did their best for the comfort of visitors.