The Life And Ministry Of John Gibbens

Earthen Vessel 1898:

Pastor John P. Gibbens, Tottenham

My Dear Brother,—I had no idea when I related my call by grace and to the ministry at my Recognition Service, at which you were present, and heard it from my own lips, that you would ever wish it to be put into print, but as it is your desire I respond, and hope I may only say that which shall extol grace rather than the individual.

I was born in the village of Barham, Kent (midway between Canterbury and Dover), Feb. 2nd, 1837. It was my privilege to have a Christian home; my father was one of the best men I ever knew, a man of God, who loved God’s Word and God’s house. I often mention it now, he never absented himself when it was open, for anyone that might be on a visit to us.

I have little recollection of my native village; when about eight years of age, we removed to Eastry, about seven or eight miles distant. It was here I received my first spiritual impressions. Our home being a lone farm-house, two miles from the village, my father arranged during winter months a prayer-meeting in our house, and on some occasions someone to speak. It was here, in these meetings, I was lead to feel I was destitute of what I found others enjoyed. Our house was often a home for the ministers as they visited these villages (let me say they were Wesleyans, but from my recollection of them they had a passion for souls). I don’t remember their teaching, but they were men of God, desiring spiritual blessings for the people. They used to speak to me personally, which deepened my sense of sin and guilt.

About this time I was sent to a day school, which has proved to be one of the greatest blessings of my life, for two hours each day were spent over the Word of God. My schoolmaster was a godly man, and I have seen tears run down his cheeks as he has been telling out to us boys the truths of God’s Word. I was at the same time attending the Wesleyan Sunday-school. The questions and answers in the Catechism made a deep impression on me of God’s omnipotence, omnipresence and eternity. What resolutions I made, how often did I go into stables, sheds, and lodges by myself, and pray, and vow; little did I know then that salvation is all of sovereign grace.

When about fifteen years of age, as my father was removing, I was sent to live with a gentleman my father knew; I don’t think it did me much good, unless it is, I have seen the hand of God in taking me from ungodly associations.

I was then in the providence of God removed to Minster, in Thanet, and here again I was brought into the society of Christian people, who manifested concern for my salvation, one especially, who said, “I shall pray for you.” I began to listen more to the preaching of the Word and a deeper sense of my need of a Saviour took hold upon me. I read James’ “Anxious Enquirer,” Doddridge’s “Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul,” thinking I should find what I ought to do. Sometimes I would be in despair, thinking it was not for me, at other times that I was not earnest enough. A sermon was preached in the chapel one Sunday evening about this time, when the preacher used some very strong language about being lost, and I was terribly cast down; but one morning, while on a load of corn in the field I was led to say from the depths of my heart, “Lord, what is it?” and in a moment two lines of a hymn came as the answer,

“Only believe, your sin’s forgiven,

Only believe, and yours is heaven.”

I felt this was God’s word, “only believe,” and in the depths of my heart I said, “Lord, I do believe, help Thou my unbelief.” I felt a burden was gone; it was an end of trying to be saved.

I joined the Wesleyan Church, and in about two years was invited to give an address in the Sunday-school, and soon had an impression that I should be called to preach, and while I was exercised about this the minister came to me and said it was his conviction that myself and another ought to have our names on the Local Preachers’ plan, so after a little examination we were sent out. I shall never forget the day, the fear and trembling beforehand, and the shame and confusion after; but the Lord led me on, and for about thirteen years I continued as a local preacher among the Wesleyans. Then in the order of God’s providence I was removed to Paddock Wood, in Kent. There was, at that time, no Wesleyan Chapel, but a godly clergyman in the church preached the doctrines of grace, and it was here I first began to see things in a different light. I used to speak for him in his school on Sunday evenings and during the week in cottages in the parish, and the Lord blessed the Word.

It was through this clergyman I was introduced to an Evangelization Society, where I laboured several years in all parts of the country, preaching in halls, chapels, barns, tents, and I have preached in three different churches of the Establishment. But in following different men I found I could not cause the sensation some did, or reckon converts by numbers. This at times distressed me, but I found it to be excitement only, and not produced by the Holy Ghost. This led me to examine the Word more closely on the doctrine of election, which I had in my early Christian life been much prejudiced against, but the Lord brought me to see it in His own way and at His own time. For some years I had been exercised about believers’ baptism, and was baptized about this time at Avenue Church, Shepherd’s Bush. After this I took charge of a mission for one year, but the director’s aim seemed to be more for means and sensation than the glory of God. About this time I first came in contact with our brother Holden, whom I wish I had known years before. I heard of a chapel at Leyton shut up, and after enquiry opened it to preach the Word, casting myself on the Lord. When I had been here a few weeks, one who had been an occasional hearer asked what I belonged to? I said, “Denominationally, to no one.” He said he was a Strict Baptist and also said, “I should have thought you were, by what you preach.” He said he had thought of taking this chapel for the Strict Baptists, so he asked me to change with him on two occasions which I did, and received invitations at both places to go again. After due consideration I was led to join the Strict Baptist Church, under the pastorate of our brother Noyes, of Poplar, and this chapel at Leyton was taken over by the Strict Baptists. I never had but two Lord’s-days at liberty from that date, and these by error in correspondence. It has been my privilege to supply at Colchester, Chelmsford, Chatteris, Chatham, Cottenham, Downe, Fleet, Glemsford, Richmond, Margate, Swavesy, Stevenage, Irthlingboro’, and over a hundred times at “Ebenezer,” Waltham Abbey, and it was by our esteemed brother W. Pallett that I was recommended to the Church at Philip-lane, Tottenham, where, on the first Lord’s-day in May, 1897, I preached for the first time. After the morning service I was invited to preach for two Thursday evenings, which I did. The Word was blessed to the people, and I was invited to preach on Thursdays following, but for several Thursdays was engaged to preach for our brother Mead, at Nunhead. Our friends at Tottenham invited me again, and, after a few more Thursday evenings they gave me an invite, saying, it was their unanimous desire that I should supply for three months with a view to taking the oversight of the Church. I began to have an increasing love to the people, I felt I had their hearts with me, that the Lord was helping me, and blessing them, and with circumstances in connection with the Church at Leyton I saw the Lord’s hand in it. After I had supplied six Lord’s-days, it was the unanimous request of the Church that I should remain with them, and, as far as we can judge, it is a union of heart and hand. So here I am,

“A monument of grace,

A sinner saved by blood;

The streams of love I trace,

Up to the fountain, God.

And in His sacred bosom see,

Eternal thoughts of love to me.”

80, St. George’s-road, Leyton, E.

8th August, 1898.