The Life And Ministry Of John Peters

Earthen Vessel 1897:

Mr. John T. Peters, Pastor Of Zion, Whittlesea

It was my privilege (in 1865) to be born of God-fearing parents, and to be mercifully preserved from running into open sin and profanity, into which many, alas! are permitted to wander; for which today I am devoutly thankful, though I have been foolish enough to wish it were otherwise, vainly supposing I should feel more convinced, and be able to trace more clearly, the reality of the work of grace. But though born of godly parents I was not born a Christian, nor as a sheet of clean paper to be kept clean by parents and guardians, for very, very soon I gave unmistakable signs of a corrupt nature, a deceitful heart, of love to sin; indeed, my dear parents feared I should one day suffer for my then ungovernable temper, nor can I imagine to what lengths I should have gone in sin had not God, by mighty regenerating grace, changed my heart, and constrained me to seek His face.

I was in very early life the subject of deep convictions for sin and much soul concern; the things of eternity far outweighed the things of time, nor did that feeling ever completely leave me; but my great trouble was I had not had trouble enough, for I could not look back upon any period or place where God first arrested me by His grace; that there had been a change, and a great one, I was assured of, still I feared that I was not the subject of the special internal call.

About this time I entered the class of my beloved teacher, Mr. Barnard (who is present today), under whose faithful teaching my convictions were deepened, and my thirst for (I hardly knew what then) Christ intensified. At this period my feelings might be expressed in Newton’s well-known words:—

“Since therefore I can hardly bear what in myself I see,

How vile, how black must I appear, most holy God, to Thee.”

Many have been the times when I have gone from his class to seek a secret place to cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” How I longed to be like him, for I dearly loved him, and do still. What a love to God’s house I had in those days; how very keen my appetite for the Word. I remember walking 16 miles one day to hear brother Northfield preach, hoping there might be comfort and liberty. Having the keys of the chapel in my possession I was frequently there before eight o’clock on the Lord’s-day morning, and spent much time in reading and prayer. How very urgent was my plea in those days; I have kneeled between sacks of flour in the hay loft, and many other places, for I was in want, yet thought I would keep it all to myself. I would, however, mention that I obtained helps in the Bible-class at St. Neots; also from two sermons by Mr. Burgess: (1) “This Man receiveth sinners,” and (2) “Is there no balm in Gilead?” &c., especially from an illustration he used. A sermon by Mr. Marsh, from “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,” was helpful. Yet these services were not accompanied with that power and deliverance I felt I needed. I was greatly helped, but not liberated.

I now come to a very important part of my life. Soon after I was twenty-one years of age I left home for Wellingborough district. In three days I wanted to go back; however, in eight weeks and three days I returned home to prove how hard it was to shut, or attempt to shut, a door God in His providence had opened for me to walk in. I had no employment for twelve weeks, and though I walked hundreds of miles I did not succeed in obtaining a single hour’s employment until I was literally forced back to Wellingborough again, where I succeeded at once, remaining there more than ten years.

Here, however, being as I thought a stranger, I determined to give all religion up, but I lived to prove that religion could not give me up, for grace would not let me go. And though I tried to throw off all restraint, I was obliged, with an aching heart, to confess my folly to my God, and seek His mercy.

I could not keep from the house of God when the doors were opened, as I loved to hear the Saviour exalted. But God’s time drew near to liberate my soul, and separate me from the world. Mr. Marsh was brought to Wellingborough, and one Lord’s-day evening preached from “This God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our Guide even unto death.” Power was with the Word. I could hold back no longer— fetters were broken, a warmth never before experienced, a joy never before known in His service took possession of me. I went before the Church, was accepted, and was baptized on Lord’s-day morning, March 1st, 1891, with four others, and with eleven others received into the Church in the evening.

Call To The Ministry

From my early days I have had both desires and convictions concerning the ministry; nor was I alone in this matter, for my dear father, who was removed by death when I was eleven years old, expressed the opinion that I should one day preach the Gospel he loved; and I have friends still living, who for at least fifteen years have declared they should live to hear me preach at St. Neots. Mr. Sadler, when supplying at Wellingborough on one occasion, put the matter very pointedly, and hinted I should go out as a city missionary. However, I evaded it, feeling determined not to move till the Lord brought me out. I wanted to be thrust into His service. Still his question, and a kind letter he subsequently sent, gave rise to deep exercise of soul before the Lord in the matter.

When I was received into the Church at Wellingborough pastor E. Marsh made remarks something like this: That he believed before long I should be standing in the position he then occupied, feeling fully persuaded the Lord had a work for me to do. He bade me watch the cloud, not to move until that moved, and not to tarry when it went formed. How I longed for it, yet felt most unfit for such a position.

Being continually exercised in this matter I soon found work to do, often taking an active part in the Bible-class; the first time I there engaged in prayer, being made a blessing to one young man. I gave several short addresses to the children in Sunday-school. A young people’s prayer-meeting was then commenced, at which I often presided, and wondered if I should be led any further. However, on New Year’s day, 1894, after having been the subject of special soul-exercise in the matter, Mr. Marsh invited me into the study. He then said: John, you will have to come out; I have been much exercised about you since I received you into the Church. I have made arrangements for you to preach at Finedon. I feel sure the Lord’s hand is in it; and “Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.”

In vain I pleaded, I dare not go. We kneeled down together, and he poured out his soul in fervent prayer, quoting a text much on my mind—,iz., “Necessity is laid upon me. Yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel.” During the week Prov. 3:5 was blessed to my soul. I went, January 14th, 1894, with much trembling, and the Lord graciously helped me, as the text, for keynote, was pitched not only for that sermon but I trust for my life-work, “Yea, He loved the people (Deut. 33:3), the theme being the Father’s love, the Saviour’s blood, the Spirit’s power. In the evening I spoke from “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1:16). I soon had invitations from other Churches, and was soon fully engaged, not only on the Lord’s, day but often on the Thursday. I have preached in eight different counties, and have never opened a door for myself, not so much as putting my hand on the latch; but I have received many letters speaking of blessings received, and having obtained help I continue to this day.

Call To The Pastorate At Whittlesea

In connection with my coming here, I would like to say that there could not have been a more unlooked for quarter than Whittlesea, my heart and my eyes being then turned in another direction. Soon after Mr. Willis sent in his resignation I received an invite from brother Nassau to supply the pulpit for July 14th, to which I replied that 14^th was engaged but 28th was open; this date, together with August 11th, he subsequently booked. With felt weakness I came among you, but the Lord gave me sweet liberty from the words, “Thy name is as ointment poured forth.” The Word was sealed home, and we have since heard of blessings on that day’s services.

Soon after this an invitation was received for three Lord’s-days in January and one in February (Lord’s-days in November and December being already booked), at the same time asking me if the Church felt disposed to ask me to accept the vacant pastorate whether I would do so. We laid the matter before the Lord and sought counsel, and then replied that I would supply dates named, after which should feel bound to consider whatever the Church might lay before me, as I wanted the Church to know more of me first.

At the Church meeting, held February 5th, 1896, a unanimous invitation was forwarded me to the pastorate, to commence July 5th. Believing it to be of the Lord, having sought his guidance, His Word being made a blessing, congregations, funds, and interest generally being improved, the Lord shutting the door of providence on the one hand, we felt bound to accept it in the fear and strength of our covenant God. Since we have been here six have been baptised, thus confirming our decision, and others are waiting. Our cry is, “Send now prosperity.”

[The foregoing is the account Mr. Peters read at his recognition as pastor of Zion, Whittlesea, on September 24th, 1896. It is needless to publish our brother’s statement of belief and articles of faith, they being quite in accord with the Word of God.—J. W. B.]