The Life And Ministry Of Joseph Casse
Earthen Vessel 1897:
The Late Mr. Joseph Casse, Of Enon, Chatham
Our departed brother Casse, fell asleep in Jesus, August 23, 1897, in his 78th year.
“Immortal love doth now repay
The transient sorrows of the way.”
Our dear parent has joined the happy throng in singing the glorious anthem, ”Unto Him that washed us,” &c. To the honour and glory of God this brief memoir is given to show forth His love and faithfulness. Very early in life the departed one was the subject of a work of grace, being solemnly led to ponder on sin and its consequences. Attending Sabbath-school, he was much encouraged by a godly teacher, who, in giving him a book, prayed it might he blest to his immortal spirit. After many exercises of mind, it pleased the Lord to speak peace and pardon to his much-troubled heart. At the age of twenty he was, with others, baptized by the late Mr. W. Lewis, at Zion Chapel, Chatham, enjoying much sweet fellowship and delight under his ministry. Before this he had resided in London, having the opportunity of hearing many of the valiant men whose names are almost unknown to the present generation; especially had he been helped by the preaching of Mr. Comb, of Soho. Our departed brother, with many others, were formed into a Church at Chatham, in the year 1842.
His connection with Enon has (with a brief interval), been continuous, and for thirty years he served the Church as deacon, bearing part in the joys and sorrows thereof. All his life he was devoted to Sabbath-school work, and having been blest there, he tenaciously clung to the good work up till the 1st of August last, when, in much feebleness, he spoke to the children of “the better world,” at the evening service joining with the saints at the Lord’s Supper. The next day he was taken ill; the doctor, being sent for, pronounced him to be suffering from slight congestion of the brain, ordering absolute quiet.
For three weeks he lay in pain, and often in an unconscious condition gradually sinking as congestion of the lungs developed, until he gently, quietly passed away to glory.
During his illness and previously, he was much tempted and tried as to his interest in Jesus, and most earnest were his prayers that He would smile upon him again as He had before. “Oh! I am so unhappy without Jesus,” was his cry. “I want to drink of the water of life freely. I want peace, the peace of God.” On a dear one saying, “You are weary.” “Ah! I am,” he replied. The verse commencing, “Weary of earth myself, and sin,” was quoted, he taking it up with great earnestness, saying, “And to Thy glory take me in, for there I long to be. That’s it, that’s it.” In the intervals of consciousness his mind was fixed on divine realities. At another time he said, “Hark! they’re singing a hymn.” He was asked whether he could join in it. He replied, “No, not now.” The lines, “Yet strip me of this house of clay,” were repeated, he taking up the words, “And I will sing as loud as they,” with earnestness. He asked what they were singing in heaven, and when the words, “Unto Him that washed us from our sins,” &c., were quoted he cried, “That’s it.” Once, on entering his room, he was heard to say, “Hark! do you hear that voice?” ‘’What voice?” was asked, he replying, “The loud-speaking voice of Immanuel’s blood.” Many more sacred utterances might be given did space permit.
On the Lord’s-day before he died, he asked to have a portion in Isaiah read to him, naming chapter and verse as well as he could, the portion, which is on memorial card, viz., “The ransomed of the Lord shall return,” &c., which he closely followed in repeating with vigour, with the exclamation, “That’s it.” More might be added but space forbids. He now fully enjoys all he desired and wished below.
The funeral took place on Friday, 27th, when our pastor, Bro. Gardner, conducted the service with much feeling. The hymn, “For weary saints a rest remains,” was sung after a brief address had been delivered.
At the graveside, parts of hymns, “Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep;” and “For ever with the Lord,” were sung by the large gathering of friends present. May the Holy Comforter sweetly solace the hearts of the family, the Church, and the many friends who have been called to part with one so long and dearly loved. The bereaved family very warmly thank all who have so kindly and lovingly visited or communicated by letter with our dear father, he expressing his gratitude to God for the same when conscious.
On Lord’s-day evening, September 5th, our pastor, in speaking from the words, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21), made reference to our late dear parent before a goodly company of friends.
Joseph Casse (1819-1897) was a Strict and Particular Baptist deacon. For more than thirty years he served this office for the church meeting at Enon, Chatham.
