The Life And Ministry Of Richard Batchelor
Earthen Vessel 1893:
The Late Mr. Richard Batchelor, Baptist Minister
Mr. Richard Batchelor, Minister of the Gospel, born 1818; died August 23rd, 1892. This faithful servant of the Lord was well-known to the churches of truth in this neighbourhood, and also to many in Labcashire and Yorkshire. He left behiud him an account of the Lord’s gracious dealings with his soul (which is too long for the present purpose) in bringing him out of an intense love of sin, and an earnest and willing service of the devil, and translating him into the kingdom of His dear Son. Oftentimes in preaching he would speak in the most feeling terms of the goodness and mercy of the Lord, displayed in his conversion; he was far off by wicked works, but the Lord found him and brought him to His feet.
At the age of 23, while attending service in the Church of England, the Lord first applied His Word to his heart. The minister took for his text Prov. 14:9. The words filled him with dismay, and for months he went under the keenest sense of God’s righteous anger against him.
One day, while bemoaning his sad case and writing bitter things against himself, the gracious Spirit spoke these words into his soul, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts.” &c. He searched for the chapter (Isa. 55) in which the words are found, and he says, “the whole chapter was a full breast of consolation to me.” For some time after this he met with the Wesleyans. They said, “The Lord has done great things for you; now you must do something for the Lord.” So they sent him out to preach. He says, “I went, I think, as near as I can remember, about three or four times; but how to preach, so as to reconcile the doctrines they held and the things done in my soul, I was quite unable to find out; and feeling it a solemn and weighty thing I refused to go any more. The writer has often heard him say what opposition he met with in the early stages of his ministry, and that the Lord made him a minister and not man.
In the year 1873 he became the pastor of the Church at Providence Chapel, Biggleswade, Beds. The cause was very low at that time. But the Lord so blessed the Word, that not only was there a large increase in the congregation, but many were added unto the church, the writer being one of the first. He laboured among the people 11 years, during which time he raised (principally away from the town) a good sum of money, which was expended upon the building, etc.
For several years before his death he was afflicted with a disease of the throat which was almost painless, but rendered it exceedingly distressing to hear him. Notwithstanding, he could not lay down the harness, but supplied the churches of truth near and far. After the death of his wife, he went to live at Potton, with the Misses Croot. In sickness and in health their loving attention to his wants never failed.
He ceased to preach in April, 1892; early in August, he took to his bed. The writer was supplying at Gamlingay, August 14th, and having a desire to see his dear old pastor once more in the flesh, drove to Potton between the services. He was in great pain, but his confidence in his God was unshaken. He said, “My work is done.” “I can die by what I have preached.” “Give my love to the friends at Gamlingay.” They who attended him heard many things which proved the Lord was with him; at eventide it was light. A few days before his death he said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”, “I hope I am one. I believe I am.” He entered into rest August 23rd; was interred at Biggleswade Cemetery, August 26th; Mr. Wilson, of Clifton, officiating, assisted by Mr. T. Wilson, of Biggleswade.
S. Burkitt
St. Neots
Richard Batchelor (1818-1892) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. In 1873, he was appointed pastor of the church meeting at Providence Chapel, Biggelswade, Beds.
