The Life And Ministry Of Richard Bax
Earthen Vessel 1893:
We now proceed to give a brief sketch of the late Mr. Richard Bax, who succeeded Mr. Murrell in the pastorate at St. Neots, chiefly selected from statements delivered by him on the occasion of his ordination, on June 30th, 1868.
On the 23rd of August, 1834, he says: “I was born a sinner into an awful world. Sin lived and reigned in me long ere I had moral consciousness to know what it was to live in sin.” His father was a godly man, but a Huntingtonian of the most rigid school; but his mother was a Unitarian, reverencing Christ as an Exemplar, but not as God the Saviour, by the shedding of His own blood.
When and how the first conviction of his sinfulness laid hold of him does not appear; but when not more than eight years of age, so powerful was the Word of God in his conscience that he wondered why He did not cut him down as a cumberer of the ground or cause the earth to swallow him up. Often at night did he get out of bed to pray when alone, saying, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” His mind passed through a variety of changes, and at times most deeply exercised, till he was between ten and eleven years of age, when the death of his dear mother occurred, and his mind became powerfully exercised with our Lord’s words to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” The question would recur again and again: “Am I born again?” After this, his soul sank into deep darkness, and he feared he had sinned the unpardonable sin, and was tempted to give up prayer altogether, lest he should incur greater damnation; and for a long time he gave up the form of prayer, though not the desire.
Passing over several years of his life, during which period he was constantly and intensely exercised about the state of his soul, we find him at length in company with a cousin at Brighton, who said to him: “Come, cousin, tell me what the Lord has done for your soul!’’ To this he hesitatingly yielded, and told him all his heart. This appears to have been a most sacred season, for they both wept and prayed together. The next day, however, his soul sank into a horror of great darkness, with deep searchings of heart, as to whether he had said more than was true, and whether his experience was a genuine work of grace. Life he felt, at this time, to be a burden, the whole world a blank, and the future filled him with dismay; when, in a moment, the Lord broke in upon his soul, filling him with unutterable delight, causing his tears to flow with joy, and as he walked along the road in the company of his beloved, he sunk and sobbed, “Why me, Lord; why me, Lord?” The chief Scripture sealed home upon his heart at this season, was: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Then be felt that his guilt was removed, bis sins pardoned, and his soul clothed in the spotless robe of the Saviour’s righteousness.
Our brother being eventually led to take a situation as a draper’s assistant, in the town of Beccles, in Suffolk, was favoured to sit under the ministry of Mr. George Wright, and was by him baptized, and united to the Church, under the pastoral care of this eminent servant of God. At a very early period in his soul’s experience he had thoughts prompting him to speak of God’s great salvation to others, but had no idea of becoming a settled minister. He was induced to open his mouth in the Lord’s name for the first time at Barsham, in Suffolk, at a cottage service.
After this, he was invited by his pastor, Mr. George Wright, to assist him in his ministerial duties. From this time, invitations to preach were received, and doors opened more numerously than he could serve. Our brother accepted a call to occupy the pulpit at Romney-street, Westminster; from there he removed to Tunbridge Wells. Meopham, in Kent, was the next place to which he was led, and from there he removed to Carlton, Beds, and from this place he came to St. Neots; having received and accepted a unanimous invitation to succeed the venerable Mr. George Murrell, in the pastorate at New-street Chapel. Here he labored, beloved and respected, for the period of ten years; when, after a long, lingering illness, he peacefully entered into eternal rest on September 16th, 1878.
His mortal remains were interred in the cemetery opposite the chapel, near to the spot of those of Mr. George Murrell, his venerable predecessor. “The memory of the just is blessed.”
Richard Bax (1834-1878) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. After his conversion to Christ, he was baptized by George Wright and united to the church under the pastoral care of this distinguished minister of the gospel. In 1868, he was appointed pastor of New Street Chapel, St. Neots, a position he held for ten years, terminated by his death.
