The Life And Ministry Of Robert Mutimer

Earthen Vessel 1900:

Mr. E Mitchell,—My dear brother,—In compliance with your request, I forward you a brief account of the Lord’s dealings with me in providence and in grace, hoping that the Lord may make some use of it for the benefit for His people.

Nativity And Early Life

I was born at Wilby, Suffolk, on December 23rd, 1861. When I was quite young my parents used to take me to Laxfield Baptist Chapel, a distance of three miles. On Sunday evenings I stayed at home, and read the Bible with my parents. I greatly disliked the restraint I was under, and longed for the time to come when I could get away from parental control. At twelve years of age I was apprenticed away from home. The fruits of the seeds of wickedness in my heart soon began to show themselves in my using oaths, and speaking of the Word of God in a most contemptuous manner; also in enmity to God’s house, His people, and my father’s prayers. I readily imbibed and enjoyed all sorts of vice, and mixed with most ungodly company—“of which things I am now ashamed.”

Divinely Arrested

“The appointed time rolled on space,

Not to propose, but call by grace,”

At a time when I had made great strides in sin, and had led others into the same evil courses, I heard that a young man by the name of Marsh was expected to preach at Laxfield, and I was constrained by a pressing invitation to go and hear him. With great prejudice in my mind against both people and preacher—though I did not know the preacher—I started off on Sunday morning. When I reached the chapel Mr. Marsh was in prayer. Just as I was taking a seat, he said, “Lord, I am a devil-hunted and sin-harassed soul.” This so arrested my attention that I could not take my eyes off from the speaker. The text taken was John 1:29, and the preacher exactly described my character, and showed that my due was everlasting punishment. This made me so uncomfortable that I wished I had never seen or heard the man. I went home—three miles—determined not to go any more; but after dinner I could not rest, feeling as I had never felt before, and was obliged to return to the chapel for the afternoon service. The sermon condemned me more than the morning one had done, and I returned home thoroughly miserable. I could find rest nowhere, and was constrained to walk back again for the evening service, which increased my sorrow and distress.

The Days Of Darkness Were Many

After this, for two long weary years, I remained in deep distress of soul, often wishing that I had never been born. Nothing but black despair was before me. I was afraid to go to sleep, and when I did sleep, I was terrified with most awful dreams. I used to walk about in the fields and woods, trying to pray to God to have mercy on me, the sinner. One day Mr. Marsh wanted to go to Eye Station. My father had promised to drive him there, but could not. It devolved on me to take him. This was a great trouble to me, as I did not want to meet him, in fact, I was really afraid of him, and up to this time had avoided coming into contact with him. We had not got far on the road to Eye before he began putting questions to me about my spiritual state, and before we reached our destination, to my own great surprise, I had disclosed, for the first time, my sad and sorrowful story.

A Desperate Resolve Frustrated

I had no sooner left Mr. Marsh to return home than Satan set in on me sorely. He accused me of being a hypocrite, and said I had deceived the minister, and that all I had told him was a delusion. The darts were so numerous and fiery that I was driven to the borders of despair. When I reached my home I could not go in doors to see my wife, or the men in the shop, but put my pony in the stable, and walked a long distance to a large pond, where I fully intended to try to put an end to the agonies of my mind by drowning myself. But while in the very act of casting myself into the water, a marvelous interposition of God prevented, and saved me from so fearful an end. I found my way back home again, and on nearing my house I found the shopmen with my wife searching for me. They were alarmed by finding the pony and trap in the stable, and myself nowhere to be seen. That night was the most solemn night in my life. I was afraid to go to bed, fearing that I should die in my sleep, and awake in hell.

The Set Time Of Deliverance

The next day was Sunday, and Mr. Kempston preached for Mr. Marsh at Laxfield. On my way to chapel in the morning, in a green lane, I was enabled to lay my case before the Lord as I had never been able to do before. The preacher read and commented on Eccles. 3 to the joy of my heart. He expressed nearly all that I had presented to the Lord in my pleading for a blessing that day in the lane. He took for his text 1 Pet. 2:7, “Unto you therefore which believe He is precious.” Under the sermon my bonds were broken, and my soul brought into happy liberty. Christ was indeed precious to me. I had promised to meet Mr. Marsh at Eye Station on the following day. How I longed to see him! As soon as he saw me he said, “Robert, the Lord has appeared, I can see it in your countenance.” I said, “Yes, He is precious to my soul.” A season of darkness followed, but through a sermon preached from John 9:24 I was brought again to rejoice in Christ Jesus. I then became desirous to join the Church, and after stating my experience, which the Church received, I was baptized, together with my wife, on January 11th, 1885.

Call To The Ministry

After joining the Church I became intensely desirous for the salvation of my fellow-creatures. Especially did I plead with the Lord that I might be made a blessing to my old companions, whom I had led into sin. The Lord largely granted my request. Eventually a prayer meeting was commenced at my house on Sunday evenings, the pastor announcing and recommending it from the pulpit, stating that I was to conduct the service. This continued for nine months, but had to be given up, to the grief of many, through an illness of my dear wife’s, which lasted for twelve months. When she had sufficiently recovered we recommenced the services. One evening after the meeting I was walking home with Miss Goldspink when she said to me, “I am sure the attendance would be greatly improved if you would but exercise the gifts the Lord has given you.” Through that week she, with her dear brother William, wrestled with God that a door of utterance might be given me. At the next meeting, with much fear and trembling, I gave an address. The Lord graciously helped me to continue exalting His dear name, and the gatherings largely increased, so that many could not get in the house, but stood outside. At this juncture Mr. Baker, a farmer in the neighbourhood, kindly offered the loan of his barn, which was gladly accepted. The congregations increased until they numbered considerably over a hundred. God greatly blessed the services. Some were brought to a knowledge of the truth who had been ignorant and careless, and others who had been in bondage were set at liberty.

Doors Of Usefulness Opening 

About this time I was elected superintendent of the Sunday-school at Laxfield, and shortly after chosen as a deacon of the Church. Not long after this latter event, Mr. Marsh resigned his pastorate. Prior to his leaving Laxfield, at a deacon’s meeting, he suggested that I should preach at the village stations, as he was convinced that the Lord had a work for me to do. The brethren concurred with him, and I felt constrained to go forward in the name and fear of the Lord. Doors began to open in the surrounding villages, and the Word was blessed to both saint and sinner. Though preaching in different parishes, I received numerous invitations to preach at different chapels.

Settlement At Brentford

Among the Churches I supplied was the Church at North-road, Brentford. In August, 1892, I received an invitation from that Church to supply the pulpit for three months with a view to the pastorate. This placed me in a most trying position, as I had received invitations of a similar nature from two other Churches. The dear friends at Occold were entwined around my heart, but after a month’s earnest prayer, and careful watching, the Lord gave me an unmistakable proof that to Brentford I must go. I therefore wrote to the friends, and accepted their invitation to preach for them for three months, commencing on the first Lord’s-day in January, 1893. On April 14th following the Church gave me a call to the pastorate, which I accepted. Having obtained help of God here, I have continued for seven years with a truth-loving and most affectionate and considerate people. My sorrows have been inexpressible and my joys indescribable. The Lord has greatly blessed the Word. During the seven years of my pastorate the membership of the Church has been more than doubled. To Him be all the praise. My desire is, that with my latest breath I may cry, “Behold the Lamb.”

R. Mutimer.

11, Hamilton-road, Brentford, W.