The Life And Ministry Of Samuel Ponsford
Earthen Vessel 1890:
The Late Mr. Samuel Ponsford, Baptist Minister
The late Samuel Ponsford was born at Moretonhampstead, Devon, Oct. 23rd, 1801, of poor but respectable parents. He had only a faint remembrance of his father, being quite a child when he died. His mother was a godly woman, and a member of the little Baptist chapel at Moreton, where the late Mr. Garrett was pastor. The years of his youth, from 10 to 21, were spent in a farm-house, after which he went to Exeter, and was occupied as a market gardener. At the age of 23 he married. The influence of his mother’s teaching made an impression upon his mind, which abode with him until he reached the age of 25, when it pleased God to reveal his sinnership to him, and by the Holy Ghost he was taught to see and feel his lost and ruined state. During his deep soul-trouble, which continued some months, he was led to attend the ministry of the late Mr. Carne, an Independent minister, and so eager was he to obtain peace that he frequently stood the whole time of the service, for fear he should lose a word. He understood and loved the doctrines of grace, but had not the power of faith to appropriate the blessings to himself; he could hear for others, but not for himself. One day while walking along the country road, and much exercised in mind with regard to his state, he went under a hedge and begged of God to give him some evidence of his own interest in the blessings of the Gospel. He was favoured to hear, when the following words came with great power: “Ye are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” From this he received much comfort, and went on his way rejoicing, being enabled to realise his relationship to the Lord Jesus and to His adopted family. He was next invited to take part at the prayer-meetings, and soon after was sent out to the villages round Exeter to preach the Gospel. His first sermon was made a blessing to a young man, who afterwards became a deacon in a London Church. His first text was: “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” He became both deacon and clerk to Mr. Carne; but his mind was exercised upon the subject of baptism, and after prayerfully searching the Scriptures he determined to submit to this ordinance, and with several others he was baptized in the river Otter, Devon.
His next change was to London. Here he commenced business as a nurseryman, in Loughborough-park, Brixton, the Lord greatly blessing the labour of his hands, as well as his ministry at Courland-grove, Clapham, the particulars of which, with an account of his death and funeral, appeared in the October No. of the Earthen Vessel & Gospel Herald. When asked on the Sunday morning before his death what answer should be given to the friends at chapel, he said, “Give my love to them, and tell them I can die upon the truths I have been helped to preach so many years. I am resting entirely upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have no other hope for salvation.” Almost his last conscious expression was, “Every thought of Jesus is precious.”
C. Cornwell
The Blessed Dead
Mr. Samuel Ponsford, Baptist Minister
I have by me a brief history of the cause at Courland-grove, Clapham, where our late brother Ponsford laboured so long. I gather from this that between fifty and sixty years ago there was a Baptist chapel somewhere in Stockwell, which was sold about that time, and turned into a school. About twelve of the members agreed, if possible, to keep together, and met in a room, I think, in Russell-street, Brixton. Our departed brother Ponsford (who had been heard preaching on Kennington-common) was invited in 1837 to preach to these few. In a short time the room became too small. They then took a workshop in Larkhall-lane, Clapham; this room was fitted up with pulpit and seats for a hundred persons. A church was formed, and Mr. Ponsford became the recognised pastor. This room became too small, and the foundation-stone of the present building in Courland-grove was laid on October 29th, 1840, and this chapel was opened on Good Friday, April 9th, 1841. (Next year will be the Jubilee). Here our brother’s strength was spent, and the heavens alone can reveal the amount of good done during nearly forty years of faithful and earnest ministry. I well remember a conversation I had with our late brother at Hayes some few years before he resigned his pastorate at Courland-grove; he told me then he had had a happy and successful ministry, but had never been followed by the multitude; few men are who preach discriminating truths; for the closer a man cleaves to God’s truth, so much the more will he be shunned by the whole host of foolish virgins. But though these continued to frown upon our late brother, yet God continued to smile upon him, so that he brought forth fruit, even in old age.
Some eleven years ago, he resigned his pastorate at Courland-grove, and for a short time became a seat-holder, and attended Brixton Tabernacle. But his work was not yet done, for soon after he began preaching to the people, who were then worshipping in Baker’s-lane, Streatham. Here he formed a Church, and was the means of erecting a small iron chapel, which was paid for the same year. Here he continued to preach the Gospel until about two years and a-half ago. God owned and blessed his labours at Streatham. I baptized several, on three different occasions, whom the Lord was pleased to call by mighty grace under his ministry. The first Lord’s-day in November, 1887, I received him and Mrs. Ponsford into communion with the Church at Brixton, and since then he has been one of our best hearers and one of my dearest friends. For years past he has held a little service with two or three friends in his own house on Thursday evenings; this he continued until nine days before he died. For some weeks previous to his death, his weakness visibly increased, but he did not take to his bed until the Sunday before he died. His death occurred at half-past one o’clock on Saturday, August 16th, 1890, in his 89th year. He was interred in his own grave at Norwood Cemetery, on August 22nd, brother R. Burbridge, of Camden Town, and myself officiating on the solemn occasion. His having preached the Gospel for upwards of fifty years, brought together a large gathering of friends around the grave from Courland-grove, Bedford-road, Wertemberg-street, Streatham, Auckland-hill, Brixton, and Surrey Tabernacle. A funeral sermon was preached by myself on Sunday evening, August 24th, which I think will be published. The chief themes of the deceased were Justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ, and the operation of the Holy Spirit in a sinner’s heart. He has for years been ripe for glory. I will not enter into the personal friendship which has for years existed between myself and him; but I am much indebted to him; he was a faithful friend, a wise counsellor, a mild reprover, and a firm believer in all the glorious doctrines of distinguishing grace. The poor widow, whose grief is well nigh overwhelming, sought no rest for herself during the week he kept his bed; but, with the thorough devotion of a noble English lady, watched over him by day and by night, administering to his every want with her own hands, in all love and tenderness. And when weak and weary, her only relief seem to be obtained from her tears, for weeping seemed to refresh her and to renew her strength. He died in peace, without a doubt upon his mind with regard to his safety, and no gloom upon his spirit. During the last six days he wandered in his mind, but was sensible at intervals, on which occasions his spirit was full of the blessing of the Lord. The last time I spent a few minutes in prayer with him was on the Tuesday before his death; he was then quite sensible, and when I rose from my knees I could not help admiring his heavenly countenance. His response to my closing amen was, “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds.” Not much conversation could be held with him after this. On the following Saturday, about four o’clock in the morning, he became quite unconscious, and remained so till his spirit took its flight to the mansions of bliss. Thus he went to his “grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.” “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like His.”
C. Cornwell
Brixton
Samuel Ponsford (1801-1890) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. In 1837, he took the oversight of a newly organized church meeting at Courtland-grove, Clapham.
