The Life And Ministry Of William Hazelton
Earthen Vessel 1891:
Memoir Of Mr. William Hazelton
In taking up the pen to write the memoir of a good man, one feels the deep need of superintending grace, so that the right words may be used. There is, at the same time, the consciousness that peculiar mental qualifications are necessary to the right performance of such a task. Whatever qualification the present writer may lack, he feels he can plead the important one of intimate acquaintance. During the whole of Mr. Hazelton’s pastorate at Lewisham, and up to the time of his death, our dear brother and the present writer were on the terms of closest friendship, and it is a joy, while writing, to be able to say that the friendship was never disturbed by a single misunderstanding.
Our dear brother was born of God-fearing parents, who used every effort to lead him in the paths of virtue; and, as early as possible he was taken to the Lord’s house. From a very early age he was the subject of serious impressions. In a letter recently received from his mother, containing most interesting incidents of his earliest years, occur the following passages:—“When William was about two years and six months old, he was out with a little girl who allowed him to eat something very poisonous from the roadside, and he lay for 36 hours unconscious, the doctor quite giving him up. When he opened his eyes, he said distinctly, three times, ‘Me will not be minster’ (meaning minister). I said, ‘No, dear, you will not be;’ but he answered, pointing across the room, ‘That man says me will be—man got nightgown on, and beauty on his head.’ A dear old Christian, coming in directly after, said, ‘Never tell him till you see what the Lord has to do;’ and I did not, till he was called to the work of the ministry. When William was about seven years of age, I sent him on an errand, giving him the money to pay. A younger brother went with him, and after a long time had passed they came back. I said, ‘What a long time you have been!’ The younger one said, ‘Willie had to say his prayers.’ As I inquired further into the matter, Willie said, ‘You and father say if we want anything we must ask God, and He will send it. I lost the money, and I knelt down and asked God to let me find it, and I got up and found it. So God does answer prayer, mother!’ Soon after this, he wanted an overcoat. We had many expenses, and I said, ‘You cannot have one, dear, this year.’ He said, ‘I think I shall, for l have asked God for one;’ and, strange to say, only two days after one was sent for him, which fitted him perfectly. ‘There, mother,’ he said, ‘God does answer prayer!’ You see, sir, even in tender years his confidence in the Lord as a God who heareth prayer was very strong. Often, when he saw me perplexed, he would say, ‘Ask God, mother, and He will send it.’ From a very little child he was much attached to the house of God. When very young, he went out bathing, took a chill, and for six weeks his life was despaired of. Oh, how I begged then that his life might be spared! But since I have seen what a sufferer he has been, I have almost felt I was wrong. Still, the Lord had a work for him to do; and now it is done, and his race is run. Deeply we mourn our loss, yet would be submissive to the Lord’s will.”
Notwithstanding these gracious impressions in his early years, we have it on his own authority that, when he became an apprentice and mixed with ungodly men, his evil heart imbibed iniquity so readily that he speedily became well-nigh the ringleader in many deeds of wickedness. The time was not yet come for his effectual call, but still the Lord would not let him alone. His connection with the Sabbath-school was graciously sustained, “and by this means,” he says, “I was kept where sovereign grace would arrest me.” One Sunday morning, when he was about sixteen years of age, a hymn was being given out, one verse of which contains the line, “Our souls can never die.” Pausing at these words, the teacher made a few remarks upon the solemn truth they proclaimed; and the thought instantly flashed into William Hazelton’s mind, ”If my soul is immortal, am I going to heaven or hell?” This question, recurring with increased force, filled his heart with trouble for many weeks, until he resolved one Lord’s-day morning that he would go to chapel once more, and if deliverance did not come, he would never attend the means of grace again. Do you think it a rash and desperate resolution, my reader? Be it known, then, that, strange as it appears, the resolution was the product of the Holy Spirit, who was working in his heart. The set time had arrived—the moment God had fixed, in which His child was to be brought into the experience of Gospel liberty. A Mr. Kealy was preaching that morning at London-road Chapel, Chelmsford. His text was, “Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa. 28:16). The truth of the text shone brightly into the mind of the troubled seeker, and he was led to see how God could be just, and yet the justifier of them that believe. He could now rejoice in a finished salvation. Soon his mind became exercised about believers’ baptism, and, in due course, he was proposed to the Church for membership, unanimously voted in, and baptized by Mr. S. K. Bland, of Ipswich.
The Lord next began to work in his heart a desire to preach the Gospel. This desire became very strong, but with it came a great fear of presuming to take up such an important work. He carried this burden alone for between three and four years, keeping the secret to his soul and his God. It was not until his apprenticeship was ended, and he had left his native town, that the door into the ministry was opened for him. He preached his first sermon at Prittlewell, near Southend; his text being, “Sirs, we would Jesus.” That first text was prophetic of his whole ministry. Those who were afterwards privileged to have him as their pastor will agree with the writer that his one aim was to lead his hearers to Jesus.
Numerous engagements to preach soon fell to his lot, and he travelled far and wide for two years and a half, until eventually he was settled as pastor at College Park, Lewisham. His recognition took place on October 18th, 1881, when his uncle, Mr. John Hazelton, of Chadwell street, Clerkenwell, delivered the charge to the pastor. Now they have both gone home, and have possibly recognised each other with a joy which we must die to know.
For about seven years he lovingly discharged the duties of pastor to the flock at Lewisham. He was greatly blessed of the Lord in the conversion of sinners and the establishment of saints; and, as a preacher, he was the most promising of all of us who form the younger portion of our London pastors. We remember with joy now his faithful discharge of duty amid discouraging circumstances; his honest dealing with the word of truth; his loving, but firm adherence to the Church of the New Testament; his blameless reputation; and his patient and cheerful endurance of trial.
Some of us will never forget Tuesday, June 6th, 1888, the sad day when our dear brother was stricken down by the terrible disease which, after nearly three years of suffering and helplessness, terminated his life. Before the mystery we have to bow; and, while reason is baffled, our faith would cry, “All is well.” During that protracted illness our hopes and fears alternated. We visited him many times, but we never came away from him depressed. His hopefulness of spirit was so great that it was only within two or three weeks of his death that he gave up all idea of being strong enough to preach again. When all hope of this was gone, there was no petulance, but simply a peaceful resignation of himself into his Father’s hands. What his last hours were the readers of this magazine already know from February number, page 49. The Lord who had so graciously guided him in life did not leave him in the article of death. May the widow and the fatherless children find God to be their faithful and abiding friend.
Only thirty-two years of age! So young, so promising, so useful! But let us not repine.
Well, he has gone; and we are glad! Glad—not at our loss, but because of his gain. For William Hazelton, to die was gain indeed. He has left all his sorrows for ever behind. This sin-smitten world is one last whispering-gallery, carrying the echoing cries of bleeding humanity round and round; but, among all the zephyrs which float over the plains of glory, there is never a breath which is stirred by a groan. Dear brother, we envy thy happy lot! Oh, that we could join thee! But we are coming soon. Thank God! we are sure of heaven, because of the oath, and promises, and blood. While waiting a little longer below,, we will sing:—
“Well, He has fixed the happy day,
When the last tear shall fill my eyes;
And God shall wipe that tear away,
And fill me with Divine surprise
To hear His voice, and see His face,
And feel His infinite embrace.
This is the heaven I long to know;
For this with patience I would wait,
Till, weaned from earth and all below,
I mount to my celestial seat,
And wave my palm, and wear my crown,
And with the elders cast them down.”
Philip Reynolds
William Hazelton (1858-1891) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He was the nephew of John Hazelton, cousin of John E. Hazelton. In 1881, he was appointed pastor of the church meeting at College Park, Lewisham.
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