The Life And Ministry Of William Kempston

Earthen Vessel 1893:

The late Mr. William Kempston was born April 1, 1844, in the parish of Shoreditch. He was left an orphan when very young, and was educated at the Forest-lane Schools, Forest Gate, and confirmed, when a boy, at the parish church, West Ham. After leaving school he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker in Bethnal Green, and, during his apprenticeship, he attended the Independent Chapel in Old Bethnal Green-road, where a Mr. Williams was the pastor. On one occasion, while attending service, the Lord showed him what a great sinner he was. This revelation had such a powerful effect upon him, that he fell fainting to the floor, and had to be carried to the vestry. He found no peace or satisfaction until one week evening, some time afterwards, when he went to a mission service, and heard a Mr. Winterford speak, and who gave out the hymn, “Rock of Ages,” which was the means of bringing his soul into spiritual liberty. The ministry he was then sitting under he felt to fall short of the fulness of truth which he found when reading the Scriptures; this caused him much soul-anxiety, and he was advised by a friend to go and hear Mr. C. W. Banks, who was then preaching at Bethel school-rooms. Here be found what be had been searching for, and the Word was greatly blessed to him. Some time afterwards he was baptized by the late C. W. Banks, at Camden Town, the chapel being lent for the occasion by Mr. G. Webb, then pastor. In the course of time the Church removed to Hope Chapel, Norton-street, Bethnal Green, where he took an active part in the school with Mr. J. J. Cooler, and there he preached his first sermon before the Church, on August 12, 1867, when he was 23 years of age, the text was 2 Cor. 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

One of the first causes he served was that at Harrow Weald; Mr. J. J. Cooler having persuaded him to go, he being too ill to fulfil his engagement. From this time he continued to serve many causes of truth in London and provinces (Charlwood, Hayes, Guildford, Saffron Walden, Dunstable, Morley, near Leeds, &c.). His sermons, in his earlier days, were usually prepared while working at his bench, he having to work very hard, having a large and young family to provide for. During the twenty-five years of his ministry, he had two calls to the pastorate, one being at Croydon, the other at Ramsey, Hunts. Although he made it a matter of prayer and serious consideration, he never had the way made clear to give up his business.

He preached his last sermon at Ebenezer Chapel, Ilford, about a fortnight before his death. He being in much trouble at the time, and feeling ill, did not want to go; but mother persuaded him to go, thinking the change might prove beneficial to him, he went, and preached from the words, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord,” &c.

He passed away on Sunday evening, July 3, 1892, after five days illness of pneumonia, leaving a widow and three children under eleven years of age, also an afflicted son 21 years of age in consumption, who has been unable to follow his employment for the past eighteen months, and who is now very ill.

[Sincere thanks to our friend for the above account of our departed brother W. Kempston. We knew him many years, and very highly esteemed him in the Lord for his faithfulness as a preacher, and affectionate disposition. The trying position in which his sorrowing widow and children are placed at the present moment, calls for immediate sympathy and substantial help. When our now glorified brother was in his usual health, and busy among the churches of truth, he was most generous so far as his means would allow; but without any fault of his own, his income, just before his death, suddenly became reduced to a very low figure; consequently his widow and children are deeply in need of help, and it would delight us and others much to see them secured from actual want. A fund is now open for their relief, and help, however small, may be sent either to Mr. F. C. Holden, Hon. Secretary, 42, Wallwood-street, Burdett-road, Limehouse, E.; or to Mr. G. Turner, Treasurer, 409, Romford-road, Forest Gate, E.—Ed.J