The Life And Ministry Of William Kennard

Earthen Vessel 1888:

The Late Mr. William Kennard, Of Croydon

It seems but a short time since we first heard of the serious illness of our dear brother in Christ, Mr. William Kennard, of Croydon. We were then told that—”He had been near unto the golden gate; Serene he waited for the Master’s calling;” and soon the solemn tidings of his departure reached us. His ransomed soul peacefully passed the border-land of time to the regions of eternal and untold felicity on Monday noon, November 12th, 1888. How apropos are the words of Milton—

“‘Twas a death-like sleep—

A gentle wafting to immortal life.”

We had not the privilege of a long and intimate acquaintance with our deceased friend and brother, but whenever we met him we found him to be tender, genial, and truth-loving. The ready and valuable help of our brother Mr. William Horton, in furnishing us with a few biographical notes of Mr. Kennard (obtained from the bereaved family), demands our grateful acknowledgment here.

Mr. Kennard’s Call By Grace, And Baptism

The late Mr. W. Kennard was but a youth of sixteen when he first realised the power of divine grace in his soul. This inestimable blessing was given him of God through the instrumentality of His servant Mr. Garwood, of Ramsgate. He was shortly afterwards removed, in the providence of God, from Ramsgate to London, and attended the ministry of Mr. Felton, at Griffin-street, Deptford, for about three years. But it was under the heart-strengthening ministry of the late Mr. James Wells, of the Surrey Tabernacle, that he so deeply drank into the spirit of the Gospel of Christ, to the building up of his precious soul in the faith of God’s elect. With this beloved people he united, and walked with them in unbroken fellowship for about five years. He could then sing—

“Here fix my roving heart,

Here wait my warmest love;

Till the communion be complete,

In nobler scenes above.”

In the year 1852 Mr. Kennard, following the hand of the Lord, settled down in Croydon, and worshipped at “Pump Pail” Chapel, under the plain Gospel ministry of Mr. I. C. Thurston, and was soon voted to the office of deacon, which office he honourably sustained for many years. He took a very active part in the removal of the “Pump Pail” cause, and was mainly instrumental in the erection of the chapel built expressly for them in Tamworth-road, Croydon, and continued his official duties throughout the ministry of Mr. Thurston. Thus he rendered great service in the interest of this Church until within about six years of his death.

Mr. Kennard was closely connected with the practical working of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches (with his brother), from its commencement to the time of his death. The last few years of his life he sat under the faithful ministry of our good brother Mr. William Horton, at Salem Chapel, Windmill-road, Croydon, and exhibited for the beloved pastor and people an unflagging interest to the last.

His Illness And Death

During the last month of his life he was deprived of the public means of grace, but was visited by his pastor and other friends, and throughout his trying affliction he was never known to murmur. He bore his sufferings with the utmost Christian fortitude and courage. The late Edward Mote’s beautiful hymn he frequently quoted in his last illness, and especially the following lines relating to the solidity of his hope in Christ—

“When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my strength and stay:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand.”

He ever sought an interest in the prayers of his Christian friends, and when he heard them wrestling with the Lord for him, be would frequently add his own pleadings, ejaculating, “If in accordance with Thy will, O Lord; but if otherwise, Thy will be done.” Not long before his death he occasionally showed signs of distress of soul, and was often heard to say, “I must have Christ,” &c. He also prayed very earnestly a few hours before his death that the Lord would deliver him from his great physical sufferings, and the Lord graciously relieved him of them, and he passed away without a pain or a sigh.

“Released from sin, and toil, and grief,

Death was his gate to endless life.”

W. Winters

Waltham Abbey

The Funeral

On Saturday, Nov. 17th, at the residence of the late Mr. Kennard, a short but solemn service was conducted, in which Mr. John Box, Mr. W. J. Styles, and Mr. J. Alden Davies, took part. At the close the relatives and friends of the deceased, together with the representatives of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches, followed the remains, in six mourning coaches, to the Nunhead Cemetery, where they carried about two o’clock. The chapel was speedily filled with mourners. Mr. Box, after prayer, called upon Mr. W. Horton to open the service by reading portions of the Word of God. Mr. Horton said: “Beloved Christian brethren,—It is not my intention on this occasion, as the pastor of our late honoured and much esteemed brother in the Lord, to make any remarks, but rather to fulfil the part allotted me, in reading from the sacred Scriptures a few verses only. Let us read together 2 Cor. 5:1-10; also 1 Thess. 4:13 to end.” Mr. Styles then gave an address, and the service in the chapel was brought to a close with prayer by Mr. J. H. Lynn.

At the grave, Mr. J. Box committed the body to its last resting-place in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection, and delivered a suitable address from the words, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” There was a large number present who highly esteemed the deceased as a kind and useful brother in the Lord. Among the many friends we noticed, beside those who took part in the service, were Mr. Charles Wilson, Messrs. Green and Crowhurst (of the Surrey Tabernacle), Messrs. H. Myerson, A. Steele, J. H. Dearsly, J. Cullingford, J. Harris, G. Pocock, and others from various causes of truth. The age of the deceased was 65 years. 

J. W. Banks

The Funeral Sermon was preached at Salem Chapel, Windmill-road, West Croydon, by the pastor, Mr. W. Horton, on Lord’s-day evening, November 18th, from Psa, 37:37, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” The preacher divided his subject according to the natural order of the text, as follows: (1) The Scriptural character described; (2) the holy conduct pursued; and (3) the peaceful end gained. The sermon was much appreciated by the sorrowing friends. The chapel was filled in every available part, and the service was conducted in a way becoming the solemn occasion. The bereaved widow and family were all present.