The Life And Ministry Of William Waite

Earthen Vessel 1899:

Dear Brother,—At your request, I will try and pen a few particulars of my life, and the Lord’s gracious dealings with me, in calling me by grace, and to the ministry.

I was born on the 29th of October, 1840, of Christian parents, at Bradford-On-Avon, and was early taken to the house of God. My father at that time was senior deacon at the old Baptist Church in that town (then under the pastoral care of the late William Hawkins), and took a great interest in every branch of service connected with that honoured house of prayer. For eight or nine years my father was a great sufferer, and it fell to my lot, as soon as I was able, to read the Bible to him when not able to leave his bed, or his room. I shall never forget those seasons, especially when nearing his end. His sufferings were great, but his end was glorious. Thus I was left fatherless when I had just turned my eleventh year; a time when a father’s care and wisdom was much needed.

A few months after this bereaving dispensation I went to work in a factory, where I was thrown into a different class of society, and later on was led into some of the sins and follies which all are subject to. I was, however, mercifully preserved from running into those lengths of sin which some are permitted to do. The eye of God was upon me, and many convictions and checks did I receive, which troubled my conscience. Thanks to early training and a well-read Bible, and my God, who preserved me, when my feet were making haste to hell.

I continued attending the Sunday-school and chapel, until I was severely reprimanded by the three Superintendents of the three Sunday- schools in connection with the chapel (and that unjustly, too), which led me to sever my connection with the school at once, and the same afternoon had my name entered as a scholar at another Baptist Chapel, but on reaching home, my mother had heard that I had not gone to my usual School, and before I could give her any explanation, she was urged by a relative then present, to give me a thrashing, which she did, which I did not at all relish. I was getting well into my teens, and this had a bad effect upon me, so that I would not for months either enter school or chapel, and thus became a regular Sabbath-breaker. After a time I got tired of that life, and went and joined the Bible Class at Zion Baptist Chapel, and attended the services conducted by Mr. Newall. Here I had some convictions under the preached Word, which led me to attend the week evening service, and prayer-meetings. The minister put a letter in my hand one evening, the reading of which affected me much, and led me seriously to seek the Lord in prayer. I felt convicted, and did all I could to set myself right with God, spending much time in prayer, and reading the Word; and, at my work, kept a Bible, and used to get a verse or more from it to think upon during my employment, to try to keep out other thoughts. For a time I was in hopes, in that way, I should get peace to my soul. Then I got cooled down a bit, and my teacher would talk and walk with me, and work me up to a state of frenzy, till he and others thought there was a work of grace going on in me, and I thought so, too; but it did not last long, till at last, with an oath, I swore I would never have anything more to do with religion, but, that if ever I was saved, God should save me.

The doctrine of election had troubled me, but I searched the Word, and found it was so; that God had loved a people, and these were elected to that salvation which Christ procured for His people, and that the Holy Spirit must work in us to will and to do, so I was determined to let the matter rest.

In the spring of 1858, in the providence of Almighty God, I came to London, and found a situation at a watchmaker’s at Charing Cross. My teacher, before I left home, prayed very earnestly with, and for me, and in parting, begged me to join some school in London. This I was about to do, but did not know where to go. I was living in the Waterloo-road, and seeing a chapel in that road, called the Bible Christians, I thought that must be the spot. I went and asked that my name might be entered, and these good folks were so delighted to find one so willing and just up from the country, too, that they not only wanted to make me a member of the school, but introduced me to the pastor, who wanted to receive me into the Church as well, the same day.

This astounded me, for I knew I was not fit for it, neither did I wish to make a profession of that I did not possess, so that when once outside I was determined not to go there again. I occasionally went to other chapels, but the most of my Sundays were spent in sight-seeing and pleasure, till I went to Soho, and heard Mr. John Pells preach, and was somewhat taken with him, and went again and again. During this time I became acquainted with the person now my wife, and we attended the services under Mr. Pells.

In looking over a book-stall near Westminster Bridge, I came across the unbound numbers of the Earthen Vessel for the years 1857 and 1858; this was the first time I saw or heard of its issue. I liked the ring of it much. The next day they were in my possession, and I prized them much, especially those chapters by the late James Wells. His “Epistles to Theophilus,” with what pleasure I read and re-read in my spare time. Those numbers were helpful to me then in many ways, last but not least, in directing me to where the truth was preached, and gave the account of Mr. Pells at Clare, his removal to London; and my desire to see and hear the man. From that time till now I have been a reader of the Earthen Vessel.

The Open Air Mission asked Mr. Pells to preach for them at Cumberland Market, Regent’s Park; my home was near, and I went to hear how he could preach in the open air. Would he advance the same truths or no? His text was, “The great day of His wrath is come, and who will be able to stand?” Under that sermon, for the first time in my life, I felt what sin was, what I was myself, and that I should not be able to stand. The same evening Mr. Pells, at Soho, preached from these words, “Let us put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our head, and go out to the King of Israel, peradventure he will save thy life.” From these two sermons I was much distressed and troubled, and was advised by a friend of mine, to whom I spoke, to go home and pray. I told him I could not, for I had made such a vow, and I was afraid even to pray. However, I went home, and to bed, but no prayer as such; my feelings can better be imagined than described. I felt miserable, and wretched, and undone. On the following morning I felt l must open my mind and heart to God; peradventure He would save my life. This was the commencement of days and months of darkness and distress of soul. 

During this time, Brother R. E. Sears came from Laxfield, to preach at Soho. One of his prayers and sermons so affected me, that I burst into tears, and continued the whole of the service. The effect was so great on my then burdened soul, that it acted on my nervous system, and I was unable for a few days to attend to my daily work. My convictions were thus deepened, but could get no light, comfort, or peace. I asked advice of Mr. Pells, who said, “The Lord wounds, and the Lord heals, and if the blessing tarried, I must wait for it.” Oh, that seemed such poor comfort to me then; had he but prayed with me, I felt it would have helped me—but no. So I said, “If this is the only comfort he can give, I will seek elsewhere, to see if the Lord would bless me, and save my life, praying, hoping, and longing for light, pardon, and peace.”

At length, the set time had come. One Thursday evenmg (which was my wont), I was reading aloud one of Mr. Spurgeon’s sermons from the text, “If I say the truth, why will ye not believe?” About midway of the sermon, I abruptly stopped, and said to my wife what a stream of life, light, and love shone into my soul. I felt my sins gone, and the peace of God flying into my soul. I said to her, ”I feel so happy now; I should like to die and go to heaven at once.” I finished the sermon, and was blessed with that happy frame of mind on the following day. I felt I was in a new world, and everything seemed new to me. On the following Sunday, the preacher took for his text, “I count all things but dung and dross,” &c. The hymns also so suited to me, “Jesus, I my cross have taken,” and especially the one as follows:—

“I’ve found the pearl of greatest price,

My heart doth sing for joy;

And sing I must, for Christ is mine,

Christ shall my song employ.”

I felt indeed happy; but this did not last long, for Satan set in for a time, and I lost my joy. In the course of time I again attended the ministry of Mr. Pells, and was baptised by him, December, 1863.

After I realized peace and joy I felt a burning desire to be useful in the Lord’s vineyard. I used to attend a class at the chapel, and on one occasion the leader did not come; I was asked to conduct the meeting, which I did with great trembling, after much pressing, and was called upon to do so again and again. Prayer-meetings and Bible-classes were then conducted in my own house, and good seasons they often proved to be.

My first sermon was preached in May, 1864, from the text, “Send out Thy light and Thy truth,” in a Hall or upper room in the High-street, Haxton, and the Word was blest there from time to time. After a while, I preached for a Sunday or two at Claygate, and then for three months; from there I laboured as an itinerant at Knockholt, Kent, by the request of the late C. W. Banks, and for many years supplied the various Churches, as doors were opened to me. In 1883 I was invited to preach at Jireh, City-road, which led to my taking the pastornte in 1884. From here I laboured as pastor of Rehoboth, Stepney, giving myself wholly to the work; and had many sweet seasons with the friends there. Resigning my pastorate at Stepney, I entered business again, and did not intend to take the oversight of another Church, and for some years continued supplying the Churches, as doors opened. In the providence of God, I was asked to fill the pulpit at Rehoboth, Bedford-road, Clapham, February 3rd, 1895, to take the place of one just called home to glory. This led to other engagements, and received an invite to supply, with a view. This led to a call to the pastorate, which I commenced January 1st, 1896, and have found the friends a truth-loving people, and we are attached to each other, as pastor, deacons, and members; the love of Christ constrains us, for which we are grateful. Hitherto the Lord hath helped us. We want a continuance of that blessing—a real revival—for which we are earnestly praying; more grace, more love to our Lord and Master. We are only a little folk, but trust we are bound up in the bundle of eternal life, feeling our own nothingness and entire dependence upon Him who said,”Without Me ye can do nothing.” We ask your prayers on out behalf, and beg to give all the glory to our God.

Yours for Christ’s sake,

W. W.