Charles Hemington: The Silver Wedding Of His Pastorate
The Sower 1896:
Mr. Hemington has recently completed the twenty-fifth year of his pastorate at Devizes, and this, added to fifteen years as pastor of Corpus Christi Chapel, at Plymouth, and previous labours in various counties, makes a long ministerial life, which, through the Lord’s blessing, has been very useful amongst the Churches.
He was baptized when a young man, and united to a Gospel Church, the deacons of which soon came to the conclusion that the Lord designed him for the ministry; therefore one Lord’s Day, when they had no minister, the senior deacon asked Mr. Hemington to read a chapter and make a few remarks upon it. This he was enabled to do, and spoke for about half-an-hour upon the prodigal son. Previous to this he had been useful in the Sunday School, but now he was called to go forth and speak to children of riper years.
From the time of starting forth in the ministry, the Lord helped him to act upon the Apostle’s counsel to Timothy, to “give attendance to reading,” for he felt the ministry required close study, meditation, and preparation, so that he has not given to the ministry that which cost him nothing, but has used every means that might tend to his usefulness, and yet humbly depending for strength and blessing upon the Spirit of God.
After supplying at various Churches, he was pressed by the late Dr. Marston to occupy the pulpit for six weeks, at Corpus Christi Chapel, Plymouth. To this he consented somewhat unwillingly, but at the end of six weeks the people would not hear of his leaving them, so he stayed with them three months longer, then another three months, and then a longer period, till at length fifteen years rolled away; during which time he was virtually their pastor, though never formally recognized as such. At the end of this period, although the bond of attachment between him and the people was as strong as ever, yet he could but feel that the finger of God was pointing him to seek another field of labour in His service. And soon he received two unanimous calls—one to the pastorate at Gower Street, London, and the other to the pastorate at Devizes, Wilts. For some months he occupied the pulpit in London, and many were the hopes and prayers that he might abide there; but at length he decided to settle over the Church at Devizes, a Church that has been in existence for about two hundred and fifty years. Here his ministry has been blessed to many; and it is a remarkable instance of the Lord’s goodness, that one with so frail a tabernacle should have been enabled to be so abundant in ministerial labours, at home and abroad. It is very pleasing to know that, although for many years two chapels existed in Devizes where the doctrines of grace were preached, during Mr. Hemington’s pastorate, the two causes have become one, and the amalgamation has turned out well; a feeling of true unity, concord, and love having been abundantly manifested to each other and to their pastor.
On Wednesday, July 26th, a large gathering of the Church, congregation, and friends of the pastor took place, to commemorate the silver wedding of Mr. Hemington’s pastorate. During the evening an address was read, in which expression was given by the Church of their thankfulness to God for having sent their pastor amongst them in answer to prayer; also of the value they put upon his ministry and of their continued deep affection for him. A presentation of a handsome writing-table was then made, the silver plate of which bears the following inscription: “Presented to Mr. Charles Hemington, by the Church and congregation of the Old Baptist Chapel, Devizes, in affectionate remembrance of twenty-five years’ ministerial love and labour.”
Very kind references were also made to both Mrs. and Miss Hemington, and their services in assisting the work of the Church in many ways; and as an expression of affectionate esteem, a presentation was made to them jointly of a silver tea service, and a handsome inlaid tray.
Mr. Hemington, in reply, accepted the presentation as a sincere and hearty expression of their good feeling to their minister, and of their mutual love and affection. He said he could say with Jacob, few and evil had been the days of his life, and he could not attach an iota of merit to whatever service he had rendered. Looking back upon his ministry, he had with deeper shame than ever before to say, “I am an unprofitable servant.” He then gave some little account of the Lord’s leading, to which we have already referred, and concluded by testifying to the kindness he had always received from the deacons and the members, and by speaking encouragingly of the present position of the Church.
Mr. Hemington not only spreads the truth by his voice, when with his distinct and powerful voice he proclaims the Gospel that he loves, but he also uses his pen as a ready scribe, and has thereby sought, by the power of the press, to expose error by a clear statement of truth. Once, when laid aside from preaching for a little while, he used his enforced leisure to write a little pamphlet concerning the teaching of Scripture in regard to the eternity of future punishment; this little work has had a large sale, and is one of the clearest and simplest statements of the truth upon this subject that can be obtained.
We most sincerely desire that Mr. Hemington may long be spared to his beloved people at Devizes, and to the Church of God generally, and that his latter years of service may be even richer in blessing than any that have preceded them.
Charles Hemington (1830-1904) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. Between 1856-1871, he served in an unofficial capacity as presiding minister for the church meeting at Corpus Christi Chapel, Plymouth. Between 1871-1904, he served as pastor for the church meeting at the Old Baptist Chapel, Devizes, Wilts. He also served on three occasions editor of the Gospel Standard Magazine—(1) January to June 1881; (2) February and March 1882; (3) May to July 1884.
