The Life And Testimony Of Mr. Higgons

Gospel Standard 1882:

Death. On Feb. 12th, 1882, aged 80 years, Mr. Higgons, of Jericho, Oxford.

The following account is written by Miss Belcher, who was housekeeper to Mr. Higgons for 20 years:

“I have heard him say that he lived very comfortably with his wife until the Lord called him by grace; then she was permitted to persecute him in various ways. She told him he would bring her and the children to poverty. He was compelled to leave the Church of England, being seized with great terror the last time he was about to enter the doors, feeling he was mocking the Almighty. He returned home and never went to church afterwards.

After a little time he attended a prayer-meeting in a house at Somer- town, near Oxford, where a few of the Lord’s people were formed into a church by the late Mr. John Foreman. After a year or two he opened his kitchen for preaching, and many of the late ministers, Philpot, Tiptaft, Godwin, Warburton, and others, preached there. The room at length became too small, and Mr. Higgons fitted up a warehouse for a chapel. This was a great sacrifice in his business; but it was impressed on his mind that it was to be the Lord’s house, and I have heard him say he never had to regret it. A room adjoining was afterwards added, and the friends continued to meet there till 1881, when a small chapel was erected.

He had many trials to endure. His wife died in 1839, and he lost five children. One of them was drowned at the age of 14. He had been looking forward to his son’s leaving school in about three months, and helping him in the business; but one night the sad tidings came of his death while out fishing with a cousin. The sudden shock almost overwhelmed his poor father. I believe he fell from his chair; but after a little time he revived, and the Lord broke in upon his soul, and gave him such a blessed manifestation of his love and mercy that, though in this painful trial, he could not be a mourner, but felt and said he could have given all his other children while so favoured with the Lord’s presence. This he was afterwards called upon to do. His eldest daughter died almost suddenly when about 20 years of age; and his youngest son was only ill a fortnight, with water on the brain. His remaining two daughters both made happy ends; and he was much supported and comforted in their deaths. He told me after the death of his daughter Agnes that for a long time before her end she had been laid upon his mind as a heavy burden; and one night, having forgotten her case while in prayer, it came before him when in bed and obliged him to get up, and seek, and entreat the Lord on her behalf.

“The other daughter, Caroline, was much on my own mind for several years. Sometimes I felt encouraged to hope the Lord would call her by his grace; but “hope deferred maketh the heart sick,” and I seemed to watch, and pray in vain for a long time. At length, I resolved to seek the Lord no more on her behalf, as I thought it might not be his will to save her; but just then these words were forcibly impressed on my mind: “Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.” I felt in a moment such freedom in prayer, it was no longer a task. I had confidence my request would be answered, and it was blessedly realized in her end. Both daughters left a blessed testimony of the Lord’s manifested mercy to their souls.

“Though in a path of much tribulation, Mr. Higgons was favoured to enjoy many mercies and sweet seasons mingled with the bitters. On one occasion of deep exercise about his state, these words were applied with power: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden; and I will give you rest.’ His hope and confidence in God were greatly strengthened. Other portions of the Word were sweetly realized by him in times of trial. He had many days of darkness and temptation; but I rejoice to know his end was peace. For many years I have felt a great union of soul to him, and we have wept and rejoiced together.

“M. Belcher.”

One who was with him at the last writes:

“On Monday, Jan. 16th, I was telling him about the sermon of the previous day, when he said, ‘The Lord comes sometimes and blesses me here.’ And continued, ‘God has been a good and gracious God to me for many years. He was pleased to speak to my soul a year or two back with these words: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed thee;…thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.’ At one time he looked up and said, “I shall be glad when this poor tabernacle is dissolved.” One morning, when he seemed very dark, I said, ‘We want the Lord to speak again and again.’ He said, ‘Yes; but the Lord has spoken very preciously to my soul, and told me my sins were all pardoned.’ I read to him ‘Little Faith’ in the Standard for February, and he remarked, ‘We know that in our own soul’s experience.’

Mr. Silas Keevil visited him several times. On one occasion he said to him, ‘Well, friend, on what do yon build your hope?” He replied, ‘On his blood and righteousness; and if that fails, I am a lost man; but, bless his Name, he has given me a good hope through grace.’ Mr. Keevil said, ‘You are now waiting for one more touch.’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘one more token, Lord; and then take me home.’

“At one time he said, ‘My only hope is Jesus Christ; he is all in all.’ He lay quiet for a few moments, and then looked up with a sweet smile and wept. I said, ‘Can you see anything?’ He answered, ‘Yes, blessed object.’ In the evening he seemed low, and wept, and said, ‘I am in a deep ditch.’ I repeated to him the verse, ‘I sink in deep mire where there is no standing,’ and added, ‘The Lord brought him up out of the horrible pit and the miry clay.’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but the question is will he bring me up? I know nothing is too hard for the Lord.’ He repeated over and over the passage that had been so much blessed to him: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed thee,’ &c.

“He was taken worse on Feb. 11th, and his speech became so feeble we could only understand a word ot two now and then. He tried to send a message to his nephew to tell him he was happy. I said to him, ‘You can sing victory through the blood of the Lamb?’ He replied, ‘Victory, victory.’ After this he was for the greater part of the time unconscious.

He quietly passed away on the Sabbath evening, Feb. 12th.”

R. Shillingford.