The Life And Ministry Of James Mehew

Gospel Standard 1868:

Death. On Jan. 16th, 1868, Mr. James Mehew, aged 68, minister, Stotfold.

His first convictions of a saving character commenced through the following circumstance. He had a companion, a young man, for whom he had a great regard, who became seriously inclined, and who informed him unless he altered his course of life, their acquaintance must be broken off. On hearing this, he was led to reflect upon his state and condition, and the Lord was pleased to commence a work of grace in his heart, causing him to feel what a great and awful sinner he was in the sight of a heart-searching God. The curse and condemnation of the law entered into his very soul. His transgressions stared him in the face, and their guilt was laid upon his mind; so that he could see no way of escape, and felt that he was lost and must perish for ever.

After continuing in this state for some time, repenting, sorrowing, confessing, and praying, one morning, on his way to Eaton, he thought surely the earth would open and swallow him up, that he would sink into hell, and that God would be perfectly just in sending him there, when he heard a voice speak, “Only believe.” Faith was given with the exhortation; he was enabled to believe, and was set free that very moment. He lost his guilt and condemnation, and went on his way rejoicing in the mercy, grace, and love of God to his soul.

He then became acquainted with the Wesleyans, and was eventually a local preacher amongst them. Afterwards he was invited to preach amongst the General Baptists; but whilst in the pulpit, on one occasion, these words came with power to his mind: “All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me.” Light sprang into his mind, and a great change was made in his views of divine truth. “Zion’s Trumpet” falling into his hands shortly afterwards, he read it with astonishment, as it was the first work of the kind he had seen. Other books of a similar kind he subsequently met with. The “Life of John Newton” was greatly blessed to him. Afterwards he met with the “Gospel Standard,” which, for experimental truth, crowned all; and he continued to read it with pleasure and profit until his death.

He continued to preach in the General Baptist chapel, St. Neots, for some time, not being as yet quite clear in the doctrines of grace, but alive in his soul. Mr. Philpot preached once at St. Neot’s, and was made the means of confirming and establishing him in the truths of the gospel, which he ever afterwards contended for.

Soon after this he was led to see the ordinances of God’s house in their scriptural order for himself, and had a sincere desire to be found walking in them. Having opened his mind to Mr. Tite, of Potton, he was baptized by him in a pool in Mr. Masters’s yard in that town, and always expressed his desire to be buried in the chapel yard there, until he heard that Mr. Tite had denied the eternal Sonship of Christ, and he then said, “I have no wish to be buried there now, for that blessed and glorious doctrine is what my soul loves.”

He removed to Stotfold, having been established in the doctrines and truths of sovereign grace, and became a strict Baptist.

The Lord continued to bless and support him in a wonderful manner, both in providence and grace, not knowing often how he should live, yet never really lacking anything, though he had often spent the last sixpence.

During the latter part of last year he was very ailing, sank fast, and was eventually laid aside. The last Lord’s day he was enabled to preach was in December. He could not walk to chapel, and was driven there. His text in the morning was Isa. 62:10; and in the afternoon, Ps. 100:4. He felt very much at liberty, but looked so ill that some thought he would die in the pulpit. On reaching home again, he blessed the Lord for his help, presence, and blessing through the day. Indeed, he lived in the sweet enjoyment of the latter text many days.

He now took to his bed, and what will now be recorded was spoken in the presence of his son Henry, and furnished by him to me. He expressed himself thus, which must be taken as spoken in sentences at many different times: “I am very ill, but am greatly supported. It is all right. I shall soon be singing, ‘Hallelujah to the Lamb for ever.’ There is a crown laid up for me. I always wanted to feel I had a religion of the right kind, a religion that would do to die with; and now I feel the dear Lord is very precious to my soul.” At another time he said, “The Lord reigneth, let the earth tremble; the Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice; the Lord reigneth, blessed be the name of the Lord. I am surrounded with blessings.” When in great pain, he called out, “What are my sufferings to the dear Lord’s? for he sweat great drops of blood for guilty me. O what a wonder! He is to be praised. He knows what I suffer. I shall not have one pain too many. He will do right.” He broke out on another occasion, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! O how precious! He is my support. He has brought me through many trials. It will be all right in the end. None but Jesus; bless his precious name! Jesus is the top and bottom of my salvation. I am with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. O bless and praise his precious name!

“‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 

In a believer’s ear.”

“‘There shall I see his face, 

And never, never sin;

And from the rivers of his grace 

Drink endless pleasures in.’

The hymns are very precious to me.” His son said, “Father, here is your favourite hymn. Shall I read it?” He replied, “O yes.” (698, Gadsby’s Selection.) On the first two lines being read: “Pause, my soul! and ask the question, Art thou ready to meet God?” he called out, “Yes;” and so on with the remainder of the hymn. He then exclaimed, “Abandon fear! The Lord is my salvation. I have all things and abound in Christ. It is through much tribulation.” His wife said, “You have been building on the Rock many years; you find it firm now.” He replied, “Yes; precious Jesus! No other. He is the Rock, a stronghold. When the accuser comes, blessed Jesus, thou wilt help me through and to the end.” His son, giving him a little wine, said, “Father, you will soon be drinking wine in the kingdom of heaven.” He replied, with a quick voice, “I am now.”

A letter arriving from Elsworth, containing a post office order for four pounds, he said, “Bless the Lord! The Lord is good. Bless the people! They have been always ready to help me. Tell them the Lord will reward them.” On being asked if the doctrines he had preached so many years would do to die by, he replied, “O yes, that they will.” At another time he exclaimed, “I am surrounded with blessings. I cannot repine. Praise his holy name! There is a rest for the people of God! Precious rest! everlasting rest!” Being distressed with pain, he said, “’O, thou hideous monster, sin, What a curse hast thou brought in!’ but the Lord hath pardoned it. Precious Jesus! O my Jesus! He is precious to my soul.

A friend from London, whom he had baptized, called to see him. He shook hands with her, and, on perceiving her crying, he said, “It is better to come to the house of mourning than to the house of mirth. It is all right, friend. I cannot be lost. He has kept me all my journey through. How very precious! How very glorious!” And, putting his hands together, he called out, “Lovely! precious!”

On perceiving a friend standing at the foot of the bed, he said, “O John! Precious eternity! Precious eternity! Precious eternity! Yes, yes!” These were his last words. Thus he died, without a sigh or struggle, so peacefully that he was scarcely seen to depart; and a beautiful smile was left on his countenance.

John Forester

Hastings, April 18th, 1868.