The Life And Death Of William Bussey
Gospel Standard 1860:
Death. On Aug. 18th., 1859, at an advanced age, William Bussey, of Hemblington, Norfolk. He preached the gospel in his humble way at Framingham, for some years towards the close of his life. He was a humble, consistent man. Not much is known of his experience. He was in early life a rigid Methodist; but the Lord so laid his sins upon the ground would open and swallow him up, with the beast that was under him; and that like Dathan and Abiram, and their company, he should go down alive into the pit.
About this time an opportunity offered for him to hear an experimental gospel minister; and such was the effect of the sermon upon his terror-stricken spirit that all his bonds broke, faith sprang up in his soul, and joy and peace in believing were the blessed effects. His general life after this, for many years, to use his own words, consisted of a medium experience, not many depths nor many heights, yet always kept close to truth. He would at times travel many miles on foot to avail himself of opportunities for hearing the gospel. After seasons of hearing the gospel with felt power, the writer of these lines has seen him in almost ecstasies of joy. His last affliction, which was dropsy, was long, and of a very painful character. Once, in extreme suffering, he said, “I have sung in health,
‘Through floods and flames, if Jesus leads,
I follow where he goes;’
but I did not know then what I was saying.” About three times during his affliction he enjoyed sweet peace, and told his family not to weep for him, as all would be well when ever he left this world. He seemed to settle down upon the words of Ps. 73, “I was as a beast before thee; nevertheless, I am continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand. My heart and flesh fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.” He said, “I can live and rest here for eternity.”
The few last weeks his mind was in rather a clouded state; and he would often say, “I go bound in spirit up to Jerusalem; yet all will be right when I get home.” Many good things dropped occasionally from his lips, such as, “Now is my salvation nearer than when I believed;” and,
“All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly Friend.”
He often lamented his Adam-fall condition; and though Satan thrust sore at him at times, he was enabled to defy him through the blood of the Lamb. The last few days were days of trial to his afflicted family, blood and water oozing through the skin in different parts of the body, attended with inflammation and mortification. His death was rather sudden to himself and all present.
“One gentle sigh his fetters brake.”
According to his wish, his remains were interred in the Baptist burial ground at Sal-house, Mr. Gowing, of Norwich, officiating. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”
William Bussey (?-1859) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. Towards the close of his life, he preached the gospel to the Lord’s people meeting at Framingham, Suffolk.
