The Life And Ministry Of William Crouch

Gospel Standard 1861:

In  the month of February. 1861, the Lord, in a mysterious manner, removed from the church below, William Crouch, who, for more than 40 years, was a faithful witness for the truth at Fell Green, Wadhurst, in the county of Sussex; and the following particulars have been gathered up concerning him chiefly from the lips of his widow, who, after a union of nearly 50 years, still survives to mourn her loss.

He was born in the year 1790. His father was a small farmer in Sussex, and had been married three times; and as William was of the third family, his father could not do much for him in a world’s point of view. He lost this parent when very young, and at the early age of 12 years he went forth to get his living by farm labour. In the providence of God he worked on the same farm with David Fenner, now known to many as an old and faithful minister of Christ, at Hastings; and being lads, they slept together.

A report had gone abroad that David Fenner was converted; this caused no small stir in the neighbourhood, for a religious profession was not so common in those days as it is now. William Crouch wondered what this conversion could mean, and thought he would ask Fenner about it. This led to a conversation which left a deep impression on his mind, for Fenner declared what God had done for his soul, and opened up to him the feelings and exercises of his mind. All this was at that time strange to Crouch; and though he could not then understand what he heard, yet he never afterwards totally for­got it. The word was fastened on his conscience as a nail in a sure place. The seed then cast upon the water was found after many days. At the age of 13 he was apprenticed to a tailor at Mayfield.

“Now came the period, known to God,

When this poor sheep, redeemed by blood,

Should leave the hateful ways of sin,

Turn to the fold, and enter in.”

It was in the year 1809 he was effectually stopped by the grace of God. He heard a sermon from Rom. 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” This text, not the sermon itself, was the means of enlightening his conscience, and showing him his lost condition. The law was applied with power, and he was convinced of sin, and made to tremble at the thought of the judgment to borne. Once, when he was playing at cricket, he was so distressed he did not know what to do; he felt he could play no more, and threw himself on the ground bemoaning his miserable case. On his way home he was tempted to enter a public house, and was induced to play at ninepins. While thus engaged he was seized with an agony of remorse, and went home and shut himself in, walking up and down the house for three or four hours, concluding all was over, he must be for ever lost, and that there could be no hope for him. This occurred when he was 19 years of age.

The first word which was ever blessed to him in a way of comfort and which raised a hope in his soul was that precious declaration of 1 John 1:7: “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” He was at that time telling out the feelings and exercises of his soul to a very old man, who quoted the above passage to him. He now wanted food for his poor soul, and went to hear where he thought the gospel was preached. There were some Baptists in the neighbourhood, and he went amongst them, and used to engage in prayer at their meetings. At that time he was under the influence of a self-righteous spirit, and fondly imagined he should get better and better. Instead of this he felt worse and worse. God was teach­ ing him the plague of his heart, and breaking up the fountains of that great deep.

About this time he went to London, where the Lord in mercy again revived him and blessed him in measure, so that he was holpen with a little help, though not brought out into the liberty of the gospel. While he was living in London he had a great desire to hear Mr. Huntington; but he never did, as he gave ear to the warnings he received against both him and his hearers, as being such a “bad-spirited people.” On his return into the country, he was baptized by a minister at Rotherfield. He was much exercised on the subject of preaching, and one day an old man repeated to him these words: “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren.” He inquired of this friend if he had any particular motive in addressing those words to him. He answered, “Yes, he had; for he thought Mr. C. was called, or would be called, to the work of the ministry.” One day these words were applied with some degree of power: “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.” (Luke 22:35.) At another time the following portion was much on his mind: “The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens.” (Prov. 27:26, 27.) These words were a great encouragement to him to hope that the matter was of the Lord. But, alas! he had some painful lessons to learn first. He must go into the furnace; as it is written, Mal. 3:3: “He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness.” And, like poor Peter, he must be sifted in the devil’s sieve before he is sent to strengthen his brethren. He fell into a grievous state of backsliding, and plunged into the world, forsaking the public ordinances of God’s house altogether. He had gone into the bread-baking business, and was in the practice of making gingerbread to serve those who attended the various fairs in the neighbourhood; and this worldly connexion was a snare to him. Thus he became like Ephrairn, Hos. 7:8: “Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people.” But God, in mercy to his soul, spread his net upon him, and brought him down, and chastised him. (Verse 12.) A sense of guilt overwhelmed him, and he sank as in deep mire, where there is no standing. In the bitterness of his soul, he walked up and down, wishing he had never made a profession, and wringing his hands in an agony of grief and remorse. He felt and fell under the truth of Jeremiah’s words: “Hast thou not procured this to thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the way? And again: “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee. Know, therefore, and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God.”‘ In this state of mind he one day began to read Huntington’s “Justification of a Sinner, and Satan’s Lawsuit with him.” This discourse was greatly blessed to him, and he again went to hear the preached word. On one occasion, as he was hearing Mr. Pitcher, the Lord broke in upon his soul, and melted him down under a sense of matchless love and mercy. He could not help speaking of it as he went home, saying, the Lord had met with him, and with what light, love, and power the word had been accompanied. He longed to get to his bedroom, that he might give vent to his feelings, and pour out his heart to God. Arriving at home, he asked his wife to come with him upstairs, when they both fell upon their knees, and he began to pour out his soul to the Lord. Melted down in his feelings, he pleaded, and begged the dear Lord would seal the blessing upon his heart, when all of a sudden the words came with sweetness and power: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Thus was he, like Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord. This blessed visit lasted eight days, and during the whole of that time he walked with God, without the shadow of a doubt of his interest in covenant love.

After this he felt preaching again laid on his mind. He said it was like a fire in his bones, as the prophet expresses himself: “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jer. 20:9.) One day he said to his wife, “My dear, should you have any objection to our opening our house for preaching?” She answered, “No, I should have no objection.” So he went to a friend who was a carpenter, and inquired what would be the price of a few stools. His friend asked him what he wanted them for; was it that he intended preaching? “Because,” said he, “I and my wife have had thoughts of asking you to preach in our kitchen.” This was agreed to, and about 12 in number first met together. But the word of God grew and multiplied. The kitchen soon filled; then the workshop adjoining. People came from a distance; and it was with this little company in the kitchen as with the church at Thessalonica, the gospel came not unto them in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. The first text he preached from in the house was from Zech. 9:11: “As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water.” Under this sermon, Mrs. Kemp, who had been in bondage for eight years, was brought forth into the light and liberty of the gospel. It was about this period that the church was formed, as it has remained to this day, on Strict Baptist principles.

At length his friend the carpenter, Mr. T. Kemp, who is now the oldest deacon at Pell Green, said he thought of beginning to build, a chapel, and for that purpose he was willing to give the ground. He said he felt a persuasion that the Lord would bless it. Accordingly, they went and marked out the site for the foundation; and thus the building of the chapel at Pell Green, Wadhurst, was commenced. Before this Crouch had begun to speak at Burwash, also at Ninfield, where the word was much blessed, and several who were advanced in years were brought to a knowledge of the truth. For many years he continued to preach one Lord’s day in each month at Ninfield. The friends wished him to give up his worldly business, feeling persuaded that the Lord would provide for him and his family. Mr. Kemp built him a cottage to live in rent free, and wished him to come at once, and settle down amongst them as their stated pastor. It was not, however, until after the lapse of two years that he was enabled to see his way clear to give up his business, and take up his abode at Pell Green. His scruples were then removed, and he took the important step from feeling this word much impressed on his mind: “Also regard not your stuff, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” Two days afterwards, a friend brought him, as a present, a leg of mutton, when his wife called to him, and said, “The Lord has sent us some of the good things of Egypt!” He answered her, “Yes, my dear, the Lord has called me to the work, and he will provide for me.”

Once, about this time, he was called upon to go out to preach at a place a considerable distance from his house; and a kind friend of his, a Mr. Duck, offered to lend him his horse, that he might ride; but this he declined without giving the reason, the fact being, he had not money to pay the toll-gates. While, he was on this journey, his wife felt much cast down in her mind. One day two friends of his called to see her. In the course of conversation, they told her that they had been to a draper’s shop, making some purchases. Mrs. C. said she very much wanted a dress, and mentioned what colour she should prefer. While they were talking, Mr. C. came home and put down a parcel, saying, as he smiled and looked at his wife, “There is something for you.” It was a new gown, of the very kind and colour she had been wishing for. But this was not all. He after­ wards showed her two sovereigns, which so completely overpowered her feelings that she went upstairs to weep at the Lord’s goodness?

The chapel was built in the year 1824. Some time ago the debt had been reduced to £131, when Mr. Kemp said if the friends would raise £100 he would give the remainder. The sum of £95 was collected, and he said that would do; he was willing to give the rest; and thus the chapel was freed from debt.

For many years the Lord blessed Mr. C.’s labours abundantly, and several young persons were brought to a knowledge of the truth under his ministry, some of whom.are now living.

Mr. Crouch had a large family of children, and, as his immediate friends are aware, he had many grievous trials connected therewith. Three of his children were removed by death almost at the same time, and one of them, a daughter, gave satisfactory evidence of be­ ing a partaker of grace.

We now pass on to the close of his pilgrimage. It was remarked that during the last two years of his life he was more than usually retired, being much alone in his study, and also deeply impressed with the subject of death. We may here notice that, in the course of his ministerial labours, he had many times been remarkably preserved by the kind providence of God. No fewer than 30 times he had been exposed to danger by horses falling with him, or by his being thrown out of conveyances, and yet his life had been spared.

But the time of his departure was at hand. On Jan. 6th he preached at Ninefieid, and at Battle, near Hastings, in the evening. On Monday, the 7th, he intended to return by the railway, but a friend, travelling in a confectioner’s light van, offered to take him, and he accepted the invitation. They had arrived within a quarter of a mile of the place where he purposed to alight, when the fore wheel of the conveyance came off, and Mr. Crouch was violently thrown out. He was stunned by the concussion, and when taken to the nearest house was quite insensible. His face was bathed with water, and some brandy was administered; after which he revived. On being removed to his own house, the surgeon who attended him found that the small bone of his arm was broken. During the week he suffered much pain in the fractured limb, but it was with difficulty he was prevented from preaching on the next Lord’s day, although he said, “I don’t know but what this may be the death of me even now.” He spent great part of the night sitting up in bed; and when his dear wife would say, “You must be tired with sitting up so much,” he would reply, “No, I have such communion with the Lord, it makes up for it.” His arm appeared to be going on well, and on Lord’s day, Jan. 20th, he preached twice. On the following Lord’s day, the 27th, he again preached twice, his text both morning and afternoon being Eph. 5:18: “But be filled with the Spirit.” While speaking in the afternoon he suddenly stopped for a minute or two, and then resumed his discourse. In explanation of this, he afterwards said he felt as if something dropped in his chest. It was altogether a remarkable time both with himself and his hearers. He said he felt that his heart was so full of the love of God that he wanted words to express it. Some of the friends remarked, when they came out of the chapel, they thought it was his last sermon, for he seemed to have resigned himself, the church, and the people into the hands of God.

On Monday he was very comfortable, and also on Tuesday, until after tea; it was then discovered that his arm was much swollen. On the Wednesday morning, when his wife went to dress him, he was seized with a shivering fit and went down to the fire. He continued poorly in body all this day, and felt rather dark in his mind till he went to bed, as it proved, for the last time, ;for he never came down again alive. On Thursday, he appeared quiet and composed, as if he felt he was in the Lord’s hand, and had done with all things here below. On Friday morning, a woman, one of the friends, came in, and his wife asked him, “Do you know who that is?” He said, “Yes; poor, dear, little broken-hearted woman, God will appear for you; you will never die till God has shown you his salvation.” On Saturday morning he said, “No terrors, no horrors. They are all done away in Christ.” In the afternoon he pulled aside the bed-curtain, and, looking at Mr. Huntington’s portrait, which hung on the wall, he said, “Dear, good old man, I shall soon be with you.” His poor wife was much distressed, and said, “What shall I do when you are gone?” He said, “Stick fast to your colours; God will provide you friends. It will not be long, and then, like me, you will have all.” At night his son Jacob came to see him; and when asked if he knew him, said, “Yes; Jacob. But I am a true Jacob, bowed down with old age, but blessed of my God.”

On Lord’s day, Feb. 3rd, his son-in-law had a sweet conversation with him in the morning. At one time he said, looking at his wife, “Jordan!” She said, “Yes; you are about to enter Jordan, but the waters will part, and you will go over dryshod.” In the afternoon he looked up, and said to a friend who had called to see him,

“God from everlasting be blest, and again 

Blest to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”

This he repeated several times. In the course of the evening some of the dear friends came in to see him. He said he knew them, but spoke little. He appeared to be in a sweet frame of soul, and to have done with the things of time and sense. In the night he repeated the lines: 

“Hark! they whisper. Angels say, 

Sister spirit, come away,” &c.

Many sweet words dropped from his lips; amongst which were the following: “Why tarry in this poor fettering clay? Happy, happy, happy!” and he also repeated this verse from one of Swain’s hymns:

“When Jesus thus invites me in, 

How will the heavenly hosts begin

To own their new relation?

Come in, come in! The blissful sound 

From every tongue will echo round, 

Till all the crystal walls resound

With joy for my salvation.”

In broken accents he was heard to utter, “The golden gates, the golden gates, the golden gates!” His countenance, also, was observed to shine with a peculiar and heavenly lustre.

He continued in a happy frame, talking as if to himself of the sufferings of Christ, saying, “What are my sufferings to his sweat and blood?” This was the substance of what was gathered from his many broken expressions; and thus he remained until within four minutes of his departure, when he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, about 6 o’clock on Monday morning, Feb. 4th, 1861.

W. B.

Brighton.