A Brother Beloved (William Styles)
Earthen Vessel 1914:
The Late W. J. Styles
By A. E. Realff
“A brother beloved, specially to me.”—Philemon 16
After reading the excellent article of Mr. Flegg in the July issue, and then the “Personal Appreciation” of Mr. Bull in that for August, I feel strongly constrained to add a few words more of appreciative testimony, having had the privilege of personal acquaintance with Mr. Styles for some twenty-five years or more. The text at the head of these remarks, taken (of course) away from its surroundings, will doubtless be expressive of the feeling of many, particularly (though by no means exclusively) in our own denomination. Ever modest and reticent, almost to shyness, with regard to his own talents and acquirements, he was desirous to use what he possessed for the good of others who needed help and did so use it continually. Almost depreciating his own intellectual superiority, he was eager to speak, or write in his letters, words of high appreciation and encouragement to others.
My first interview with him was at an anniversary tea meeting at Barnet, after hearing from him an excellent discourse on the Love of God. I think this must have been fully twenty-five years ago, and ever since that time our friendship was maintained, without so much as the least misunderstanding between us, to the very last. As our ages were almost the same, and our experiences very similar, we could often take “sweet counsel together,” having known the same ministers, read the same books, and greatly resembled each other in our “likes” and “dislikes.” A little conversation with him was ever a great refreshment, and one was always most heartily welcomed at his table and in his study. The advancement and purity of our own section of the Baptist Denomination, and the personal welfare of all its true ministers, though themselves realizing the imperfection—perhaps I ought to say inefficiency of their services in the dear Master’s name—these were the subjects of his constant and prayerful solicitude; and he was always eager and ready to help in any way and by any means, as far as his health and ability would permit, and all this most generously, as though he were receiving, rather than conferring, a favour. Had his health been more regular and more reliable, he would doubtless (as far as we can judge) have accomplished very much more. His scholarly equipment, and gentlemanly and courteous deportment, also made a way for him to accomplish good by word or deed in many directions outside the circle of those to whom he considered that he belonged more especially, and who therefore had, in his estimation, a prior claim.
And now, alas! he is gone from us, and we sorely miss his friendship; but the influence of his personality, of his speech, and of his pen will long remain. In closing, one can but most heartily endorse the kind expressions of our brother Bull concerning the dear wife whom he has left behind, and who was such a faithful, patient, and efficient nurse during the protracted and most trying period of our friend’s last illness.
William Styles (1842-1914) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served as pastor for the churches meeting at High Wycomb (2 years); Lower Holloway (3 years); Providence, Islington; Keppel Street (10 years); West Ham (4 years); West Hill, Wandsworth (6 years). After his conversion to Christ while sitting under the ministry of the Congregationalists, he was baptized by C. H. Spurgeon and became a member of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. During this time, he enrolled in the Pastors’ School. He eventually embraced high views of sovereign grace and strict communion principles, thereby leading him to join the Strict and Particular Baptist denomination. He was an outspoken opponent of the pernicious teachings of duty-faith and the free-offer, believing that no church, minister or member had a right to identify as “Strict and Particular Baptists” if holding to those errors. He took a leading role in the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches and was a supporter of the Strict Baptist Mission. Both of these organizations now embrace the errors of duty-faith and the free-offer, standing opposed to the faith and order of the Strict and Particular Baptists.
William Styles, A Guide To Church Fellowship (Complete)
William Styles, A Memoir of John Hazelton (Complete)
