The Life And Ministry Of William Styles

Earthen Vessel 1914:

In Memoriam

Mr. William Jeyes Styles

On a Sunday afternoon in April, a little more than thirty years ago, the Sunday-school at Keppel Street joined the school at Soho in the celebration of their anniversary. An interesting address was given on that occasion by the pastor of Keppel Street Church from Eccl. 12:1-8, which was illustrated by means of a lad whom the speaker had with him in the pulpit. This address was listened to with rapt attention by the children. Such is our earliest recollection of Mr. Styles, who was the preacher that afternoon. Years passed away, and while our friend was pastor at West Hill, the writer settled at Chatham Road. In response to a very kind invitation, we paid a visit to his home, and acquaintance gave way to friendship, a friendship valued more and more as time wore on, and which continued without interruption until he was called to higher service.

Mr. Styles was born in London in the year 1842. His early days were spent amongst the Congregationalists, two of his uncles being ministers in that denomination. In the year 1860 he was anxious about spiritual matters. The Lord took him in hand, and he believed that his first living prayer was offered as he was walking up Highbury Hill. After some period of soul exercise, when he felt that he could not pray, the words, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty,” were sealed upon his heart, and by them he was much cheered.

He commenced preaching amongst the Primitive Methodists when he was about 19 years of age. The Word of God was his constant study, and he based his teaching on “the Book.” The immersion of believers was seen to be the baptism of the New Testament, whilst some of the opinions to which he gave expression were not in accord with the teachings of that Church. He has related how that after having preached from the text, “The just shall live by faith,” he was charged with preaching Calvinism, when he replied that he knew nothing of Calvinism, and had only preached what he found in the Bible. He subsequently announced his intention of being immersed, though he wished to continue in membership with that Church, but was informed that if he was baptized he would not long remain a Methodist, which prediction turned out to be correct.

Our brother corresponded with the late C. H. Spurgeon, and after having had an interview, was baptized by him and received into the Church at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Soon after this he entered the Pastors’ College as a student.

The first Church over which our friend was pastor was Union Church, High Wycombe, where he remained for two years. Returning to London, he presided over a Church at Lower Holloway for three years. Being then fully persuaded in his own mind that Calvinism was the teaching of the New Testament, and that Strict Communion was the right order for a New Testament Church, he acted upon these conscientious convictions and united with the Strict Baptists. He became pastor of the Church at Providence, Islington, and laboured there until 1878, when he accepted a call to Keppel Street, where he had ten years of happy service. From 1891 to 1895 he served the Church at West Ham, and in the latter year removed to West Hill, Wandsworth, remaining minister of that Church for six years, when he retired from pastoral work, though he continued for some while longer, as health permitted, to preach the Gospel in various places.

During the many years of his connection with our Churches he rendered good service, both in defense of the faith and order of the Churches and in other directions. In the early days of the history of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches, he conducted students’ classes, which were well attended and proved of great value. He also for a time edited in a most efficient manner The Gospel Herald. He took a keen interest in the work of the Association, and at a critical period undertook for one year the duties of the secretariat, at the end of which time, through his influence, Mr. Box took over the duties. The Strict Baptist Mission had his warm sympathy and support, and by voice and pen he sought to further the good work. When in 1893 our esteemed brother E. Mitchell resigned the editorship of the Earthen Vessel, Mr. Styles, at the urgent request of the trustees, assumed that position, the duties of which he ably discharged until failing health compelled him to lay down his pen. It was the writer’s privilege to be associated with him in that work, and he is well aware of the time and care which were devoted to the conduct of the magazine.

From time to time he wrote in explanation and defense of the truths that we love, but the chief service that he rendered in this direction was the issuing of “The Manual of Faith and Practice.” In this volume is shown how full is the Scriptural support for the sentiments expressed. This book has been a real help to many. It may interest those who are acquainted with that work to learn that the larger part of the verses found there are the author’s own composition. This was followed a few years later by the companion volume on “Church Fellowship.” He also wrote the biography of the late John Hazelton, for whom he entertained a fond affection. It is the tale of a useful and fruitful life beautifully told. Our brother had the privilege in 1901 of delivering a series of lectures to the students of his college. These were afterwards published in a book entitled, “With Thy Might,” and will well repay a careful perusal by those engaged in the Master’s service. [We are glad to know that these works can still be obtained from Mrs. Styles.]

Mr. Styles was for many years on the committees of The Aged and Infirm Protestant Dissenting Ministers’ Society and The Widows’ Fund. He was one of the managers of the Particular Baptist Fund, a loyal helper of the Ministers’ Relief Society, and for a long time secretary of the Baptist Board Widows’ Fund. In all these Societies he took a deep interest, aiding by his counsel and advice the work carried on by them.

Our brother, especially in his later years, lived a quiet and somewhat secluded life. He, however, was far from being unsociable, and appreciated the visits of friends, of whom he had a large circle. He was a lover of good men, and had the grace to say, ”Grace be with all those that love our Lord Jesus Christ.” Having an extensive knowledge of general literature and being well informed and accomplished, intercourse with him was always fraught with both pleasure and profit. One needed to be brought somewhat closely into touch with him to understand him and to be able to appreciate his many excellences. He was strong in his likes and dislikes. Keenly sensitive and gentle, he yet could be severe. He was highly conscientious and firm in his convictions; painstaking and energetic in whatever he undertook. With a keen insight into human nature, he abhorred anything approaching assumption or hypocrisy. He was a clear thinker and close reasoner, and was possessed of a marvelous memory. Sorrow and need appealed strongly to his sympathy, and in him the widow and the troubled found a ready helper. He was apt to teach, as many younger ministers besides the writer know well. His ability to impart knowledge, and his willingness to assist to the utmost of his power, has laid us under deep and lasting obligation to him. With a weakly body, and subject to many infirmities, it is surprising that he accomplished so much.

In his ministry he was unique. He copied no man. Clear in his exposition of Scripture, logical in his treatment of the subject, simple in his language, chaste in his expression, with a fund of illustration, he arrested the attention, and one could not listen to him without deriving pleasure and spiritual profit. An unfamiliar text would often be expounded with ingenuity and insight that it was not easy to forget.

After his retirement from the pastorate at West Hill our friend united with the Church at Chatham Road, then under our pastoral care, and he remained in fellowship with that Church until his decease. He was a most sympathetic hearer, and we have often been cheered by his kind and thoughtful words; while on vacating the pastorate of that Church it was our privilege to receive a letter such as he only could pen, and which we greatly prize.

For some months prior to his decease he suffered very greatly. He was unable to sit at his desk to write, and he was unable to read for any length of time, which was a great denial to him. Indeed, his weakness at times was such that it seemed almost too much for him to take part in conversation, though he valued the visits of friends. He was tended with assiduous care and loving solicitude during those weary months, until on the 6th of May he fell asleep.

The esteem in which Mr. Styles was held was evinced by the large company of friends gathered at West Hill Chapel and at the cemetery on the following Monday for the funeral. A short service was held in the chapel, in which the pastor, Mr. Geo. Smith, Mr. Bush, and the writer took part. The mortal remains were committed to the grave by Mr. Frank James, who delivered a very appropriate and touching address, selected passages of Scripture being read by the pastor of Chatham Road Church, Mr. E. Rose, who on the following Sunday preached a memorial sermon, in which reference was made to the useful life our friend had lived.

One by one the servants of the Lord are being removed from the ranks here, and whilst the prayer rises that the Lord of the harvest will send forth other labourers, in these removals we hear the voice of the Master saying unto us, “Work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work.” 

James E. Flegg