The Life And Death Of Edward Mote

Earthen Vessel 1892:

By the death of Mr. Edward Mote, which took place on Monday, April 4, 1892, the Church at Chadwell-treet, Clerkenwell, has lost one of its oldest, most loved, esteemed, and useful members. Baptized by Mr. John Hazelton in February, 1856, he had been a member of the Church for just over thirty-six years. In 1877 he was elected deacon, and became the church treasurer in 1879, and retained these offices until his death.

Our brother, who was 68 years of age, was in his place at “Chadwell-street “for the last time on Lord’s-day evening, January 17, on the occasion of a funeral sermon of a highly-respected member of the Church. He was then far from well. An attack of influenza followed by blood-poisoning, and a severe throat affection, was the cause of his death. His trying illness, of eleven weeks’ duration, was borne with the most exemplary patience. “Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him,” and from time to time hope was raised that he might be spared a little while longer; but on Monday morning, April 4, he quietly fell asleep without a struggle or a sigh.

The funeral took place on the following Friday. At the expressed wish of the departed there was no service held in the chapel. Mr. Mitchell, the present pastor at Chadwell-street, conducted a service at the residence, 16, Thornhill-square, Barnsbury, at which only the members of the family, and the deacons of the Church, were present. Deputations from the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches the Strict Baptist Churches, and the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society, attended the funeral, Joining the cortege at the house. The interment took place at Highgate Cemetery, where a great number of friends were gathered to show their love and esteem for the deceased. Mr. Mitchell delivered an address at the grave, and Mr. John Box offered prayer. On the following Lord’s-day evening, at Chadwell-street, a funeral sermon was preached, by the pastor, to a crowded congregation based on Psalm 37:37: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” The sermon contained many personal references, and an epitome of the character of the deceased brother, with a short account of his dying experience.

The Church at Chadwell-street are deeply grateful to God for what their departed brother was to them for so many years, and very sensible of the loss they have sustained in his removal. Nor is the loss confined to their community. Our brother was connected with the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches from its commencement, and his cheering presence, and his services as honorary solicitor, will be much missed. The Strict Baptist Mission, too, has lost a true friend. He was its treasurer and trusted adviser, and its committee meetings were held in his office. Since 1876 he has been a member of the general and other committees of the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society. He was also its honorary solicitor and devoted friend.

Our brother has left a widow, a son, and three daughters, to mourn the loss of a true and tender husband, and loving and devoted father. Having “served his own generation, by the will of God, he has fallen asleep,” leaving behind him a memory that is sweet, refreshing, and inspiring. We sorrow, but not as others who have no hope. For, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore we comfort one another with these words.

[A memoir of our departed friend and brother Edward Mote is in progress, and will appear (God willing) in our next number. We are indebted to our kind and helpful brother J. W. Banks for the following notes.—EditorJ

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The funeral at Highgate Cemetery, on Friday, April 9th, 1892, was witnessed by a very large number of sympathetic friends, amid much suppressed emotion, mingled with a sweet touch of holy joy. It is not for tho sake of eulogizing the creature we write, but his watchfulness over the interest of Aged Pilgrims, his unostentatious movements in connection with the Churches of truth, his earnest solicitations and plain, simple, touching, and humble expressions at the throne of grace, have embalmed his memory in the hearts of all who knew him. It is by no means straining the Scriptures to say of him, “Know ye not there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?” The words, taken from their connection are in a striking manner true of our translated brother Edward Mote. “His gentleness made him great,” but, to use his own words, “What we are is only due to the free, sovereign, distinguishing grace of God.” On one occasion he remarked, “There are some things I can do and some I cannot do.” And we can add to this statement, “Whatever he did undertake to do, he did it thoroughly.” The grace of God directed all his movements in his home, in his business, and in the Church. He is gone, not out of the Church, but is raised from the militant to the triumphant state, where 

“Not a wave of trouble rolls 

Across the peaceful breast,”

and the epitaph which we write to his memory is—

“Rest from thy labour, rest, 

Soul of the just, set free!

Blest be thy memory, and blest 

Thy bright example be.

Faith, perseverance, zeal, 

Language of light and power,

Love, prompt to act and quick to feel, 

Mark’d thee till life’s last hour.

Now, toil and conflict o’er,

Go take with saints thy place; 

But go, as each has gone before,

A sinner SAVED BY GRACE.”

The funeral, according to his wish, was simple. A service was held at the residence, conducted by Mr. Mitchell. At the conclusion the cortege, consisting of a hearse and seven coaches, proceeded to Highgate Cemetery, where Mr. Mitchell, in a short but touching address, committed the body to the grave, and Mr. John Box, deeply impressed, solemnly pleaded with the Lord to sanctify the event to the family, the Church, and the denomination.

Messrs. Holden, Box, and Clark followed as a deputation from the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches; Messrs. Heathfield, Sharp, J. E. Hazelton, and Gray represented the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society; Messrs. Wakelin and Briscoe were from the Strict Baptist Mission. Among others present were Messrs. Bumstead and Green (Surrey Tabernacle), F. B. Applegate, Ford, Licence, Sidders, Voysey (Chadwell-street), and numerous others, who gathered round the sepulchre to testify their esteem to “a brother beloved,” and not a few tears were mingled with the dust that covered the coffin containing the mortal remains of Edward Mote.—J. W. B.