The Life And Ministry Of Silas Hickmott

Gospel Standard 1870:

Death. At Tenterden, Kent, on Feb. 13th, 1870, aged 63, Silas Hickmott, deacon of the Baptist church formed by and many years under the pastoral care of the late Mr. Burch, Staplehurst.

His illness was inflammation of the lungs, of only five days’ duration. “They that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” was truly fulfilled in him. He possessed that religion which testified he had been with Jesus. His heart was made upright in the things of God, and added learning to his lips. He neither courted the smiles nor feared the frowns of mortals, as many can testify who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Of all Christians I ever met with, he seemed to evince a spirit that he was not of this world, either in its spirit or practice. He desired a better country, that is, a heavenly, waiting for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He was open, free, and honest; the law of truth and kindness dwelt on his lips. He had a clear view of spiritual things, very searching for realities amongst professing Christians.

He had not that rancorous and sensorious spirit which is manifested by many professing godliness, but was a man of peace; yet free to speak his mind. If the word of God was ever so clearly set forth, but was not enjoyed by him in its unctuous power, he would speak out his mind; but when it met his case, and its blessed power was felt in his soul, his heart seemed set on fire. A friend speaking of him under this sweet and blessed feeling remarked, “Mr. H. was like a man running down hill, but could not stop himself.” His house was always open to the poor saints; his heart, purse, and hand also to assist the cause of truth. He was truly a man of prayer, and diligent in the means of grace; and, being greatly tried at times, found help and strength from the Lord. He knew well the plague of his own heart, and often mourned and groaned by reason of sin, Satan, flesh, and the world, yet grace was given him in such a blessed measure, enabling him to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he was called. He was truly a companion of all them that fear God.

A friend from London, along with Mr. Burch, the minister, called upon him some years ago, and found him greatly cast down under a peculiar trial of persecution. He exclaimed, on seeing them, “I am pleased to see you. I have had a week of great distress.” The friend and Mr. B. went into the house, and Mr. H. was enabled to tell out how, when, and where the Lord began a good work in his soul, calling him by his grace, and leading him on up to that time; and the Lord so blessedly shone upon him and helped him to remember the way he had been brought in the wilderness that it was a time of refreshing to their souls. The Lord was present of a truth, and the sweet union and blessed anointing which was felt, abideth and has been experienced at times by the friend ever since. When first seen, he was weeping for sorrow, but, after speaking for about two hours, he was left weeping for joy at the goodness and mercy of the Lord. His countenance shone blessedly. This friend exclaimed, “What a sermon we have had.” Mr. B. replied, “What a blessed testimony he has given of a work of grace in his soul.” This friend adds, “This dear man of God got into my heart; I enjoyed a savour not to be easily forgotten. There was such life and power in what he declared of the almighty power of God in bringing him out of a low place into that height of enjoyment he then felt; so that we left him blessing and praising God.”

His brother deacon called upon him about a fortnight before he was taken ill, and found him in his barn. When in conversation together, he said, “I shall soon be in heaven; I have felt a little of it in my soul this day.”

On Feb. 8th he felt very ill, and kept in-doors; but in the evening went to chapel in the village and heard Mr. Pert preach, the text being: “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” A friend remarked to him, “You are too ill to be here to-night.” “Yes,” he replied; “but my mind is here, and I want to follow on as long as I can.” The two following days he grew worse; his breathing became very difficult, and the doctor told him he must not talk. Still he was not confined to bed. He enjoyed a solid peace, and expressed his thankfulness for the many mercies he was favoured with. He remarked, “Everything looks dark around; the world is closing in; but what a mercy is peace of soul.”

On coming downstairs early on the morning of the 11^th, he said to his daughter, “I have had a wonderful vision this night. Some people may call it enthusiasm, but it is not so. I saw (by faith) Christ, the Son of God, with all his people around him. I saw also the everlasting security of the children of God, how safe! How secure! O! What a blessing to be assured of eternal safety! I have that assurance.”

A friend calling to see him commenced talking about the vision he had during the night. His daughter reminded him of what the doctor had said, he was not to talk. He replied, “I must talk now.” He requested her to read the first two chapters to the Hebrews. He exclaimed, “What wonderful words! How good! How great!”

He passed a painful night, and the following morning, though very weak, said he felt better. In the afternoon he talked very cheerfully, and said, “I have no pain now. What a blessing! What a mercy!” Not a thought or care about any worldly matter troubled him.

On Lord’s day morning, the 13^th, he could not lie in bed, his difficulty of breathing being much worse; but after taking a little refreshment, he dressed and went down stairs. There was a great change in his appearance. He said, “I thought once in the night I should not be here now; I am very ill.” He asked, “Can you tell me of whom it is said, ‘Now love tides on him roll?’

“‘Thee to praise and thee to know 

Constitute our bliss below;

Thee to see and thee to love 

Constitute our bliss above.’ ”

A short time afterwards he said, “It is grievous, but glorious. I will go to bed,” and he arose to do so. He thought he could walk, his daughter assisting him across the room. When they reached the passage, he leaned so heavily upon his daughter that she called her sister. Leaning on both, he walked to the stairs, and began to ascend; but his strength failed. He fell into their arms, and his happy spirit took its flight. 

John Forster

Hastings, March 28, 1870