The Life And Testimony Of William Symons

Gospel Standard 1898:

William Henry Symons

Death. On June 28th, 1897, aged 74, William Henry Symons, of Croydon; the only child of William Waterfield and Mary Ann Symons, and grandson of Mr. Symons, minister, of Bristol (many of whose sermons and letters have appeared in the “Gospel Standard.”) He was born at Tadworth, near Banstead, Surrey. His father, a godly young man, died in peace at the early age of 23. His mother, who was a gracious character, with much prayer endeavoured to bring her son up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. At five years of age she (fearing his grandmother and uncle, with whom they lived, would spoil him) sent him to school as a weekly boarder, and as he grew up she ever tried to impress upon his young mind death and eternity, and that all things here would pass away in the using as a shadow.

But although the departed was like all other sons and daughters of Adam, yet in the days of his unregeneracy he lived outwardly moral, and was preserved from many sins that others are left to run into. It grieved him, however, when he looked back at his early days, that he used to feel a delight in the sinful pleasures of the world, but the time came when he could not do so. On one occasion a young friend pressed him to go to Epsom races (the course being within a walk from where he lived); but when he had gone part of the way there, he felt such a guilty conscience that he turned back; he said, “he felt the more guilt, because he had promised his mother, whom he dearly loved, he would not go.”

The Lord still went on gradually and mercifully to show him what a sinner he was, and to deaden his affections to the things of this life, thus gently leading him to seek him, who has all hearts in his hands.

By the providence of God he was led, when quite a youth, to reside at Yeovil, where he had the privilege of hearing the late vicar, Robert Phelips, in that church, as well as at Lufton and Preston. The faithful teaching of this excellent man was of the greatest use to him, and he was accustomed to speak of the sermons he then heard with much thankfulness, as having been the means of enlightening his mind, and increasing his love to the truth, which was so forcibly recommended by the life and actions of Mr. Phelips. The death of a young companion at Yeovil, by consumption, made a great impression upon his mind, and he wrote some beautiful verses upon it. It was, however, in the year 1848, or thereabouts, that, under the ministry of the late Mr. W. Borrows, of St. Paul’s, Clapham Common, the Lord met with him, and blessed his soul from time to time; of these seasons, in after years, he spoke with a humble and broken heart, at the goodness of the Lord in thus having mercy upon him.

After that, he attended the late Mr. Snorter’s ministry, where he first became acquainted with the late Mr. Knill, whoso friendship he much valued, and which only ended by death. The departed also used very frequently to attend Gower Street Chapel, and heard, with profit, Mr. Philpot, Mr. Tiptaft, Mr. Smart, Mr. Hazlerigg, and many more; and having the gift of a wonderful memory, would, on his return, write off most of a sermon, without taking down notes. Very few were so well acquainted with their Bible, which, with the hymn-books, were very sweet to him. He was especially a lover of Hart’s hymns; during the last three months of his life, up to the very last night, he used to repeat one of them from memory by rotation, the last being, “Let us ask the important question,” &c.

On his coming to live at Croydon, 25 years ago, he attended West Street Chapel, under the ministry of the late Mr. Covell, and his soul was fed under him. Mr. C. very frequently called to see him, and there was a warm friendship between them. He loved Mr. Covell’s memory, and wrote the lines on his 70th birthday, which appeared in the ”Gospel Standard” of June, 1878, as well as those on Mr. C.’s death.

The last time he was at Chapel was Nov. 1st, 1896, when he heard Mr. Mockford, from 1 Kings 8:38, 39. Hearing him so well in the morning, though much indisposed, he went again in the evening, but from that day he failed in health, and only left the house a few times afterwards; he felt very much being deprived of meeting among God’s people, for when able, his seat was never vacant.

After a serious attack of bronchitis, in November, he failed to rally satisfactorily, and having a very weak heart, was unable to see friends, as one could have wished, but often expressed a wish to see those who kindly called to see him. On Sunday, February 28th, he had a violent attack of difficulty of breathing, which all thought would soon end in death, including the doctor, who came three times during that day; but, as he noted in his diary, “The remedies, through the Lord’s great mercy, were blest, and the attack subsided.” As he was told it was thought he could not recover, he answered, “I think I shall; I do not feel that the Lord is about to take me yet.”

After this, several friends called to see him, amongst whom were Mr. Newton, of Tunbridge Wells, Mr. Mockford, Mr. Wilmshurst, and others. He was always pleased to see those with whom he could exchange thoughts upon spiritual things; he was kept very low and humble in his own eyes, and spoke with great caution on those matters. During the whole time of his illness (eight months) he was never heard to murmur, but was blest with patience, and was courteous to all around. He was a man of peace, with understanding and discretion.

After some months being confined to his room, he was enabled, on June 12th, to go out in a bath chair. On his return he seemed much softened in spirit, and said, “It seems very humbling to think I should once more be permitted to go out” —and then he paused a minute-—”but the Lord’s time was not come, and I cannot go one minute before that time.” Though by the Lord’s goodness he had ever preserved the rules of morality, he deeply felt that in God’s sight he was a sinner, and, as the apostle expresses it, desired that the inward man might be renewed day by day. This was evident to all who joined him in family devotion, by his pleadings for fresh tokens of the love of God, and by his entreaties to be kept by Almighty power from sin.

On Sunday, June 27th, he was very ill, and his wife wishing to remain from chapel, he raised himself in bed and said, “Remember, dear, what Mr. Huntington said to Lady Sanderson: ‘You cannot have too many opportunities to make your calling and election sure.'” He had a very restless night, his breath being so short, and said, “It cannot be long,” meaning, his time was nearing an end. The next day he continued very restless, till a few hours before his death, when he became quiet, and his breathing comfortable. He was conscious to the last, but too weak to speak. The last words heard were, “He sticketh closer,” and then turning to his wife said, “The Lord will support.” On one in the room repeating Toplady’s beautiful verse, “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling,” &c., he gave a happy smile; and on being asked if he were happy, turned and gave another one; and after a gentle sigh or two, breathed his last, as if only going to sleep.

He was buried in the churchyard of Banstead, where his father and mother had been interred, on Saturday following;, July 3rd.

[Dear Mr. Editor,—I feel that I should like to add my feeble testimony to that of the bereaved widow’s, to the praise and glory of God’s grace. I feel that the Lord bestowed upon me a great favour in giving me a warm place in the heart of the dear departed. He was one of the most godly men I ever knew (apart from the ministry); being kept, for the most part under the blessed effects of the fear of the Lord, his spirit was lowly and meek, and his sympathies very keen towards the suffering people of God. And, like his late beloved minister, Mr. Covell, he was blessed with the spirit of prayer, in walking in the streets or fields, for himself and the Lord’s poor people.

He was a good hearer in the house of God, as he came in want; and he well knew that ”Paul might plant, or Apollos water, but God only could give the increase,” unto whom he was kept looking, and not in vain, as he was often favoured to obtain help of God through the ministry, that caused him to esteem them highly in love for their work’s sake. Not that he ever obtained from the Lord, through them, the one great blessing that he so desired, viz., To have the great question settled, and to have the assurance of his interest in the covenant, “ordered in all things, and sure;” though he felt (at times) persuaded that God had begun the good work of grace in his heart, and therefore would give glory; and this he was favoured with at the last.

The last time I was favoured to visit him, I found him in a sweet frame of submission to the will of the Lord, with peace in his soul, and his hope fixed on the Rock, Christ Jesus. In taking my farewell of him, I felt, “O man, greatly beloved!” What a very little religion I felt to have! I felt my spirit humbled in me, with the feeling, “O that my last end may be like his.”]

G. Mockford
Heathfield.