The Life And Death Of William Vine

Gospel Standard 1897:

Death. On Dec. 8th, 1896, William Vine, aged 65, Baptist minister, and for 25 years pastor of the church at Zoar Chapel, Dicker.

His health had been failing for some time, but he was only laid by two Lord’s days. On the morning of Nov. 28th he was struck with paralysis. After he revived he was much blessed by hymn 404 coming to him, “Lord, what a riddle is my soul,” &c., the first verses being so expressive of his life; but now he could say, “Let me be sick with love and die.”

These words also, with others, were blessed to him: “He standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. My beloved spake; and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (Song 2:9, 10). Also hymn 268: 

“If Jesus kindly say,

And with a whispering word,

‘Arise, my love, and come away,’ 

I run to meet my Lord,” &c.

He sent for me, and I saw him on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd, and found him in a most happy frame of mind under the witnessing and sealing of the Holy Spirit. He asked me to read the hymns and the portions of the Word named, with others (Song 1:13 to the end). When I read them, he was full of joy, and said, “write proved, proved, I have found the sweetness. If I had strength I could preach from Song 5:16 now; I wanted to do so the other evening at chapel, but could not.” When in prayer with him, and asking the Lord still to grant his Holy Spirit’s witness unto the end, and fit him for his will, whether for life or death, he said, “That is it; I want his will to be done.” For several days he felt his weakness very much, and complained at times of feeling so ill and low. But on the 8th of Dec., early in the morning, the Lord sweetly appeared again, and these words came with power: “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee;” and some of the first verses of Psalms 103rd and 23rd: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” &c.; “He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” He wanted those with him to sing hymn 420:

“O bless the Lord, my soul! 

Let all within me join,

And aid my tongue to bless his name, 

Whose favours are divine;” &c.

The same evening he had another stroke, and passed away in peace at 7.45, leaving his widow and two children, with his church and people, to mourn their loss.

“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him.” 

E. Ashdown