The Life And Death Of Frederick Burgess

Earthen Vessel 1912:

Mr. F. G. Burgess was a native of Tilehurst, near Reading, being born in that village in the year 1847. When but 11 years of age he found his mother sitting in her chair, dead, her death being due, it is believed, to heart failure. Shortly after this, on the re-marriage of his father, he left the parental roof and started life on his own account. This life appears to have been a very chequered one. After spending a year or two in the country, be found his way to London and took his own course in sinful practices.

Returning to Reading he, somewhat late in life, apprenticed himself, but, his employer failing in business, his indentures were cancelled. Mr. Burgess afterwards found work in Reading, remaining in the situation six years.

Our friend’s earliest religions convictions appear to have been when as a boy at home he read “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.” Even then he was wedded to sin, and felt that if ever he became different the Lord Himself must bring it about. In 1863, when he was about 22, convictions deepened. The forms and ceremonies of the Anglican Church which he attended failed to satisfy him. He wanted something, yet scarcely knew what. During the winter of 1868-9, having tried every other place, Mr. Burgess, with great reluctance, entered Providence Chapel, Reading. He was prejudiced against the people, and hated their doctrines. The preacher, however, described him so accurately that he felt that the trouble and travail of his soul was the work of God. Here he found a home. Under the faithful ministry of Mr. Pearce he gathered encouragement, ultimately finding deliverance from the words, “Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away.” In July, 1869, he followed his Lord in baptism.

Some time after this Mr. Burgess was exercised about the preaching of the Gospel, but, feeling it would be presumptuous for him to entertain such an idea, he kept the matter a profound secret in His own breast. He was induced by a friend named Vize to conduct a service at Knowle, and after this he was engaged to preach frequently at Knowles Hill, Henley, Chotnam, and other places, until he received an invitation to Wooburn Green, where he labored three and a-half years. 

In 1876 he removed to Askett, Bucks, where he spent six of the happiest years of his life. Twelves months having been spent at Tring, he went to Chelmsford, where for upwards of eleven years he was maintained in the pastorate and his work was owned of God.

In 1894 a call came from Wellingborough, which he accepted, and for eight years he served that Church. In December, 1902, he became Pastor of the Church at Clifton, and for five years laboured amongst the friends there. Resigning the oversight of that Church in 1908, Mr. Burgees from that time served various Churches in different parts of the country.

In 1910 he had to seek medical advice, when he was informed that his heart was affected. The last occasion on which he preached was at Providence Chapel, Brighton, in February, 1911.

In July, 1911, dropsy set in, in addition to several indications of heart failure, and from that time the decline was gradual until within four months of his decease.

Last Christmas our brother had an attack of bronchitis, and, in February, shingles followed. In March he had a slight seizure, which deprived him partially of the use of the right side and also affected his speech.

Several portion of Divine truth were very precious to him—Her. 8, (especially verse 12), Jer. 31, Ps. 51, Is 53, and Ps. 126:3.

He was taken very much worse on May 1^st and suffered accutely. During the evening he tried to sing, “O love divine, how sweet thou art!” and commenced quoting the verse, “Make me to know joy and gladness,” which was finished by his dear wife, “that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice”; and he replied, “That’s it—that’s it.”

Two hours before he died he appeared to be preaching, saying, “I have raised Him up,” at the same time pointing upwards with his finger, remarking, “That’s the point.” He continued to talk as long as strength remained, and passed away about 10:30 on Thursday morning, May 2^nd.

The funeral took place at the London Road Cemetery, Chelmsford, on May 7^th. Mr. J. Morning read two portions of Scripture and engaged in prayer, and Mr. J. R. Denham gave an address and committed the body to the tomb. Two verses of that beautiful hymn, “For ever with the Lord,” were feelingly sung. 

A large company of friends gathered at the cemetery to pay the last tribute of respect. 

We commend the bereaved family to the care of the Lord, in Whose service for so many years the one beloved by them was engaged.

James E. Flegg