The Life And Ministry Of Frank Lockwood
Earthen Vessel 1896:
Pastor Frank Lockwood, Of Cransford, Suffolk
Call By Grace
I was born on April 1st, 187l, at Richmond, in the county of Surrey, but unlike many did not share my parents home very long, for at the age of three, my uncle brought me into Suffolk to live with him. However, when at the age of seven, it was decided I should again live beneath the parental roof, and it is from this time I must date the earliest impressions I had of God as a righteous, holy being, and myself as a sinner dependent on His mercy for forgiveness and salvation. I have to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord in blessing me with godly, praying parents, who were at that time members of Salem Strict Baptist Church, Richmond. I can well remember my dear mother at that time endeavouring to teach me about Jesus and His love, pointing out that sin is hateful to God, but that mercy and peace were to be obtained through the sacrifice made by Jesus, the spotless Son of God. She would often pray with me and my eldest sister, and try to teach us to pray. Let godly parents take encouragement from this, for I am certain that the Lord did bless the efforts put forth in His name, for I can well remember my mind was often greatly exercised about eternity and the future state of my soul, that I was often led to pray for forgiveness, and to desire to realise myself a child of God. Another change took place after living with my parents about a year, I was again brought to live with my uncle, who took charge of me, watched over my interests, and did all that lay in his power to train me up in the ways of God, but as I began to associate with boys at school, etc., my early impressions gradually wore off, and I was found an easy prey to the tempter, and soon learnt to enter into sin and open profanity. Yet I could not always forget my mother’s prayers; and often, when a little unwell, my mind was tortured, and I used to try and pray and read the Bible, and promised that I would serve the Lord, but every time health and strength returned, my vows and promises were broken. At length the time came when my uncle apprenticed me to a trade. At first I made a profession of Christianity, having been much impressed by some services held at the Congregational Chapel, where I was made to go; also to the Sunday-school, which I shall ever remember; but my work-mates being chiefly ungodly men, and my Christianity of no very great depth, I was soon led away, and entered more freely into bad company, and so became worse. My thirst for the so-called pleasures of the world increased, and, as far as means would allow, I indulged and sought to satisfy my craving, but in vain. My conduct at this time was a source of great trial to my uncle, who would talk to me and give me sound counsel and advice, but his words seemed to have but little effect, but I am certain I was a subject of his prayers and the prayers of my dear parents as well.
When my apprenticeship was ended, I left for another place of labour, namely, at Sudbourn. Here it was that God stopped me in my mad career. I intended to have more pleasure in the world, and for about a year I went further into sin. At last I learnt that my character was deemed disrespectable, which set me thinking, and wounded my pride. I occasionally went to the Baptist Chapel, and was encouraged to do so by the friends. This proved a means of blessing, for I was often convicted of my sins. About this time (1890) I went home to my parents for my holiday, and my dear mother took the opportunity of speaking to me about my soul. I was opposed to the doctrines of grace, especially the doctrine of election. At the close of a long conversation, in which my dear mother could not convince me of the truth she believed and longed to know that I believed, she counseled me to pray to the Lord to open my eyes to behold the truth. Strange to say, about the same time, another brother used the same words, and bid me pray that my eyes should be opened. I was led to do so, and searched God’s Holy Word; and after hearing dear aged brother W. Large preach a sermon on the forgiveness of sins, I was so impressed, that after I retired to rest at night I could find none till I got out of bed and bowed my knees at the throne of grace, and sought for the forgiveness I then really felt I needed. The words were then sweetly applied by the Holy Spirit to my soul, “Thy sins, though many, are all forgiven thee.” I appealed to the Word of God for an evidence that I was a child of God, and was directed to Rom. 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God.” This the Holy Spirit led me to feel, that by His leadings I had seen myself a lost sinner, and that Christ Jesus was my all-sufficient Saviour. I then, for a time, enjoyed much of the Master’s presence; received much encouragement from dear friends, especially much help and instruction from my dear brother Horace Raynor, who is now in glory, who took me by the hand, and was used of God for my enlightenment in the doctrines of grace and the ordinances of God’s house.
I was soon exercised about believers’ baptism, which I saw to be the command of Christ to all His disciples, and willing to be obedient I was baptized at Sudbourn by Mr. Large, October, 1890. I have not at all times seen the sun shining, and often been put to the test, but have proved that my strength is in Him who hath called me by His grace to be His son and child.
Call To The Ministry
When very young I had a great respect for the servants of God who heralded forth the glad news of salvation, and often used to think I should like to be a minister; and when very young I can remember holding a service with my younger brothers and sisters, and trying to preach. After I received my call by grace I was anxious to work for the Master, and by prayer sought to know His will concerning me, and was, I believe, directed to the Sabbath-school to take a class of boys. Often my mind was exercised about preaching, but as I felt my inability and unworthiness for such an important work, I kept it to myself. I was asked, in January, 1891, to give an address at a public meeting. I was pleased with the opportunity, but found it difficult to select a subject, and more so to address the meeting, and after the attempt was so ashamed of myself that I resolved I would never attempt to speak in public again. After some months had passed I was asked to speak again, but refused. I afterwards repented, for it was forced upon me to believe I had lost an opportunity that I ought to have availed myself of. I did not have another opportunity till a year later. I asked the Lord to direct me. I did not know what to do; I wanted to do His will, and feared to bring dishonour on His cause. The Lord appeared for me and helped me, and the Word was blessed, all praise to His name. In the order of His providence I went to reside at Leiston, and united with the Church at Aldringham; was asked to preach at Aldeburgh. Subsequently, after seeking the Lord’s direction by earnest prayer, I preached before the Church one Sunday each month for six months. I was anxious to know the Lord’s will, and did not want to run before being sent by Him, and prayed that my month might be closed and no opportunities granted to preach. The Church expressed their belief that the Lord had called me to the work and gave me encouragement. I was asked to supply at Cransford, Sudbourn, and occasionally at Aldringham. Since that time (September, 1894) I have been almost constantly engaged on the Lord’s-day speaking, to the best of my ability, in the great Master’s name. Sometimes have been tempted to give up, and have even resolved to do so, but have been led into the work, I trust, and needful help has been given, and the Lord’s blessing manifest.
Call To Cransford
After supplying the pulpit at Cransford a few times, the Church invited me to preach two Sundays each month, the first three months of the year 1895. This led to more invites, when in November I received an unanimous invite to preach six months, with a view to the pastorate. I sought Divine guidance, felt the work would be too much, but the Spirit said go, and, feeling assured it was the Master’s voice, consented to do so. Just before the six months expired the Church gave an invite, and asked me to accept the pastorate. I declined, as I did not feel satisfied that God had called me to be a pastor, and asked for another month, and believe it was a time of earnest prayer, both on the part of the Church and myself also. The Church again invited me, each vote being in favour, not one neutral. I had learnt to love the people, and have had the signs of the Master’s blessing on the labours put forth, and believing it to be the will of the Lord, accepted the invite. May the Lord keep me humble before Him, and bless His people through the ministry of His Word.
Frank Lockwood (1871-?) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. In 1895, he was appointed pastor of the church Cransford, Suffolk.
