The Life And Testimony Of Charles Wilson
Earthen Vessel 1889:
Mr. Charles Wilson
President Of The Metropolitan Association Of Strict Baptist Churches
Dear Mr. Editor,—At your request I send you a few particulars of my life. I was born in the parish of Stradbrook, in the county of Suffolk, on the 13th of May, 1817. My father was a schoolmaster, and my mother was a godly woman, a member of the Baptist Church in the village. Being much afflicted, she became deeply anxious about the souls of her children, and would often talk and pray with and for us. On one occasion, when father was out, and just before her last illness, she gathered us around her, and kneeling down, poured out her soul with intense earnestness, the big tears falling on the sanded floor, and the words fell into my heart, although I was only seven years of age.
The impression never entirely left me. After her death father married again, and our home became most uncomfortable. When I was about twelve years old father sold his school and came to London. The three eldest were left with his relatives; he promised to send for us when he got settled, but he never did! I was left three years with an uncle at Hoxne Abbey, working on the farm there, no one caring for my soul, and knowing no change, except going twice to the parish church on Sundays. At length my father, having taking a shop in Norfolk, an uncle took me home for my father to put me apprentice to some trade. But immediately we stepped inside of the house, and stated our business, such a storm arose, that I was glad to take the first situation that offered, which was as groom, etc., with a doctor at Brandon, Suffolk. Here I remained twelve months, surrounded with every temptation to evil, but through mercy, preserved. At the end of the year I returned to my father’s house, but it was no home for me, and I was again sent off to my uncle’s, and after staying with him a short time, I went to another uncle, a truly godly man, and was privileged to attend, with him, the Baptist Chapel at Otley, Suffolk, at that time under the ministry of a good man, I think, by the name of Cole; but becoming heartily sick of being a dependent, told my uncle I should like to go to America, where I thought there was a fair field and no favour, and felt certain of gaining an honourable livelihood; and he thought it was the best thing for me to do. It was settled for me to go, and even the vessel in which I was to sail, but God had ordered otherwise; and through an advertisement in the Gospel Herald I obtained a situation with Mr. Jacob Haynes, cheesemonger, New Brentford, an upright and godly man, a member of the Baptist Church at Old Brentford, where it was my privilege to attend with the family, and where, under a sermon preached by the late John Andrew Jones, a deep conviction entered my soul, and the big tears ran down my cheeks, as I felt myself a lost sinner. I had never felt anything like it before, although I had always loved the people of God, and wished myself one of them. But until that day I thought, if I did my best, that Jesus Christ would do the rest. But O the distress of my soul, as light entered into it, showing me my utter depravity. Although I was never entirely without hope, still the more I strove against sin’s power, I seemed to sin and stumble but the more. This continued for at least twelve months. I could get no comfort under the ministry, and was, at the same time, much tried, seeing there were so many sorts of religion; I wondered which of them could be right, or were they all wrong. Under this conflict, one Lord’s-day I took my Bible up into the hay-loft and earnestly prayed and searched into it, hoping my mind would be led to some passage that would make the matter clear. After much prayer and searching the word, the mind became calm, fully believing the Lord would lead me right; and through mercy I have never been troubled on that subject since. Soon after this I obtained a situation in London, and was advised to go and hear the great John Stevens at Salem Chapel, Meard’s Court, Soho, and under his ministry my soul was set at happy liberty. I could then rejoice in God my Saviour, who gave Himself for me. Soon afterwards Mr. Stevens stated that, as next Thursday our Queen was to be crowned, the Ordinance of Believers’ Baptism would be administered on Lord’s-day following, instead of the Thursday. One of the friends took me at once to see Mr. Stevens in his vestry, but when he found that every Lord’s-day morning I was employed in the business, he hesitated, until he heard it was entirely against my will. He then introduced me to the deacons, and the next Tuesday evening I came before the Church, and related the Lord’s dealings with my soul; the Church being satisfied, agreed to receive me into their communion on being baptized, and the following Lord’s-day I was, with seventeen others, publicly baptized; and on the following Lord’s-day I received the right hand of fellowship, and joined in the communion at the Lord’s Table. It was a time of great rejoicing with me indeed.
Mr. Stevens’ ministry was greatly blessed to my soul, building me up and establishing me in the faith of the gospel. My mind, however, became much troubled about the work on the Lord’s-day mornings, and I tried every way to get out of it, even to offering to pay a man to do my work on a Saturday evening or Monday morning, but they would not allow it. At length, as I could bear it no longer, I rose early on the Sabbath morning and went to the morning prayer-meeting, and spent all the day in the Lord’s house, but immediately after the evening service the foreman came up to me and said he wanted half-a-crown of me, as he had paid a man that day for doing my work. I paid him, telling him not to do it again, as I would not pay it, unless it was done on Saturday or Monday; but he did it the next Lord’s-day, and, as I positively refused to pay, I was then ordered up into the drawing-room to see my employer, who was ill through his own folly. He at once said I wanted to breed a mutiny, by refusing to work on the Lord’s-day, and unless I consented to go on as before, he would not give me a character; but if I consented to stay on the same terms, he would raise my wages. All this did not move me. He then tried me by saying he believed I was conscientious and kind, and therefore he could not suppose that I wished to upset him. This rather broke me down, and I left the room without positively refusing his request. I felt condemned and unhappy, and could not see how it could be for the best; but in the evening of the next day the words of the poet came into my mind:—
“God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.”
This greatly relieved my mind, and before going to bed that night, although nearly twelve o’clock, I thought I would just read a verse or two of Scripture, and I opened upon the words recorded in Matt. 6:33, which came with great comfort to my soul, and prepared me for any trial, however great, that I might be called to pass through. The next evening one of my shop-mates said to me, “Have you got another situation yet?” I replied, “No!” He said, “Then you must be a fool to throw yourself out of a situation, and no prospect before you.” My answer was: “When you see me obliged to take a situation where I have to work on the Lord’s-day, or come to want, then call me a fool, and say my God cannot provide for me in six days as well as He can for you in seven.” I left; and as my late employer said he would not give me a character, I was glad to take the first situation that opened to me, and it caused me some pain to take a lower position; but was sustained, knowing I had acted according to conscience; yet I had much to learn to fit me for the position God intended me afterwards to occupy. After three years I married a godly woman, and went into business on my own account, but for seven long years troubles, afflictions, and disappointments awaited me, and I had to prove that it is in vain for a man to rise early, and sit up late, and eat the bread of carefulness, unless the Lord prosper him. At the end of that time He did cause His face to shine. But in the midst of our business trials there were Church trials, our beloved pastor was called home to his rest, and soon afterwards there arose divisions among us, and six of the old deacons left, and about sixty private members joined the Church at Keppel-street; my wife and myself also left, but we joined the Church at Hill-street, Dorset-square, then under the pastoral care of the late, John Foreman, where we found a happy home; living near, I was able to throw heart and soul into the various societies, and was soon called into the office of deacon, which, through mercy, I have sustained to the present day. I had almost forgotten to say that, after the Lord had prospered me, the first person to put his hand to his hat, in token of respect to me as “Mr. Wilson,” was the very man himself who had laughed in ridicule at what he considered my folly, and in a moment the following words came into my mind: “Them that honour Me I will honour.” That text has been my support ever since. I think it not necessary to say more here, as my character is somewhat widely known among the Churches. This my brethren have proved, and have therefore chosen me to occupy the post of President of the Association.
Hoping and praying that the above narrative may encourage some of the tried and weary travellers on their pilgrimage journey heavenward,
I remain, yours for Jesus sake,
C. Wilson
Charles Wilson (1817-1898) was a Strict and Particular Baptist deacon. His first appointment was with the church meeting at Hill Street, Dorset Square, under the pastoral ministry of John Foreman. He ran a business, making provisions not only for his family, but distributing his resources to the poor. He was an active worker in several societies, including the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society. This earned for him the esteem of pastors and churches in and around London. Consequently, he was elected twice as president of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches, though not a preacher of the gospel.
