The Life And Ministry Of Henry Hall

Earthen Vessel 1890:

A Sketch Of The Life Of The Late Mr. Henry Hall, Pastor Of Ebenezer Chapel, Wirtemberg-street, Clapham

“The memory of the just is blessed.”—Prov 10:7

It is with keen feelings of sorrow that we record the almost sudden death of our long known and very highly esteemed friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Henry Hall, pastor of Ebenezer chapel, Wirtemberg- street, Clapham. The loss of our brother to the Church of which he was so long pastor, and to the denomination at large, is great indeed, as he was ever ready to assist God’s cause in any direction to the utmost of his ability. His warm and liberal heart, and the principles of faith which he tenaciously held and propagated for so many years, have endeared his memory to many genuine saints, who sorely grieve (although not without hope of his spirit being with God) that they shall see his face no more on earth. Truly a good and great man has fallen in Israel, and what we wrote on the death of Mr. Crowther we reiterate in part here. Our beloved brother Henry Hall was—

No plastic orator with words seductive,

Touching with skill the passions of the youth;

But firm and brave, yet loving and instructive;

In short, a champion of the grand old truth,

But his work is done, and his ransomed soul now basks in the sunlight of God’s eternal glory, and—

Long will the time be ere his name is blotted

From the sad hearts of those he leaves to mourn;

But thanks to God, his memory unspotted,

Fragrant remains, though his blest soul has gone.

Mr. Henry Hall, youngest son of James and Ann Hall, was born at West Clandon, near Guildford, Surrey, July 18th, 1820. We are unable to record anything of interest about his parents, or the good he may have received under their tuition. He appears to have been a weak and sickly child, and for a time was not expected to live. He knew little of religion, beyond that there was a God, and that He was good, although he was the subject of anxious thoughts about his soul. This led to his first prayer, which was sent to heaven on Ripley Causeway, on his return home one day from school. Shortly after this he was removed to a newly-opened school in connection with the Church of England, in which place the custom was to open and close school with prayer, and the warnings of the schoolmaster to “flee from the wrath to come” took fast hold of him, and deep convictions followed. There were also several God-fearing persons whom he knew in the village who were accustomed to go to Guildford and Ripley to hear the truth preached, and from what he saw of their general deportment he felt a great desire to be like them. At the age of thirteen a marked difference appeared in his daily conduct, and although he could not get rid of the burden of sin, which made him miserable, he became a constant church-goer, and attended strictly to the freewill teaching of the clergyman of the parish. Our young churchman, however, speedily found he had no power to do what the clergyman urged him to do. But in the village there was an old saint, who found him out and the trouble of soul he was in, and who proved very helpful to him in divine things. This circumstance was the means the Lord employed as the turning-point in Mr. Hall’s experience. The poor clergyman was left to his legal duties, and new associates were formed, who were instrumental in instructing him in things pertaining to salvation; and the first Gospel sermon he was privileged to hear was from the lips of the venerable Mr. Oxenham. Now the whole system of things became changed, and it was manifest to Mr. Hall that salvation was not by works, but by grace. Increased longings for spiritual food were felt, and often (though now only fourteen years of age) he used to walk to Ripley in the morning, and to Guildford in the evening, to hear the Gospel preached. About the same time the words in Jer. 31:3 came to him whilst walking in his mother’s garden, and which gave him much comfort of soul. Eventually he left Guildford for Hastings, but his business companions there being worldly young men necessitated him to remove as soon as convenient to London, and on the day he completed his 21st year, after giving a faithful testimony of his call by grace, he was baptized by Mr. John Foreman, and received into membership at Mount Zion, Hill-street, Dorset-square. After some considerable time had elapsed, Mr. Hall worshipped with Mr. Newborn’s people, with whom he remained three years, and became a teacher in the Sunday-school, and was much exercised about the work of the ministry. In due course he was led to settle down under Mr. Glaskin’s ministry, at Providence chapel, Islington, where he ably fulfilled the office of deacon, and in that capacity was prominently brought before the people at the prayer-meetings, &c. One Lord’s-day in 1851, Mr. Glaskin being absent, Mr. Hall was requested to occupy the pulpit, which with much trembling he did. Following this, Mr. Glaskin was laid aside by illness, when Mr. Hall was again desired by pastor and Church to supply the vacancy; and soon afterwards he received numerous invitations to supply other Churches, which he did as far as he was able. In course of time the Church at Zion, Dartford (an apparently fading cause) desired his services. He complied with their request, and for three years laboured in their midst with most encouraging success. But his health giving way, he was obliged to relinquish his work there; and after his health had sufficiently improved to enable him to preach again, he received a pressing invitation to supply the pulpit at Garner chapel, Clapham, which he accepted, and his ministrations proving very acceptable he was desired to serve the cause for twelve months on probation. But circumstances over which the Church at Garner had no control caused the chapel to be sold, and Mr. Hall, together with the Church and congregation, worshipped in a convenient building in the locality, kindly lent by the then Congregational minister of Clapham, until the present beautiful sanctuary—rightly called “Ebenezer”—was erected, and which was opened on Tuesday, July 9th, 1861. On that memorable day Mr. James Wells, of the Surrey Tabernacle, preached the opening sermon in the morning from Rev. 21:25, and Mr. C. W. Banks preached in the afternoon from 1 Cor. 15:58. In the evening a public meeting was held, presided over by J. C. Woollacott, Esq., and brethren Mules, Cozens, Flack, Chivers, Anderson, Attwood, Cracknell, and others, assisted in the happy meeting.

Our friend Mr. A. Hodges (a deacon) has furnished us with the annexed notes from Ebenezer Church minute-book, viz.: “On Jan. 4th, 1858, it [Garner chapel] was re-opened, and the pulpit was filled again with supplies. On the last Lord’s-day in June, 1858, Mr. Hall, pastor of Zion chapel, Dartford, was first invited to preach, which led to further invitations. On Dec. 5th he administered the ordinance of believers’ baptism to eight persons. Dec. 15th, these eight were formed into a Strict Baptist Church, Mr. Hall officiating. Dec. 22nd, the Church passed a resolution inviting him to the pastorate, which, after prayerful consideration, was, on March 20th, 1859, unanimously accepted.” Thus, the amount of real good done by Mr. Hall in Clapham, and in various other places, will not be fully known till the morning of the great judgment. A vacancy has been made by his death which will be difficult to fill. The beloved widow, family, Church, and friends feel their loss beyond language to describe. We hope, however, the Church, which is united and in peace, will be kept together, and blest by the ministrations of other faithful men.

The last sermon our dear brother Hall preached, was on Lord’s-day evening, October 19th, 1890, from the words found in Psalm 12:1-3. He had not been thoroughly well for sometime previous to his being laid aside, still he fulfilled his ministerial duties with the utmost fidelity, although, at times, with great difficulty. During the last six days of his life he suffered intensely from rheumatic-gout in the feet and legs, and died without a struggle or a groan, October 28th, 1890.

His whole concern was about the Church and his family; and his last audible words were, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith!” A letter from his beloved daughter respecting his last moments, is worthy of a place here, viz.:—

“9, Brunswick-square, Camberwell, S.E., Nov. 4th, 1890.

“Dear Mr. Winters,-Perhaps you will like to hear a few more particulars of the last few days of my dear father. I went to see him on Friday afternoon, according to my usual practice, and found that he was at home ill. On Saturday morning I went and found him suffering from rheumatic-gout in his feet and legs. He was delighted at seeing me, and I comforted him as much as possible. Sunday afternoon I went again, and saw the doctor, who ordered a nurse. I stayed until night, listening to his last sayings, which were very difficult to understand; his speech was so indistinct, but he was in a calm state of mind. Mr. Rundell saw him before the evening service, which he kindly took for him. He talked a great deal about ‘To whom coming,’ and said many other good things. I asked him if he knew me, as he had had several fits of unconsciousness, and he invariably replied ‘Yes,’ and said, ‘The Lord bless thee, and make His face to shine upon thee, and give thee peace.’ On Monday morning I found him worse; the pains became less acute; but it was evident to me, and his dear wife, that he was drawing near his end. We could not get a physician before Tuesday by appointment, but on Monday night, or rather early on Tuesday morning, the doctor fetched him (Sir Dyce Duckworth); he gave scarcely any hope. He roused up now and then with expressions like these—’I’ll speak the honours of Thy name.’ ‘Precious Name!’ ‘The good will of Him that dwelt in the bush.’ ‘Paid all my debts.’ He also remarked about the law being honoured, sin pardoned, and the sinner justified. His lips often moved without any audible sound, and after 5 a.m. he refused nourishment, and quietly sank. I have lost a friend—one who has tried to smooth my path many a time, and in my severe afflictions rendered me many a lift by the way, directing me to the true consolation. Apologising for trespassing on your valuable time, with kind regards, sincerely yours,

M. A. S. Jines.”

The remains of our beloved brother were interred in Nunhead Cemetery, on Saturday, November 1st, 1890. A large number of relatives, ministers, and friends assembled in the chapel, and also at the grave, to pay their last tribute of affection to the memory of departed worth. We leave his sacred dust with God, in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection, and with mingled feelings close our remarks with an adapted verse from “Lyra Anglicana”—

“Return! return! come in Thy power and glory,

With all Thy risen saints and angel throng;

Bring to a close time’s strange, mysterious story;

How long dost Thou delay—O Lord, how long?”

On Lord’s-day evening, November 9th, we were helped to preach a funeral sermon to a very large and appreciative audience; and after reading the above sketch of Mr. Hall’s life, our brother Higham kindly closed the solemn service with prayer.

The Funeral

We are indebted to our dear brethren, J. W. Banks and A. Markham, for the annexed account of the funeral of Mr. Hall:—

The first part of the service was conducted in the chapel, where, for over 29 years, our brother, Mr. Hall, had preached the Gospel. The pulpit, from which he had often poured out his heart in prayer, was draped in black; and long before the time appointed for commencing the service, the chapel was well-nigh filled, and at 1.30 it was quite full; most of those present being attired in mourning. In the pulpit were brethren Myerson, H. F. Noyes, O. S. Dolbey, W. Tooke, sen., J. Bush, Preston Davies, and J. Parnell. In the chapel, among the congregation, were brethren R. Burbridge, E. Mitchell, J. M. Randell, S. T. Belcher, C. Cornwell, F. J. Harsant, G. Crutcher. A. Markham, W. Flack, G. Clarke, &c.

The service commenced by brother Myerson giving out, “Why do we mourn departed friends?” Mr. Tooke, sen., read the Scriptures, selecting Matt. 25:31 to end, and 1 Thess. 4:13 to end; and brother Bush engaged in prayer. Another hymn (989, Denham’s) was then sung:—

“In hope of life eternal given,

Behold a pardoned sinner dies;

A legal blood-bought heir of heaven,

Called to His mansion in the skies.”

Brother J. Bush followed with an address from the words, ”Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints,” which were suitable to the occasion. Another hymn (992), “What is it for a saint to die?” was feelingly sung, and the service in the chapel was brought to a close.

The funeral cortege, consisting of a hearse and twelve mourning coaches, then re-formed and started for Nunhead Cemetery, which was reached about four o’clock, where a great number of friends had congregated. After the mortal remains of our brother had been laid in their last resting-place, brother E. Mitchell broke the profound silence by announcing hymn 988:—

“Sons of God, by blest adoption,

View the dead with steady eyes:

What is sown thus in corruption

Shall in incorruption rise.”

Brother Charles Cornwell pleaded with the Lord to sanctify the solemn event to the bereaved widow, family, and the Church. Brother O. S. Dolbey then delivered a deeply solemn address, reminding us of the comforting thought that sin having reigned unto death, it could do no more harm to the believer. Mr. Mitchell gave out hymn 976:—

“Come let us join our friends above,

Who have obtained the prize,

And on the eagle wings of love

To joy celestial rise.”

The impressive service then closed. Among others who were at the ground we noticed brethren F. C. Holden and J. H. Lynn.

We think the whole proceedings were in keeping with the position our departed brother occupied as a minister of the Gospel, as well as a man of business. His remains rest near those of the late James Wells, and many of his contemporaries in the work of the ministry.

[We hope to give an outline of Mr. Hall’s last sermon as early as possible.—Editor]