The Life And Ministry Of Harry Chilvers

Earthen Vessel 1895:

Harry Tydeman Chilvers

When asked by the beloved editor of our Magazine to send an account of the Lord’s dealings with me in providence and grace, the text came to my mind, “What is man that Thou art mindful of him? By nature, a poor sinful wretch, living without hope and God in the world: all his powers and passions, like so many weapons, directed against the Majesty of heaven.” Dreadful state! Awful infatuation! Yet such are the objects of the eternal love of our God by nature. How wonderful, then, is that grace which brings a sinner from darkness to His most marvelous light, enlightening the understanding, turning the feet to Zion’s hill, and bringing them to behold Christ as the Chiefest among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely One. Thus, then, the writer must say that he, by nature, was a child of wrath, even as others, but now, bless His name, by the grace of God, I am what I am.

I was born on October 12th, in the year 1872, in Chelmsford, the county town of Essex. I was blessed with godly and gracious parents: a mother whose heart yearned for the salvation of her boy, and a father whose prayers were ever ascending to Him who has said, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” When I was seven years of age they removed to the town of Epping, where they still live. I cannot fail to think I was under deep conviction of sin at this time, though those convictions wore off again and again. I often sat at the knee of my mother, while she would explain the Scriptures, and tell me of the awful state of the wicked, and the blessedness of the righteous. This having great impression on me, I spent many sleepless hours thinking of the state of my soul. I loved the little Baptist chapel, also the schools, and, while listening to my teacher, was often downcast because of my own sinfulness; but as time went on these feelings soon wore off, but the words of my mother never left my heart. When 14 years of age it was thought needful that I should seek employment. For a short time I was engaged between school hours at a grocery business. After which, being unsuccessful in obtaining a permanent situation in the town in which I lived, a path was opened for me in a very remarkable manner (too lengthy to record) to come to London in a large grocery business as cashier. This was a very great trial to my parents, for, using their language, “You are going into the very mouth of the lion”; meaning that my position being to deal with money matters, and surrounded with worldly characters, I was in the midst of temptation, but, blessed be the name of my God, was kept from falling therein, though so often tempted. I attended the Baptist chapel at West-hill, Wandsworth, not from any love to what I heard, but simply to please my parents; but the Lord was graciously pleased to meet with me there.

The first two years in London my experience was very strange, though now I can look back and see the finger of Providence was over me. Surrounded by about twenty shopmates, who were all ungodly characters, I became at times very frivolous and careless, never having an anxious thought about my soul, though I am thankful to say I never fell into any outward sin to mar my character. The theatre and the music hall were often a great temptation, and I was often urged by others to go, but remembering it was against my father’s wish, I always said “No.” Strange to say, though I never entered into these places, I had a desire to become a stage performer, but always kept the evil longing to myself. Many other temptations crossed my path too numerous to mention, in which, had I fallen, I must have been ruined for life. Truly I can say:—

” Determined to save He watched o’er my path.”

All through this time I never once neglected the house of God. The friends there took a great interest in me, and did all they could to make me comfortable. (“Would to God all our causes were the same!”) There was no pastor, but supplies. One Sunday evening, at a baptismal service, Mr. Wise preached from the words: “If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest.” I cannot remember anything he said, but it seemed as if the Spirit of God came upon me with all its convicting power, and showed me what a vile wretch I was. As soon as the service was over, I ran home as hard as I could go, shut myself in my bedroom and tried to pray, but all seemed dark within and without. What to do I knew not. I saw myself as one unclean and undone; nothing but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores. I went to the house of God, hoping for a word for my soul, but all seemed to make things darker and myself more miserable. During this time I bought good books and tracts, and gave them away, thinking this would bring from the hand of God what I desired. I attended all revival services in the neighbourhood, but, alas I all was in vain. One night, feeling more miserable than ever, I vowed I would cast all my feelings away, rush into the world, and enjoy myself as others, spend my evenings at the public-house and theatres. But this my dear and blessed Master did not permit, but I was obliged to go on crying:—

“Depths of mercy, can there be

Mercy still reserved for me?”

And, truly, afterwards I realised the blessed fact that, “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.” It was in the middle of the night I awoke with the thought, if I should die tonight, what would become of my soul? and immediately these words were sealed to my heart: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name” (Psa. 103:1). And He gave me to see I had something to bless Him for, by revealing Himself as a forgiving and gracious God. I was able to bless Him as I had never before.

“Oh, to grace how great a debtor!”

Soon after this, our dear brother Cooper, deacon at West-hill, who was a friend, indeed, to me, asked me if I had any thoughts of becoming a member of the Church. I answered that I was not fit for a Church member. But after laying it before the Lord, I felt constrained to follow in His commands, and was baptized at Wandsworth by our brother J. Flegg, of Woodgreen. I became a teacher in the school, and it was here I first offered prayer in public. Since then I have had the privilege of preaching there.

I was afterwards, in the providence of God, removed to Whetstone, where I remained twelve months; thence to Kilburn, and my last situation was at Upper-street, Islington. Remaining at the latter some time, I had my membership transferred to Chadwell-street, where I sat under the soul-profiting ministry of Mr. E. Mitchell.

When quite a boy I had a desire to be a preacher, but wore off for a time, returning again while at Kilburn. Though the longing was so intense, I could not feel the Lord would ever use me in His service. I often stood in a room by myself preaching to chairs and table, feeling like a corked bottle wanting vent. Ultimately the time arrived when I was to go forth as a herald of the cross. In the year 1893 I spent my holiday at Chelmsford. On my return I met with our brother G. Clark, pastor of Horsham. We had never seen each other before. While traveling in the train we entered into conversation upon divine things, when all at once he put his hand upon my knee, and asked me if I would preach for him at Horsham. Trembling, I promised I would try. Since then I have supplied in various parts, and now the Lord has placed me as under-shepherd at Keppel-street, where we believe the Lord is blessing us. Though the writer feels his weakness, still faith rests upon the promise; and looking back we can say, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

“His love in times past forbids me to think

He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink;

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,

Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.”

5, Bamborough-gardens, Shepherd’s-bush