The Life And Ministry Of William Flack

Earthen Vessel 1895:

The Late Mr. William Flack

“Send help, O Lord, we pray,

And Thine own Gospel bless;

For godly men decay,

And faithful pastors cease;

The righteous are removed home

O, send more labourers in their room.

“O Lord, stir up Thy power

To make the Gospel spread,

And thrust out preachers more

Through Thee to raise the dead.

With feet to run where Thou dost call,

With faith to fight and conquer all.”—Berridge

Our readers, after the various references of late to the state of health of the universally-esteemed pastor of Salem, Wilton-square, were not taken by surprise on reading the brief announcement in the August number of Earthen Vessel and Gospel Herald, that Mr. William Flack had “Crossed the narrow sea.” This took place on July 17, 1895, in the 80th year of his age.

Our departed brother’s life was a very eventful one, and it would well repay the reader to get a copy of “The Christian Pathway,” if it is to be had, and peruse the same. All we can do is to supply a brief summary, and commence by giving his birth-place and origin. 

William Flack was born in the town of Ware, Herts., September 23, 1815. In infancy he had several narrow escapes from death; here is one in his own words:—

“When about eight years old, I one day fell into the river Lee in a very deep place—many lives have been lost about the same spot, but I know of but few who having fallen accidentily into the same, have been saved. But I could not be drowned then. I remember, while in the water, seeing many persons standing on the bridge from which I fell, looking at me; but they dare not venture in though eight of their number were swimmers. I went to the bottom, and floated twice. and went down again to the bottom a third time. At this moment a bargeman, loading a barge, came loaded with a sack of something on his back and asking whether they were looking at a dog? They replied, No, a boy. At which, swearing, he called them cowards, threw off his sack, and dived in after me.

This has often afforded me an illustration of my Saviour’s great work. He did not, as some men say—let down a rope and say, Now, my child, take hold of that rope and I will draw you up. No! he did not stand parleying as they further represent—with—Is it not low enough? I’ll let it a little lower. Now take hold—Now twist it about you—Now! you’ll be lost if you don’t. Now! Now! You’ll be doubly damned if you don’t take hold. You are already condemned for falling off the bridge; and you only add to your condemnation by every offer refused. No, he did not mock me thus; and mocking it would have been, for I was helpless,—all but lifeless. I could not have moved a finger, much less an arm, if it would then have saved me. Well! what did he do? He plunged into the deep! He came down to the bottom. He came into my woe and misery. He came into my very grave. And what then? Why, with his strong arm he grasped my helpless frame, and brought me to to the shore. What then,—did he leave me there? No! He carried me home in his arms, helpless, senseless, and all but lifeless as I was; and placed me in my mother’s arms. This was something like a saviour. And shall the salvation of my God fall short of it? No! in no wise.”

Our departed friend speaks very highly of his parents, as “being upright in all their dealings, and very strict in training their children.” Like many other boys, he had a variety of situations and passed through many trying and changing scenes; these, no doubt, prepared him for scenes of future usefulness.

Call By Grace

In the year 1833, William Flack was brought to think seriously about eternity. “Eternity in heaven—Eternity in hell.” These words haunted him much for some time, but he got a little relief on hearing Mr. Dampier, a curate, urging his hearers to pray for a clean heart—a right spirit. Huntington’s “Bank of Faith,” as also the ministry of Mr. Dale, at St. Bride’s, Fleet-street, and that of Dr. Dillon, Clerkenwell, were useful to him. There was still, however, much searching of heart and mourning under a sense of sin. While in this state, on returning home one Lord’s-day, he says, “I retired to my bed-room, dropped on my knees and cried earnestly for mercy, and felt like Jacob, “I will not let thee go,” &c.; when a holy rapture filled my soul with peace and joy.

“Now I could read my title clear, to mansions in the skies

I bade farewell to every fear, and wiped my weeping eyes.”

Call To The Ministry

While in the enjoyment of liberty as above stated, Mr. F. was anxious to shew his gratitude to God for His goodness, when the words came, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” He made efforts to go abroad to the heathen. These failed. Returning to Ware for a time he attended cottage meetings, and it was at one of these Mr. Flack first opened his mouth, and the subject was “Abraham offering up his son Isaac.” Soon after this he returned to London and became a City Missionary, and frequently spoke in the Lord’s name. Mr. Flack was not yet a Baptist, but began to be anxious about baptism. At this juncture one evening, in passing “Beulah,” Somers-town, he saw the doors open, went in, it was a baptising service—Mr. James Nunn, the pastor, was preaching—he (Mr. F.) became convinced under Mr. Nunn’s discourse, and was baptized by Mr. Nunn, December 31, 1847, and united with the Church the following Lord’s-day. He was now called upon to preach at Holloway, Islington, Hampstead, &c.

His First Pastorate

In October, 1850, Mr. Flack entered on his first pastorate, at Sutton, Cambs., where he stayed over five years. Leaving here he settled at Peterboro’, where he remained about 12 months, and again returned to London.

Nearly 40 years ago, Mr. Flack and his friends opened Dorchester Hall, Hoxton, moving from there to “Salem,” Wilton-square, New North-road, where he remained till the time of his departure from Salem here to “Salem’s” courts above.

His Last Days

For several years Mr. Flack had been unwell, but for the last eight months was confined to his bed, where he enjoyed much fellowship with his Lord. The last few days he was gently and lovingly waited upon by an old friend and Church member, Miss Burden, who, as far back as forty-six years ago, attended his children in sickness, and has since then nursed through distressing illnesses, and has been at the closing scenes of his wife, daughter, and son-in-law.

The following is from the pen of this friend:—

“He asked to have Isa. 51 read, which was sweet to him. At another time he said, “O death, where is thy sting? O grace, where is thy victory?” With deep feeling he would often say, “I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed:” and often it cheered our hearts to behold the peace of his mind, which we saw beam through his eyes; then he would break forth with the sweet words, “I shall see the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off.” Then would come again, “Watchman, what of the night?” Truly, he was favoured to feed upon the Word of his God in a dying hour. He was very solicitous for the Church and school he was leaving behind, and prayed earnestly for both.

Psalm 103 was read which he drank in with sweetness. He was often heard to say, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly,” and then he would cry out as best he could, “O Lord, how long!” On one occasion, looking round, he said, “I would not come back.” When the brethren came in to see him, he tried to speak with them, but he was hard to be understood, through the paralysis of his tongue; he would desire them to pray with him. When not sleeping, he was perfectly keen to all that went on. Psalm 71 was read to him, and that was one of his favorite psalms. He asked his son to read John 14 to him; he entering into it by sighs. At another time he said, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in His likeness.” He made brother Watson understand the words “He sent from above. He drew me out of many waters.” When all his children were round him, he would talk with them. Sometimes they could understand a few words, and sometimes not; they could tell by his look he was blessing them, and seeking blessings for them. On the Tuesday, as he was taken home on the Wednesday, he raised the only arm he had use of as a token of his readiness to go home.”

The Funeral

The funeral took place Tuesday, July 23, service being held in the chapel, which was well filled, Mr. J. Box presiding, who commenced with a short prayer. Mr. Britton gave out hymn No. 4:—

“O blest retreat, O sacred rest,

Beyond the surging deep;

Where never sin disturbs the breast

Or mourners ever weep.”

Mr. Bootle read the Scriptures, and Mr. Reynolds offered prayer. Mr. C. Cornwell ascended the pulpit and gave the address, speaking of his early acquaintance with Mr. Flack, which commenced in 1862, and proceeded to speak for a few minutes from the words, “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Mr. Cornwell was helped to give a most faithful and timely address. Mr. Walter Abbott announced hymn No 7 from the same leaflet:—

“Who can tell the bliss immortal

Which the dying saints enjoy,

Just before they reach the portal

Of the mansions in the sky!”

Mr. Box closed the service in the chapel with prayer. The funeral procession then wended its way to Abney-park Cemetery, which was reached about 5 p.m. The mortal remains were borne to the grave, and lowered to their last resting-place by the deacons of the Church, the superintendent of the Sunday-school, and three other friends. Mr. Box then addressed the large assemblage of old associates, who had gathered round the grave to manifest their esteem and respect for him whom they had so dearly loved. The hymn, “For ever with the Lord,” was sung with much feeling, and Mr. Bloom, with great earnestness and warmth for the bereaved family, engaged in prayer.

Messrs. Abbott, Sawyer, Wakelin, and Wilson attended as a deputation from the M.A.S.B.C. Among the friends present at the chapel and ground, were brethren Hodges, Smith, and others (Chadwell-street); Day (Shalom, Hackney); Bumstead (Surrey Tabernacle), and many more from different parts.