The Life And Ministry Of Walter Ranson
Earthen Vessel 1895:
Walter Harry Ransom, Somersham, Suffolk
Dear Brother,—By your request, I send you a brief sketch of my life. I was born on August 31, 1859, in the parish of Hitcham, in the county of Suffolk. I was blessed with a godly mother, my father was the reverse. But the Lord placed him in the furnace of affliction, and I believe made it a blessing to him. They are both gone home, and have left me with one sister.
It appeared I had convictions when very young. I remember once being troubled about sin when attending school, so as to be forced to pray. I never could enjoy myself in the ways of sin as some appear to. There was an aching void the world could never fill; this went on till I grew up to be a young man. I attended a Bible-class at Hitcham chapel, conducted by Mr. C. Clover, of Buxhall. This little chapel was in connection with the Wattisham church at that time. The means used there was made a blessing to the awakening of me to see my state and condition as a sinner. Here I was in a state of anxiety for weeks, until I heard a sermon one Sunday evening at the chapel at Hitcham, by Mr. Wilkins, who divided his text under three heads—humbleness, contrition, and poverty; the text I never remembered. This was the time I was able to say,
“How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.”
Then as to following the Lord in the ordinance of baptism, I knew it to be the way: like many more, did not attend to it at once; this was no comfortable time. How true are those words in John 13:17.
On August 10, 1884, I was baptized at Wattisham, by Mr. Huxham, who was then pastor at Rattlesden, and received into the church.
I was very much impressed before baptism, and much more after, as to what I could do in the Master’s service. This I made a matter of prayer. I was a teacher in the Sunday-school a while; thoughts of preaching arose; but I thought this can never be. I might say I used to be very fond of playing preaching when a boy. But the Lord made it plain to me that I was to speak in His name. I commenced first by reading a chapter in the prayer meeting; after which I was impressed to take a text and try and say a little from it. The first text was Mark 10:50.
After this I supplied in various places, till asked by the Church at Somersham for three months, which I accepted. Before this expired, I was asked for another three months, with a view. Before this expired, I was asked to accept the pastorate. I then asked for three months to consider this, as I felt this to be such an important step to take. What this Church offered me—and it was all they dare promise, I feel sure—it was not anything tempting to move a family from one’s native home. But it is evident it was of the Lord. I was recognised as pastor on March 28, 1888. Mr. S. K. Bland presided. Mr. F. S. Reynolds, then pastor of Wattisham Church, gave the charge from 2 Tim. 2:15. Mr. Kern addressed the Church, and brethren Northfield, Haddock, and Clover took part.
The Lord has blessed both pastor and Church. We have been rejoiced to know the Lord has blessed our labours. Our congregations are very encouraging. I have many friends far and near. I feel after labouring in the service this short time, what a glorious Gospel to preach! how fresh and full it is! If it is the Lord’s will, I would preach it for many years. O may I be made more useful, truthful, firm, and loving in His service.
Yours sincerely,
W. H. Ranson
Walter Harry Ranson (1859-?) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. In 1888, he was appointed pastor of the church meeting at Somersham, Huntingdonshire.
