The Life And Ministry Of John Hazelton

Earthen Vessel 1894:

Mr. John Hazelton

My Dear Brother,—Being of a quiet, timid, and retiring turn of mind, I must say I was somewhat surprised when yon asked me for photo and short sketch. The question has often been asked what relationship I sustain towards those of the same name who have been, or still are, connected with our beloved denomination? To such I would reply, that the late Mr. J. Hazelton, of Chadwell-street, was my uncle, and the late Mr. William Hazelton, of Lewisham, was my eldest brother, whilst the present Mr. J. E. Hazelton, of the Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society, is not myself, but my cousin. I mention this as I know there has been some confusion concerning the relationship.

It was my happy privilege to be born of godly, praying parents, who did all that godly parents could do to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; all the outward teaching was given, and we were children who were, and still are, constantly brought before the throne of grace by our dear parents. But, alas! outward teaching, good as it is in its place, does not change the Adam nature, and, therefore, it was soon manifest that I, too, was a child of wrath. I mingled with the ungodly, imbibed their filthy principles, and forsook the chapel and the old-fashioned people of God, and heartily wished, and sometimes tried to believe, there was neither God, devil, nor hereafter; in fact, I look back upon this period of my history with much anguish of heart, for I believe but for God’s grace I should have become an infidel or atheist. So had the old serpent got me in his coils and power.

But the Lord, I trust, was watching all this, and in His own way and time began to work. I soon found that, despite my hardness of heart, the Lord was too much for me, and I found, to my horror and dismay, that I had nothing to stand upon as a hope of salvation. Oh! the bitter sorrow that now filled my heart, and to me appeared worse, because I had so sinned when I knew I was wrong. My heart sunk very low, and for weeks and months was I secretly and prayerfully seeking mercy; I felt I was a wretch undone. 

About this time I remember attending a young men’s Bible-class, and hearing the leader read and expound from Matt. 5. When he got to ver. 6, and read “Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled,” my poor soul clutched at it like a drowning man would clutch a rope; for this, I trust, was a word from the Lord I had hungered and thirsted; now my poor soul was enabled to rejoice in a little of the filling. It was like water to my thirsty soul, and I was led to see the character portrayed, and also the provision suited to the character. My soul truly rejoiced now in the Lord. I tried hard to keep all this to myself, but it was of no use, others would notice it, and soon I found myself back once again in the old place, in the family pew, at the Baptist Chapel, Chelmsford; but oh, how different now! I was baptized, with six others, February 26, 1888, by Mr. Burgess.

I had often thought, if ever I was a Christian, how I should love to be a minister; not that I feel at all qaulified for such an office, but the thought would come. I had been many months seeking the Lord, and now my poor soul was deeply exercised about the ministry. I determined, if possible, to keep it all to myself and not let anyone know of those exercises; but it was like Jeremiah’s fire in the bones. I used to beseech the Lord either to appear for me in making His way plain about my going out to preach, or else to take the thoughts away entirely. I remember, however, once speaking of my exercises to a friend when he replied, “Well, do you wait and watch, if it is the Lord’s will you will go, and if not, you had better not go at all.” This good advice I was enabled to appreciate and to put into practice. But one evening I was greatly surprised by Mr. Burgess, with whom I was sitting in his study all at once looking at me, and saying, “John, did you ever think of going into the ministry?” The question quite took me aback. I, however, eventually, told Mr. B. of what I had passed through, and also of my friend’s advice, to wait and watch; to which Mr. B. replied, “Very good advice, too; and so I say, Wait and watch.” The Lord’s-day I was received into the church, Mr. Burgess and Mr. William Beach told me they were impressed the Lord had a work for me to do, and wanted me to promise to go to Braintree, Essex, to try and preach. After all my prayers and exercises I very much feared to go or to promise to do so. I, however, did promise to go, and the next month, April, 1888, I tried to preach my first sermon. After this, I began to visit other small causes of truth, till soon I was fully engaged preaching here and there wherever the Lord would have me go. I itinerated amongst the various churches of truth for about three years, when I found the strain of attending to my secular calling six days in the week, and then preaching on the Lord’s-day, beside often being up nearly half the night in study, &c., was too much for my health and strength, and I began to fail very much and often felt quite ill. This was now a great trial to me, to know which to give up. After much crying to the Lord for guidance, the Lord, I believe, guided me to Clare, in this county. I had had invites from other churches, but I believe it was of the Lord that I went to Clare. I was there twelve months, and then felt compelled to resign, which I did, and that with no prospect whatever before me or us, for I was now married. This, too, was a time of trial, but oh, how good the Lord was and has been, too, all along! I must say, I believe He was with us even then. I left Clare on the last Lord’s-day in February, 1892, and after supplying a little, accepted first a three months’ call, and then an unanimous call to the pastorate of this church (Wattisham), commencing my stated labours the first Lord’s-day in November, 1892. I have trembled and feared very much when I have thought of the gifted servants of God that have ministered here,—as Mr. J. Cooper, who was here nearly fifty years, and some others. But up to the present I must hope and believe the Lord has been with us, and that’s far above our fears, although I believe there is still an increasing desire on the part of both pastor and people to have much more of the Lord’s presence, power, and blessing. Oh, that it may yet be granted!

As to doctrine, I think they are nearly all summed up in Eph. 2:8;—viz., “By grace are ye saved through faith,” &c., which doctrines, I believe, should be both clearly and truthfully preached. But at the same time I would wish to remember Eph. 4:15, to speak the trut in love; this is what we want—more love. But as the poet says,—

”Nothing but truth before His throne

With honour can appear.”

I have travelled much in the dark, yet the Lord has been my light, and He has been with me. When I think of all the Lord’s goodness it makes me feel like the verse expresses it—

“A monument of grace,

A sinner saved by blood.

The streams of love I trace

Up to tho fountain, God:

And in His wondrous mercy see

Eternal thoughts of love to me.”

I have not written so very lengthy an account, as in the August Number of the Earthen Vessel & Gospel Herald of last year there is a fuller account. 

Yours in the hope of the Gospel,

John Hazelton

Wattisham, Ipswich, Suffolk.

 Earthen Vessel 1893:

Recognition Of Mr. John Hazelton At Wattisham, Suffolk

Wednesday, June 21st, 1893, will long be remembered by the Church at Wattisham. The grand old building was well filled afternoon and evening. Mr. S. K. Bland presided at the afternoon service, and was supported by brethren Jull, Burgess, Ranson, Dickerson, Huxham, and J. Hazelton.

After a hymn of praise, Mr. Ranson read Gal. 1, and Mr. Dickerson offered prayer.

Mr. Jull then gave a clear, sound Scriptural address on “The Nature of a Gospel Church” from Eph. 1:22,23. Mr. Jull said he was glad the Church had arranged for an old-fashioned recognition service, because it gave opportunity to make known the order of a New Testament—i.e., a Strict Baptist Church. Turning to the text, Mr. Jull asked them to notice (1) the Head of the Church, (2) the position of the Church, (3) the officers and ordinances, (4) the present position of the Church, and (5) our future condition. He gave a very clear and forcible exposition of each section, his well-known fluency and earnestness being very noticeable.

Mr. Bland then asked Mr. Hazelton to relate his call by grace. 

Call By Grace

Mr. Hazelton said: It was my privilege to be born of godly, praying parents, who have been many years members of the Strict Baptist Church at Chelmsford. I was one of ten—the late W. Hazelton, of College-park, Lewisham, being my eldest brother. My parents were strict in discipline, and we were early taken to chapel. But grace does not run in the blood, and it was soon apparent that I was a child of wrath even as others. We were cautioned against associating with bad company; yet this was the evil to which I more readily yielded and despite the earnest entreaties of my parents, I still pursued the downward road, called in question the truth of the Bible and imbibed skeptical thoughts: the house of God to me was hateful, and I looked with pity and scorn upon the people. But, thanks to His name, time came, not to propose but call by grace. I left off attending the old Baptist Chapel and went to the Congationalist; there a good old man (a Mr. Ford) was conductor of the Bible-class; the first time I went and saw him I became attached to him; he was kind, gentle, cheerful, and sympathising; I loved the manner, but not his matter. Some of the young men in the class spoke nicely, they had the fear of God in their heart; this made me think, and I began to be wretched, yet I determined in my own mind not to cry for mercy, at the same time I felt I was an undone, hell-deserving wretch, worse than anyone else; no matter where I went, all was misery. At last I fell flat on the ground and with tears and groans cried for mercy and pardon. I was told, “Only believe.” I tried to so, but could not, till one Sunday afternoon at the Bible-class the subject was “The Beatitudes.” When the teacher came to Ver. 6, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst,” &c., I felt that to be a word from the Lord to myself. I hungered and thirsted for righteousness, and realized the truth of the promise, “They shall be filled.” I also received an encouraging letter from a dear sister; in short, I felt my need, hungered, thirsted, was fulled, satisfied, my cup run over. My Beloved came and my soul rejoiced. After a time I returned to the old Baptist Chapel, was blessed under the ministry of Mr. Burgess, and was, with six others, baptized by him. February 24, 1888. 

Mr. Bland then said he rejoiced that his brother Hazelton was able to give so clear and honest an account of his call by grace, and he would now ask him to relate his call to the ministry. 

Call To The Ministry

In reply, Mr. Hazelton said: After the Lord had blessed my soul I felt a burning desire to tell others of it; it was as a fire in my bones. For over twelve month my mind was tossed about (occasionally painfully so) with the matter. I first opened my mind to Mr. Ford, who kindly talked to me and advised me to “wait and watch.” About this time I sought the company of Mr. Burgess. I often went to his house, and conversed on the Scriptures. On one occasion he (Mr. B.) said, “John, did you ever think of going into the ministry?” I did not know what to say. Eventually I told him how my mind had been exercised on the matter. On Sunday, March 4, 1888, I was received into the Church at Chelmsford. At the close of the service I was called into the vestry and Mr. Beach said he and Mr. Burgess felt convinced I was called to the work of the ministry, and booked me to preach at Braintree, May 13. After this Mr. Beach was taken ill, and wrote for me to go to Braintree, April 15. I went. My first text was Mal. 3:17. As soon as the service was over I hurried into the vestry out of sight, but was soon fetched out and received great encouragement. Since then I have been, with few exceptions, constantly in the work. Have had many doubts and fears as to whether it was of the Lord. When I think of my preaching the gospel, I feel I can say, in my humble way, I now preach the faith I once tried to destroy. 

Mr. Bland said the advice given to him to “wait and watch” must be the right sort, for he remembered when he himself was thinking of preaching the Word of God. Dear old George Wright, of Beccles, gave him the very same advice fifty years ago. He (Mr. Bland) would give him no other, and, although he thought it was very cold, he did “wait and watch” for over two years. He asked his brother Hazelton to still go on watching and waiting. There had not been a recognition service in that building for sixty three years, when the late Mr. John Cooper was chosen to the pastorate. The afternoon service closed by singing—

“With heavenly power, O Lord, defend,

Him whom we now to Thee commend.”

Evening Meeting

Mr. J. Jull, of Cambridge, presided, and after singing, said he was very pleased indeed to see the parents of the newly-chosen pastor present. It must gladden their hearts to see their boy in the position he held.

Mr. Hazelton, sen., then engaged in prayer, and while speaking with great emotion asked God’s blessing on the work his son was doing. 

Mr. Jull then called upon the pastor to state his doctrinal views, which space forbids inserting. Suffice it to say they are in accord with the Word of God.

The chairman said: We now want Mr. Hazelton to give his call to the pastorate. 

Call To The Pastorate

Mr. Hazelton said: After going about three years, I had three invites with view to settlement. For twelve months I held the pastorate at Clare, and the resigned. When I resigned I had but two engagement, but brother Winters (who would have been here today but for affliction) put a notice in the Earthen Vessel and Gospel Herald of my leaving Clare. The church at Wattisham, where, after supplying occasionally, invited me for three months with a view to settlement, at the close of which I received a unanimous call to the pastorate. I did not accept it till the Church had received a statement of my doctrinal views, &c. These were also unanimously adopted. Feeling it was of the Lord I was compelled to accept the pastorate; at the same time I felt the sphere too large for me, but in humble dependence on the Lord, I entered on my labours the first Sunday in November, 1892. The signs which have followed give reason to believe the step is a right one. There is a kind, loving feeling among the people. Eight have been baptized, three others have been received, congregations considerably increased, and we have a Bible-class with sixty members. 

Mr. R. C. Brook, in answer to Mr. Jull, gave the guiding of God in choosing Mr. Hazelton to the pastorate. We first came to know Mr. Hazelton through Mr. Crown, of Keddington; we wrote him to come and supply. He could not come for three months. We waited; he came. We heard he was leaving Clare, we invited him for three months; Church and congregation heard well; there was a spontaneous hearty spirit of prayer that he might be settled amongst us, and live as lone in the pastorate as the later dear Mr. Cooper did. The more we as a Church are able to pray for our pastor the stronger we shall be, and then Wattisham—dear old Wattisham!—will rise again, and prosper to the honour and glory of God. Mr. Brook had been a member of the Church thirty-six years and a deacon twenty-one years. 

Mr. Jull then asked the members of the Church to confirm the choice by holding up the right hand. This done, Mr. Huxham united the church and pastor by joining the hands of Mr. Hazelton and Mr. Brook, and offered prayer. 

Mr. F. G. Burgess, of Chelmsford, then delivered the charge to the pastor. Taking his text from Jer 23:28, “He that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord?” In the text there are three things which I hope may be fixed in your mind—1. Here is something to ask. What is it to have the Word of the Lord? “He that hath My Word.” 2. “He that hath My Word let him speak My Word faithfully.” On all these points Mr. Burgess dwelt with much earnestness and profit, not only to the pastor, but to all present. 

Mr. S. K. Bland then gave a very thoughtful and seasonable address of encouragement to the Church and congregation, which was listened to with profound attention and evident interest by the eager and larger congregations. 

Mr. Hazelton testified to the great pleasure it had given the Church and himself to have so many ministerial brethren present, and also friends from Somersham, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Rattlesden, and other places.

Brethren Hitcock, Squirrell, and W. Deaves, were among those who took part in the interesting proceedings, not forgetting Mr. H. M. Whitelaw, Stowmarket. 

Mr. Jull announced, “All hail the power of Jesu’s name,” and brought the services to a close.