The Life And Ministry Of Walter Jarman

Earthen Vessel 1898:

Pastor Walter H. Jarman, Irthlingboro’

Introduction

Dear Brother,—At your request I will endeavour to give you, as well as I can, some little account of myself, and in doing so hope that something may be written that will be helpful to the little ones of Christ’s flock, and, at the same time, exalt Hirn by whose grace I am what I am. There is nothing very special to be written about my earlier days save this one thing, that a gracious God watched over and preserved me, “when in the slippery paths of youth I ran.”

Birth-Place

I will, however, begin at the beginning. I was born at Redbourn in Hertfordshire, of humble but godly parents, in the year 1864, by whom I was taught to revere the house of God and the services of the sanctuary, and I can speak to the benefit I received from their godly example and constant attendance upon the means of grace; and often now I look back and, from the retrospect, gather reasons for thankfulness in that I was taken to the house of God and taught in the Sunday-school. In the order of Divine Providence I left home when about 16 years of age and went to live at Aston Clinton, Bucks., with a good Christian carrying on business as draper and grocer, and here found every encouragement to continue in those paths wherein I had been instructed, so that attendance upon the means of grace was continued.

Awakened

I had, however, to learn that outward appearance will not do for inward grace, and in the year 1883 the Lord was pleased to make me know something of myself as a poor sinner, which He did by the ministry of Mr. G. Batchelor, of Tring. I well remember taking my seat as usual with the singers; the earlier part of the service passed off without any particular interest, until he rose to announce his text, which was, “Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” My attention was arrested, and the word was fixed upon my heart, and I then felt myself to be a guilty sinner, while the cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” escaped my lips. For about three months I groped in the dark, during which time I had two dreams which, in no small way, added to my discomfort and sorrow. The first was, I thought the last day had come and the elements were melting with fervent heat; and the second was, I saw written in letters of tire the words over my head, “Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.” I cannot describe what I felt, but the perspiration was upon my forehead, and I can assure you I was greatly relieved to find it but a dream; the impression, however, made remained with me, and even now I can recall the scene to mind.

Liberty

Soon after this the dear Lord was pleased to give relief and release by applying the Word, as preached by Mr. Batchelor, to my conscience.

The ordinance of believers’ baptism now occupied my mind, and as I desired to follow the dear Master I made my application to the Church, and they being satisfied with my testimony, I was, on April 26, 1884, publicly baptized in the name of the glorious Trinity by the above named-minister.

The cause of Christ at Aston Clinton, at this time, was not in a particularly flourishing condition, and the prayer-meetings not well attended; this was a trouble to me, and was considerably upon my mind, and after taking the matter to the Lord, I was constrained to speak to the people on a week-night. It is with joy I record the fact that these meetings were made the means of grace to many of the dear family of God.

Another step in Providence now brought me to Watford, where I sat for some time under the ministry of Mr. G. Burrell, till in 1887 the Lord was pleased to thrust me out into the ministry, and this in a way least expected. It happened that I with my brother-in-law were spending the day at home, i.e., Redbourn, and in the course of conversation we learned that they had no minister for the next Sunday, so we arranged to go home again then and help them in a prayer-meeting or social way.

First Sermon

But I was surprised to find on reaching home on the Sunday morning, that I was expected to speak to them. I tried to be excused, but finally, after some persuasion, I consented to try, but told them not to be surprised if I could not get through. My fears, however, soon were dispersed, and a time of sweet and happy freedom was felt. Other invitations followed, and in a short time I was constantly being called here or there to speak to the people. This continued till the year 1893, when the Church at Staines gave me an invite to the pastorate, which, after due consideration, I accepted. Here I continued by God’s help to serve Him for three years, and many happy seasons have I had there, while I trust some souls were gathered to the Lord. In the year 1896 I came to Irthlingboro’, in the place, and at the recommendation of, Brother Sanders, of Hackney, to supply for a Sunday, little expecting that I should ever come again; but the Word being received with pleasure, other invitations followed, and as time progressed, and there were evidences that the thing was of the Lord, the Church gave, and I accepted, twelve months’ invite with a view, the outcome of which is, that I am now the pastor of this time-honoured sanctuary and God-loving Church. I have said nothing about doctrines or faith, but I have only learned one language and that is free grace, and I hope to be able to still give a certain sound to the Gospel and to preach as the Lord shall help me those glorious truths that are believed amongst us.

May our dear Lord graciously fill your Earthen Vessel with good things, for the comfort of His people, is the prayer of

Yours in Him,

Walter H. Jarman