The Life And Ministry Of John Snow

Earthen Vessel 1899:

Pastor John H. Snow, of Providence, Slaithwaite, Yorks.

Dear brother in the faith,—According to your request, a few details of the lovingkindness of the Lord are forwarded, which I pray He will be pleased to bless to some seeker or servant of God. 

I was born on August 15, 1867, at Hull; but was so soon removed in God’s providence that my furthest recollections carry me to a time when, travelling from place to place, seeing the pleasures of sin in theatrical life, it was desired by one that I should go with him and receive training to appear on the stage; but the all-wise God over-ruled this. All thanks to my God for deliverance from a career so near the confines of hell.

After settling in Sheffield, I attended St. James’s Church Sunday-school, where the germ of eternal life was first planted in my heart. When seven or eight years of age, my eyes were opened to the sinfulness of sin, the Sabbath-school was dear to me, and, as time went by, the house of God seemed like the New Jerusalem come down upon earth.

The Rev. James Battersby, whose sermons are well known, came as Vicar of the above Church, and under his ministry the Gospel of free grace was richly blessed to me. What happy days were these! The Word of God was food to me, and there was a gradual awakening; so that my plea was, I well remember:—

“O Thou, from whom all goodness flows,

I lift my soul to Thee;

In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes,

Good Lord, remember me.”

The name of Jesus was precious, access to the throne of grace was prized and taken advantage of, the Scriptures were a mine of wisdom and delight, but there was “a dead fly in the ointment:” self was battling against grace, the admonitions and expositions of my teachers were rejected. I must work; I must do my part, and God the remainder.

Thus I proceeded earnestly and laboriously for some time, but was burdened, learning more and more my helplessness and filthiness. After the services of God’s house I usually went alone to meditate and pray about what I had heard from the lips of that gracious man, whom I still remember with affection for the means of good he was to my soul. I wished to hear of divine things only, or otherwise to be in solitude, which caused my associates to say, “There was something strange about him,” and others dubbed me as “cynical.” So matters grew worse and worse, little or no light, comfort, or liberty, until one Lord’s-day in the summer of 1889, as I was going to my class in the afternoon, I was so overcome with a sense of my guilt, and a darkness that could be felt, that I could go no further, but returned home: “my soul was filled with bitterness.” Here God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shone into my heart, whilst with tears and prayers I cried for grace and help through Jesus Christ. How I sang, with spirit and understanding, “Grace, ’tis a charming sound.” My soul made her boast in God.

About this time I was at Communion in the same Church (having been confirmed), when the words, “This is My body which is broken for you,” entered my soul with such power, bringing peace and pardon, that with Thomas I was enabled to say of Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” Now my hope and salvation was in Christ alone; not I, but Christ, was my theme. I esteemed His Word more and more, and began to see a subject which had not before engaged my attention. As I read in the New Testament, baptism came before me repeatedly, causing me to search and enquire into this matter, but being in the Church of England I received no help to a right decision.

During the year 1891 I had a long and severe illness, from which my friends thought I should not recover; but Psalm 91 was sealed to me by the Holy Spirit, so that I was buoyed with hope in God, and caused to pray according to the desire which had been with me for two years, that if the Lord would be pleased to spare and raise me again, and open the way, I would serve him in the work of the ministry.

Having gained sufficient strength to resume my occupation, I received a postcard from a gentleman unknown to me, asking me to preach at a Mission-room in Sheffield, which place I had never seen. This I took as a marked answer to prayer, and conferred not with flesh and blood, but went, though still in bodily weakness, and preached on John 10:11, which sermon God did indeed bless to one old lady, and caused an awakening in the place after knowledge. The people had not heard free grace preached before, so that to some I was as a barbarian.

Connection with this place brought me in contact with the Strict Baptists, reports from two different sources reaching brethren Taylor and Elam, of Sheffield, who encouraged me, and through them I was introduced to the Church of Christ meeting in Wortley-road, Masbro’. Gradually I was weaned from the State Church, and was baptized and received into fellowship the first Sunday in April, 1894, by Mr. Elam, at Masbro’. Here I preached during the following twelve months with much acceptance, and was chosen as their pastor on April 21, 1895. We had many happy and profitable times together.

After preaching the first time at Providence Chapel, Slaithwaite, I began to be stirred and perplexed in spirit about going into the ministry altogether, and leaving commercial life. I had such exercises at this time that I doubted what these things could mean. I argued like Moses against it. What wrestlings I had with God before I was resigned to leave that which appeared likely to be very lucrative in a short time; but by the still, small voice I was melted, and brought to say, “Thy will be done.”

In this matter I had many gracious promises and sweet portions given me from God’s Word, but had not known any one in the same way; and here the “Earthen Vessel & Gospel Herald” was made of great service, for a little of one and another’s experiences therein recorded agreed with mine. I was drawn towards the mountain of the Lord’s house here; at the same time an answer came as an audible voice, and remained with me many days, “Go to Slaithwaite.” The people were led in a manner agreeing with these things, which ended in them calling me as their under-shepherd, and my settlement amongst them, on January 1, 1898. 

The Lord has fulfilled the promise with which He sent me here, “certainly I will be with thee,” and has favoured us with his presence, power, and prosperity, thirteen members being added during the year just ended.

“When all They mercies, O my God!

My rising should surveys;

Transported with the view, I’m lost

In wonder, love, and praise.

Through every period of my life

May I Thy love proclaim;

And after death, in distant worlds,

Resume the glorious theme!”

Yours in the hope of the Gospel,

John H. Snow