The Life And Ministry Of John Grace

Earthen Vessel 1865:

The Late Mr. John Grace, Of Brighton

His Ministry; His Death; His Funeral; And Funeral Sermons By Mr. George Abrahams

It seems but the other evening we sat in Mr. Grace’s “Tabernacle” at Brighton, and tried hard to hear him deliver one of his week-evening discourses. That was in the early part of the present year; and he then appeared in health of body, full of vigour, empowered by the Spirit, and truly happy in feeding the flock he so dearly loved. “Sacred spot!” we silently whispered to ourselves. “Happy man of God! Preserved, honoured, and rich in his anticipations of eternal glory!” It never once entered our mind that in a few weeks from that time his fine-made frame would be silent in the grave, and his spirit amid the millions in glory. But so it is. Even the most devoted and the most spiritual of the Lord’s servants are not unfrequently somewhat suddenly called home, and the churches are left to weep over a loss which, perhaps, in their estimation, can never be made up. Hundreds in Brighton feel, at this moment, that another John Grace will never occupy that pulpit:—his like again will never be found. There has never been a second William Huntington; Cranbrook has never found another Isaac Beeman; nor has Leicester seen Chamberlain’s successor. The Lord does sometimes greatly endear his servants to his saints, and then suddenly remove them, to make his people know that their salvation is only in Him, who is “Head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.”

Thousands of the Lord’s people have, in their visits to Brighton during the last twenty years, sat with much soul-profit under the ministrations of that favoured minister of the “Tabernacle Chapel,” whose death we, this month, record. We have heard many believers in all parts of the country speak of the good they received under him; in fact, it is evident, from the crowded congregation he always had, and from the urgent call he had from all parts of the kingdom, that the Lord was with him, and made him a successful preacher of the Gospel in all its simplicity and experimental preciousness. We never had any intercourse with him, either personally or correspondingly. It is not at all unlikely but that he considered us as belonging to the congregation of the dead. Like a dead dog in the streets, it may be, he would have passed us by with silent contempt; but this persuasion lessens not our esteem for him. We have read but little of his preaching; we have heard still less; enough, however, to fix it deep in our hearts that the Lord loved him, that the Lord honoured him, and that John Grace most devotedly loved the Lord Jesus Christ; and toward him and his memory, a spiritual and saving union has existed, and will continue, as long as we can remember him. He was not altogether a sectarian. He could not be said to belong either to the Gospel Standard part, or to the Earthen Vessel section of our Churches. In faith, and in principle, he was a Baptist, but in practice he was not a Baptist. He closed the baptistry in his chapel, and received members into the Church simply upon the ground of their Christian experience, irrespective of those views touching that ordinance which, for many centuries, has been so much opposed.

It was early in the morning of March 3rd, 1865, that this beloved disciple of Jesus literally fell asleep in the arms of his Lord and Master. The Brighton Observer said:—

“Since our last publication the hand of death has been laid upon one who was an earnest labourer in the Christian cause, and whose loss will be deeply felt by a large circle of devoted friends.

“Mr. John Grace, for nearly thirty years, has been a preacher in this town, and elsewhere, but Brighton was the principal sphere of his ministrations. He commenced his ministry at Providence Chapel, Church Street, preaching there on the Sunday morning, and in the evening at Bolney, Five Ashdown, &c., making monthly visits. He was well known in London, York, Louthborough, Cambridge, Leicester, Cranbrook, Maidstone, and Eastbourne, where he occasionally preached.

“Nearly eighteen years since, he ceased his ministry at Providence Chapel, and his friends purchased the chapel in West Street, known as the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel. The accommodation was soon found inadequate to the increasing congregation, and galleries were added. The deceased gentleman refused to secure to himself vested interest in the same, which he could have done, and consequently his relations have no claim upon it. He sought rather to labour from love, than to secure pecuniary advantages. His congregation was very large, by whom he was greatly beloved, and between whom there existed the strongest bonds of unity, and a sincere devotedness to the cause they espoused.

“The deceased was an ardent admirer of the doctrines of Calvin, which he advocated with zeal and fervour. The last sermon he preached was on the 29th of January, having on the 23rd of that month attained his 65th year. Inflammation of the lungs confined him to his house, and he received the attendance of Dr. Philbrick and Dr. Moon. He continued to get worse, and the disease was followed with fainting fits, in one of which he died on Friday last (March 3rd,) having in his life served his Master faithfully, ripening him for his heavenly rest.

“We may add, that he was a man possessed of a most charitable disposition, as many of his congregation can testify. He leaves a widow and eight surviving children, five of the first family, and three of the last.”

Mr. Charles E. Verrall, of the “Brighton Pulpit” office, has issued a shilling book, containing a memoir by the widow; the funeral service and the funeral sermon by George Abrahams. We have read this little memorial of a good man with some profit, with strong sympathy, and, certainly, with sorrow for the family and the large congregation so painfully bereaved.

Not many years since Brighton had its Vinalls, Sedgewicks, Savoury, and Grace. All decided men of God, ministers of truth, and faithful pastors. Not one is now left. Brighton is not forsaken, but the men who certainly were instrumental in carrying on the great work so powerfully begun by James Brook, who left the Church;  by William Huntington, who was never in the Church; and by some others we could name—ah, these blessed men are called home, leaving the work, under God, in the hands of the brethren Atkinson, Wallinger, Glaskin, Bayfield, Vinall, and some others. God grant that on these yet living messengers of heaven the mantle of the precious Elijahs may descend; for experimental and earnest preachers of Jesus Christ in the hearts of the saved ones in these days are few and far between. We shall endeavor to furnish a very brief review of the deceased, Mr. John Grace, under four heads; 1, his death; 2, his funeral; 3, the sermons by Mr. George Abrahams; 4, the general tenor of Mr. Grace’s ministry.

I. His Death.

It is not easy to declare what may exactly be termed, “dying in a good old age.” Some friends remember when a brother wished, at George Murrell’s jubilee, that he might live to see another jubilee, the dear old patriarch cried out, “Stop, brother; Heaven must be better than earth!” Evidently implying that he would, like Paul, rather be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” We believe it is ten times happier to drop down ripe and ready, as John Grace did in the very prime of his ministry, as one may say, than to live on, to linger on, until all the physical powers are exhausted, and the old man becomes weary of himself, and almost everybody is weary of him. The Scriptures, in this sense, are verily true. The days of our years are “three-score years and ten; and if, by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Ask John Andrews Jones now, although he is wonderfully favoured, still to pull himself up into the pulpit, and still to preach the glorious Gospel; yet, ask him, is it not often with labour and sorrow his days now pass away? Yea, with all men, or with few exceptions, very old age is by no means a heaven upon earth. Human nature must wear out. John Grace was sweetly, gently, happily removed in the days when thousands (in Brighton and other places) rejoiced to hear him.

Happy soul! his earthly toil is over. Mr. Verrall’s “Memoir” contains a beautiful account of Mr. John’s Grace’s last days, written by his now bereaved widow. We only quote a word or two. She says:—

“Some time afterwards he said, ‘Throughout this affliction I have not had one murmuring thought; I have been enabled to lie passive in the Lord’s hands; and the words that were so sweet to me in my last affliction, have been equally sweet in this: “Whether I live, I live unto the Lord; and whether I die, I die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” I have had no trouble, and Satan has never been permitted to harass me, but no great joy. The Lord has graciously dealt with me, in supporting my mind, well-knowing I could not bear much trouble or much joy in my state of extreme weakness. Sometimes cast down, but then lifted up with the light of God’s countenance. I do not feel that the passiveness and quietness arose from a state of carnal security, for these words are often sweet to me, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” “Their strength is to sit still.” This has been attended with the drawing of the affections heavenward, and sweet fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.”‘

After this he appeared likely to recover, and was much better. But the appointed time drew near. Of the evening previous to his death, Mrs. Grace says:—

“About nine o’clock, the dear departed said, ‘Let us thank God for hearing and answering prayer on my behalf, and blessing the means.’ He then prayed most affectionately for his family, his friends, and his people (those especially who were in any trouble or affliction,) begged of God to give him a comfortable night’s rest, and felt that, a blessing having attended the administering of the medicine, was a token that the dear Lord was about to raise him up again.

“He retired to rest; but at half-past eleven o’clock he awoke me by complaining that his supper (a little arrowroot and brandy) made him feel uncomfortable. Brandy and water (both hot and cold) was given to him. Afterwards hot flannels were applied, but nothing relieved him, although he said he had no pain, but flatulency made him feel ill.

“Various remedies were resorted to, but without success. About seven o’clock in the morning (Friday,) he had a little essence of beef; and as soon as he had taken it, his breath seemed very short, and the difficulty of breathing increased. The doctors were sent for, but before they arrived, his happy spirit had fled,—his soul had returned to the God who gave it,—without a sigh, groan, or struggle!”

Thus departed the ransomed spirit of this useful minister of Christ. What will his children (in the distant islands of the seas) think, and feel, when of their tender-hearted father’s decease they hear? We can but hope the stroke to them may be sanctified; and, through sovereign grace, made a real blessing. How solemn to the widow’s heart the sight must have been! In the evening hopes were strong and lively that he would recover from this “sweet affliction;” but in the morning those hopes were swept away, and all that remained was the cold corpse of a husband tender and dear—a father ever fond—a minister faithful, if possible, almost to the extreme.

Think, ye wives and mothers, whose partners and parents yet are spared, how trying must such sunderings be! May God prepare us all for such most painful hours; and in those seasons may the heavenly whisper in real truthfulness be heard, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

II. The Funeral.

At the funeral some three thousand persons were present. George Abrahams and B. Tatham officiated, while many brethren silently witnessed the last ceremony sacredly performed over the interment of one whose memory and ministry will long be cherished. The funeral was marked with every feature of respect and religious sanctity. Mr. Tatham’s prayer and address were well suited to the occasion. The Lord gave His blessing, and the whole expense was borne by that house under whose special patronage Mr. Grace lived and laboured so many years. 

III. Funeral Sermons.

We come, thirdly, to notice particularly the funeral sermons preached by Mr. Abrahams, which were delivered to very crowded audiences on the following Sunday morning and evening; and on the Tuesday evening. There is in each, and every one of them, a peculiarity of interchange between things heavenly and earthly, that only preachers like Mr. Abrahams can produce. His mind is full of wings and as full of eyes. He flies in thought and expression to the highest heavens, confidently communes with the Lord his God, and in a moment he is down in anecdotal illustration of the weakest character. Withal, however, there is a delightful vein of true and vital Christianity, which causes the souls of many of God’s Israel to be thankful that ever such a Jew was converted; and have been for so many years upheld in the ministry, although, in some things, they wish he was different. 

In our notices of the funeral sermons we will not be critical; and yet how to pass over some things, in even some of the best of men, we know not. We often think that no public office is so subjected to the presumptions of finite man as is the sacred office of the preacher. There is a wider license given and taken by thousands of ministers than by any other class of public men on the face of the earth. And this could be easily shown, if we thought any real benefit could flow therefrom; but ministers frequently are self-confident, and to question their correctness in any point is considered a grave offence. We know not, nevertheless, that we ought to shrink from carefully and kindly directing attention to ministerial errors when they are given broadcast to the world.

To much pleasanter work than that we turn now for one moment. It is to give Mr. Abrahams’ testimony to the genuineness of Mr. Grace’s religion. Mr. George Abrahams is not a believer in the genuineness of every minister’s faith; but John Grace was well-known to him; and of him he speaks with great assurance. Here is the first item. It is drawn from the first funeral sermon. After representing the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Mr. Abrahams gave the following:—

“Now then comes in our dear departed brother Grace. He is in union with Christ, do not forget it, for if he were not, I repeat, any one bishop of Israel might preach his funeral sermon, for I would not thank any man to ask me to do it. I have known my beloved brother, as a friend, more than thirty years; and, as a preacher, very nearly the same time. When I first came to Brighton, he was not a minister, but greatly troubled concerning the ministry; and we had many, many talks concerning the matter; and especially one night after I had been preaching. He seemed very much cast down and in trouble, and being next door, I said, ‘I will go in and talk to Mr. Grace a little.’ When I entered the room he was sitting by the fireside, very much cast down. I took a chair (he was glad to see me), and we both sat down by the fireside. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘you seem very much troubled, friend Grace.’ ‘O yes,’ said he, ‘I am full of anxiety and trouble. I do not know what the Lord means to do with me.’ I said to Him, ‘Have you never received a penny of God’s everlasting love?’ I had no sooner said this than he snatched at the subject, and spoke of the goodness of the Lord to his soul; insomuch that I could not get in a word sideways; he had it all to himself; except when I went away, I said, ‘Now, friend Grace, if I had sat down moping like yourself, and we had both begun to demur whether God had ever done anything for us, which is the fashion with some professors, the devil would have stood laughing in his sleeve behind, and said, “Here is a couple of fools!” But here, through mercy and goodness, we have got the start of him. You can talk of the loving-kindness of the Lord, and so can the poor Jew;’ and our union was made in such a manner as never to be separated again.”