The Life And Ministry Of James Keslon

Gospel Standard 1867:

Death. At South Moreton, near Wallingford, Dec. 4th, 1866, in his 88th year, Mr. James Kelson. He had laboured here for the last 20 years.

I have heard him say, that when a young man, the Lord in mercy called him by grace, and gave him to see that he was as a lost and helpless sinner in the sight of a holy God. He could no longer join with his fellow-workmen in the follies and pleasures of the world; and this was soon seen by the master and workmen, all of whom joined to persecute him, and the latter tried in various ways to get him to go again with them; but all was in vain. The Lord had begun a good work, and he never did nor ever will leave his dear children, when he puts his fear in the heart, permanently to go on with old sinful companions. James now began to look into the word of God, and to find out better company. He had been very fond of music. This was laid by, and he became very low and dull, Satan tempting him on one side, and the workmen trying his temper on the other, until at times he could hardly attend to hLs work. At that time he was a weaver, at Bradford, Wiltshire. His master gave him notice to leave, thinking he was going out of his mind. Then he began to go to chapel, and some time afterwards joined Mr. Barnett’s church, and he and his wife were baptized.

After that, he used to travel many miles on foot to hear Mr. Warburton, Mr. Gadsby, and other good ministers; and subsequently joined Mr. Warburton’s church.

After my dear friend had been with Mr. Warburton some time, he wished him to go into the villages and preach the gospel; which he consented to do, and travelled many miles to exalt and lift up that dear Jesus who had done so much for him. His ministry was made a blessing to many of the Lord’s dear children in Bath, Wallingford, Blueberry, Moreton, and other places. After travelling some time, he was settled over a church in Bath for several years, and many friends at Bath administered to his wants occasionally, until he wanted no more of the bread that perisheth.

When the late Mr. Husband left the church at Moreton, and built a small chapel, he engaged Mr. Kelson to preach twice on Lord’s days, and once at Blueberry, which he did as long as his strength lasted. Mr. Husband gave him 7s. 6d. per week so long as he (Mr. H.) lived, and, after his death, his son allowed him 2s. 6d. Mr. Doe also, with other friends, agreed not to let him want in his old days.

In all his sermons that I heard him preach, he always put down sinful man very low in the dust; but, like Simeon of old, lifted up the Lord Jesus Christ very high, as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Until a month of his death, he preached once every Sunday, and at times came to the prayer meeting in the afternoon. I had to lead him in and out, as he was so feeble he could not walk without having some one to help him. The first Lord’s day in Nov. he administered the ordinance of the Lord’s supper, and said he believed it would be the last time he should eat the bread and drink the wine in this lower world; but hoped to drink it new in the kingdom above. I think all who were there believed the same. With a heavenly smile on his countenance, he seemed like one friend who was going home a little before the rest. He was called home first; but in a few days one of the members, Mrs. Butcher, was called to follow him. She also died in peace. Both were interred in the chapel burying-ground which Mr. Husband gave to the Baptist cause.

Mr. Kelson was a great sufferer for a long time; but God, who is rich in mercy, gave him much patience, so that he could say, “Thy will be done, O my Father.” He would often try to sing: “A few more sighs, a few more tears, And we shall bid adieu to pain;” “Glorious things of thee are spoken,” &c.

He was very fond of Mr. Gadsby’s Selection of Hymns, and would often ask me to try and help him to sing. His memory was wonderful, and he was sensible till the last.

After he took to his bed, his old enemy tried him hard; and, poor dear old man, he was almost, at times, ready to believe him.

The last time I saw him he said, “My talking is now all over. I can only lie passive in his hands. Underneath are the arms of mercy.” His kind friend, Mr. Doe, saw him several times, and was satisfied that he was on the Rock of Ages, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail. Mr. D. spoke very beautifully at the grave, on the shortness of time, the shadow of death, the righteousness of Christ, &c.; how 88 years had passed away, and how his old friend, with a heavenly smile on his countenance, had lost this world of pain, sin, and sorrow, to be for ever with the Lord, where sin is unknown, and where, therefore, sorrow can never come.

“We are left without a minister. Mr. Doe preaches on week evenings, and we meet for prayer, and praise, and reading Mr. Philpot’s sermons. We are raising a little fund, so that we may pay the expenses of a minister that may be this way; and shall be glad if any friend of truth will call and preach to us.

Our old minister, when at Bath, wrote a good many hymns, which his daughter Ann has by her. I see in one of my old “Standards,” (July, 1844,) one of his hymns, called, “Sovereign Grace;” also a letter, the August No. of the same year, “Let us Exalt His Name Together.” The above lines and letter will speak for him much better than I can do.

South Moreton, Feb. 15th, 1867

W. S.