The Life And Ministry Of Mr. Horbury

Gospel Standard 1862:

Mr. Horbury, Pastor Of The Islington Particular Baptist Chapel, Blackburn

In the month of January, 1859, the deceased had the first attack of paralysis, but was still able to attend to his ministerial duties. He, however, gradually got worse, and had another stroke in February, 1861, which affected him in a much greater degree than the first. He was greatly reduced in strength throughout his whole system, but more especially on the right side, his arm and leg on that side being paralysed; and, after a time, it was with difficulty he could cross the house with a crutch and a walking-stick. A few members of the church wished him to speak a little, and in the following June he complied with their request; but his breathing had now become very difficult, and it was with great pain that he spoke. In September he resigned his duties, continuing to get worse. His memory was much affected; and his medical attendant said that he might have a fit of apoplexy at any time, and that his memory would get no better. He also directed that he should not be left alone a minute, and held out no hopes of his recovery; but, on the contrary, said it was no use giving him any more medicine, as it had no effect on him, and he did not wish to put him to any more pain. The reader must bear in mind that his breathing, which had now become most distressing, almost choking him at times, prevented him saying a tithe of what he wished to do; he often said, “I should like to speak to people, but I have no breath to do so.”

On Sunday, May 18th, he took to his bed. The day following, one of the members called to see him and asked him the state of his mind. He said, among other things, “he was stayed upon Him,” and quoted the words, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” He was quite aware that he was on his death-bed, for he said, “Time with me will not be long,” and repeated the following verses:

“Prepare me, gracious God.
To stand before thy face;
Thy Spirit must the work perform,
For it is all of grace.

“In Christ’s obedience clothe,
And wash me in his blood;
So shall I lift my head with joy
Amongst the sons of God.”

He then added, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” He said this with a very solemn and impressive look, evidently feeling what the words express. At another time he repeated the following verse:

“Salvation’s of the Lord alone;
Grace is a shoreless sea;
In heaven there’s ne’er a vacant throne;
He hates to put away.”

He was struggling hard for breath, having to be repeatedly moved in bed, when he uttered the following words: “This is hard work; but, ‘Though painful at present, ‘Twill cease before long, And then, O how pleasant, The conqueror’s song.'”

He frequently prayed that the Lord would make his strength perfect in his weakness, and that his grace might be sufficient for him, and would often say:

“Let me but hear my Saviour say,
‘Strength shall be equal to thy day,’
Then I rejoice in deep distress,
Leaning on all-sufficient grace.

“I glory in infirmity,
That Christ’s own power may rest on me;
When I am weak, then am I strong;
Grace is my shield and Christ my song.”

And,

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee o’erflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

His mind was remarkably stayed and comforted a great part of the time he was bed-fast, resting on the assurance he felt in such portions of Scripture as, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee;” “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round his people, from henceforth even for ever;” and hymns, such as,

“The joys prepared for suffering saints,
Will make amends for all.”

He was, at times, insensible, and when he became conscious, would pray for the continuance of the proper exercise of his mind. On Thursday, June 12th, after being unconscious for a short time, he became conscious about 2 o’clock; he was very cheerful, and appeared quite engaged with Scripture things. He quoted the words, “I will strengthen thee, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee, with the right hand of my righteousness;” and,

“Jerusalem my happy home,
Name ever dear to me,
When shall my labours have an end,
Injoy and peace and thee?

“When shall these eyes thy heaven-built walls
And pearly gates behold,
Thy bulwarks and salvation strong,
And streets of shining gold?”

Then again:

“Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress,
Mid’st flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

“When from the dust of death I rise
To take my mansion in the skies,
E’en this shall then be all my plea,
Jesus has lived and died for me.’

He then said to his daughter, “Matilda, what is that song of grace?” She asked, “Which one?” As his speech was nearly gone, it was very difficult to make out what he said. He again said, “What is that song of grace?” She said, “There is a hymn which says,

‘A few more rolling suns at most,
Will land me on fair Canaan’s coast;
Where I shall sing the song of grace,
And see my glorious hiding-place.’

Is that it?” He lifted up his hand and said, “Yes, that’s it, that’s it.” On the Friday, at noon, he said, “My heart and my flesh fail me, but the Lord is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.”

On Saturday, June 28th, there was a decided change in his appearance, and it was visible that he could not continue long, being too weak to move a limb, and unable to articulate audibly, except by great and repeated efforts. From this time up to his death he was frequently in prayer and supplication, his lips being nearly always in motion. A few words sometimes could be heard, as, “O Lord, I want to feel the power of grace in my soul;” “O Lord, under this affliction, enable me to be still and know that thou art God;” and he was heard to say three times, “Salvation’s of the Lord;” and, “Let me but hear my Saviour say,” &c.

The last prayer he could be heard to say was, “Blessed Jesus, blessed be thy holy name for thy holy word, which says, ‘We have joy and peace through the blood of the cross.'”

He continued until half-past 12 o’clock, on Thursday morning, July 3rd, when, after a few gasps, he yielded up his breath, aged 52. He had been minister of the Chapel at Islington, Blackburn, about 18 years. He was interred at the Blackburn Cemetery by Mr. Kershaw, July 7th, and was followed to the grave by many of the church and congregation.