The Life And Death Of William Ferris

Gospel Standard 1887:

The Life And Death Of William Ferris, For Over 60 Years Minister Of The Gospel And For The Last 16 Years Pastors Of Salem Chapel, Landport, Portsmouth, Who Died On April 6^th, 1887, In The 85^th Year Of His Age.

My beloved husband was born at Seagery, Wilts, on June 16th, 1802. When he was three months of age his parents removed to Christian Malford. His father being a godly man, he was brought up under the sound of the truth, and when quite a boy had such strong convictions of sin as sometimes to prevent him closing his eyes in sleep for fear of waking in hell; and often when in chapel he would make promises to be good; but, alas! they were quickly forgotten. Gradually these feelings wore away, and when joining in worldly pleasures, he would comfort himself that when he grew older he would reform.

In 1820 he went to Calne. While there, at the age of eighteen, in speaking to Mr. Milford about his father and his love to the truth, Mr. M. suddenly turned to him and said, “What do you know about it?” This occasioned such deep anxiety of mind that he was brought under the law of God for three months, and was very severely tried until Nov. 1st, 1821, when the Lord was pleased to break in upon his soul while kneeling in prayer upon a truss of hay in a hay-loft, which caused a sweet feeling of remembrance that Christ once lay in a manger. He had no particular words, but felt his sins were forgiven. Peace through the precious blood and righteousness of a dear Redeemer flowed in like a river, enabling him to say, “Abba, Father.” After this he was enabled for some time to look upon everything as belonging to his God and Father. He thought he should sing all the way to heaven, but very soon great distress of mind followed. After telling Mr. Milford of his deliverance he feared it was all of the flesh, but was soon helped by the words: “He is faithful that promised.” (Heb. 10:23.) Once he was so much favoured in a stable with the words: “Fear not, worm Jacob,” that he took a flint and marked the wall, as a token of the Lord’s appearing to him and blessing him. Another time, when busily engaged mowing a lawn, he so enjoyed communion with the Lord, that he forgot what he was doing, and mowed down a rose tree.

On May 22nd, 1822, he was baptized and joined the church at Calne. He was much blessed while hearing the late Mr. Warburton, especially once when he preached from the words: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” (Ps. 103:13.) After this he felt the bubblings up of sin in his corrupt nature, which he once thought would never rise again, owing to the peace which he had felt in his conscience. His deliverance out of this was caused by the words: “The whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” Shortly afterwards Mr. Milford left Calne for Nottingham, and my dear husband, for the great love he had towards him for the truth’s sake and the desire to be under his ministry, soon followed. In 1825 he married Mr. Milford’s only daughter, and in the short space of two years he buried his beloved wife and two children.

In 1828 he left Nottingham and paid a visit to his parents. While there he was very tried as to what steps to take. One day, when sitting on a heap of stones and feeling as Abraham did, who went out not knowing whither he went, he had such a firm persuasion in his mind that the Lord would appear, which came to pass in a remarkable way. He intended returning to Nottingham and was just ready to start when a gentleman engaged him to go to Bath, where he remained for six years.

In 1833 he commenced preaching under rather peculiar circumstances. He was a member of a church over which Mr. Mosshead was pastor, but as he always spoke of the “higher life,” declaring that all doubts and fears were wrong, my husband, knowing inward castings-down and also deliverance from them, was led, after great exercise of soul, to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and was able publicly to contradict such teaching. After this he preached in a room at Bath, where he was then living, and the first sermon he preached was from the words: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (Jn. 3:6); and throughout his life he earnestly contended for the same. Being a deeply exercised man, and having to pass through many heavy trials and difficulties with regard to family and business matters, and also having to endure great inward conflicts, he was able to enter into the pathway of those who were, in some measure, passing through the same. Numerous testimonies did he receive from those who were blessed and comforted under his ministry. The glorious gospel which he loved to proclaim publicly was the theme he delighted in privately; the fruits thereof showing themselves in his private life, although he had inwardly great conflicts.

In the year 1834 he left Bath for Clack, and married Phebe Hopkins, whose Obituary appeared in the “G. S.” Sept. 1863. Here he lived for over thirty years, and was the means, in the Lord’s hands, of forming a Strict Baptist cause. His love to the Lord’s people was so great that he never thought anything too much that he could do for them. Often, after a hard day’s work, he would start at four o’clock on Lord’s Day morning, having to walk a long distance to be in time for the service, and then up at three o’clock on Monday morning to bake, as his business was that of a baker. Many years after this, when greatly exercised with regard to temporal things, the words came: “Feed the flock of slaughter;” and also: “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” (Ps. 50:10.) He wondered at the time what it meant, but afterwards found that as he had been preaching many years and receiving little or nothing from the churches, it was from that source his supplies were to come.

In Dec., 1863 we were married. After some little time we removed to Hilperton, where we lived four years, during which time my husband had much to contend with in the church, but the Lord overruled it for good in a remarkable way. It was in this place he had a severe attack of jaundice, and was brought to the point of death, but was so blessed in soul that he was willing either to live or die, as the Lord pleased. The words: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” were very precious to him.

This season he often referred to in after years. Whilst living at H. he had a call from the church at Portsmouth to become their pastor, but was greatly opposed to it, and could not see his way clear to accept it. At the same time an invitation came from Shoreham, which he accepted. We had not been there long before he was seized with an attack of British cholera. It was during this illness that he received another pressing call from the church at Portsmouth, which occasioned him much prayer and exercise of mind, after which he wrote the following letter:

“To the Deacons and Church meeting together at Salem Chapel, Landport, for the solemn Worship of God, Father, Son, and Spirit, Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. According to promise, and in answer to your letter inviting me to become your pastor, I write to say I have had much exercise of mind respecting it, desiring the Lord to make it plain. It is now more than two years since I commenced coming amongst you. Many times whilst preaching the word at Salem I have felt the Lord was with me in very deed, and you say the people have heard with profit, and that is the reason why you have unanimously agreed to desire me to become the pastor of the church. When your letter reached me I was very ill, and while confined to my bed, and after, I was much in prayer respecting it, desiring to know the mind and will of the Lord in so great an undertaking. I have felt a spirit of prayer to the Lord to make it very plain. Once while pleading with him the words dropped with some sweetness on my mind: ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’ (Ex. 33:14.) Then I was much tried to know whether the words were from God or not, and felt much cast-down and in the dark, so that I could not see my way; and doubts and fears prevailed for a time. One night, when in distress, these words came with light and power: ‘Is not the Lord gone out before thee?’ This caused a great change in my feelings, so that I could trust him for the future. But it did not last long, and exercise of mind again came on, and I said, ‘Do, Lord, make it plain to me,’ &c. Then these words dropped into my soul: ‘As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.’ (Ps. 125:2.) Then came: ‘Be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.’ From this, and the secret workings of my mind before the Lord in many ways, my mind is to comply with the wish of the church, humbly hoping it may prove to be of the Lord, and that if I come, we may be of one heart and mind, and in love and union struggle together for the good of Zion and the honour and glory of God. 

“Yours in Love and Gospel Bonds,

“William Ferris

“Shoreham, Sept. 15th, 1870.”

In Nov., 1870 we came to Portsmouth. My dear husband commenced his pastorate at Salem Chapel in Jan., 1871. The church at that time being in a very low state caused him much, exercise of mind. There was a debt of one hundred pounds on the chapel, which was a trouble to him, but in 1875 he had the pleasure of seeing it all paid off. In 1881 the chapel was closed for repairs, and reopened, free of debt, on Aug. 18th, 1881, friends here and at other churches contributing towards it. During the last few years of his life our dear grand-daughter occasionally wrote down a few of the things that fell from his lips.

Once when very ill he said, “I have felt more of the presence of the Lord Jesus in this affliction than I have ever done before in this room. I had such a blessed view of the covenant made before all worlds, and meditated upon the Star of Bethlehem. Then I was led to the manger where Christ was born, and there I was obliged to stop, feeling so full of love. I said, ‘Do not leave, me, dear Lord. Do not be as a wayfaring man that tarrieth but for a night.’ The Lord seemed to say, ‘I must go; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice.’ I was thinking of my sins, when this came: ‘Christ was the Scapegoat who took all my sins into the wilderness.’ What a blessing is real religion!” At another time, feeling very low in his mind, these words comforted him: “I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing,” &c.

On June 7th 1882, he told us he had a vision, and it seemed as if an angel revealed heaven to him, and it was such a glorious place that he thought, “Whoever can be fit to enter it?” when something said, “Those who have the least spark of grace are worthy.” He did not lose the savour of this for a long time.

One day he was much exercised and tempted with infidelity, and felt as if Satan were in the room trying to prevent him from reading. Strength was given which enabled him to resist the devil, and he fled from him. He was much blessed whilst reading and meditating on the sufferings of Christ. At another time he felt much sweetness in the things of the Lord, and these words came with power: “Beareth all things, believeth all things.”

The next day, feeling very depressed, he said, “When I can read my title clear, I will tell it out. I do want a word from the Lord, and to feel his presence.” At another time, being in a dark frame of mind, he read Job 10, and said it was just his feelings; but he was lifted out of his bonds whilst preaching from Isa. 35:10: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion,” &c. On Dec. 12th, when he came downstairs, his soul was quite cheered with the words: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you,” &c. (2 Cor. 13:11-14.) He felt much of the peace there spoken of. A week or two after this he had a nice time in his bedroom, and said, “I feel I am in my right place; and all that has happened during my past life has been well ordered.”

Jan. 17th, 1883, he said, “I have been much blessed with this passage of Scripture: ‘Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.'” (Jn. 17:24.) In the following May he was taken ill, and when thinking of different things, the words came: “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” His cough being very trying, he did not murmur, but said, “It is a Father’s chastisement, perhaps to show me more of my sinful nature; for he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ Dearest Lord, thou knowest all about it; and thou knowest what is best for me. Goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life. How good the Lord is!” At another time his mind was calm, and he prayed that his brethren might have a spirit of prayer poured upon them, and that, in answer to their prayers, he might be strengthened in his own soul. A few days after this Jesus hid himself, which made him weep and say, “He will not come, he will not come; and Satan worries and tempts me to believe that I do not love JesusChrist.” At another time he said, “I have had three things much on my mind; namely, kept, delivered, and pardoned. I can see so much in delivering grace and pardoning love.”

On June 6th he was much worse, and told us these words had been on his mind: “Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried, mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.” (Ps. 69:1-3.) He prayed for resignation to the Lord’s mind and will, and said, “Jesus has been very precious to me. Light affliction! I want the Lord to give me patience, and bend my will to his.” In the following September he was taken ill again. He said, “Thou art good, dear Lord. Afflictions do not rise out of the dust. I have been favoured with the words: ‘Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding;'” &c. (Isa. 40:28, 29.) On the 30th he preached from Isa. 51:7, and remarked that he felt very much the sweetness of the subject, especially Christ’s righteousness, how perfect it was; and said, “I should like to have another such a feeling on my death-bed. The sweet stream flowed so blessedly into my heart, and I wanted it to flow out to the people. I cannot express it as I should like to do; it is too great to be told. On Nov. 5th he said, “I feel quite happy. I have been meditating upon the condescending love of the Redeemer to such a base sinner as I feel myself to be.” To his grand-daughter he said, “I hope you will be blessed when my poor body is in the grave.” At another time he said, “I have been alone, yet not alone. I have had such a sweet feeling in thinking of heaven, and what it will be like, when these words came: ‘We know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.’ Christ has been endearingly precious to me. Seldom have I had such a feeling.” But this did not last long, and he mourned the absence of his best Friend, but said, “I know Christ’s love is the same, though I have lost the enjoyment.”

On Feb. 2nd, 1884, when his breakfast was taken upstairs to him he felt he could not touch it until the Lord had appeared to him, when these words came: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you,” &c. For many years at times and seasons he had been tempted that he did not love the Lord enough. Once, when alone, he knelt down and entreated the Lord to bless him, which he did, and so abundantly shed abroad his love in his heart that he exclaimed, ‘”Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love.’ I do love thee, Lord.” He was full of love. It was a happy time never to be forgotten. From that time he never sank so low as to call in question his love to the Lord Jesus Christ. Once he was begging the Lord to speak a word to him, and before he had finished asking, he was comforted with this text: “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Prov. 18:10.) At another time he was much favoured in soul and very happy. He said, “O for strength to proclaim Christ’s precious Person: ‘His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.'”

Sept. 18th was the last time he baptized. It was a memorable occasion to himself and others. The Lord was with him in very deed. Before going into the water he prayed for strength, and then afterwards praised the Lord for strength given. Many said it was a favoured opportunity. It was an ordinance his soul loved. Nov. 17th he broke out with these words: “‘Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.’ Yes, all, everyone. I must praise him. I would praise him before all the world.”

On Feb. 15th, 1885, when feeling very depressed, the words: “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” came with power and comfort to his soul. A few days afterwards he said, “The Lord has visited and blessed me. These words have been very sweet and precious: ‘He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.’ (Isa. 53:7.) I have been favoured to see what the Lord suffered that I might go free. How clean I am! It was opened up so clearly and blessedly I cannot describe it.” At the ordinance on March 1^st he felt these words so good: “Precious blood,” and said, “I saw such virtue and blessedness in that rich, atoning blood, and in that glorious Sacrifice that was offered upon Mount Calvary for my sins and the sins of the church.” On May 27th he was coughing for two hours. He said, “The words have been spoken to me: ‘They go from strength to strength.” While I was thinking of my cough and weakness, the sufferings of the Lord were brought to my mind. O how great in comparison with mine!” June 16th was his birthday. In the evening he went to the prayer-meeting, and read Psalm. 103 and spoke a few words upon it. At another time, when in the midst of severe coughing, he was very much blessed and said, “I cannot get out of Solomon’s Song, where it says, ‘Come into my garden, my sister, my spouse,’ &c. Also the words: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence’ have done me good.”

On Nov. 24th he was again ill, and was low and depressed on account of my illness also, when in the night a spirit of prayer came gently over him, and in the morning he had the substance of the verse: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7.) The Lord broke in most blessedly upon his soul with the words: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in,” &c. (Ps. 24:7-10.) Then he said, “Satan, you have tried to deceive me. You are crafty, a liar, and a deceiver, but you are a conquered enemy; and when the Lord’s time is come, you, and your legion will be shut down in the bottomless pit for ever and ever. I believe the Lord will raise me up again to go before the people and tell of the victory gained, tracing it up to God’s everlasting love and Christ’s redeeming blood. I can leave all temporal things in the Lord’s hands. Bless and adore his precious Name for his goodness in providing for my temporal wants, but more so in grace; for I am a sinner saved, and a vile sinner too. O my dear Redeemer, thou hast saved me and washed me in thy precious blood!” Accordingly he was raised up, and enabled to speak with some feeling and power from 2 Cor. 1:9,10; and Prov. 8:17, 18. Dec. 10th he said, “I have had such a sight and sense of fallen nature, how nothing good dwells in it; and also of the complete, finished work of a precious Redeemer, who endured so much for his chosen bride.”

Jan. 18th, 1886, he feelingly exclaimed, “O those blessed realities, God’s love, Christ’s redemption, and the Holy Spirit’s operation! It is all of grace.” At another time he spoke of the goodness of the Lord, and quoted the lines: “There is a land of pure delight,” &c. He said, “It will soon be over. O to think that the God of the whole earth should think upon me! Blessed Jesus. Praise His dear name.” The next day he was ill in bed, but said, “I feel I could mount up a little as on wings of eagles.” But he soon felt cast-down again and said, “The comfort is all gone.” March 26^th the words came so sweetly to him: “Begone unbelief, my Saviour is near,” &c. A day or two previous to this he had been longing for another token of love from the Lord, when these lines came with much power: “What more can he say than to you he hath said,” &c. Jesus Christ was very precious to him at that time. On another occasion he was very low in his mind, but the Lord cheered him with this text: “The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness will I not take from thee.” 

May 2nd he said, “I have been singing of love. I had such a sight of Christ being buried and suffering, not only for his people, but for me. I could not help blessing and praising the Lord for loving and redeeming such a base creature as I feel myself to be; and that will be my song in heaven.” To his grand-daughter he said, “O that you may meet me there!” To a friend he said, “I feel ready to die. The sting of death has been removed. Dying appears to me to be only like going from one room to another.”

On the 30th he was very faint, but after breakfast revived a little, and said, “I have had a visit from my best Beloved, who has comforted me with the words: “Be of good courage,” &c. He burst into tears and said, “O if I should go before the people again!” Before going to chapel he said, “It is quite a miracle for me to be going to preach in my weak state. I am looking to the Lord. I have no where else to look. My text last Thursday was: ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.’ I feel that is the power I need, and that I shall have it.” He went to chapel and told out a little of what he felt. 

June 16th was his 84th birthday. He was nicely for him, and in a good frame of mind. Before getting up he was meditating upon his past life, when the words came, and rested with sweetness on his spirit: “The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.” (Isa. 60:20.) 

On July 1st, when getting up, he exclaimed, “I am full of corruption, and such a poor mortal; but I do not like to complain. I like to be thankful. O to think of the Lord having looked upon me!” At another time he said if he should be lost, it would be a double hell to be separated from the dear Redeemer, and blaspheme God. When thinking about it Eph. i came with power to his mind, and he was revived. To his grand-daughter he said, “The Lord bless thee, love thee, and cheer thee.” 

Nov. 2nd he took his Testament, and, with difficulty, read a few lines about Christ’s sufferings, where it says he fell on the ground in an agony. He was quite overcome, and wept at the sufferings and lovingkindness of the Lord, and said, “It was for me. My sins caused the Redeemer to go through all those sufferings in his holy soul and body. He bore the pain and misery that I must have endured through all eternity.”

On Jan. 29th, 1887, he said, “I have had a battle with the devil, who came upon me, and brought many sins to my remembrance, and told me I could not be saved. I was immediately enabled to plead with God, my heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ was blessedly revealed to me; and through him I felt to be more than a conqueror. He was exceedingly precious. I found Satan was a liar, and he had to skulk off.” 

Feb. 14th he was distressed in his mind, having passed a very restless night. He said he had a severe conflict, and it seemed as if he must sink to hell, and that there was no mercy for him. I tried to comfort him by repeating many precious promises, but it was of no avail. After a time he fell asleep, and awoke with these words: “He is able to save to the uttermost.” They came with much power; and he felt Christ was able to save him. At another time he said, “I have been comforted with the words: ‘Christ perfumed the grave.’ How wonderful that Christ should suffer, bleed, and die, be buried, and rise again; and that through this the graves of the saints are perfumed! Trust in the Lord Jehovah. I want him for my Shield and Hiding-place. Precious Lord, do strengthen me in thy fear, and give me light and wisdom. Holy, holy, holy! My dear Redeemer, dying Lamb, once more thou hast brought me through the night to see the light of another morning. Thou art the joy of my hope, and the confidence of all the earth. Dearest Lord, I would praise and adore thee for thy mercies and benefits. Thou hast been better to me than all my fears and unbelief. We are all dying creatures.”

Once he had been lying awake, thinking of the blessed work of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how all had been employed in saving such a worthless sinner as he felt himself to be, and was enjoying meditation, when a gentle voice seemed to say, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” He immediately answered, “Then, Lord, thou must supply me with all needful strength out of thine own fulness, or else I cannot continue faithful.” On the 23rd he said, “I have been talking of Jesus. I would grasp his dear feet and head; yes, I would grasp him in every way. ‘O remember me with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people!’ Paul’s text: ‘The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me’ was very precious to me in the old stable at Clack, and it has been precious many times since then. We read of wondrous things in God’s Word, but the greatest wonder is that God should stoop so low as to remember us in our low estate. Thou who art the great, good, and anointed One, the Son of God with power. Dearest Lord, I want to thank and adore thee for thy kindness and goodness. I want to die the death of the righteous, and I want to live the life of the righteous. O what will it be to be with Christ! I have had a little taste of it while here below. It is a very solemn thing to pass through death. There were five wise and five foolish virgins; and the door was shut. How solemn!”

He was speaking once of Peter’s fiery trials, and referred to him as having denied Christ, and said, “Such trials differ from the thorns of which Paul speaks. Thorns in the flesh are the old corrupt thoughts and feelings that belong to nature, the old man, which differ according to the state in which all are born, some being prone to one fault and some to another; but fiery trials are temptations against God, when we are tempted to deny him, tempted to unbelief, tempted to doubt his power, his willingness; in a word, tempted of the devil to give up all; for ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.'” (Eph. 6:12.) At another time he exclaimed, “Precious Jesus! I want to talk about him. I feel him nearer, nearer, nearer.” After having passed a bad night, he said, “I have been praying to Jesus to bless me and give me strength. ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.’ Some say it is a light way, and others a dark one; but it is a safe passage to the Christian.” He said he had had a sight of mercies which had been vouchsafed to him, which, at the time, seemed to be passed over; but in reviewing the past he could now see what preserving, upholding, keeping mercies had surrounded him on the right hand and on the left. At another time he said, “I am more plagued with Satan than I have been all my life; but, on the other hand, I have greater displays of Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, and the glorious work he was led to perform, which is a finished, complete work, and how, through him, the devil is a conquered enemy.” On the 29th he was very poorly again, and said, “Lord, brighten up my evidences, and subdue my sinful nature. Do show me my iniquities are pardoned, and my sins blotted out. Thy Word says so to worm Jacob; and I am a worm. So do, Lord, favour me once more. Shine into my soul. Saved by grace, called by grace, kept by grace, and subdued by grace!” On the 31st he was very ill, and thought he had come downstairs for the last time. He said, “I have had my mind much engaged on the psalm read last night. (Ps. 107) O how wonderful that the Lord should think of unworthy me, a base wretch, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot; but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin, or I should be in despair. Read Phil. 3. How wonderful to count all things dung and dross! What a change it will be when Christ shall change our vile bodies and fashion them like unto his glorious body! I feel it is a solemn thing to die. O what will it be to be there with millions, millions, millions; and yet they are called a remnant! The doctor says I have deceived him many times with regard to my health; but what a mercy I have not deceived the people to whom I preach! My heart is weak, but my religion is not all dried up. ‘Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.’ How remarkable, the more glory we are favoured to see, the more humble we become! The Saviour says, ‘Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear;’ and if we are engraven on the palms of his hands, it is impossible to be lost. Bless his dear Name! The blessed spirits in heaven will say, ‘Come in, come in.'” In going upstairs he said, “What shall I do tonight?King of kings, and Lord of lords! We belong to the Lord; we are his jewels. O to be called, redeemed, and made manifest! What a difference when we have God for our strength. Precious Jesus! Thy soft voice comes with power: ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ In his light we see light; and his voice we understand.”

My dear husband suffered very much during the winter from the infirmities of the body, and a trying cough continually harassed him, attended with great difficulty in breathing; but only once or twice was he absent on the Lord’s Day from the work he so much loved, though obliged to discontinue it on Thursday evenings. Another great affliction was recently added; namely, the loss of his eye-sight, not being able to see a word of print, nor to distinguish between friends unless under a strong light. It was a deprivation he felt acutely, especially to have to stand up before the people, not able to discern one, and completely unable to read even the text. It caused him many errands to the throne of grace that the Remembrancer would bring things to his mind, and it was wonderful how much he was helped.

The last time he was able to preach was on Lord’s Day, March 27th, when he preached both morning and evening from Heb. 8:11, and spoke, in connection with it, from the preceding verses, showing the two distinct covenants, the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. On Monday he appeared remarkably well for him, but failed a little again on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday his strength appeared suddenly to fail him. He, however, managed to get upstairs to bed, but was never able to come down again. During this last short illness of five days, although suffering from cough, shortness of breath, and extreme exhaustion, his mind was continually kept upon heavenly things, waiting and longing for his “precious Jesus,” as he so frequently called him. He was not harassed and plagued with Satan’s temptations, as he had been while his work of preaching was not yet finished. They were completely removed, and the enemy silenced for ever.

The following were some of his last sentences: “He opens and no man shuts. The moment we are left we want the Spirit; but the Lord does not make mistakes. Abraham, and William Ferris also, went out not knowing whither they went, but the Lord knew. What a thing weakness is! To have strength gradually taken away, and yet I am considered the happiest man in Portsmouth, being in union with Christ. I have not lost my confidence. I love the Incarnate Mystery, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Underneath are his arms. O my dearest Lord, thou didst cause consolation to be written for thy people! What wonderful things are spoken about the city of our God! Himself took our infirmities. My sins which are many are all forgiven me. Washed in the precious blood of the Lamb. He hath delivered me, and he does deliver. I shall soon be landed. I think the Lord is about to take me.” I said, “There you will bathe your weary soul In seas of heavenly rest.”

He replied, “I have no doubt of that, but I have not the holy longing to be gone. Dearest Jesus, Saviour of thy people! Praise him, honour him, love him, bless him! Endeavour to walk in love and union, which is the greatest blessing to the church. I desire to give the glory to a precious Redeemer, more precious to me than ever. O to know the love of Christ! Give my best love to the friends. I have not been left to rust out. ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.’ What a blessing to have a treasure that will never be exhausted, and a coat without a seam! I felt this morning as if I could leave all my dear friends. How many I have witnessed go from this world to heaven! A short work the Lord makes on the earth. Do, dear Lord, subdue this difficulty of breathing, if it be thy heavenly will, or give me strength to bear it. O to be adopted into the church of the living God! The Lord reigns, God over all, blessed for evermore. Take me to thyself, thou dear Redeemer. ‘I know in whom I have believed.’ My feet are in the valley now:

“‘Tho’ painful at present, ’twill cease before long, 

And then O how pleasant the Conqueror’s song.’

I love the truth. I want the sum and substance of realities. I want to lie and be quiet till the Lord is pleased to come and take me away:

“‘To know my Jesus crucified, 

By far excels all things beside.’

I thirst, I thirst for the living God. My dear children, I have the upper springs and lower springs: ‘All my springs are in thee.’ I am looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith. But I must not say so much. It is solemn when you come to the borders of eternity. Do, dear Lord, shine into my poor heart, and open up the treasures of thy covenant love. I cannot be satisfied without thee. I know I am covetous; but thou hast indulged me so many times, that I want thee more and more. ‘When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.’ Ah, it is easy to say that when in health, but it is very different when brought to a sick bed. Dear dying Lamb, do shine into the hearts of the people to-morrow who desire to worship thee in spirit and in truth. O great Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who hast fed and clothed us, and brought us thus far, and said, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,’ do, in mercy, shine into my heart. I believe my work in public is done. Do, dear Lord, strengthen my poor body.

“’I could from all things parted be, 

But never, never, Lord, from thee.’

Draw me to thy heart, blessed Redeemer, and bind me there. Read Ps. 23. I believe the Lord is in the room. He hath given me love-tokens. If I die in the dark I shall be saved. Christ is always the same Rock and the same salvation. The Lord has saved me to the uttermost. ‘He brought me into the banqueting house,’ &c. How indulged I was last week! He treated me just as though I were the only one; but there are thousands; and there is enough for all. He is so rich, and we are, as the late John Warburton said, all paupers. ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee?’ Come again, O dear Jesus! I want thee to come again. Thou hast favoured me so much; and it is so good when thou art with me. They tell me I am covetous, but I know I want thee always. He has made me quite willing to go. O my dearest Jesus, do come! I want his presence, the showers of rain and the dew. I beg of the Lord to give me patience. I have done with the world, and yet I have a nature that is worldly. Our light affliction is but for a moment in comparison to eternity. He has held me up. My Rock and Refuge! He has done all in love. Read hymn 472. I can say Amen to it all, for it is all sweet; and there I long to be. I have the Lord. It will not be many more strides before I step out of the world. O to be led of the Lord! O that I could love thee more! I am too weak to see the friends, but tell them to strive to enter in at the strait gate. ‘He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.’ There is no set time known to mortals. He comes in an hour when they think not.

“My dear B., you have been kind and attentive in all things concerning me. The Lord will bless you from above and beneath. I believe what is wrought in will be wrought out and made manifest in time, and you will be a partaker of the blessings that will be revealed in your heart; and God will bless you. My dear wife, from the commencement of our marriage union we have struggled together in temporals and in spirituals; and you are a witness of the word having been blessed. The Lord bless thee, my dear children, with upper springs and nether springs. O my dear Jesus, do come and take me to thyself! Why does the Lord keep me here? O that I had a thousand tongues to employ them in praising the Lord! Many times Jesus has been dear to me. I am waiting for the Lord to set me free.” His son said, “The truths you have preached will do to die by.” He replied, “For those who have received them. How shall I hold on till to-morrow! The Lord will help; only there is the passing through the fire. He can do more than you can for me. Some people judge God as they would a man; but he is full of goodness and mercy. Dearest Lord, do come, and take me to thy blessed Self. I hope the Lord will come to-night. I thought he was coming this afternoon. He has said, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’ Why tarry his chariot wheels? ‘Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.'”

The foregoing sentences were uttered according as his breathing would allow. He was not able to say much at a time, though he could not keep quiet for long, but broke out constantly in prayer and praise. He could not bear much reading, but when able asked to have one or two verses of the Bible read, and his son, or a friend to engage in prayer, to which he feelingly listened. Once Mr. W. read Isa. 63:7-9, and engaged in prayer, when he exclaimed, “Short, sweet, and good! It has been blessed to me many times.” At another time he asked his son to read Ps. 23, and spend a few minutes in prayer. One morning a few verses of Ps. 50 were read, and Mr. W. engaged in prayer. My dear husband said, “What was spoken of in the psalm and in the prayer dropped into my heart. O blessed Jesus, thou didst not die for everybody!” Upon my reading hymns 940, and 1110 to him he kept exclaiming after each two lines, “I know it! I know it!” Many times he said he had entered feelingly into the covenant of grace, and had more communion with Father, Son, and Holy Ghost during the last few years than he had ever before enjoyed. He spoke to several friends who called to see him, but gradually became too much exhausted to either hear or speak to them. Sometimes, when wearied with pain of body, his cough most distressing, and he seemed almost strangled with phlegm, he would say, “Bless and thank the dear Lord it is no worse.” Not a murmur escaped his lips.

The last night he said, “Do, dearest Jesus, come and be my Bed-fellow.” He was very restless until about one in the morning, when he suddenly broke forth in a prayer of great solemnity and weight, blessing and praising the Lord. He said, “Blessed Jesus, I am waiting for a solemn messenger. Do, dear Saviour, bless us together. We have been brought through another day of great perplexities, but through thy goodness and mercy have been upheld. A poor worm would desire to be thankful for the many trials he has been brought through. Do, dear Lord, uphold, comfort, and sustain the church, and Zion universally. Give liberty to the captives, and open the prison to them that are bound.” He commended us all to the gracious care and keeping of the Lord, and asked him to bless the two dear friends who had been raised up to be a help and comfort to him in his declining years. After that he never spoke again, but grew weaker and weaker, until he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus at 3.40 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6th, 1887.

He was a kind and affectionate husband and father. It is a bitter loss and blank to us which can never be filled; but an eternal gain to him. A friend remarked that he had left the church in love and union, and free from debt. He was buried in Eastney Cemetery on April 13th, by Mr. Dennett, and was borne to the grave by members and friends. The church and congregation, and several friends from a distance were present.

Lucy Ferris