The Life And Testimony Of Edmund Whitaker
Gospel Standard 1865:
Death. Edmund Whitaker, of Oakenhead Wood, died May 16th, 1865, aged 75. He was a member of the Particular Baptist church, Cave Adullam, Haslingden.
It is, we believe, about 40 years since he was called by divine grace. For about two years he wandered about from place to place in search of comfort to his sin-burdened soul; but no comfort could he find. At last he heard of Mr. Gadsby being engaged to preach at Rochdale, and felt a resolve to give him a hearing. Mr. Gadsby took for his text: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” The text, as also some of Mr. Gadsby’s remarks upon it, he never forgot to the day of his death. After Mr. Gadsby had taken his text, he looked round on his congregation, and said, “There is a great deal to be put off before Christ can be put on;” and as he of whom we are now writing had been putting much on, in order to better himself before God, he wondered somewhat at the expression of putting much off before Christ is put on. Mr. G. first pulled off one thing, and then another, Whitaker said, until he had stripped him of all, and left him a poor, guilty, naked sinner before a holy, heart-searching God. At the close of the morning service, Mr. Gadsby observed to his hearers, “I shall in the afternoon, God willing, dwell on the subject of putting on Christ.” Our departed brother was very anxious to hear the putting on of Christ preached, and particularly to put him on; for he saw and keenly felt his sinful, naked state before God, and could see no way of escape from wrath to come but by a putting on of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the afternoon, Mr. Gadsby preached with such sweet power to his heart, or rather, the Holy Ghost by him, that under that discourse his fetters were loosed, and his soul set at happy liberty. He always looked upon Mr. Gadsby as his spiritual father in Christ, and although he has been favoured with hearing good and gracious, and, as we may say, great men, yet in his judgment they were not, as to abilities and power, comparable with him.
After his deliverance he came before the church then meeting together for divine worship at Ring Row, Rosendale, Lancashire, and gave in his experience; and was afterwards, together with eight other persons, baptized by Mr. Daniel Whitaker at New Laith, in Sept., 1827, and joined the cause with them, continuing an honourable member among them for many years.
In 1845 he, with seven or eight more, were formed into a church at Haslingden, and he continued an honourable member thereto his death. About three weeks before his death, he requested his brethren in the faith to meet at his house for prayer on the Lord’s day evening; and as many as were able complied with his request. Before we opened the meeting, I asked him how he felt in his soul. He replied he was dark. I also asked him if the enemy were allowed to harass him. He said, “Yes.” I said it was with God’s people sometimes hope against hope. He said, “Yes.” I said it was a great mercy to have hope against hope, for that hope shall not be disappointed in the end. It was a solemn time with us; and a time of pouring out our souls before the Lord, who was in some good measure pleased to remove his darkness, and check the foe; and he tried to raise his voice to sing with all the little strength he had.
Within a few days of his death, he was visited by our leading deacon, who said, “Edmund, on what are you now resting? Do you feel your soul resting on the Lord Jesus Christ?” He had no sooner asked him the question than he raised himself up in bed, and in a very solemn manner said, “I am resting on the Lord Jesus Christ as my sure foundation.” The deacon replied, “It is a sure foundation. It has been tried by God the Father, it has been tried by the devil, and you have tried it also.” “Yes,” he replied, “I have tried it, and, bless his dear name, it is all of grace from first to last.”
In this sweet confidence he fell asleep in Jesus, without a struggle or a groan.
July 12th, 1865
Robert Capstack
Edmund Whitaker (1790-1865) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. He was converted to Christ under the gospel ministry of William Gadsby, and for many years was a member of the church meeting at Cave Adullam, Haslingden.
