The Life And Ministry Of William Beach

Earthen Vessel 1902:

Chelmsford. The Late Beloved William Beach.

Yes! It is now the late, for the traveling days of this veteran servant of Christ are done, the battle fought, the victory won, and now he rests “at home.” The summons came on Monday, December 9^th, and 

“Fearless he entered Jordan’s flood,

At peace with heaven he closed his eyes;

His only trust was Jesus’ blood

In sure and certain hope to rise.”

For forty years he worshipped with the saints of God at Chelmsford, for twenty of which he filled the office of deacon “well”. 

A true, devoted servant of his Lord, a liberal supporter of His interest in the earth, a friend to the poor and needy above many, to whom his hand was ever opened by the love of his heart to his Lord, a counsellor of many, and a companion with all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ,—he was gathered home in his 90^th year, full of honors, the least of which he would lay at his master’s feet, as did his beloved fellow-laborer, the late John Hazelton, saying, “Give God the glory, the man is a sinner.” Yes, we add, but a sinner saved, whose salvation was no uncertainty to those around him in the Church, the home, and the world by reason of his integrity and uprightness before men, faith and humility before God. While the poor of his own Church had the first place in his heart, the circle widened and was far-reaching in his “liberality to the saints,” while many a poor servant of Christ today will call to mind his bounty in an hour of need that none knew of save giver and receiver, and his Lord, who registers to repay. 

But, this is not a “memoir”—that we hope the beloved pastor, H. S. Boulton, will give our readers next month. 

The funeral took place on Saturday, December 14^th. The mortal remains were conveyed from the old home to the chapel where he had so long labored, followed by seven carriages filled with mourning hearts, and attended by a large number of the employees of the departed, by whom he was held in highest esteem. 

Pastor H. S. Bouton conducted the services. Mr. W. Hawkins, of Haverstock Hill, opened with fervent prayer. The writer read the Scriptures and offered a few words. Mr. S. K. Bland delivered the address from the words, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Pastor W. Willis, of Colnbrook, closed the serve in the chapel, and the cortege moved slowly to the London-road Cemetery; there the stricken pastor laid the dear dust of his faithful fellow-laborer to rest after prayer by Mr. B. E. Hawkins, of Tenterden. The long line of mourners—relatives, friends, deacons and fellow-labourers, with many representatives of neighboring Causes—took a last look at the resting-place and turned away to plead, “Let me so follow Christ as did William Beach, servant of the Most Hight God in every good word and work.”

The gift of God to His servant in the person of his beloved companion was the choicest of His gifts, for which the departed praised his God to his last hour. The Lord comfort her sad heart and sustain her in this trail. Such a counterpart of his own mind, and ever ready to every good word and work, we doubt not our beloved sister has dealt much with her Lord in this trial, whom she knows will never fail in “all thy need.”

Sermons were preached on the following Sunday to crowded congregations—in the morning by the pastor from the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” (Matt 25:21) and in the evening by Mr. S. K. Bland from “Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children.” (Eph 5:1) Special hymns were sung at all the services. The following tribute of love is from the pen of “our own poetess,” and we gladly give them a place in this brief record of departed worth. 

E. Marsh

“A Servant Of The Churches”

And such was brother Beach, as long,

ls he had serving strength;

But nature took her weary way; 

The veteran failed at length, 

No longer could he lift his voice

To recommend the Word,

Or tell the children of the time 

When first he knew the Lord.

But heart and hand were open still, 

And many a struggling cause

Blessed his benevolence, which helped 

To keep them open doors;

The people of his chosen home 

Were his peculiar care;

But when a neighboring Church had need,

Then brother Beach was there.

His death, in many an aged heart, 

Will bid old memories wake;

From far and near his friends will write 

Of words which once he spake.

And some, who never thought to hear 

The long-lost name again,

Will learn of his departure with 

A thrill of envious pain.

For they still linger in the land 

Where sins and cares abound;

While he has reached the city where 

No sin nor cares are found;

They for one living word of grace, 

With eager yearnings pray;

He sees the unseen Saviour he 

Has talked with by the way.

Let us thank God for all the grace 

Bestowed on this our friend,

For all the comfort he has been, 

For union without end;

And let us ponder, as we bear 

His body to the tomb,

How soon, for any one of us 

The Master’s call may come.

M. A. Chaplin

Dec. 11, 1901