• A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete),  Jared Smith On Various Issues,  William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)

    John Hazelton: What He Can Teach Us

    On Friday, 21st March 2014, Dr. Matthew Hyde delivered the annual lecture for the Strict Baptist Historical Society at Bethesda Chapel.[1] After the lecture, he and I shared a brief exchange on the subject of high-calvinism and nineteenth-century Strict Baptist pastors. Since one of these pastors, John Hazelton, had been connected with the church that I pastor,[2] his name naturally came up. Subsequent to our chat, Dr. Hyde graciously gave me one of his copies of William Styles’, “John Hazelton: A Memoir”. I believe Baptists should be familiar with the life and ministry of John Hazelton for three reasons: First, the life and ministry of John Hazelton is worth knowing because he was one of the leading Baptist ministers in the city of London during…

  • A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete),  William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)

    Preface

    The following chapters have been mainly compiled from materials supplied to the Author from various sources. His task has, therefore, to a great extent, resembled that of one who binds together into a bouquet, a number of flowers, chosen and culled by others. His special acknowledgments are due to Mr. J. E. Hazelton, without whose laborious and indefatigable help, this Memoir of his beloved father could not have been prepared. To the Rev. C. T. Bust, LL.B., of Westerfield, Ipswich, and the Rev. E. Spurrier, of Colchester, he is under great obligations. His respected ministerial brethren, W. Barnes, of Walshamle-Willows; S. K. Bland, of Ipswich; W. Brown, of Colchester; G. Burrell, of Watford; J. H. Dearsly, of Clapton; W. J. Denmee , of Boro' Green;…

  • A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete),  William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)

    Chapter 1

    “A time to be born.”—Ecclesiastes 3:2 Most of us have stood at eventide on some tall cliff that towered above the far-stretching ocean, glowing with the reflected tints of the setting sun; while each restless wave, as it rose and fell, caught the golden glory. Then, as fresh beauties struck us—as new effects of light and shade, harmony and contrast, successively claimed our admiration—we longed for the skill of an artist to depict the scene, for our delight in coming days. The wish, though natural, was vain. The radiance departed from the solemn west; the darkness crept on and hid the distant prospect; and as the evening bell warned us of the flight of time, we wended our homeward way, with faint and fast-fleeting recollections…

  • A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete),  William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)

    Chapter 2

    Cowper, "The Task,” Book III. I was a stricken deer that left the herd Long since. With many an arrow deep infixed My panting side was charged, when I withdrew To seek a tranquil death in distant shades. There was I found by One who had Himself Been hurt by the archers. In His side He bore And in His hands and feet the cruel scars. With gentle force soliciting the darts, He drew them forth, and healed, and bade me live. Since then, with few associates, in remote And silent woods I wander, far from those My former partners of the peopled scene; With few associates, and not wishing more. The salvation of a sinner is the result of divine arrangements which were made…

  • A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete),  William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)

    Chapter 3

    "Put thou thy trust in God, In duty's path go on; Fix on His Word thy stedfast eye, So shall thy work be done." The example of our Lord and Master not only gives to the scriptural rite of baptism by immersion its highest and most solemn sanction; but His sacred experience exemplifies the wonderful privileges often conferred upon Christians who loyally and lovingly follow His holy example. As He went straightway up out of the water the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descended upon Him; and there came a voice from heaven saying, "Thou art My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." In like manner it not unfrequently happens that as one of His faithful followers rises from the…

  • A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete),  William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)

    Chapter 4

    "I desire to follow providence, not to force it.”—Dr. Doddridge "Happy the man who sees a God employed In all the good and ill that chequer life! Resolving all events, with their effects And manifold results, into the will And arbitration wise of the Supreme." Cowper. The county of Suffolk will ever he regarded with interest by those to whom the Gospel is precious and important. Here pure and undefiled religion has long found illustrious exemplifications. In thousands of its cottage homes God has been honoured and His precepts obeyed. Its places of worship have often been associated with deeds of truest heroism, and with patient and prolonged efforts for the salvation of men, that were grand in their tenderness and enthusiasm. Here the truth…