William Gadsby

William Gadsby (1773-1844) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher, writer and philanthropist. For thirty-nine years served as pastor for the church meeting at Black Lane, Manchester.

William Gadsby Sermons (Complete)
William Gadsby Hymns
William Gadsby, Perfect Law Of Liberty (Complete)
William Gadsby's Catechism (Complete)
William Gadsby's Dialogues
William Gadsby's Fragments (Complete)
William Gadsby's Letters (Complete)

  • William Gadsby's Letters (Complete)

    Thy Love Is Better Than Wine

    Manchester, November 1830 My dear Friends,—I received your very kind letter, for which I am thankful. I assure you it often affords me pleasure to find that I have a place in the hearts of God's dear family; for, next to union with my dear Lord and Master, I esteem union to his blood-bought, heaven bound family. Among the blessings in which your soul delights you have also your sorrows; for both of which may you be thankful, since they are all tokens of our dear Lord's love, and a proof that he has not forgotten you. “The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposal thereof is of the Lord.” These are eventful times, but the dear children of God have no…

  • William Gadsby's Letters (Complete)

    Christ Only

    Manchester, August 14, 1834 Dear Brother in Jesus, the Lord of Zion,—I wish to have nothing to do with party spirit; but I cannot, I dare not, sacrifice truth and a good conscience; and I hope no one will wish me to do so. Through the matchless riches of God's grace, I have been taught a little of the glorious importance of divine truth in all its bearings; and as far as I know my own heart, I had rather die than shrink back from the truth of God. The Lord keep me! When I visit you I wish to know nothing among you but Christ and his cross, as couching in it all the glorious gospel of God from the springhead of electing love,…

  • William Gadsby's Dialogues

    An Example Of Parents Explaining The Gospel To Their Child

    The Setting: It is morning and the family is busy preparing for work and school. Though the hour is running late, the father insists on reading a portion from the Bible before leaving the house: FATHER: Come, my dear, bring me the Bible. CHILD: Father, it is now nine o'clock, and if I stop while you read and pray I shall get scolded, for I ought to have been at school before now. FATHER: True, child, you ought to have been at school by this time; but I have been detained this morning, and I am not willing you should go before I have read part of God's word, and taken up a little time in prayer and thanksgiving to the God of all our…

  • William Gadsby's Dialogues

    An Example Of A Mother Explaining The Gospel To Her Child

    The Setting: The child has attended the house of God with his/her parents, and was dazzled by the fashionable outfits worn by the members. Upon returning home, the child enquires: CHILD: Mother, did you see what handsome bonnet Miss Dressy had on at the chapel this morning? MOTHER: Child, your mind runs upon nothing but pride and nonsense. Do you suppose that I have nothing to do at chapel but to notice what people wear? Did you ever ask yourself what you went to chapel for? CHILD: Indeed, mother, I never thought of such a thing? What do people go for? MOTHER: Child, it is not a very easy thing to say what ends people have in view. Some go because their parents go; some…

  • William Gadsby's Dialogues

    An Example Of A Father Explaining The Gospel To His Child

    The Setting: As expected, the child is very excited about the prospect of Christmas holidays, and so is singing over a little nonsense that he/she has picked up amongst his/her companions. Henceforth, the Father observes: FATHER: Child, what frothy nonsense are you running over? What can induce you to be so childish and foolish. CHILD: Why, father, I was only pleased to think what sport I shall have at Christmas. FATHER: Pleased, indeed! and what sport do you expect to have at Christmas. CHILD: Why, father, do you know that next week we are to break up the school, and have a parting for Christmas holidays? FATHER: But what sport is there in that? CHILD: Why, father, there will be fiddling, and dancing, and such…

  • William Gadsby's Fragments (Complete)

    Our Schoolmaster

    “The law is our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” So it reads; but if you will refer to your Bibles you will see the words “to bring us” are in italics, showing that they are not in the original. “The law worketh wrath,” therefore cannot bring us to Christ. It rushes up to a man, if I may so speak, takes him by the throat, and says, “Pay me what thou owest!” And the poor quickened sinner thinks he will; but the more he strives the deeper in debt he feels himself to be. The Holy Spirit teaches him that “every evil thought is a sin,” to say nothing of his evil doings, and that “he that offends in one point is guilty of…