• John Jones

    The Life And Ministry Of John Jones

    John Andrews Jones (1779–1868), baptist minister and author, born on 10 Oct. 1779 at Bristol, was the son of a manufacturing tobacconist. He was educated in Colston's Charity School, Bristol (3 Sept. 1789–31 Dec. 1794), and was apprenticed to a Bristol merchant, but from 1801 to 1813 was employed as a bookbinder at Guildford, Surrey. In early life he was, according to his own confession, ‘of the baneful deistical school,’ but was converted to baptist principles in 1807 by John Gill, pastor of the baptist church at St. Albans, Hertfordshire. He was baptised (3 July 1808) in the old meeting-house at Guildford, and six months later began to preach in the surrounding district, and to write for the ‘Gospel Magazine’ in May 1811. After preaching…

  • Watts Wilkinson

    The Life And Death Of Watts Wilkinson

    The venerable Watts Wilkinson, A.B., was the son of Mr. Robert Wilkinson, and was born in London, Nov. 14th, 1755. “His father was a Protestant Dissenter of the old school, strictly orthodox in doctrinal sentiments. He was a member of the congregation under Dr. Guyse, in New Broad Street.” His son was under the influence of religious feelings at an early age; but when at school his serious impressions seemed to have worn off. A friend, greatly attached to the ministry of the late Rev. Henry Foster, prevailed upon him, with much difficulty, to attend one of his Friday Evening Lectures at St. Antholin’s church. But, so strong were his prejudices at that time against the Establishment, that, as he often observed, he felt as…

  • Watts Wilkinson

    The Life And Ministry Of Watts Wilkinson

    Biography is a mine unfathomable in its depth and inexhaustible in its treasures. Yet all is not precious ore that is found therein, but occasionally we meet with an inestimable gem amidst the alloy, which repay us well for all the toil we might have endured, in endeavouring to obtain possession of the same, nor can it be otherwise while Biography is claimed as the legitimate child of all who feel disposed to own it, and who consider themselves at liberty to exhibit upon its base what they in many instances exclusively think worthy of admiration, and which suits the vitiated taste of those readers who are satisfied with a statement of what the characters ought to be, rather than what the characters really were.…

  • Watts Wilkinson

    The Life And Work Of Watts Wilkinson

    Watts Wilkinson (1755-1840) in the earlier period of his spiritual life knew much of John Newton, whose advice and counsel, during several long vacations which he spent with him at Olney, were of great value in directing and moulding his mind. He commenced his ministry at St. Ann's, Blackfriars; for thirty-seven years he was "Golden Lecturer" at St. Bartholomew's, by the Royal Exchange, where on Tuesday mornings crowds of worshippers assembled, often including Joseph Irons, the Earl of Roden and other eminent servants of God. His last sermon was delivered at St. Mary Aldermary, in September, 1840. The day alone will declare the honour God put upon his faithful and loving declaration of discriminating and vital truth in the heart of the City of London.…

  • John Rogers

    The Life And Martyrdom Of John Rogers

    The reign of Queen Mary will ever be associated with burning stakes and persecuting edicts. In all parts of the land—north, south, east, and west—men and women were haled to prison for the truth's sake. Many were the modes of suffering which they endured, for all that human ingenuity could devise was made use of in prolonging and aggravating the tortures of these martyrs. Looking at these events exclusively from this standpoint, and only taking into consideration the brutal nature of the deeds and the trials of the victims, causes one almost to drop the pen, and cease from rehearsing facts at which the heart sickens. Our indignation rises to a very high pitch when we read how men could torture their fellow-creatures in such…

  • Septimus Sears

    Pastoral Counsel

    My Dear People, to whom it has pleased the Lord to lead me to preach the Word of life, you have a very large place in my affections, and often are my thoughts wafted across sea and land to you collectively and individually, and, what is of far more importance, my desires for your souls' welfare are often wafted to the Eternal Throne. What a mercy is a mercy-seat, the blood-sprinkled meeting place of the saints, wherever they may be cast by the providence of God. If we get nearness to the throne of grace we cannot be far distant from each other. This nearness is a blessing I earnestly wish both for myself and all saints, especially for the saints meeting at Clifton Chapel.…