In Memoriam: Reb. James Staddon. BY THE REV. W. H. PAYNE. THE memory of the just is blessed, and it is but fitting that a brief record should be given of the life of one who for more than half a century has been a good minister of Jesus Christ, and an affectionate faithful pastor of the flock of God. More than forty years of this long and useful life were spent amongst the General Baptists; than whom the Connexion had not a warmer and a more attached friend, or one more solicitous for its success; and to many of the readers of the Magazine the deceased was intimately known and very greatly esteemed, having, in his turn, served for three years, with fidelity, the duties of Secretary to the Association. Mr. Staddon wrote a brief journal of his life, and from a few extracts we learn that in commencing it he testifies the benefit he has received from the biography of Christian experience, and regrets that "many ministers of the gospel have gone to their reward without having left anything on record to the praise of Sovereign grace." We would, therefore, fain hope that, in his own case, a brief statement of a noble life may, in like manner, be of profit to our readers. Mr. Staddon was born at Luxborough, in the county of Somerset, Nov. 24th, 1802, and at an early age was sent to school, where he made good use of the opportunities afforded. When about fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to his father, who was a joiner and cabinet maker, etc., and continued in the business until 1825. There was nothing remarkable in his boyhood and youth. His days were passed as most lads, and on Sundays he attended the parish church; but the village, at that time was morally dark-it has been said that there were not two Christians in the place. The Wesleyans had failed to obtain a permanent station in Luxborough; and when giving up earnestly prayed that, since their efforts were apparently futile, some religious body might be sent there for the spiritual instruction of the people. This prayer was answered in the advent of the Bible Christians; and Mr. Staddon, who was then about eighteen years of age, was induced by curiosity to hear a travelling preacher named Mary Mason. "Her first sermon," he writes, "was the means, in the hand of God, of convincing me that I was a guilty sinner. I returned home that night resolving to reform my life, and begin to pray to God, which resolution I had strength to reduce to practice; thus did God graciously stop me in my wickedness at a most critical period of my life." In February, 1821, when with the Bible Christians at a meeting for prayer and addresses, Mr. S., with his father (whose membership with the Wesleyans had lapsed) joined the society. For several months he went on his way rejoicing, and was unspeakably happy; but being necessitated to be at a distance from home with evil companions, he wandered from God, and records (what may well be a word of caution to those who have the management of Church Book Registers)," had my name been left off, I believe I should never have joined the people of God again." Being brought back to Luxborough ;—through the prayers and efforts of the believers he was won to the people of God, and restored to the joys of salvation; and he records that this experience was blessed to him through life in making him a watchful Christian! Soon after he felt it to be an imperative duty to tell others of the "Saviour he had found" that they might participate in his joys; and having given a statement of his call, doctrines, etc., before a local preachers meeting, his name was placed upon the preachers' plan, and so continued until 1825. About this time he felt that he was called to give up all his prospects in business, and devote himself altogether to the work of the sacred ministry; and although there was a strong desire to settle in business, and accept the flattering prospects that were before him, yet his future course of life was determined for him by God in a most unexpected way. He had made an engagement with a friend to go to Plymouth. On the way he was introduced to Mr. O'Bryan, and was requested by him to preach at a camp meeting at Halberton, and having complied, subsequently spent several days at his house. At that time the preacher in Jersey was unwell, and Mr. Staddon was prevailed upon to go there as an assistant minister. After his return Mr. O'Bryan conversed pointedly about the giving himself entirely to the work, and feeling that he must give up his worldly calling or grieve God, he became a candidate for the ministry, and on one of the ministers being removed from the circuit in his native village, he was requested to supply his place. In March, 1825, he was sent into Wales, where he laboured three months, blessed in the work, and satisfied that he was where God would have him to be. He was then appointed to the Northumberland Mission, and left Wales with pleasant memories and many regrets that he had so soon been appointed elsewhere. Here he passed through many conflicts; but God was with him to support and comfort. He felt his want of qualification for the work in that county, yet by a close and unremitting attention to study he overcame the obstacles that were before him. It was his conviction that "the Christian ministry could not be founded in ignorance; and that without sanctified knowledge we can never be efficient ministers of the gospel." He was appointed, in Feb., 1828, home to the Kingsbrompton circuit, where he laboured successfully until 1829, when he was appointed to the Chatham circuit, in the London district. In 1831 he was removed to another circuit in the same district. The thought of being a minister of the gospel in the great city, "where light shines with meridian splendour, and the gospel is so ably preached by ministers of every denomination," powerfully influenced his mind; but he writes, "Bless God, I have enjoyed some good times amongst the people here. Since I came to London I have felt God to be increasingly precious to my soul. I feel, though I am in the wilderness, that the paths of real religion are strewed with flowers, and flowers of celestial growth. My fears are in some degree removed after having visited many parts of London, and witnessing the state of disgrace and degradation into which thousands in this city are plunged. O! how necessary that these haunts of misery and wretchedness should be visited by the servants of the Most High!" He was again, by the Conference, appointed to his native circuit, and in 1833 we find his records dated from Taunton. Here the diary ceases; but from other records we gather that in about two years time Mr. Staddon was again sent to the London district; and the IN MEMORIAM: REV. JAMES STADDON. 217 record of his journeys by stage coach, sailing vessels, and other modes of locomotion, show at times great inconvenience, very different from the speed and comfort of travel in these days of steam. While at Woolwich, in conversation with Mr. Ackworth (the father of Dr. Acworth), who was an intimate friend, the conversation turning on baptism, from what Mr. Staddon had said, Mr. Ackworth remarked, "Why, if that is your opinion you ought to be baptized." "I know I ought," was the reply. Soon afterwards, when he was preaching, the circuit steward sent a message that after the service Mr. S. must go to baptize a child that was ill; he tried not to comply with the request, but, being compelled to go, he said, "This is the last child I will ever baptize." When asked why he objected?" he said, "I could not conscientiously do it." Soon after he resigned his ministry with the Bible Christians, and wrote to Dr. Burns (as he knew of the Dr.'s coming out from the Methodist Connexion) and desired to be baptized. The officers of the Bible Christians tried hard to retain Mr. Staddon in their communion, and to this day he is remembered with great esteem in the West of England and in the circuits where he laboured: but no persuasion could ever turn Mr. S. from what he believed to be right—he was always decided, though undemonstrative. On giving up, once more, his worldly prospects for conscience sake, he, with his wife and child, arrived in London, where a new trial awaited him. He was unable to obtain the apartments he had written to secure, and like Abraham of old, "he went forth, not knowing whither he went." He was soon after baptized in New Church Street Chapel, Paddington; and after preaching at several places, he subsequently removed, in August, 1837, to Burton-on-Trent as the pastor of the General Baptist Church in that town, which then numbered but fortyseven members; he added to the scanty salary of £45 per annum by keeping a small day school. Whilst in this town there was a remarkable instance of faith rewarded. He had become reduced, pecuniarly, and was greatly dispirited; but, turning to the Word of God, he was struck by the passage, "O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten by me," Isaiah xliv. 21, and from these words he preached. The next day a letter came in an unknown hand, having the post mark of Ashby-de-laZouch, which read as follows:-"I, Jesus, have commanded one of my disciples to send unto my servant, J. Staddon, five pounds, which he must accept as a token of my approval of his services, and to assist him in maintaining his position amongst my little flock at Burton. Jan. 26, 1844." This timely aid made a deep impression; and ever after in life he found "Israel was not forgotten by his God." After eight years devoted and successful labour Mr. Staddon removed, in April, 1845, to Quorndon, the members at that time numbering 256, where he affectionately ministered, having also in charge Woodhouse Eaves, Mountsorrel, and Barrow. After eighteen years faithful service, marked by joys and vicissitudes, he accepted, in 1862, the cordial and unanimous invitation to the church at Pinchbeck, the members being fifty-four. Here he spent the last fifteen years of his life. The quietude of that Lincolnshire village was a sphere now in every way congenial to his tastes. The review of his life, according to his own diary, was, "All I am and have, is owing to God's grace. I am a monument of grace !" Though he had, like all ministers, his peculiar trials in his church work, yet he never spoke unkindly of those through whom the offence came, simply remarking "they were naughty people;" and in the heavy affliction which for fifteen months laid him aside he was never known to murmur at the dealings of his God. On resigning the pastorate, through physical inability, the church and congregation at Pinchbeck presented a handsome testimonial as a token of their loving esteem; and Mr. Staddon had the comfort of knowing that in his declining days his wants were all supplied. He died as he lived, trusting in the living Saviour; telling those who came to see him that Christ was a perfect Saviour, and sent dying messages to his church, family and friends, to trust Christ and meet him in heaven. The last few days of his life he was unconscious; but it needed no testimony from the chamber of death to assure all who knew him that in departing he was with Christ, which is far better. As we think of him we say, "Our friend is not lost, he lives with the spirits of the just made perfect. Our souls look for the day when we shall see him again, and then shall we ever be with the Lord; trusting His faithfulness, and leaning upon the arm of His power, we shall safely tread the way of the desert, and we, too, shall soon be at home." "Soul, adieu! this gloomy sojourn Holds thy captive feet no more; Through the tears thy friends are shedding Not a friend remains behind thee But would change his lot for thine." On the 3rd of May devout men carried Mr. Staddon to his burial, when he was followed to the grave by his widow, son, daughters, and many sorrowing friends. The funeral service was conducted in the chapel where he had so long and faithfully ministered the word of life, a a very large congregation assembling to testify their grief, and all the shops in the village were closed in respect for his memory. The Revs. J. C. Jones, M.A., A. Jones, R. Ellis (Congregational minister), and A. J. Robinson, the pastor, took part in the solemn service. A funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. J. C. Jones on the 12th, to an overflowing congregation, from Revelations xiv. 2, 3, who preached also a sermon at Spalding; at the Congregational Chapel, Pinchbeck, the Rev. R. Ellis improved Mr. Staddon's death; and his son-in-law, the Rev. W. H. Payne, at the Baptist Chapel, Lyndhurst, from Zechariah i. v. Mr. Staddon was twice married; in Oct., 1833, at Halse, Somerset, to Miss Sarah Summerson, a native of Wallington House, Berks. On this he writes, "I regard it as the most important step in my life. I doubt not but that unerring wisdom has hitherto conducted me, and I believe the same wisdom will guide me all my journey through. I never felt more desirous to devote my all to God and His service than I do at the present time. Praise His name! His service is perfect freedom." This happy union continued until Feb. 18th, 1858, when Mrs. Staddon entered into rest, leaving him a sorrowing widower, with three children. to lament their loss. In Feb., 1860, Mr. Staddon married the widow of Mr. Burnett, who is a daughter of the late Mr. Hoe, a name well known CHRIST'S SYMPATHY. 219 in the G. B. denomination. This marriage, which proved a very happy one, took place at Hose in February, 1860. The Spalding Free Press (a local paper) in an obituary notice at the time of his decease, remarked, "He seemed to live in the land of Beulah, far away on the heights, where the grass is ever green and the flowers ever bloom. He was successful in gaining the esteem of all who knew him, either as a pastor or neighbour; even the children loved him; and like the patriarchs, when he was gathered to his fathers all the people made a great mourning for him. While liberal to those who differed from him, he was exceedingly firm in his own opinions, and while holding and maintaining his own views of truth, he never made an enemy throughout his long ministerial life. His talents were sound rather than showy, his sermons plain and practical, and delivered with much earnestness and affection. His language was not flowery, but pointed; his words few and well chosen. He was a model of punctuality and exactness, and the perfect symmetry of his discourses, and the methodical arrangement, reminded one of a beautiful piece of handicraft, perhaps influenced in no small measure by his early life and occupation. manner was not obtrusive, but rather retiring and modest, always ready to give place to others when duty called him. He was one of those men concerning whom it can be truly said that he lived the same gospel that he preached to others. As a neighbour he was kind and cheerful, anxious to hold out a helping hand to any that might need his assistance, and lessen the load of trouble and soothe the aching heart whenever it was in his power. His serious affliction for the past fifteen months removed him from public duties; a loss to the neighbourhood to which he was as a 'light that shineth in a dark place.' Happy they who may be enabled to tread in his footsteps, and be permitted to arrive at the goal he has attained." Christ's Sympathy. IF Jesus came on earth again, And walked and talked in field and street, Who would not lay his human pain Low at those heavenly feet? And leave the loom, and leave the lute, How many a brow with care o'erworn, How many a heart with grief o'erladen, How many a mourning maiden, And drink content forever! His lambs upon His breast are laid; His And I, where'er He went, would go, I walked with God, indeed! If it be thus, O Lord, of mine, In absence is Thy love forgot; If this be thus, if this be thus, Since our poor prayers yet reach Thee Since we are weak, once more to us Oh! nearer to me, in the dark Of life's low hours, one moment stand, -ÖWEN MEREDITH. |