Contributions

RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the General Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by Robert Pegg, Esq., Treasurer, Derby; and by the Rev. J. C. Pike, Secretary, Leicester, from whom also Missionary Boxes, Collecting Books and Cards may be obtained.

THE

GENERAL BAPTIST

MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1863.

MEMOIR OF REV. THOMAS YATES, SENR.

'REMEMBRANCE of the dead revives

The slain of time at will;

Those who were lovely in their lives,

In death are lovelier still.

Fond memory marks them as they were,
Stars in our horoscope;

But soon to see them as they are,
That is our dearest hope.'

Thomas Yates was the youngest son of John Yates, Baptist minister, Hugglescote, and Mary his wife. He was born in April, 1774, and died in May, 1860, aged 86.

leaving to each of her children a little property, which had been chiefly accumulated by her own industry and care.

The subject of our memoir became a decided Christian when about seventeen years of age. Severe affliction was rendered subservient to his spiritual welfare.

After

His father was much respected as a superior preacher; and, about twelve months before his decease, was ordained co-pastor with the Rev. S. Deacon, of Barton. Hesitting up' with a young man who died in the thirty-fifth year of his died of fever, he also was seized age, leaving a widow, with six with the infectious malady, and soon children and the prospect of a his medical attendant despaired of seventh to lament his loss. His his life. This alarming visitation mother's maiden name was Earp. induced him to think on his ways. She was from King's Newton, near For several weeks he was very unMelbourne, and was a truly pious and happy; but early one morning the exemplary woman. Her industry and following passage was applied with energy were remarkably displayed power to his soul: Christ is the end after the departure of her husband; of the law for righteousness, to every and she was specially favoured with one that believeth. In July, 1792, he the blessing of God. She died in was baptized and received into the peace and hope at the age of 62, church at Cauldwell, and soon after

VOL. IV.-NEW SERIES, No. 5.

In

In course of time Mr. Green was so far restored as to resume his ministerial engagements; and Mr. Yates accepted a unanimous invitation to be co-pastor with Rev. J. Freeston, of Hinckley. March, 1804, soon after his removal to Hinckley, his beloved wife was called to her heavenly home, leaving him with two children to deplore his heavy loss.

began to hold forth the word of life. | therefore, that he was often cast Some members of the church were down, and longed for relief and accustomed to choose a portion of comfort. Scripture at one of the weekevening services, to be discussed at the next meeting. Thomas Yates was, accordingly, desired to make a selection, and lead off the discussion. With much fear and trembling he engaged to do so; and, in the course of the week, committed his meditations to writing, which, when delivered, were so much approved, that he was asked by his friends to allow them to consider him as one of their assistant preachers. After a few of these expository exercises, he was sent to preach at Overseal; afterwards at Sutton Coldfield. Soon

till 1803.

after this he had a fortnightly engagement at Packington and Measham; and, on the alternate Sabbaths, ministered to the infant churches in Archdeacon - lane, Leicester, and Nun's Green, Derby. In October, 1796, Mr. Yates was married to Ann Holmes, of Hugglescote; and in 1797 he was invited to become a stated minister at Birmingham-Mr. Green, pastor of the General Baptist church there, being laid aside by affliction. He accordingly removed thither with his wife and child, and continued During his residence there, heavy and distressing trials were allotted him. Trade was extremely bad; employment was remarkably scarce; corn was, for a time, a guinea per bushel; consequently, though the friends had engaged to pay him only twenty pounds a year, they did not seem able to fulfil their promise; he therefore commenced an evening school, entered upon more eligible business premises, and, being blessed with a very prudent and managing wife, contrived, though his family was increasing, to keep his expenditure within his income. His Sabbath and week-day labours, however, were oppressive and exhausting; for he frequently had to preach at Netherton and Sutton, as well as at Birmingham; no wonder,

The cause of Christ at Hinckley began to revive and flourish. The number of hearers there, as well as in the surrounding villages, greatly increased; and, in about four years, 175 were added to the church by baptism. It was necessary to enlarge the accommodation, and accordingly a gallery was erected; but additional room was yet redown and a larger one quired. taken The chapel was erected in its place. The new sanctuary, however, did not augment the comfort of Mr. Yates. The pulpit was too high by far, and the building was so very lofty, that he often felt as if he could not go through the service. Nervous trepidation, from which he suffered for many years, well nigh incapacitated him for the discharge of his responsible duties. The friends were kind and affectionate toward him, advancing his salary, and furnishing him with manifold proofs of confidence and love: hence he always looked back the years he spent among upon them as some of the most prosperous and happy of his life.

In May, 1807 he was married to Mary Smith, of Loughborough. She was highly esteemed both before and after her marriage, being remarkable for her tender sympathy and generous hospitality. She died in the Lord, March 7, 1853.

In 1813 it was deemed expedient for some of the village stations to separate from Hinckley, and form a distinct society; accordingly, Thurlaston and Earl Shilton did so,