Crich Baptist Church – Derbyshire, UK

ATTENTION

CBC - Church Office — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 21:26:24 +0000

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), as many, will know, but perhaps not all, was a prominent Baptist preacher during the Victorian era. Many thousands used to attend his meetings at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, in London. The influence of his ministry is still with us today through hundreds of his sermons which were transcribed and published. As part of his desire to help young men enter the preaching ministry, he founded what became known as ‘The Pastor’s College’. A number of the addresses that Mr Spurgeon gave to these young men were transcribed and later published under the title – ‘Lectures to My Students’. Within these lectures, there are many wonderful examples of Mr Spurgeon’s wisdom and humour. His illustrations were meant to be practical, and an aid to his students, so that when they preached in their own churches they would, – ‘do their people good’.

As God permits, I have thought that it may be of interest to some, if, from time-to-time I was able to pass on some of Mr Spurgeon’s comments that he made to his students, in the hope that they may be useful to any preachers who come across this offering on my Facebook feed, or on our church Blog page.

Here then is one such example of Mr Spurgeon’s instructive and helpful wit. This short extract is taken from Lecture 9, in which he endeavoured to give practical advice as to how, when preaching, it is vital to gain and maintain people’s interest in what is being said. The lecture is entitled – ATTENTION!

“Now, there are some congregations whose attention you do not readily gain; they do not care to be interested. It is useless to scold them; that will be like throwing a bush at a bird to catch it. The fact is, that in most cases there is another person whom you should scold, and that is you. It may be their duty to attend, but it is far more your duty to make them do so. You must attract the fish to your hook, and if they do not come you should blame the fisherman and not the fish. Compel them to stand still a while and hear what God the Lord would speak to their souls. The minister who recommended the old lady to take snuff in order to keep from dozing was very properly rebuked by her reply, — that if he would put more snuff into the sermon she would be awake enough. We must plentifully cast snuff into the sermon, or something yet more awakening. Recollect that to some of our people it is not so easy to be attentive; many of them are not interested in the matter, and they have not felt enough of any gracious operation on their hearts to make them confess that the gospel is of any special value to them. Concerning the Saviour whom you preach, you may say to them,

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by,

Is it nothing to you that Jesus should die?”

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C H Spurgeon Preached in Derbyshire

CBC - Church Office — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 08:41:57 +0000

C H Spurgeon, much as he would have looked in 1861

In one of the sermons by C H Spurgeon he gives proof to the fact that he visited Derbyshire on at least one occasion. Whether he came more often I am unaware. This fascinating information is confirmed in one of his sermons, which he preached in South Wales, in 1861. At the time Spurgeon would have been about 26 or 27 years old, having been born, in 1834. So as to not embarrass the people of the church he was speaking of, we will simply say that the church in Derbyshire was in the North-East of the county, not more than eight miles from where our church is, here in Crich.

Here then is the extract in which he refers to his visit. The extract is taken from notes in Spurgeon’s Sermons Volume 62: 1916, on the Sum and Substance of All Theology, a sermon delivered by C H Spurgeon, at the Bethesda Chapel, Swansea, on June 25th, 1861.

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Spurgeon – The Doctrine of Election

I was preaching, not very long ago, at a place in Derbyshire, to a congregation, nearly all of whom were Methodists, and as I preached, they were crying out, “Hallelujah! Glory! Bless the Lord!.” They were full of excitement, until I went on to say in my sermon, “This brings me to the doctrine of Election.” There was no crying out of “Glory! and “Hallelujah!” then. Instead, there was a great deal of shaking the head, and a sort of telegraphing round the place, as though something dreadful was coming. Now, I thought, I must have their attention again, so I said, “You all believe in the doctrine of Election?” “No, we don’t, lad,” said one. “Yes, you do, and I am going to preach it to you, and make you cry ‘Hallelujah!’ over it.” I am certain they mistrusted my power to do that; so, turning a moment from the subject, I said, “Is there any difference between you and the ungodly world?” “Ay! Ay! Ay!” “Is there any difference between you and the drunkard, the harlot, the blasphemer?” “Ay!! “Ay!” “Ay!” Ay! there was a difference indeed. “Well, now,” I said, “there is a great difference; who made it then?” for, whoever made the difference, should have the glory of it. “Did you make the difference?” “No, lad,” said one; and the rest all seemed to join in the chorus. “Who made the difference then? Why, the Lord did it; and did you think it wrong for Him to make a difference between you and other men?” “No, no,” they quickly said. “Very well, then; if it was not wrong for God to make the difference, it was not wrong for HIm to purpose to make it, and that is the doctrine of Election.” Then they cried, “Hallelujah!” as I said they would.

J C Ryle

Just about three weeks prior to Mr. Spurgeon’s visit to Derbyshire, we too were greatly blessed to receive a visit here in Crich, from that other great Victorian preacher, J. C. Ryle. At the time, Ryle was Rector of the Parish Church, in Helmingham, Suffolk. Information about that visit can be found elsewhere on this website. Click this J C Ryle link to read about Ryle’s visit to Crich.

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J. C. Ryle Preaches in Crich

CBC - Church Office — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 10:40:41 +0000

J. C. Ryle – Christian Preacher and Author With Derbyshire Connections

J. C. Ryle – Several years after his visit to Crich

One of my favourite Christian writers from former days is J. C. Ryle. Whether it is his sermons, books, tracts or short articles, he always seems to be so topical and up-to-date with his thoughts and observations. So-much-so that what came from his informative and challenging pen almost seems that it could well have been written yesterday.

Imagine therefore my surprise and delight when a friend passed me a small news clipping he had come across dated 1861, and published in a local newspaper, the Derby Mercury. I was intrigued to discover that the same J. C. Ryle actually visited my home village of Crich in Derbyshire, in 1861. Sadly it wasn’t to speak at the small Baptist Church then located down Roes Lane, and which had only been built in 1839. Rather it was, predictably I suppose, to visit and address the gathered congregation of the Anglican church following some considerable ‘Restoration’ work there.

J. C. Ryle does in fact have some quite local connections. His mother Susanna, was in fact born in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, only about 6 miles from Crich. Susanna came from a notable local family, the Hurts, and was the daughter of Charles Hurt. Susanna Hurt married J. C. Ryle’s father, also named John, in Wirksworth, on the 6th February 1811. Their son, John Charles Ryle, was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on the 10th May 1816. On his visit to speak at the Anglican church in Crich it appears that he also attended at the home of his mother’s relatives, Emma, Elizabeth and Selina Hurt, at Crich Chase. Their home was a substantial house located between Crich and Whatstandwell.

Here then is a Notice advertising the meeting, andthe text of the news clipping giving some detail about J. C. Ryle’s visit to Crich:

A report from the Derby Mercury – 5th June 1861

RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH. – Many of our readers are aware that the parish church of Crich has been restored, after designs by the famous architect Mr. Currie, of London. The restoration has been accomplished in the complete manner, and the result affords much gratification to all who have witnessed it. Whilst the exterior has been restored as to afford ample accommodation for rich and poor to worship God. The re-opening services took place on Wednesday last, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. C. Ryle, B.A., of Christ Church, Oxford, and rector of Helmingham, Suffolk. The sermon in the morning was an eloquent and impressive one, and was founded upon the 19th and 20th verses of the third chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The church was completely filled by a congregation, including a large number of clergy, and the elite of the district. At the close of the service, a collection, amounting to the very liberal sum of £79 was made. A large number of ladies and gentlemen afterwards partook of a splendid luncheon, at the invitation of Misses Hurt, of Crich Cliff House, where a brilliant party assembled. The evening service was not so well attended.

J. C. Ryle – His Sermons Text

I do find the text from which J. C. Ryle preached those sermons in Crich to be most telling, and typical of the man.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you… Acts 3:19-20

The Evangelical Bishop

J. C. Ryle went on to become the first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, where he was installed as such on the 10th April 1880. His term as Bishop lasted until 1st March 1900. He died, aged 84, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on 10th June 1900. He is buried at All Saints Church, Childwall, Liverpool.

J. C. Ryle – Resources

The Internet has a great many sites where accounts of Ryle’s life and ministry are made available, but I warmly commend those listed below as a starting point:

The audio (mp3) of a talk given here at Crich Baptist Church by Dr. Nick Needham, pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church, Inverness, Scotland – Also Lecturer in Church History at The Highland Theological College.

A downloadable PDF file of J C. Ryle (1816-1900) by Dr. Nick Needham

A small number of narrated sermons and historical biographies originally given by J C. Ryle, which were recorded at Crich Baptist Church.

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Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness

CBC - Church Office — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 20:11:40 +0000

Bible Reading

(KJV – 2 Corinthians 12:9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(KJV – Isaiah 41:10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Just a Thought – Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness

I guess that there are many other folk, who like me tend to get overly anxious when confronted with life’s pressures of one kind or another. Possible outcomes of a significant event, uncertainty over our capability to perform well in an important examination or job interview, will we have enough cash to see out the month and pay all the bills, waiting for a diagnosis from our doctor on any tests that we might have had, or maybe concerns over the health of a loved one – these and a thousand other things may cause us to doubt and fear, and with the more serious issues these things have the tendency to put life in perspective for us all.

We are all human beings, and, if we are honest, we need at times to remember to reflect upon our weakness, and our dependency upon God for the daily strength that we all need. Some people seem to sail through life without a care in the world, others of us can only find the ability to cope, with the aid of a strength that is outside ourselves. In that sense, you might say that there is strength in weakness.

Well, as Christians, whatever our profession or calling, in-work, or retired, the first thing we ought to do is to pray about our situation. My dear father-in-law, who went to be with The Lord in 2001, in his 91st year, often quoted this saying – “Prayer moves the hand that holds the World.” He proved it to be true so many times in his long life. He learned to trust in the promises of God, and as long as I knew him, he lived a life of utter dependence upon God for the needed strength to cope with the pressures and difficulties of each passing day.

So as you set out on each day’s journey, learn not to fear what the day may hold. Trust God, for He is with us, and what a comforting assurance it is to know that He will give us the strength to cope with, or even to endure whatever trial or anxiety we may be passing through. For after all is said and done, He, our God and Saviour, has said that he will give us His grace, and that it will be sufficient for us, and yes, that His strength will be made perfect in our weakness.

Random thoughts

It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be dependent, so long as our dependency is upon God

Never be afraid to admit that you can’t cope, and that you need the Lord’s help.

Prayer

Most gracious God, our loving and merciful Heavenly Father, we give thanks unto Thee that Thou art so mindful of us, in all our times of pressure and stress. Thy compassion is such that Thou art willing to lift us up when we are down. Even amidst all our fears and anxieties Thou wilt never leave us or forsake us. Give us that needful strength when we feel so weak and fearful, and help us to know and follow the way that Thou, in Thy infinite wisdom, has planned for us. Our prayer, we lift up to Thee, in the precious and worthy name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Alan S. Flint

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Jihadi Brides – What Can We Say?

CBC - Church Office — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 19:20:13 +0000

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6

As I write, I am still moved and troubled by a TV documentary shown recently. Jihadi Brides sought to understand the thinking of the young women who have left their families to join Islamic State in Syria, having been radicalised through online grooming. Aqsa’s story was particularly poignant, being brought to life by an actress who convincingly depicted this young woman’s journey from questioning teenager to aggressive radical. As viewers we share the horror and shame experienced by Aqsa’s grieving parents as they acknowledge what their daughter has done. (CNN report about Aqsa)

Jihadi Brides – How?

On the surface we may find it very difficult to understand how an intelligent, well educated young woman from a caring family can be drawn into the barbaric world of jihad. The documentary made it clear that these are thoughtful, intelligent girls who have made their own choice, albeit lacking the maturity to see through the online propaganda which has ensnared them. But the media’s perplexity, to my mind, shows a lack of understanding of young people and perhaps underestimates the seriousness with which many approach life.

Meaning, Purpose & Commitment

As young people reach their mid teens and become aware of the grievous state of the world around them, it is natural for them to ask questions about the purpose of life and to desire to make a change. These young Muslim girls started off with a desire to live out their faith more wholeheartedly, in accordance with the will of the God they believe in. We may identify with this quest for meaning, integrity and commitment. Mainstream youth culture is not offering a great deal to young people with its vacuous celebrities, consumerism and an interpretation of religion which presents all paths as cultural phenomena – interesting but irrelevant.

Jesus Christ – The Better Way

So what can we as Christians say to young people who are seeking meaning and purpose as they pass through this questioning and troubled phase of their lives? The Lord Jesus Christ said most clearly “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. He could not be more different from Islamic State’s preachers of hatred and violence, and instead offers a wisdom that is pure and peaceloving. He holds out a clear purpose – becoming more like Him in His holy character and becoming part of a community which encompasses people from every tribe and nation. One thing that we have in common with the young jihadis is that we take the hereafter seriously; as we sung in our Easter hymn, “Christ has opened Paradise”. To join His kingdom you do not have to board a plane like Aqsa, but must instead leave behind your old life and begin again by seeking His forgiveness. When taken seriously, it is a step just as radical as the one these young girls have taken, but one that leads to life, health and peace.

Caroline Hand

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