Bible Christian Magazine James Henry Blackwell

Rev. James Henry Blackwell

(Secretary of Conference. 1905)

BORN at Berealston, on the border of the Tamar, Mr. Blackwell is now about forty-eight years of age. His father was a foreman mine-smith, and a man of sterling character. A class leader, local preacher, and Sunday school teacher and superintendent, Mr. Blackwell, senior, was a man whose influence for good was widespread, and it is to his spirit and Christian character that the son attributes some of the best things in his possession.

Commencing early to forge his way in the world, at the age of fourteen he received an appointment as junior clerk at Pickford and Co.'s office at Tavistock, and here he formed habits and developed qualities which have proved of inestimable benefit during his ministerial career. By his industry and ability he won the favour of his

employers, who promoted him to the office at Exeter. Here he became an avowed follower of Jesus Christ, and entered into fellowship with the Congregational Church at Southernhay Proceeding to Bristol, he joined the Bible Christians, and became a Sunday school teacher. For three years he taught the same class, and with such success that he had the joy of witnessing nearly all the scholars make a confession of Christian discipleship. His school work was doubly blessed, for whilst the scholars were enriched through his influence, he himself was benefited by the development of certain gifts, and the acquisition of those powers of public speech which have served him during his ministerial career.

When only nineteen he passed through a crisis which only those can fully understand who have had a similar experience. Acquaintance at Bristol with persons who somewhat boasted of their liberty of thought, and who had but little sympathy with

religious creeds, created in him the spirit of scepticism, and more than once during those dark and gloomy days he was strongly tempted to surrender his faith in the Christian verities. Ever a logician, the reasonings and questionings of the so-called free thinkers disturbed him, and at the time he was unable, on the purely mental side of his nature, to say that he was perfectly satisfied with his position. But syllogisms are not the sole criteria of judgment, and not infrequently the logic of the head surrenders to the noblest instincts of the heart and soul. These instincts asserted themselves, and, with the memory of his father's life and character, restrained him from wandering into the dark wilderness of negations. Having "fought his doubts and gathered strength," he re-consecrated himself to Christian work, and at twenty he commenced to proclaim the Gospel as a local preacher. This led to his offering himself as a candidate for the ministry. After spending twelve months at Shebbear, he was sent to supply a vacancy at St. Just, whence he proceeded to Kilkhampton, where he laboured with satisfaction to the people and to his own joy. Callington was his next

sphere, and here he remained two years. He was ordained at the Bideford Conference of 1884. For a year he laboured at Neath, whence he went to Bodmin Circuit as a second married preacher. In this sphere he spent four happy and successful years, his style of preaching having had for a number of his congregation great personal charm. Spiritual prosperity was the distinguishing feature of the four years' toil. From Bodmin he proceeded to New Brompton, in the Chatham Circuit, and after another four years of happy service he accepted an invitation to Kilburn. During the last eight years he has laboured at Newport (Mon.), where by his zeal, tact, and self-denying labours, he has "redeemed a very difficult and embarrassing situation," and made for himself a reputation for loyal, faithful, and ungrudging service

A good penman, for nine years he discharged at Conference the duties of

Journal Secretary, and at the Conference of 1905 at Exeter he was rewarded with being elected Conference Secretary - an appointment which gave pleasure to all concerned. In many ways he has rendered useful service to his church. A good organizer, an untiring worker, patient in attention to those details of work which absorb so much of a minister's time, he does nothing poorly or slovenly. His preaching, though not brilliant, is always helpful, thoughtful, plain, and practical. His sentences are short, clean-cut, incisive, but he is not fascinated with the music of fine phrases. He cares more for substance than for form, for fruit than for leaves, and always knows exactly what he wishes to accomplish. Beloved by the brotherhood because of his spirit and character, he holds a high place in the Connexion. On the retirement of Mr. Bourne from the Examining Committee, Mr, Blackwell was elected to fill the vacancy. He is an undergraduate of London University, and had the duties associated with circuit work been less exacting he would have proceeded

to his final B.A. examination. He has the student spirit, and invariably shines at an examination demanding intellectual perception and strength. During his probation he headed the list each year. Of keen intellect, with a metaphysical bias, he possesses the discriminating faculty, and is quick to perceive a fallacy underlying what may appear sound logic. Had he been given the advantage of a university education, and had his mental nature been developed on the metaphysical side, there can be no doubt that he would have blossomed into a tutor or professor of logic.

But although the possessor of such useful gifts, his voice is rarely heard in Conference discussions; and this, not because he is destitute of debating power, or the qualifications necessary to meet his brethren in the arena, but rather because of his modesty, and his devotion to more practical if less imaginative interests. He is a keen observer, and understands what he sees; but he is not hypercritical,

neither does he exercise too frequently his critical gift in passing judgment. Genial, loyal, and unassuming, he is a brother beloved, whose future, one hopes and prays, may be fraught with blessing to himself and family, to the denomination, and the world.

[ Volume 2 pages 43 - 47 ]

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