Bible Christian Magazine Robert Edward Craddock

Rev. Robert Edward Craddock
(General Sunday School Secretary)
0NE of fourteen children, Mr. Craddock was born at Sheerness on February 11th, 1856. He is a descendant of Bible Christians, his father and grandmother having been actively engaged as local preachers. On January 3rd, 1872, he experienced the new birth, and speedily began to declare it to others. His early Christian activities embraced several spheres. He was a devoted Sunday school teacher, a missioner in the open-air, a midnight worker, and an acceptable local preacher. These varied forms of service were not without influence upon his own spirit and character, as they assisted in the development of certain gifts which have proved of value during his itinerancy.

After serving as local preacher for two and a-half years, he proceeded to Shebbear College to prepare for the

ministry. After a somewhat brief sojourn at this historic centre, he was sent to St. Just as a hired local preacher. In 1880 he was accepted as a candidate for the ministry, and was appointed to the Falmouth Circuit. The beginning of his probation was of the most inspiriting and encouraging character, since in his first sphere a great religious awakening was experienced, which continued for not less than thirteen weeks, during which period no fewer than one hundred and fifty persons professed conversion. This was not only a happy experience and a signal of Divine approval, but it has proved precious memory and a source of perpetual inspiration. From Falmouth he went to Penzance, and thence to Devonport. During his ministry in the last-named circuit he was invited by Rev. R. Warren to Victoria. Accepting the invitation, he left England in 1885, and was appointed to the Melbourne Circuit. After serving the colony for eight years, he returned to England in 1893, and was stationed at Plumstead,

where he remained two years. Thence he proceeded to Chichester, and after labouring for two years in this cathedral city he accepted an appointment to Shanklin Circuit, living at Sandown. Here he remained the full period of four years, and they proved years of spiritual progress and financial prosperity. Holsworthy Circuit was his next sphere, and here his labours were so abundant and successful that they may justly be regarded as producing some of the happiest experiences of his life. Indignant at the injustice to Nonconformists perpetrated by the Education Act of 1902, Mr. Craddock came into popular favour in the district through the attitude he assumed towards this measure, and the speeches he delivered at public meetings. He proved himself a courageous fighter for religious liberty, and was successful in more than one conflict. At the Conference of 1905 he accepted the superintendency of the Penzance Circuit, where he is now doing useful work. In 1903 he was elected General Sunday School Secretary.

During recent years he has been a frequent contributor to the pages of the Connexional

Magazine, the series of interesting articles on "The Ministry of the Holy Spirit" and "Missionary Facts and Statistics" being from his pen. In both these subjects he manifests unusual interest, especially the former, cherishing deeply the conviction that it is most essential to keep it ever before the minds of the Christian public. He has great sympathy with the Pentecostal League, and has frequently given addresses at its meetings. Devout and spiritual, and possessed with an intense desire to bring men and women into living relation with Christ, his ministry is essentially of an evangelical character, fruitful in the spiritualization of common life and the salvation and sanctification of souls. In Mrs. Craddock he has an excellent help-meet, one who shares her husband's aims and objects, and co-operates with him in earnest efforts to attain them. A happy and fruitful past, and rich with pleasant memories, the hope is cherished that the best is yet to be.

[ Volume 2 pages 40 - 43 ]

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