WARD, John 1866 - 1949

Obituary from the Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1950, page 132

Born at Melton Mowbray in 1866. After a short time as a schoolmaster, he was accepted for the Wesleyan Methodist Ministry and entered Headingley College in 1889.

In his first circuit (Swindon) there was a remarkable revival of religion which is still remembered there, and in all his circuits he exercised a very gracious and strongly evangelistic ministry.

A wide reader, his sermons were carefully prepared, and in their preaching there was a searching, urgent note which brought many to conviction. He had a great love for children and was skilled in his talks to them. It may be said, however, that his outstanding work was as a pastor, for while he was interested in every side of the life of his people, he was always most concerned for their spiritual experience and he exercised an evangelistic ministry in his visitation.

A great lover of nature, he had something of his Master’s power of learning more of God from the world around him, and he revelled in the writings of naturalists. He was at home among the mystics, and all his life read them to his great profit.

After forty-four years in the active ministry he spent some years as an active Supernumerary. Later, in full retirement, he exercised a gracious influence on those who met him, for they were impressed with the deepening serenity of his faith. His courage and patience in his last illness were evidence of his complete trust and love.

He died at Taunton on 19th November 1949, in the eighty-fourth year of his age and the fifty-eighth of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950

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