HASLAM, Herbert James 1862 - 1949

Born at Leigh, Lancashire, in 1862. He had close ties with the Wesleyan Methodist Ministry on both his father’s and his mother’s side. He was the great-grandson of the Rev. James Penman, senior, and a grandson of the Rev, James Penman, junior, who was a missionary in the West Indies.

He entered the Wesleyan Methodist Ministry in 1885, retired in 1925, and continued to live in Leeds, where he had been in the active work for several years. He served his Church with ability and wisdom, and won the affection of his people. As a preacher,       pastor, and administrator he was very conscientious and thorough, and all his work bore the stamp of devotion to his Lord.

His pastoral work revealed his unaffected and understanding sympathy. A wistful humour pervaded his conversation. He had that quiet strength which had its roots in a Christian character. His brotherliness meant much to his colleagues.

He lived to an advanced age and life became lonely, but he quietly accepted the limitations which increasing infirmity placed on him and he was gracious in all his ways. It was true of him as of Chaucer’s parish priest:

‘ But Cristes lore, and his apostles twelve,

He taughte, and first he folwed it himselve.’

He passed away on 23rd December 1949, in the sixty-fifth year of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950