MATTHEWMAN, John 1871 - 1950

Obituary from the Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1950, page 147

Born in London in 1871. After training at Handsworth College he entered the Ministry in 1897, and for nearly twenty years served in Central Missions in London, Manchester, Rochdale, Sheffield, and Bradford.

The remaining twenty-seven years of his active ministry were spent in a wide range of circuits, concluding in Bristol.

Outstanding in all his service was his faithfulness to his call to do the work of an evangelist, and there are those in all his circuits who were led to decision for Christ by him. His love for his fellow-men expressed itself also in a genius for friendship. To the end of his life, he kept in touch by letter with a host of friends. He held very strong convictions on the doctrines of the Christian Faith and on the meaning and mission of the Methodist Church, but all his avowals were mellowed by Christian love. He never evaded a difficult situation or shirked an unwelcome issue, bringing to complex situations a clear mind and a wonderful courage.

He was greatly gifted as an organizer, and revelled in planning and carrying through united campaigns for the furtherance of Christ’s Kingdom. The latter years of his ministry were severely handicapped by crippling arthritis, but he never allowed himself any laxity, and never complained, although in constant pain. His determined courage in the face of such a disability was a constant incentive to those who knew him. He was indeed a very gallant soldier of the Cross. Behind all his sterling qualities was a rich and deep personal experience of Christ his Saviour.

He entered into the joy of his Lord on Good Friday, 7th April 1950, in the fifty-third year of his ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950

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