Litten, George (1848-1914)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906

Early years

George was born on 17 June 1848 at Redruth, Cornwall to parents John and Mary. His father was a cabinet maker.

George was converted under the ministry of Rev. Joseph Best and from the time of his conversion he took a keen interest in the work of the Church. On successfully passing his examination in 1868 he entered the Sunderland Theological Institute.

Ministry

His obituary records that George had high ideals and endeavoured to realise them. He always sought to raise the churches under his charge to a higher spiritual level. He was a true pastor; his genial personality, the charm of his goodness, his real sympathy and compassionate heart, made him ever welcome in the home.

His pulpit messages were charged with spiritual power. He not only prepared his sermons, but prepared himself by much prayer and waiting on God. Preaching was a passion with him.

When a matter of principle was at stake, George showed no weakness or vacillitation. This was demonstrated by the attitude he took towards the Education Act of 1902. He refused to bribe his conscience by paying for sectarian education, and as a result, was imprisoned on three occasions in Winchester Gaol. He also served two terms in Brixton gaol for conscience sake.

Whilst at Salisbury, George served a year as president of the Salisbury and District Free Church Council.

Literature

George authored the following.

Prison Thoughts

Family

George married Emily Rosewall (1847-1929) in late 1874 at St Agnes, Cornwall. Census returns identify five of seven children.

• George Stanley (1876-1885)
• John Howard (1878-1954) – a Wesleyan Minister; became Principal of National Children’s Home; awarded CBE in 1952
• William Morley (1879-1884)
• Charles Percival (1882-1920) – a customs and excise officer (1911)
• Horace Edgar (1889-1982) – a builders assistant (1911)

George died on 5 September 1914 at Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Circuits

• Sunderland
• 1869 Leamington
• 1872 Poole
• 1875 Banbury
• 1877 Brinkworth
• 1880 Motcombe
• 1883 Salisbury
• 1885 Aldershot
• 1888 Exemouth
• 1894 Penzance
• 1897 Pontypool
• 1900 Salisbury
• 1906 Stoke Newington
• 1909 Bristol
• 1911 Salisbury (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906/759; 1915/324

PM Minutes 1915/32

W Leary , Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits , 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers