Walsham, Alexander Rowe (1866-1932)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923

Early years

Alexander was born in 1866 at Donington-on-Bain, nr Horncastle, Lincolnshire, to parents William Walsham and Rebecca Jane Rowe. William worked the land.

Alexanger was converted when seventeen, and moving soon after to Grimsby, joined Flottergate Church. His gifts for public speaking were soon recognised and he was put on the plan by Dr Joseph Wood. In 1891, he was sent by the General Missionary Committee to the Spalding and Holbeach circuit as a hired local preacher.

Ministry

Alexander served at various times as District Temperance, Building and District Committee Secretary.

Alexander was naturally of a reserved temperament, and never gained the wider popularity, which his talent merited and his ability could have maintained. His greatest ambition was to serve faithfully the circuits to which he was called to minister.

His obituary records that above all, Alexander was a preacher of the Word. His sermons were marked by tremendous earnestness, a deep insight into spiritual truths, and a keen understanding of human nature, all of which combined to give him a wonderful hold upon his audiences. In his preaching, the emotional side of his nature was often stirred to its depths, and there were tense moments when through some homely illustrations or apt quotation he compelled emn to face the great realities of life. This pulpit power was always natural, never forced, but his preaching always cost something of himself.

Family

William married Louisa Annie Cannell (1872-1940) in 1901 at Blandford, Dorset. Census returns and birth records identify four of six children.

  • Rowland Alec (1903-1968) – a bank clerk (1932)
  • Winifred Annie (1904-1991)
  • Donald Harry (1906-1985)
  • Louis Victor (1912-1988)

Alexander died on 5 February 1932 at Workington, Cumberland. He was interred at Louth, Lincolshire.

Circuits

  • 1893 Walworth
  • 1897 High Wycombe
  • 1899 Eastbourne
  • 1900 Driffield
  • 1902 Manchester IV
  • 1905 Louth
  • 1911 Driffield
  • 1916 Grimsby II
  • 1920 Chesterfield III
  • 1925 Birmingham II
  • 1929 Workington

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919/388; 1923/104

PM Minutes 1932/335

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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