Hollinshead, William (1779-1836)

MEMOIR OF Wm. HOLLINSHEAD OF BURSLEM,

(Tunstall Circuit)

William Hollinshead was born in Cheshire, in the year 1779; but when a boy he removed to Tunstall in Staffordshire; was moral in his conduct, and has been heard to say that he never recollected swearing but once in his life, and then he felt all on a tremble, and his conscience told him he had acted sadly wrong.

At about twenty-three years of age, he entered the marriage state, and about the same time was convinced of his lost state as a sinner before God.  He sought the Lord, obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, joined the Wesleyans, and continued with them until 1811, when he cast in his lot among the P. Methodists, in Tunstall, where he resided until the year 1825, during a part of which time he was treasurer for the Sunday school at Tunstall; and filled the office with satisfaction to his brethren.

In 1826, he removed to Burslem, and in 1827 was appointed the leader of a class.  His feelings were tender, and his pious soul mourned in him when any of his members grew remiss in their attendance.

In 1829, he was appointed superintendant of the P. M. Sunday school in Burslem; and in 1830 was made treasurer, which office he filled till called away by death.

He was of a peaceable spirit, never engendering strife, but was a promoter of peace and good will amongst his brethren.  In family duties he was strict; in his attendance on the means of grace he was regular, and rejoiced in the prosperity of the work of the Lord.

He had a clear sense of his acceptance with God, through faith in the blood of the Lamb.  His experience was sound; he knew in whom he had believed, and often said he would not part with his religion for all the world.

Such was the persevering spirit of our departed brother, that in the midst of all his conflicting trials and discouragements, his conduct spoke aloud, “I am bound for the kingdom.”

He was a loving affectionate husband, a kind and tender father, a peaceable neighbour, and a humble Christian.  He was beloved in the school and well received both by scholars and teachers-.

For about nine years he was a leader, and fulfilled that office with credit to himself, benefit to the church, and satisfaction to his class, who now lament their loss; and many tears of heart-felt sorrow have been shed on this account.  Here we sow in tears, but our beloved brother has no doubt safely arrived where tears are wiped from every eye, and grief and pain are known no more.

He was confined at home in his last sickness about eleven weeks.  He had but little pain but gradually shrunk and wasted away.

When visited by his brethren and sisters, his mind was calm and resigned to the will of God, and he could rejoice in the Lord and praise him for what he had done for his soul.  He was willing either to live or die, so that be might be the Lord’s, and finish his course with joy.

The last time he was visited by his brethren, he was low in body but happy in his soul, and repeated, “Come Lord, come.”  The last words he was heard to say to his wife, were that the Lord would be a husband to the widow, for he was going to heaven.

Much more might be said respecting this good man; but he rests with God, and in the day when the secrets of all hearts are open, then shall every saint have praise of God, and shall be well rewarded for the work of faith and labour of love.  Our beloved Bro. Hollinshead quited the stage of mortality, June 16, 1836, in the fifty-seventh year of his age.

His remains were interred on Sunday, June 19, when the members of society accompanied his corpse to the house appointed for all living.  An appropriate hymn was sung at the grave, the clerk gave out the hymn, and the minister joined heartily and devotionally in the singing.

Thus lived and thus died Wm. Hollinshead.  “Soldier of Christ well done.”

The Christian warrior falls — But he falls into the arms of his glorious Captain.  He sleeps — But he sleeps in Jesus.  He rests — But he rests in hope.  He has left the church below — But he has gained the church triumphant in the skies.  Our loss is his infinite gain.

O may this Providence prove a blessing to his family, to his class, to the leaders, to the preachers, and to us all; and may we remember that we must needs die.  May we stand in readiness for this great event.

T. Batty

(Approved by the Circuit Committee.)

 

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 309-310.

 

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