Badminton, Albert William (1864-1891)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by H.

REV. ALBERT WILLIAM BADMINTON was born at Malmesbury, Wilts, on May 19th 1864. His mother was a devoted Christian who has long since gone to her rest, His father is an efficient preacher, and a well-known and respected official in the Brinkworth District. This worthy couple gave two sons to our ministry, one of whom still holds an honourable position in our ranks. Other members of the family fear God and are useful members of our church. It was therefore to be expected, that the subject of this memoir would, in early life, be impressed with the necessity of accepting the grace offered to him in the Gospel. The prayers of his parents, his Sabbath-school training, and the ministry of the word, all accompanied by blessings from on high, were accordingly acknowledged as the factors in his awakening and conversion. 

Speaking of this gracious change at his ordination, he said: ‘Early in 1879, I became a pupil teacher at Chippenham, ten miles from Malmesbury, and was accustomed to walk there and back every week. One Monday morning, as I was meditating on God’s word, I felt my sense of guilt to be a very heavy burden. When I reached the sixth milestone, I halted. No light out of heaven shone about me, and I did not hear a voice, as Saul did; but with extraordinary power and effect, the words, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world,” were applied to my mind. An inner voice had spoken to me and I had a revelation. The words were of course very familiar, but never before did I see their beauty and their truth as I did then. New light and new life entered my soul, and I exclaimed, “Lord, I will be Thy disciple and follow Thee.” I ran the remaining four miles, and was not weary. Entering the house of my sister – Mrs. Charles Stevens, with whom I lodged, I said to her: “I have found the Lord.” Hastening to the school, I told the master I was a son of God, and I rejoiced with a Joy unspeakable.’

Albert soon joined our society at Malmesbury; and began to publish salvation to the children. At the early age of sixteen he became a local preacher, and was successful in leading many sinners to the Saviour. He was recommended for the ministry in September 1882; and having passed his examination, he was called in July 1883, to labour as a hired local preacher on the Goole circuit, under the superintendency of Rev. Thomas Whitehead (1).

He was pledged by the Hungerford circuit in 1884, and after labouring two years on that station, he travelled at Ludlow and Belper. In July 1889, he was married to Miss Hannah J. Honor; and then went to Coalville as second preacher on the Ashby-de-la-Zouch circuit.

On all these stations he laboured with acceptance and success; his highest ambition being to serve God and save men. He was conscientious and studious in the discharge of the duties of his ministry. He strove to feed the flock of Christ, and not in vain. His style was not so ornate as that of some of his brethren. His presence was not so commanding, and his voice was neither stentorian nor musical. Yet the word of life from his lips was as marrow and fatness to the souls of the more thoughtful of his hearers; while the most illiterate derived profit from his expositions of the word. He was very homely, an able musician, deeply interested in social reforms, conversational and prayerful; and therefore, had ready access to the homes and hearts of the people.

He lacked the physical stamina of many of our early preachers, and consequently the work on the wide circuit to which he was appointed, was to him very laborious. For several months before his last illness, his gait and general appearance seemed to indicate that the journeys which would have afforded wholesome exercise to one who was more robust, were affecting him injuriously. However, no immediate danger was apprehended; and those who loved him thought that a term on a more compact station would, under God’s blessing, suffice to renew his strength. But the Lord’s ‘ways are not as our ways, nor His thoughts as our thoughts.’ His judgments, though ‘true and righteous,’ are to us ‘a mighty deep.’

Twelve days before his death, our young brother, whose domestic and ministerial life seemed so full of promise, was holding forth the word of life to one of his congregations. The pestilence, however, had come nigh his dwelling. Typhoid fever was epidemic at Coalville. There had been several fatal cases, in close contiguity to his home; when first Mr. Badminton and then his wife were stricken down, while their only child was at the same time seriously ill. For a time necessary help could not be obtained, but at length, maternal care and professional skill were brought into requisition. But all was in vain as far as the recovery of our brother was concerned; and on November 10th, 1891, he died in the Lord; and two days later his body was laid in his mother’s tomb at Malmesbury.

Resolutions expressive of his worth, and of the esteem of his brethren, were passed by the Conference and subordinate courts, and memorial services were held at Malmesbury, by Rev. J.E. Sunderland, and at Coalville, by Rev. T. Scrimshaw. The widow and child have in some measure recovered strength, and have been solaced by the sympathy of many friends. May God still be the strength of their hearts and their portion!

Family

Albert was born on 9 May 1864 at Malmsbury, Wiltshire, to parents Nathan, a grocer, and Mary. His brother, James, was also a PM minister.

He married Hannah Julia Honor (1862-1943) in July 1889 in the Thanet Registration District, Kent. Hannah was the daughter of Rev Charles Garton Honor, a PM Minister. Records identify one child.

• Gladys Honor (1890-1941) – assisting in bakery business (1911)

Albert died on 10 November 1891 at Coalville, Leicestershire.

Circuits

• 1883 Hired Local Preacher – Goole
• 1884 Hungerford
• 1886 Ludlow
• 1887 Belper
• 1889 Ashby de la Zouch

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1893/310

PM Minutes 1892/10

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers