Riseley, Kidman (1837-1864)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Jacob Dawson

“I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.”—Rev. xiv. 13.

Our departed brother RISELY was born at Croxton, in Cambridgeshire, on the Eynesbury mission, the 17th of February, 1839. His parents were members with us at Eltisly; his mother was eminent for piety, her whole soul appeared to be absorbed in the cause of Christ. A pleasing record of her may be found in the November Magazine, 1860. Brother Risely was brought to God in 1851, under the labours of brother Thomas Drew; he at once gave evidence of a change of heart, became a member of our society, and his conduct was such as to lead the friends to think he would be useful as an exhorter; hence they recommended him to the Quarterly Meeting, and his name appeared on the preachers’ plan. His love and zeal for God’s cause were evident, and he soon became an accredited local preacher. He laboured very diligently and successfully, and was shortly considered fit for the itinerancy. 

The Missionary Committee at once accepted him, and he subsequently laboured in the following stations,—Croydon, Goudhurst, St. Albans, Ashford, Taunton, and Saffron Walden; here he finished his labours in the militant Church. Our departed brother laboured very efficiently with the writer on the St. Albans station, and he was very respectable in his deportment, so much so as to gain him respect from all who knew him. He was very pious and laborious, and was made a blessing to the station.

Brother John Moore speaks of him in the highest terms. He says, “I never knew brother Risely until August 2nd, 1861. He was then at Taunton, and I was appointed to be his preceptor; he was an entire stranger to me, but the first letter I had from him deeply impressed my mind, and kindled a spark of love in my heart towards him which time itself will never extinguish. The Conference of 1862 stationed him to labour with me on the Saffron Walden circuit; but his affliction was such that he did not reach the circuit before August 6th. His afflictions continued great and very painful, but he bore all with the fortitude of a saint. He was intelligent, and was a great reader and thinker. He also grew in grace, and was in every sense a respectable young man. He was a lover of souls, and a Primitive Methodist, in doctrine, discipline, and preaching; he loved the connexion which, under God, had been the means of his conversion. He walked uprightly before men and God.” 

Mr. Moore continues:—“He resumed his labours in April, 1863; but he was soon obliged to relinquish them, and he was advised to go to Cambridge hospital. His complaint had reached its acme, and damped the hopes of his friends. He entered the hospital on April 13th, and he left it on the 26th, with no hope of recovery, He came to his friends at Eltisly, where he stayed two days; and on the 28th he came to Eynesbury, and during the first two or three weeks his health seemed to be improving; and on Sunday morning, June 4th, he thought he was so far improved that he could preach, and he desired his nurse to get him his clothes ready. She thought he could not preach; but he said he felt competent for the work. He attended the chapel in the morning, and in the afternoon he was taken worse, and up to the time of his death was confined to his bed. He was a great sufferer, but perfectly resigned to the will of his God. He had frequent visits from the Rev. T. Oliver and the Rev. R. Thompson, the station ministers, who were perfectly satisfied with his experience.

On the 6th of July he fell asleep without a sigh or struggle, and entered the rest of the blood-washed throng. He was interred in the Eynesbury cemetery on the 9th of July by the Rev. T. Oliver, and a large number of friends were present on the occasion. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. R. Thompson on the 21st July, to a large and attentive congregation, and many wept.

Family

Kidman was born on 17 February 1837 at Croxton, Cambridgeshire, to parents Samuel, a game keeper (1851), and Mary. He was baptised on 26 February 1837 at Croxton.

Before entering the ministry Kidman was apprenticed to a tailor (1851).

Kidman died on 6 July 1964 at Eynesbury, Huntingdonshire..

Circuits

• 1858 Goudhurst &c
• 1859 St Albans
• 1860 Ashford
• 1861 Taunton
• 1862 Saffron Walden
• 1864 Sheerness &c

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1864/733

PM Minutes 1865/7

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Notes:

• Whilst the obituary spells the surname Risley, most records are in the name Riseley.
• His baptism record identified that Kidman was born two years earlier than stated in     the obituary.