Sleath, William (1795-1830)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by C Lace is attached. He describes William’s character as follows.

‘Brother Sleath possessed a permanent tranquility of mind. His experience was congenial with the poet’s:—

“Earth and hell their wars may wage,
Calm I mark their vain design
Smile to see them idly rage
Against a child of thine.”

He always set the Lord on his right hand, and therefore was not moved, He seemed to act under a perpetual conviction of his being a stranger and pilgrim here below. He kept himself from idols—set his affections on things above—and manifested by his exemplary piety, that he desired to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ his Lord. He was not very conversable: his words were few, and seasoned with grace. He set a watch upon his lips, lest he should offend with his tongue. He, I believe, was never heard to speak evil of any man. He carefully avoided foolish talking and jesting, and often quoted that scripture: “For every idle word that men speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matt. xii. 36. He loved the word of God, and delighted to meditate in it day and night. He with propriety could say, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” He had a tender conscience—a conscience which shrunk at the approach of sin. He beheld it with detestation, and constantly endeavoured to abstain from all appearance of it.’

Family

William was born in 12 November 1795 at Rempstone, Nottinghamshire, to parents William and Sarah.

Before entering the ministry William was a schoolmaster. He entered that profession after having recovered from an arm amputation.

William died on 16 March 1830 at Hoton, Leicestershire. He was buried on 20 March 1830 at Hoton.

Circuits

• 1825 Winster
• 1826 Belper
• 1827 Cwm
• 1828 Ramsor
• 1829 Frome

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1831/425

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers