Wardle, Arthur Temple (1844-1914)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904

Early years

Arthur was born on 26 January 1844 at Westmoor, Benton, Newcastle, Northumberland to parents John Wardle and Mary Temple. John was a coal miner. Arthur was baptised on 11 March 1844 at Long Benton, Northumberland.

Arthur was barely ten years old when he went to work at the coal mine, the colliery belonging to a firm that his father served for over seventy years. His working hours at the mine were 3.30 am to 6pm. Arthur became a member of the church at the age of fourteen and soon afterward he began to speak in public as a series of out-door meetings in the village. The Quarterly meeting appointed Rev Thomas Greenfield to hear the boy preach and ‘examine him’ for the plan. At the age of eighteen, Arthur was asked to become a minister, but his parents refused their consent. When he became of age, the circuit recommended him and he spent a year at Elmfield College before entering circuit ministry.

Ministry

During his ministry Arthur was involved in erecting twenty-one chapels, schoolrooms and manses. He was involved in renovating a further thirty-seven chapels. His obituary records that in his forty-six year ministry he received on average one person per week into the Church.

Arthur was a truly spiritual preacher. His sermons were full of true religion, and behind them a deeply spiritual nature shone through.

Arthur was district secretary for ten years and served for nearly twenty years on the General Examining Committee.

Family

Arthur married Maria Lansdell (abt1851-1890) in the spring of 1872 at Depwade, Norfolk. Census returns identify two children.

  • William Lansdell MD, DD (1877-1946) – a PM Minister
  • Granville Temple (1880-1881)

Arthur married Rebecca Elizabeth Frankling (1846-1940) in the summer of 1891 at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Arthur died on 4 February 1914 at Wymondham, Norfolk.

Circuits

  • 1867 Briston
  • 1869 Norwich
  • 1870 Forncett
  • 1871 Spalding
  • 1872 Maldon
  • 1874 Sheerness
  • 1878 Gloucester
  • 1880 Yarmouth
  • 1883 Acle
  • 1886 Kilburn
  • 1889 Cambridge
  • 1894 Lynn
  • 1901 Wymondham
  • 1908 Halesworth
  • 1910 Wymondham
  • 1912 Cromer
  • 1913 Wymondham (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904/339

PM Minutes 1914/43

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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