JACKSON, William 1807 - 1863

Who was led to Christ in 1807, under the ministry of the Rev. Joseph Taylor, sen., in the city of York.

A sphere of usefulness opened before him, into which he at once entered with earnest zeal. At the Conference of 1811 he received an unexpected appointment to a Circuit. This for a time greatly perplexed and troubled him ; but, on prayerful examination and reflection, he concluded that the Lord had called him to the sacred office, and that call he durst not disobey.

In the beginning of his ministerial life he “endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

In latter years, he was entrusted, successively, with the superintendence of various most important Circuits ; where, by sound judgement, added to marked excellence of Christian character, he secured much esteem.

He was distinguished by integrity and uprightness, firmness in adhering to right principles and an admirable consistency of conduct. As a preacher he was clear and definite in his statement of truth, as well as earnest, faithful and practical in enforcing and applying it.

In 1854, he was compelled to retire from the labours of the Itinerancy ; but, while God gave him strength, he still consecrated, as cheerfully as ever, his time and talents to his great Master’s service.

He was especially useful in visiting the sick. For the last three years he was voluntary chaplain of the Preston Workhouse ; gratuitously visiting the sick-wards weekly, and preaching to the inmates of the house when his strength permitted.

During the late severe distress in Lancashire, he was unceasing in his efforts to relieve the necessities of the suffering poor : and there is little doubt that his death was hastened by these labours of love.

Calmly expecting from premonitory symptoms that his end was near, he wrote to the Chairman of his District in May, – ” I am in the hands of my heavenly Father. His will be done. The promise and the oath cannot fail. The atonement retains all its infinite merit : the Holy Spirit, all His mighty energy. Here I rest, with humble confidence, upon the love and immutability of the all-sufficient Jehovah, for eternal life” Just before his last seizure he again wrote, – “My days of labour are past : but I trust

“My days of praise shall ne’er be past

While life, and thought, and being last,

Or immortallity endures.'”

Thus he departed this life, firmly believing in Christ, and cheered by the prospect of an eternity of praise, JUne 23d, 1863, in the seventy forth year of his age, and the fifty-second of his ministry.