COULSON, Johnn Edward (1808 - 1886)

Who was born at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1808. He was the only child “ of his mother, and she was a widow,” his father having been lost at sea some months before the son was born. He had the advantage of a Methodist training.

In early life he gave his heart to God, and soon began to work in the church. He was recommended as a candidate for the Wesleyan-Methodist Ministry in 1829. For a year and a half he laboured with much acceptance as a lay Home Missionary at Wark, Northumberland, and was then appointed to regular circuit work.

For forty-five years he zealously and faithfully the ministry he had received of the Lord Jesus. As a preacher he was able and evangelical ; as a pastor, diligent, kindly, gentle and sympathetic ; as a Superintendent, firm and judicious.

In 1876 he was compelled, through failing health, to become a Supernumary, and took up his residence at Worksop, where he was glad, as opportunity served, to exercise his ministry, and to interest himself in the affairs of the church he loved so well.

His last years were clouded with much personal and domestic affliction, but he had a firm and abiding trust in Christ. He lingered through many months of helpless weariness, but his end was peace. God very gently and mercifully took him home on the 23rd January, 1886, in the seventy-eigth year of his age, and the fifty-fifth of his ministry.