JONES, Ernest James 1874 - 1950

Born at Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, in 1874.

He early began to preach, and was accepted as a candidate for the Wesleyan Ministry,. and entered Richmond College in 1898. In his third year as a student he was called to supply at Saddle worth.

While in the Luton (Waller Street) Circuit he was. Secretary of the Bedford and Northampton District, and later, after Methodist Union, he served the London South District as Secretary for ten years, under the chairman ship of Dr. Scott Lidgett. In 1944, while living at Bromley, his home was destroyed by enemy action, and his wife was killed instantly, but in spite of this great loss and sorrow he continued in his work.

He did admirable service as a Supernumerary in the Bristol Kingswood Wesley Circuit, where he had charge of two churches.

He revelled in the progress he saw in his work. He brought to his ministry a Christ- informed conscience, and served God as preacher and pastor with devotion and delight. Quick to discern the goodness of God, he carried a grateful heart, and cheerfulness accompanied him in his untiring labour for the Kingdom. Even after severe heart trouble, he was eager to return to the active work before he was physically well enough to do so.

He was a very valiant soldier of his Captain.

As an administrator he was capable and strong, while as a pastor his optimistic outlook upon life based upon his confidence in God brought comfort and hope to very many. Among his outstanding qualities was his loyalty. In this he excelled.

One of his last acts in his circuit was to enrol a number of young people as Junior members.

In April 1950, through failing health, he felt compelled to retire and went to live at Barrow-on-Trent, where he enjoyed the fellowship of other supernumeraries.

The Home Call came suddenly on 10th June 1950, in the seventy-sixth year of his . life and the forty-ninth year of his faithful ministry.

©Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1950