<< Back to the A-Z Index
[ transcription of Obituary Notice in the Year Book of the Congregational Union of England & Wales for 1864, page 238, from a copy in Dr Williams's Library, London ]
RAFFLES, Thomas, D.D., LL.D.
This eminently useful and honoured servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, was born in London on the 17th May, 1788. His parents were highly respectable, and he enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education. Early in life he became a partaker of the saving grace of God, and resolved to consecrate himself to the Christian ministry, in connection with the Congregational denomination. For this purpose, at the age of seventeen, he entered the old college at Homerton, under the presidency of the Rev. Dr. Pye-Smith, from whose instructions he derived great advantage, and whose friendship he cultivated and enjoyed in after life.
After passing honourably through his collegiate course, and preaching with great fervour and success to crowded auditories in and around London, he accepted an invitation to the pastoral office over the Congregational Church at Hammersmith, and was solemnly ordained to the work of the ministry, on Thursday, the 22nd June, 1809. During this residence in this suburban village, he rapidly rose in public estimation as an able and efficient minister; his services were eagerly sought on many special occasions, and his eloquence, earnestness, and evangelical strain of preaching secured him large and delighted auditories. He was thus being prepared, in the providence of God, for that larger sphere of influence and toil in the town of Liverpool, with which place his name for half a century has been honourably identified.
Soon after the death of the lamented Thomas Spencer, Mr Raffles was invited to become the pastor of the Church in Newington Chapel, Liverpool. He entered on the duties of his new position with chastened hope, took possession of the newly-erected chapel in Great George-street, which had been intended for his predecessor, and commenced a career of great and extending influence.
His loving and persuasive preaching attracted multitudes of all classes to his chapel, and a large number of persons, the fruit of his ministry, were added to the Church. In all religious objects that affected the welfare of the town and county, he took a deep and delighted interest. He became a local secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and a secretary of the London Missionary Society for West Lancashire. As the honorary secretary of the Lancashire Congregational Union, he long performed important services for the Denomination, of which he was so distinguished an ornament. His efforts were untiring and successful in establishing the Lancashire Independent College, and he served it as the chairman of its committee, with untiring zeal, to the commencement of the year in which he died.
His labours were not confined to Lancashire, but, happily, extended to all parts of the United Kingdom. In chapel opening, preaching anniversary sermons, and taking part in ordination services, he was frequently employed. Perhaps no minister amongst Congregationalists ever preached more sermons, or travelled more miles in doing his Master's work than Dr. Raffles. WHerever he went, and on whatever occasion he preached, he was at once faithful and affectionate, and always resolved to know nothing among his hearers but "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." Much glory redounded to God in the conversion of sinners, and the establishment of the cause of truth by these occasional services. He was honoured at home and abroad. The university of Aberdeen conferred on him the degree of LL.D., and a College in America sent him the diploma of Doctor in Divinity.
The even tenor of the life of Dr. Raffles was diversified by some incidents which demonstrated the sincerity of his religious feelings and principles. Clouds of providential darkness at one time lowered on his path, but he adapted himself to his altered circumstances, and cheerfully went forward in his great work, and when the returning sunshine of prosperity restored him to his former comforts, he still acted as one who said, "None of these things move me." While holding firmly his own distinctive principles as a Dissenter, he was large-hearted in his sympathies, and rejoiced to give the right hand of fellowship to Christian men of all denominations.
The writings of Dr. Raffles have been largely circulated, both in this country and on the continent of America. His "Life of Spencer," and his "Lectures on Christian Faith and Practice," are valuable contributions to literature. As a poet he stood above mediocrity; many of his hymns have been incorporated with the hymnology of the Christian Church, and will hand down his name to posterity, as one of the poets of the sanctuary who, in the nineteenth century, have enriched the service of sacred song.
On the completion of the fiftieth year of his pastorate in Liverpool, he resigned the office he had filled with so much distinction and usefulness, though he afterwards occasionally preached, as he had opportunity. The closing days of his mortal career were in harmony with the scenes of his active life. He suffered much bodily pain, but was patient and joyful; frequently he reviewed his life with gratitude and humility, and ended by saying, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless his holy name!" In this spirit he closed his eyes on earth, and ascended to the glories of heaven on Tuesday, the 18th August, 1863. On the day of his funeral the whole community amongst whom he had lived, united to do honour to his memory, and an unwonted multitude of persons followed his mortal remains to the tomb.
End of File. Return to Top . . .
<< Back to the Biographies A-Z Index
<< Back to the Obituaries A-Z Index
(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 19/5/03)