JAMES SINEY

THE LATE JAMES SINEY

OVER 50 YEARS A LOCAL PREACHER

APPRECIATION BY A PERSONAL FRIEND

The town of Newbury has been rich in the possession of a number of stalwarts in the various walks, callings, and accomplishments of life; some of whom, beset from the first with disability and disadvantages, have nevertheless with steadiness of purpose and persevering industry, overcome, and have eventually attained to prominence and some measure of fame amongst their fellows. Such a one was he whose name stands at the head of this brief appreciation. Born in a remote village- Inkpen- nearly four score years ago, reared on scanty fare and early hard work, with very little education and that at the hands of a kind Christian lady (Miss Johnson)- for Board schools and education acts were then unknown- he was brought up under the influence of the Methodist preaching in the village, in due course became “converted”, and joined the “Society of the people called Methodists,” and henceforth new purposes, desires, and ideals opened up before him; and notwithstanding obstacles, apparently insurmountable, he was determined that by “pulling hard against the stream,” he would see “distant gates of Eden gleam.”

The Church of his choice soon recognised in this uncultured youth, a sincerity of soul, an intelligence of mind, a fluency of speech, and very soon he attained the then coveted position of a fully accredited local preacher, the duties and responsibilities of which he continued to maintain with conscientious faithfulness, great acceptance, power and blessing, for over 50 years, not only in all parts of the Newbury Methodist Circuit, but in almost all the village chapels of other denominations in the neighbourhood. It is quite true that Mr. Siney’s education (all self-taught) ran in a certain groove, being mostly restricted to the Bible (his constant companion), Christian biography, and works of devotion and consequence upon this his thoughts lingered very much in the past, and he frequently expressed a desire for the “good old times” when religious fervour wore a more demonstrative form and spiritual enthusiasm marked the activities of the Christian Church; and in his later years he deeply lamented the laxity of Sabbath observance…..

Much more on this theme

As a young man Mr. Siney came into Newbury and for some years was at the establishment of Mr. John H. Mason, in the Market-place. He afterwards started in business as a pig dealer, which he relinquished about twelve months ago with failing health. In his last illness he received the loving attentions of his devoted daughter and wife, with whom he celebrated his golden wedding some two or three months ago. He passed away on Wednesday last, at Fern Cottage, West-fields, in the 76^th year of his age.

James Siney continued

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place on Saturday morning, the first part of the service being conducted at the Wesleyan Church, by Mr. Henry Oliver, a personal friend of the deceased, and whose wish it was that he should officiate…..

The mourners Mrs. Siney (widow), Mr. J. Siney (son), Miss Siney (daughter), Mr. Sam H. Smith, Eddie and Leslie (grandsons), Mrs. J. Siney (daughter-in-law), Mr. G. Griffin (nephew), Mr. C. Sturgess (nephew), Mrs Griffin, Mr. and Mrs. H. Oliver, Miss Duncan, Miss Brooker, and Nurse Parsons.

A FOURFOLD TRIBUTE

Preaching on Sunday morning at the Wesleyan Church, from the text “These all died in the faith” (Hebrews xi.,13) the Rev. F. Halliday, Superintendent of the Newbury Circuit, said it was a noteworthy, even remarkable circumstance, that in the course of a week the death should have occurred of four friends connected with the Circuit, Sisters Lawrence and Cripps, and Brother James Siney of Newbury, and Brother William Brown of Chaddleworth. It was further notable that the latter two were local preachers, whose names stood next to each other highest on the plan….

For more than fifty years Brother Siney had been proclaiming the glorious Gospel in this Circuit, and his life and had been such that his name was “as ointment poured forth.”

It would ill become him to pronounce any eulogy on such a man, but he could say without the slightest hesitation that he was one of the most acceptable of the local preacher, heartily welcome whenever and wherever he went. In his earlier days he trudged long distances on foot and preached nearly every Sunday; once he preached on every Sunday in the year. How valuable he must have been to the superintendent of those days; plan making must have been easier than now….

Newbury Weekly News 9 March 1905

Mrs P p 143 LS(E)11

Died 1 March 1905 aged 76 Buried 4 March 1905 Bk 1899 046 7968

Also wife Ann died 6 December 1915 aged 86