JOHN NEVILLE

THE REV. JOHN NEVILLE

CLOSE OF A USEFUL LIFE

The passing of the Rev. John Neville is deeply lamented by a wide circle of friends, both in Newbury and elsewhere, to many of whom his loss is felt to be a personal one.

His death took place on Thursday last at his residence, Gloucester-road. Excessive labours incident to the life of a Primitive Methodist Minister, together with night travels along country roads, mostly on foot, had contributed to a bronchial tendency from which he suffered in the later of his life with increasing severity. The attack which overtook him about a month ago proved to be fatal, his condition from the outset showing an extreme degree of weakness.

Born in the month of August, 1839, at Minster Lovell, in Oxfordshire, he received his education in the village school and being trained in the Church Sunday School, he was presented for confirmation to Bishop Wilberforce, though his parents were identified with the Primitive Methodist Society. Subsequently he cast his lot in the latter, and became a local preacher, his gifts and character impressing the authorities of the Witney Circuit that they recommended him as a candidate for the regular ministry, and this was followed by an invitation from Newbury in the year 1860. Mr. Neville has told how on the morning of his leaving home that the members of society gathered in his mother’s cottage at five o’clock for prayer for their “young brother” about to enter upon new and responsible duties. Afterwards he took conveyance to Oxford and came on by cart(?), preaching that same evening in Newbury.

In those early days ministerial candidates had no three years college course as at present, but entered at once upon their sacred calling, being placed under the care of a senior minister for instruction in subjects which for four years they had to submit themselves for examination. Sternly resolved to overcome the disadvantages in which he found himself placed from want of a better education, Mr. Neville was accustomed to continue the practice of early rising as in his village days, and would rise between four and five o’clock, and wrapping himself in the blankets of his recently left bed, would wrestle with chapters of moral philosophy and struggle with textbooks of theological and kindred subjects.

It seemed as if Newbury was to be the “pivot” circuit around which he was ever and anon to work. After spending two years here, he removed to other sphere of duty, returning again seven years hence for a period of one year, and again 30 years later, namely, 1898, when he accepted what proved to be his last engagement; here he continued in the superintendency until 1905, when his request to be placed on the

J. Neville continued

retired list was complied with. This meant no cessation to his activities, for he continued to labour as health and opportunity permitted, not confining himself to his own denomination, but his assistance was sought by other Free Churches for pulpit supplies.

Throughout his career, Mr. Neville continued to be a close and continuous Bible student. His reading was ever with a view to enrich his pulpit ministry, which was always exercise to encourage higher Christian duty and experience on the part of his hearers; at the same time he kept himself abreast with questions of the day, and his message was so often indicative of insight that it came with the force of a revelation. Though his gentle spirit was opposed to war, and appalled at the bloodshed of recent years his discourses at this time were adapted in their thought and influence to steady men’s minds, confirm them in divine truth as being the key to the solution of the many complex problems of the present day. He was a truly diligent and loving pastor, his cheerful radiant personality making him ever welcome in the homes of his people to whom- by sympathetic and cheerful visits – hearts were cleared, burdens eased, and soul prospects brightened.

He loved young people and by the charm of his refined and subtle nature he won their affection. Active in support of temperance, he was truly catholic in spirit, and his memory will to many be a perpetual inspiration.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, the service being held at the Primitive Methodist Church, which was filled with those wishing to pay the last token of respect to a departed friend….

The interment took place at the Cemetery in Newtown Road. The mourners were the widow, Mrs. Neville and son, Egbert; Mr. Bertram Neville, of Banbury, nephew; Mr. Ernest Moon, brother-in-law; Mrs. W.B. Pratt, sister-in-law, Mr. C. Viner, Witney; Miss E.M. Pratt.

Long list of mourners and those at church etc.

Newbury Weekly News 13 March 1919

Buried 26 February 1919 aged 79 Bk 1917 p 027 no. 9815

THE LATE REV. J. NEVILLE.

IN MEMORIAM Service.

On Sunday morning a memorial service of the Rev. John Neville was held at the Primitive Methodist Church, conducted "by the Rev. Peroy Jackson, who took his text from 1 Peter, ii., 9 (Revised Version): "That ye might show forth his excellences." The preacher said: Whilst nations had been engaged in hostilities, they had felt the witness of a life of lowly, generous, and magnanimous nature in their midst. John Neville was one in whom no common measure of Christ was set forth. They felt that Jesus Christ had had a representative among them, and they were consoled and rebuked by his sheer goodness.

Victor Hugo once said what a beautiful thing it was that a child should return to its Maker before ever its innocence had been sullied by the touch of the world. But they knew something finer than that. To come to fullness of years; to have lived one's life in the open; to suffer exposure, trial and temptation, and to make port at last—maybe weather beaten; steady and triumphant—that was ten thousand times a greater thing. John Neville was such a man. One felt that a base thought was utterly foreign to his nature. God, in keeping his heart free from guile, kept him young in spirit, and how kindly - he delighted himself in the pure enjoyment of youth. He could enter into their greatest joys and sympathise in their sorrows. He was at home equally at a young people's party or at a sick man's bedside.

He studied to keep his mind fresh.  In his 80th year he was reading a masterpiece of philosophy that he might better serve them all. He exercised a fine. Unbiased judgment: he was neither erratic nor bold, nor lifelessly orthodox. He lived the religion that he preached. He was ever happy and selfforgetful in encouraging others. and what a delight he had in ministering good cheer. One of the foremost teachers of the time spoke of the growing revelation of the humility of God. In Mr. Neville they saw the finest of true humility. It was compatible with a firm erectness and a lofty judgment. Somebody said humility was the mother of the virtues. Yet even such a mother dwelt in his spirit. He showed forth Christ; he showed forth his excellences. That was the greatest and divinest testimony anyone could have.

Let them all re-dedicate themselves to the service of the Master, and if they failed and stumbled in the endeavour, as often as they did, let them so live so that their lives might show forth His excellences. The organist played as voluntaries: "Angels, ever bright and fair," and "I know that my redeemer liveth (Handel), and the choral numbers were, -   "Blest are the departed" (Spohr) and "Vital Sark" (Pope).