Yates, Solomon (1816-1837)

Solomon, the only son of John and Sarah Yates, was born at Milford, in Derbyshire, in Belper circuit, Oct. 30, 1816, and was early taught to read the holy scriptures.  His parents were religious: and an account of his pious and excellent father may be found in our Magazine for 1834, page 55.  But Solomon, as he grew up, associated with ungodly young men, and seemed bent on evil; but still found himself under the watchful eye of his mother.  In a paper written by himself he says, “If I missed chapel, and my mother demanded where I had been, I felt all on a tremble.”

“When I was about sixteen, my father was taken ill.  I then resolved to turn to God.”  But in this he failed.  He then says, “Before my dear father died, he procured me and my five sisters a new testament each; and got one of the travelling preachers to give them to us.  Oh! what a cutting time it was!  I then made a promise to amend my life, but satan got me into sin again.”

Under a preaching in the P. M. chapel at Milford, the word reached his heart.  And in a prayer meeting shortly after, God pardoned all his sins, and filled him with peace and joy through believing; and he commenced a life of devotedness to God.

He sought the blessing of entire sanctification, and felt the all-cleansing power go through his soul.  He, how ever, soon fell into a train of reasoning, but again obtained deliverance.  He was a staff to his widowed mother, and a blessing to the family: but was soon taken ill of a decline.  Many pious persons visited him, and found him generally happy.  Lady Crompton visited him several times, and was astonished to find a young man on the verge of eternity so sweetly composed.

A female seeking salvation had to wake with him; and when the family were retired, he asked her to kneel down and pray, and he would pray for her; grace descended, her sins were pardoned, and she awoke the family with shouts of praise.

I visited him several times, and always found free access in praying for him; and he appeared dead to the world.

June 16,1837, he had a great conflict with the powers of darkness.  All present fell on their knees.  The assault lasted four hours, when he conquered through the blood of the Lamb, and shouted “Victory, victory! O friends, what do you think of religion now? — The way is clear, the way is clear.  Glory be to God! Glory be to God!”

After this he said, “Come, my Jesus.  Come, my Jesus.  My Lord delays his coming.  But why did I say so?  My heavenly Father knows what time to take me to rest.”

He continued in a happy state of mind till June 20,1837, when he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

B. Tripp

S. Yates

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 437-438.