Whieldon, Thomas (1808-1837)

DEATH OF MR. T. WHIELDON

“All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof, is as the flower of grass: The grass withereth and the flower fadeth.”

The important truth contained in these words, has been strikingly verified in the sudden removal of Mr. Thomas Whieldon, the eldest son of Mrs. Whieldon of Moundsley Hall, King’s Norton, near Birmingham.  This family was brought up in the Unitarian creed, and for a number of years attended Kingswood chapel, belonging to that denomination.

About eleven years ago the P. Methodists visited King’s Norton, and amongst others who received the blessing of salvation, was Mrs. Whieldon.  A society was formed of which her three sons and one daughter became members; she opened her house for the servants of the cross, and scores can say, “I was a stranger, and ye took me in.”  I believe all the succeeding preachers from that time to the present, bear grateful recollection of the Christian kindness experienced at Moundsley Hall.  May he who hath said, “Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water, only in name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, He shall in no wise lose his reward,” say at the last day “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Thomas Whieldon received salvation through Christ, and could testify that God had power on earth to forgive sins; which was manifest in his outward deportment.  His father died when he was young, and being the eldest son, the management of an extensive farm in a great measure, devolved upon him.  In all his transactions, and engagements in life, he was esteemed for his integrity, and uprightness of conduct.  He had very exalted views of what a Christian ought to be, and when he met with professors whose conduct fell short of the Christian standard, he was much grieved; and on one occasion he unhappily withdrew from class, but continued his attachment to the cause until the day of his death.  By perusing the history of the P. Methodists, the magazine, and frequent conversation with the travelling preachers, he had acquired an extensive knowledge of the rise and progress of the connexion, and always rejoiced in its prosperity.

Returning from Birmingham, March 4, 1837, his horse took fright at the bottom of Hurst street; and on his attempting to catch the reins, was knocked down, and the wheel passed over his body.

He was conveyed to a public house, where he lingered about one hour, when his spirit took its flight to God who gave it.  During the short period that elapsed between the accident and his death, he was not heard to say much.  When asked if a doctor might be sent for, he answered, “It is no use, I am a dead man.”  By the request of his friends, I improved the melancholy event in the baptist chapel, King’s Norton, to an affected congregation.  Thus at the age of twenty-nine, a healthy young man, and one who, to all appearance, was bidding fair for a useful life, hath been cut down with a stroke:

“Waken, O Lord, our drowsy sense,
To walk this dangerous road:
And if our souls be hurried hence,
May they be found with God!”

J. G.

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Page 76.