John Angell James facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Angell James
James portrayed in The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840, by Benjamin Robert Haydon
Born	6 June 1785 Blandford Forum
Died	1 October 1859 Birmingham, England
Resting place	Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, England
Nationality	British
Education	Gosport Academy
Occupation	Minister, chaplain
Known for	Writing
Successor	Robert William Dale

Portrait of John Angell James around 1830

John Angell James (born June 6, 1785 – died October 1, 1859) was an English Nonconformist minister and a well-known writer. Nonconformists were Protestants in England who did not follow the official Church of England.

Early Life and Calling

John Angell James was born in Blandford Forum, England. He first worked for seven years as an apprentice in a linen shop. However, he felt a strong desire to become a preacher. In 1802, he began training at David Bogue's institution in Gosport.

Becoming a Popular Preacher

Just a year and a half later, John Angell James visited Birmingham. People there were very impressed by his preaching. They invited him to lead their church, the Carrs Lane Independent chapel. He started working there in 1805 and officially became a minister in May 1806.

For a few years, not many people came to hear him preach. But around 1814, he suddenly became very popular. Large crowds started coming to his services.

Impactful Writings

At the same time, John Angell James's religious books became very popular. His most famous books were The Anxious Inquirer and An Earnest Ministry.

The Anxious Inquirer was incredibly successful. Over 500,000 copies were sold during his lifetime. It was also translated into more than twelve languages. This book helped many people, including famous preachers like D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Spurgeon's Admiration

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, another well-known preacher, admired John Angell James greatly. Spurgeon once traveled to Birmingham just to hear him speak. He later wrote that the message he heard stayed with him for many years. He deeply respected John Angell James as an "eminent man of God."

A Leader in His Time

John Angell James was a typical Congregational preacher of his era. Congregational churches are led by their members, not by a central authority. He focused on practical Christian living.

He wrote many books on topics like:

• The Anxious Inquirer
• Pastoral Addresses
• An Earnest Ministry
• A Help to Domestic Happiness
• Female Piety
• The Christian Father's Present to His Children
• The Young Man's Friend and Guide
• The Widow Directed to the Widow's God

Many of these books are still read today by some Christian groups.

Founding Important Organizations

John Angell James helped start two important groups:

• The Evangelical Alliance
• The Congregational Union of England and Wales

He was also interested in local community matters. For many years, he was the chairman of Spring Hill College, Birmingham.

Fighting for Freedom

John Angell James was a strong supporter of ending slavery. He is even shown in a large painting from the first World Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840. This painting is in the National Portrait Gallery in London. He worked alongside other famous abolitionists like William Wilberforce.

Supporting Missions Around the World

John Angell James was very involved in missionary efforts. He supported the London Missionary Society. In 1817, he gave Bibles to missionaries John Williams and Robert Moffat. They were about to leave for their work in other countries.

He also had a lifelong interest in missions in China. This was because his friend, Robert Morrison, was a missionary there. John Angell James helped lead an effort to send a million New Testaments to China. They actually raised enough money for two million copies!

Later Years and Legacy

In August 1859, just two months before he died, John Angell James was mentioned by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon spoke at a ceremony for a new church building. He called John Angell James "that honoured father of all the Dissenting churches." Spurgeon shared a letter from James, who said he was getting old but still wanted to serve.

John Angell James passed away on October 1, 1859, at his home in Birmingham. He had wished to be buried under his pulpit at Carr's Lane Chapel. This was allowed by special permission. However, in 1970, when the church was being rebuilt, his coffin and his second wife's coffin were moved. They were reburied in a common grave at Witton Cemetery in Birmingham.

'In Memoriam' Card for John Angell James

His Family's Connections

John Angell James had a brother named Thomas, who also became a pastor in London. Another brother, James, was a deacon at Carrs Lane Chapel. His sister Harriet married Rev. Richard Keynes, who became a pastor in Blandford Forum, the town where John Angell James grew up.

Published Works

Here are some of the books John Angell James wrote:

• The Sunday School Teachers' Guide, 1816
• Christian Fellowship, or the Church Members' Guide, 1822
• The Christian Father's Present to his Children, 1824
• Christian Charity Explained, 1828
• The Family Monitor, or a Help to Domestic Happiness, 1828
• The Anxious Inquirer after Salvation Directed and Encouraged, 1834
• The Christian Professor, 1837
• The Young Man from Home, 1838
• Pastoral Addresses, first series, 1840
• Pastoral Addresses, second series, 1841
• The Widow Directed to the Widow's God, 1841
• Pastoral Addresses, third series, 1842
• An Earnest Ministry the Want of the Times, 1847
• The Church in Earnest, 1848
• The Young Man's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality, 1851
• Female Piety, or the Young Woman's Guide through Life to Immortality, 1852
• The Course of Faith, or the Practical Believer Delineated, 1852
• Christian Progress, 1853
• Christian Hope, 1858
• The Works of John Angell James (17 volumes), 1860–64

Family Life

John Angell James married Frances Charlotte Smith on July 7, 1806. Frances was a doctor's daughter and had her own money. They lived in Birmingham and had four children:

• A baby who was stillborn (1807)
• Thomas Smith James (1809-1874)
• A daughter (1810-1811)
• Sarah Ann James (1814-1882)

Frances passed away on January 27, 1819. John Angell James married again on February 19, 1822, to Anna Maria Neale. Anna was a widow and did not have any children.