An Obituary and An Appreciation of Mr. Alexis Jacob

OBITUARY of MR. ALEXIS JACOB. 
Mr. Alexis Jacob, who died on Whit Monday, would have been 77 today [18th May 1959]. The younger son of Colonel S. L. Jacob, R.E., he came of a family whose service in India as soldiers and administrators covers 150 years. After leaving school, he was articled to the late Sir Harry Peat and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1905. Until 1928, he was with the Wolseley Motor Company in Birmingham, resigning the secretaryship when the company was taken over by the Morris Group. 
He then started in practice as a chartered accountant in London and Birmingham and founded the firm of Jacob, Cavenagh and Skeet, of which he was senior partner when he died. A director of many companies, he will be greatly missed on the boards where his sound judgment on finance was invaluable. As an adviser to trusts in the investment of their funds, he proved particularly successful. 
His holidays were spent whenever possible in the mountains of Switzerland and Austria with his sister, who was as enthusiastic a climber as he was. At the age of 18, he felt the call of God to devote his life to Christian work, and while he excelled in all his business pursuits his heart was in the many missionary activities with which his name is connected. Throughout his life, he managed the Panahpur Charitable Trust, established by his father for the relief of famine orphans in India. For many years, he was chairman of the Mildmay Mission Hospital at Bethnal Green. He supported missionary work in India, the Congo, South America, Portugal, and Palestine, and was instrumental in helping many Jewish refugees from Hitler's regime. 
A great student of the Scriptures, of which he had made an intensive study, his Book Without Seam is a scholarly exposition of one of his favourite themes. 
Reprinted from The Times of May 27th, 1959. 

AN APPRECIATION OF MR. JACOB’S LIFE.
by one who knew him intimately.
To have a due appreciation of that very great Christian gentleman, Mr. Alexis Jacob, one would need to have access to the records written in Heaven, but in order that we may continue to thank God for him and that we might be stirred to follow his example, a few facts are here set down. 
Alexis Jacob, the youngest son of Col. S. L. Jacob, R.E., C.I.E., was born at Villeneuve, in Switzerland on 27th May 1882.
While quite a young boy, he was sent, with his older brother, as a boarder to a school in Clevedon, Somerset. Of his time there, he sometimes spoke, recalling his keen zest for outdoor games—a zest which remained with him to the last day of his life here.  
On leaving school he took a training, under articles with a leading firm of Chartered Accountants in London, obtaining first place in the Intermediate exam, and third in the Final; the latter after six weeks illness, during which time his studies were interrupted.
Those whose work brought them into touch with him were soon aware of his quick grasp of a situation, and of his equally quickly devised plan of action and his outstanding skill in handling anything entrusted to him.
It is not, however, his business abilities, as secretary to Wolseley Motors Ltd., and from 1927 onwards in practice as a chartered accountant, that we wish particularly to draw the reader's attention to, but rather to his life as a Christian.
He used to say that he did not forget that God put him here as a man, in the true sense of the word, and we who knew him an testify how truly he lived a manly life, while exhibiting the character of God. This did not come about all at once. It was when he was about 18 years of age, that he realised that God was speaking to him, and calling him to yield his will to His. Here, then, was a crisis in his life—and there were others—but none of us can ever know the tremendous battle that raged in his soul on such occasions, we only see the results of the victory, the strength, the peace, that came as evidence of self-will having been set aside, that God's will might be done.
Neither was his exceedingly comprehensive knowledge of the Scriptures, leading to his unique but always logical presentation of them, obtained without study, much of which was undertaken during his early days in Birmingham; here also his quick perception and ready grasp of facts enabled him to progress with greater speed than most of us could have done.
It must not be assumed he had endless time for study; he always made a point of attending the week-night meeting. in Birmingham. and there were always the week-ends, the missionary meetings each month on Saturdays, the weekly Bible each month on Saturdays, the weekly Bible Class and many other Christian activities for which preparation had to be made.
It was, too, during his early days in Birmingham that his father asked him: "What are you doing for Christ in Birmingham?", that he set about active Christian work; first in a room of the factory premises, then in a house rented for the factory premises, then in a house rented for the purpose and later in the Hall built through the generosity of himself and his sister, Mrs. Allen.
He used to tell the story how he stood on a patch of land in the Alum Rock district and, baring his head, he prayed that if God willed it, he should have that land on which to build a hall and how, almost at once, came the answer with the direction as to the sum that was to be paid. On enquiry, it was found that the price was far in excess of the sum indicated, but with characteristic
patience, Mr. A. Jacob waited, praying meantime, and often making fresh approaches. Then came a message from the agent who quoted a price only about £100 above Mr. Jacob's offer and he was much tempted to accept, but again came the voice which seemed to say: "my child, I told you the price you were to pay" with the result that his faith was honoured. A further message came soon after accepting his original offer. 
And so, in 1924 the Hall was built and where once was bare land, now there is a building from which the voices of children and adults may be heard praising God.
In the days of trade depression, Mr. A. Jacob arranged for teas to be given to many unemployed men, to whom he spoke; this work also bore fruit.
Recently, due to Mr. A. Jacob's wise administration, the surplus land has been sold and with the proceeds, a Recreation Hall and caretaker's house have been built adjoining the original building.
His efforts for missionary enterprise may be known to most readers of this Circular, but the amount of money available is very largely due to his personal gifts over many years, as well as to his wise handling of the funds.
Many were the missionaries who in the days before the war, found periods of rest and recuperation at "71" Highbury Hill, where he and his sister Miss E. M. Jacob lived.
Mention should be made here of the Jewish couple, Dr. and Mrs. Eisenstein whom he had met on one of his holidays some years before. About the beginning of the last war, these two wrote to Mr. and Miss Jacob, asking them if they could give them hospitality until such time as they could obtain a visa to the United States. During the time they lived at No. 71, they used to attend family prayers (though they were never pressed to do this, or to attend the Bible Classes on Sunday). Months went by and still no permit came, but one day, they both quietly announced their faith in Christ. This faith was so obviously genuine that they were received into Fellowship and it was soon after this that the permit came, and they went to America with an introduction to some believers there. During the war, they wrote regularly and sent parcels to their host and hostess, as a mark of their gratitude.
Not so long ago, they visited this country and Mr. A. Jacob had the pleasure of meeting them. The reality of their faith was evidenced by their going on to Israel and testifying there in private conversation.
His Home-call came suddenly at his home in Croydon, on 18th May 1959. He had risen as usual, had his time of devotion, and after breakfast, family prayers; and then shortly after, God took him. 
If a reminder of him is needed, it can be found in his "Book without Seam" published shortly before his home-call. This book is the result of some of his own unique studies in the Scriptures. It is hoped to publish his presentation of the teaching of the Tabernacle which will serve as a further reminder to us who have heard his talks on this subject.
A great deal more could be written but a personal note will suffice to shew how wise and how considerate he was in our home, where following one of his many visits, my wife voiced what I had often felt, when she said: "It is like having God in the house". And so it was. We thank God on every remembrance of him.  
“Circular No. 408”