Home-call of W. J. Grant, M.A., Kilmarnock.

ON June 20th, 1930, there passed to his reward, in his 81st year, a man of exceptional interest and gifts, in the person of WILLIAM J. GRANT, of Kilmarnock, a stalwart for years for the truth of the Inspiration of the Scriptures, the honour and glory of our Lord Jesus, the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, and all kindred truths.
Born in a Presbyterian manse in Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire, where his father was a devoted minister, he was much impressed by a saintly mother, and in early life, took his stand on the Lord's side.  After some time at school in his native village. he entered Aberdeen University, proved a good student in Greek and other subjects, and graduated M.A.
His intention was to follow in his father's footsteps, but the influence of a Christian aunt with whom he stayed whilst at college, led him to search the Scriptures, give up infant sprinkling, and be immersed as a believer on the Lord Jesus Christ.  For a time, he acted as locum for ministers on holiday, but could not take a charge in the Free Presbyterian Church.  At this critical juncture, in 1877, a call came from a small Baptist Church in Kilmarnock, which was to become a town dear to his heart, and the scene of long years of devoted service for his Lord.  For some 5 years, he devoted his life to the upbuilding of the company in the Church, which considerably increased in membership during his pastorate.
As in Aberdeen, so here, he continued a diligent student of the Word, ever in the spirit of the apostle who said, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" (Acts 9. 6).  This led him to see the unscripturalness of a one-man-paid-ministry, and guided him to the New Testament way of gathering, simply in the Name of the Lord, apart from any sectarian or denominational connection, looking only to the Risen Lord for guidance and support,
The result was the Baptist Pastor joined a little company of Christians meeting in Duke St. Hall.  Quite a number of the congregation went with him, and some of them remained his dearest friends to the end of the journey.  At first, he evangelised in the towns and villages of Ayrshire, regularly helping in the ministry of the Word in little companies, to the stablishing of the same.
After a time, he moved to London, where he remained a short time, but returned to Kilmarnock about 1896, and made this his habitation to the end.  For long years, 22 West Woodstock St., where he resided. first with 2 sisters, then with one, latterly with a housekeeper, was the resort of many of the Lord's people who desired spiritual help or Bible instruction.  Not a few, for other purposes, paid a visit, and as none were sent empty away, Mr. Grant must at times, have made himself short to help the unworthy.  A Nathaniel himself, it was difficult to convince him that he could be imposed on, especially if the person had a pious tongue or a plausible story.
Mr. Grant never married, although his answer to a venturesome sister who dared to ask him the reason, indicated that at one time, he had matrimonial leanings, his reply was "Once the desirable was not obtainable, and now the obtainable was not desirable,"
The strongest note In his ministry, especially of later years, was concerned with '"the Work of the Holy Spirit in the Believer," or, as he often titled the subject: "LIFE MORE ABUNDANT."  He evidently realised that companies of so-called brethren needed the safe side of the Keswick teaching on the higher life.  This he often gave, with general acceptance.
Once when staying with us, we took him a bill which had been handed us on the way home.  It gave details of subjects for socialist lectures.  One of the subjects being, "Life More Abundant."  We see his serious yet surprised face as he read down the subjects and came to that one. "Does the dear man simply mean more bread and butter?" he inquired.  Assured that that was all, the degrading of his favourite theme to such a mercenary level, both amused and grieved his honest heart.
Although ever serious, he could at times smile at an interesting piece of pure humour.  He had a special aversion for what he termed "Egyptian language."  If anyone uttered such phrases as "O goodness,”  "good gracious,"  "by jingo," or similar language, he was immediately reminded that such was Egyptian and not Heavenly language.
Some thought him at times "too conscientious."  He could not be hurried to catch a train, to be in time for a meeting (if by accident delayed), to take a road not clearly public, and other small ways.  His conducting of family worship was often too lengthy, causing needless though unintended inconvenience to his hostess.
At one time, Mr. C. P. WATSON took him to lunch in Waddell's Restaurant in Glasgow.  Mr. Watson bowed and gave thanks in the silent way in public.  "No, no, my dear brother, said Mr. Grant, "We must witness," and standing up, he gave thanks (not usually short), to the amasement of some 200 business men diners.  Their thoughts were doubtless considerably modified by the appearance of the tall, thin, clergyman-looking individual in real earnest.
For close on 40 years, Mr. Grant ministered the Word in meeting, and at Conferences in many parts of the British Isles.  He took a month at a time in Clapton Hall and in Cholmely Hall and preached in many other parts of London.  He was a regular speaker at the Half-Yearly Meetings, Glasgow, one of the largest gatherings in the kingdom.  The part usually allotted to Mr. Grant was to open the large meeting on Monday, the main day of the Conference.  He invariably struck a true keynote, which gave tone to most that followed.
One advantage Mr. Grant took was that whatever the time, or whoever followed, he ever gave his address in full, so that he was heard to advantage, even if other speakers were shortened, and meetings were at times prolonged.  Whilst he could say with the Psalmist, "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (Psa. 45. 1).  He could seldom be induced to use a pen or write out his addresses.  Only on special subjects or when specially stirred, did the pen become a ready writer.
Moved by the crowds who visited Ayr during Fair Week. he was led to take up and put new life into an effort to preach the Gospel on the Low Green and have Conferences in a hall.  He gathered round him a band of earnest workers, and for years, these meetings were a special feature of the Glasgow Fair Week.  He attended the 1929 meetings and was proposing to be at the July gatherings this year, but the Lord promoted him.  He also interested himself in a regular conference in Galston, on the lines of his favourite theme, "Life in Christ."
During the last 10 years, his health has slowly but perceptibly failed, but of recent months, he grew much weaker in body and mind and passed peacefully away on Friday morning, June 20th.
The earthly remains were laid to rest in Kilmarnock Cemetery, when close on 600 believers from all parts of Ayrshire and far distant, gathered to show their respect for one who was beloved by all and an enemy of none.  Messrs. Robert Smith, an old Kilmarnock man, John Gray, of Glasgow, and John Ritchie took part in the service in the house and at the Cemetery.  This devoted and humble life has been summed up by one who knew our brother thus:
Mr. Grant was the ideal pastor.  His abounding sympathy, his affection for all the people of God, his intimate acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, his Spirit-controlled life, his tactful method of dealing with all classes and conditions of men, marked him out as gifted in a special degree by the Head of the Church for this work.  As a teacher of the Word of God, especially in the prime of manhood, his ministry was of a peculiarly lofty type and tone.  I think I see him still, as I first heard him some 36 years ago in the hall in Duke Street. His spare but erect figure, his resonant voice, his perfect articulation in which every syllable was heard, his delightful elocution in the reading of the Scriptures, his scholarly knowledge of the Greek text enabling him to bring out each shade of meaning as he read, his orderly exposition of such a subject as the work of the Holy Spirit in the: believer—a subject in which he was a specialist, his prayers unmistakably those of a man in close touch with God—these left an ineffable impression on many of us. . . .We have lost a great and good man.  I do not think we shall see another of his kind in our generation.  Let us honour his memory and thank God for it.  He lived in a plane above most of us while in the body, he is higher still in the fair paradise of God to-day. 
The words of 2 Timothy 4. 7, 8: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," were more true of dear Mr. Grant than they are of most of us left behind.  May we therefore seek to emulate our brother by being more zealous in "fighting the good fight," till we also are called to our eternal reward.  HyP.
“The Witness” 1930