Bates, Rev. John

BATES

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/18/2007 at 20:38:48

Historical Sketches of Iowa Baptists, 1886.

REV. JOHN BATES died in Canada, May 8, 1875, aged 70 years. He was born in Bugbrook, Northamptonshire, England, January 26, 1805. Baptized December 25, 1829, into the fellowship of the Eagle Church, Rev. Joseph Irving, pastor. He early “turned his thoughts towards the Christian ministry, intending to go out as a missionary around the colored people of the West Indies.” Not carrying out this purpose, he afterwards decided to enter the service of the Baptist Irish Society to work among the Roman Catholics of Ireland. He was appointed by that body in 1833 and labored at Ballina, Sligo, and other localities. At Ballina where he continued for nine years, he baptized 60 persons, the fruit of missionary toil. He was in the employ of the Baptist Irish Society in all, seventeen years. He came to America in 1850 and settled in Cascade, where his efficient labors are noticed in these Sketches. In this state he “came to be recognized as a power, and his counsels in Association and Convention were most carefully weighted.” He removed to Canada in 1864 and became pastor of the church at Dundas. In 1867 he removed to Woodstock and became identified with the interests of the Canadian Literary Institute located there. He was also for six years pastor of the church at Woodstock and received into its fellowship by baptism and letter 211 persons. Here he consecrated two of his daughters to the Foreign Mission work. Mr. Bates was truly a man of great power and ardent piety.