Silas GILL

GILL, SILAS (b. Beckley, Sussex, England, 1 Feb 1807, d. Kempsey, NSW, 10 Sept 1875). Wesleyan Methodist local preacher.

After receiving a rudimentary education Silas Gill worked as a farm labourer. As a youth he was a boxer and also a member of a party of smugglers on the coast of Kent. He was converted under the ministry of the Rev Thomas Collins in the Sandhurst Wesleyan Methodist circuit. As Silas made his way up the aisle in response to his appeal Collins remarked of this big-framed young man 'Here comes a giant for Jesus'. Such he became in Christian witness and service. Under Collins' evangelistic ministry the Sandhurst circuit Methodist membership grew from 366 to 912. Gill ever afterwards regarded Collins as his spiritual father, from whom he had learned how to work for the Master. Of Gill and other converts Collins said 'The people were prepared to take fire, hold fire and spread fire'.

The British government, at the instigation of Gov Richard Bourke, introduced the 'Bounty System' of assistance to migrants to NSW in 1835. As a result, large numbers from Sussex and other counties, who had experienced extreme poverty, came to NSW. Many of these (including Gill) became lay leaders of the Methodist Church in the colony. Silas emigrated on the Augusta Jessie, and arrived in Sydney, on 11 Oct 1837. He worked on farms at Cobbity (near Camden), Woodville and Sugarloaf (on the Hunter River), and Wauchope and Kempsey (on the central north coast). While living at Cobbity he preached to convicts and settlers in the Nepean district. He moved to the Hunter River about 1845. His preaching at Woodville resulted in the establishment of a Methodist society of 30 members who were formed into two classes led by Silas and his brother, William. Shortly afterwards a chapel was erected. Silas travelled great distances to proclaim the gospel to isolated settlers. He participated in camp meetings which were characterised by hearty singing, fervent praying and powerful preaching resulting in many conversions.

In 1851 Silas and his son George spent a short period seeking gold along the Turon River, but he was more zealous in seeking among fellow-miners souls tor the Saviour. After suffering material reverses on the Hunter River, Silas and his friend, James Boltwood, moved to the Hastings River in 1858. Silas recorded that he felt impelled to take the gospel to the penal settlement at Port Macquarie, not realising that it had been disbanded. However he and Boltwood did revive the defunct Methodist cause there and preached in other centres.

Gill moved to Kempsey in 1859 and for the next 16 years he preached in many places on the Macleay River, and helped establish a number of Methodist churches. He was instrumental in building a church in Kempsey and maintained a Christian witness there for four years prior to the arrival of the first Methodist minister in 1864. He lost his possessions in the 1864 flood but triumphantly declared that he had not lost his faith. Poor in this world's goods, he was rich in faith and strong in character. His exuberant Christian faith constantly found expression in song. Five hundred, attending his funeral, testified to his gracious influence in their lives. His tombstone hears these words: 'For 38 years he followed Christ, Doing Good and Turning many to Righteousness. His preaching and his life proved him full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.'

Eric G Clancy, A Giant for Jesus (Sydney, 1972); Christian Advocate 4 Jan 1876; Methodist 9 Sept 1911

ERIC G CLANCY