Hervey Jenks was born into a respectable, religious family, but his godly parents were not able to convince their son of his need of Christ. He entered Brown University, the Baptist’s premier school at the time, with the intention of becoming a lawyer.
While teaching school in the neighboring community of Rehoboth to pay for his classes, he was suddenly awakened to the eternal need of his soul. The darkness which pervaded his heart for some time was soon replaced by a most joyful confidence in salvation through the merits of Christ. He was baptized and joined the First Baptist Church of Providence in June 1810, and a year later, on this day, he was ordained.
Brother Jenks married and became pastor of his wife’s home church in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, while also pastoring another church in Hudson, New York, traveling back and forth on horseback. Both congregations flourished with souls saved and the members actively serving their Saviour. Soon other churches were showing interest in the young man, but God had different plans. Brother Jenks began to show symptoms which were later diagnosed as typhus. In a few months the disease took his life, dying at the very young age of 28.
In the will of God, the beginning of a productive ministry for Christ was cut short, but what effect did his actual passing have on the lives of others? The Lord may use us in different ways. Are we willing?