William Gadsby

Description This little volume by Ian Shaw tells us more about Gadsby that most people know him to be: a writer of some well known hymns. Here was a preacher with the gospel at the very core of all he did - a gospel he preached in the industrial north of England, always with passion and Christ-centredness. His ministry was shaped by the poverty he knew as a child. He was, and remained, a man of the people, speaking with clarity, plainness and a powerful voice - as witnessed by his ability to be heard in the huge Manchester Free Trade hall, which seated some 8,000 people. His preaching was always illustrated in a way that enabled his listeners to identify with what he was saying. Many such hearers were the poor and uneducated of the Manchester area. He had the ear of those from all sorts of backgrounds. His was a ministry that led to many conversions and, also, the establishing of other churches. He also did a great work amongst children. Here is a man of clear theological convictio