George Kenworthy

In Memorium

G. Kenworthy

It is with sad heart that we have to record the death of our dear friend and brother, George Kenworthy, who passed away on Sunday morning September 11th after a very brief and painful illness. It was only on the previous Tuesday that he became apparently unwell, and then it was not thought that there was anything beyond a slight indisposition, caused by a cold. However on Friday, alarming symptoms developed and on Saturday it was evident that his illness would terminate fatally, and as stated above, he passed quietly away, a smile lighting up his countenance and testifying to his wife and children, though he could not speak, that he had caught a glimpse of the Celestial City. His death has fallen upon his family and upon the Church at Dodworth with such a shock that it cannot yet be realized. First in all things for the furtherance of God's cause, a man whose devotion to his religous duties was unsurpassed, his familiar form will never be effaced from our memory. The late Mr. Kenworthy's life is a striking example of the growth of good under adverse conditions.

Born at Silkstone, on the 9th January, 1859, he, early in life attended the Primitive Methodist Sunday School there. He many times referred to his attendance as the one bright spot in his life in those early days. He often played truant when sent to school, but he never wished to stay away from Sunday School; abd quite recently he lovongly referred to the grand old hymns which they used to sing, and the memory of which he still cherished. His early home life was not a happy one, and he has told, how as a boy, he would go into the woods near his home, and stay for a whole day without food, reading some book which had been lent to him. Many a hungry man and woman has he taken into his home and supplied with a substantial meal. He began to attend the Sunday School at Dodworth when about 9 years of age. He was a big rough lad, but there was nothing mean or selfish in him. He would join in any roguish prank, and no doubt gave his teachers many an anxious time, but in those early days one of his teachers made a prophecy which was fulfilled to the letter. 'If only that lad can be brought under the grace of God, he will make a fine worker for God's cause.' When he was about 15 years of age there was a great revival at Dodworth, and along with many others he was converted, and the vows then made were never forgotten. Among those who influenced his life at the time, were the late George Grayson and Charles Senior, and Messrs. Lomas (New Zealand), Chadwick (Liverpool) and Cragg (Barnsley). When 20 years of age he went to reside at Hoyland, and while there was married at Dodworth to the wife who is left behind, along with his nine children to mourn his loss. It was while living in Hoyland that he received a note to go on the Plan; and after coming back to Dodworth was received on trial, and became a local preacher in the Barnsley Circuit at the age of 24 years. He had great gifts as a preacher, being very fluent and attractive. He was not afraid to preach his principles, and above all he lived according to them.

When the present chapel at Dodworth was built in 1904, and towards which he gave generously and worked assiduously, Mr. Kenworthy decided to devote his gifts and energies to the work there, and the great number of promising young men and women who are Church members,testify to the fruitful success of his work. Well, might he said -

I live for those who love me
For those who know me true
For the Heaven that smiles above me
And awaits my coming too.
For the cause that lacks assistance
For the wrong that needs resistance
For the future in the distance
And the good that I can do.

As Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years, Society Steward, Class Leader, and President of the Band of Hope, he has worked zealously and lovingly. Those who knew Brother Kenworthy best, knew the real worth. As the Rev. J. T. Tyreman said at the Funeral Service, ' There was nothing undersized or mean about George Kenworthy; he was a man.'

The interment took place on Tuesday September 13th . A Service was conducted in the Chapel by the Rev. J. T. Tyreman, and the great esteem in which our late friend was held, was shewn by the large number of people who filled the Chapel to show their last token of respect.