'In 1939, William Sangster
assumed leadership of Westminster Central Hall, a Methodist church near London’s Westminster
Abbey. During his first worship service he
announced to his stunned congregation that Britain and Germany were officially at war. He quickly converted the church basement into an
air raid shelter, and for 1 688 nights Sangster ministered to the various needs of all
kinds of people.
At the same time he somehow managed to write, to preach
gripping sermons, to earn a Ph.D., and to lead hundreds to Christ. He became known as Wesley’s successor in London
and esteemed as most beloved British preacher of his era.
Sometime after the war, Sangster was diagnosed with
progressive muscular atrophy. For three
years, he slowly died, becoming progressively more paralysed, finally able to move only
two fingers. But his attitude didn’t falter, for when first
learning of his illness, Sangster made four rules for himself. Many people have rules for living. Sangster composed four rules for dying: ‘I
will never complain. I will keep the home
bright. I will count my blessings. I will try to turn my illness to gain.’ He did all those things. And thus the work of God was displayed in his life
and in his death.'
"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we
die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s."
(Romans 14:8)
