http://www.archive.org/details/bunhillfieldswri00lighuoft

Bunhill fields : 
Written in honour and to the memory of the many saints of God 
whose bodies rest in this old London cemetery (1913)

Author: Light, Alfred W
Subject: Bunhill Fields (Cemetery : London, England); 
Dissenters -- England; Epitaphs -- London;
Publisher: London : C.J. Farncombe
Possible copyright status: NOT IN COPYRIGHT
Language: English
Call number: ACU-7809
Digitizing sponsor: MSN
Book contributor: Robarts - University of Toronto
Collection: toronto

JOHN HYATT.

IN the same row as Wilks and Neal and quite close to middle railings is the head-stone of John Hyatt.
Almost immediately in front is a railed monument erected to the memory of the Rev. Henry Hunter, D.D. 

On January 21st, 1767, John Hyatt was born at Sherborne, Dorsetshire. His education was very poor, 
and when fourteen he was apprenticed in his native town to a cabinet-maker. As he advanced in years 
he indulged freely in sin until he became a terrible profligate. Becoming acquainted, however, with 
a godly young woman he was led to attend a place of worship, and following a period of intense 
conviction of sin he was blessed with forgiveness and a hope in the mercy of God. He now had to 
experience bitter persecution, especially from his own flesh and blood. Reference was made to this 
by his biographer as follows : 

" His father beholds the astonishing reverse in his spirit and conduct ; but, instead of rejoicing 
over his reformed son, he beholds him with hateful and malicious eyes ; and resolves, if it be possible, 
to deter him from pursuing his newly adopted course. The father vehemently expostulates, the son 
meekly replies ; the father is greatly apprehensive of his son's derangement, the son is anxiously 
concerned for his father's eternal state ! The father promises, then threatens; he loves his 
child, but he hates his religion. Ah! ignorant man! little dost thou think that thou art daringly 
meddling with God ! Forbear, then, from persisting in thy design; thy son knows that he ought to obey 
God rather than man." 

Nothing could daunt John Hyatt, and he maintained his profession in spite of threats on the one hand 
and tempting offers on the other. After his marriage, at the age of twenty, doors were opened for him 
to preach, and he was regularly engaged at various places round Sherborne. He became pastor of a little 
cause at Mere in Wiltshire, where he was "passing rich on 40 a year"; and then preached for about two 
years in Zion Chapel, Frome. Whilst there he was invited occasionally to Moorfields Tabernacle, London, 
where he ultimately became one of its pastors. Between himself and Matthew Wilks there were feelings 
of the deepest love, and their friendship has been compared to that of Jonathan and David, or Paul 
and Timothy. Hyatt's labours as a minister were laborious ; and towards the close of his life he was 
greatly afflicted with asthma. His last sermon was preached on January 8th, 1826, from Eph.iv.13, and 
when this was concluded, he attended to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. A few hours before his end 
he was visited by Matthew Wilks, who asked, " Well, my brother, if you had a hundred souls, could you 
commit them all to Christ now? " With his remaining strength the dying man exclaimed, " A million ! "

As recorded in Mr. J. E. Hazelton's "Inasmuch," John Hyatt was closely connected with that most 
excellent institution, The Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society ; in fact, he drew up the second address 
that was issued by the committee.