BIOGRAPHY
Charles Andrew Coates was born in Bradford, Yorkshire on
December 7, 1862, but for most of his life he lived in Teignmouth, Devon, on
the sunny south coast of England, having moved there for his health.
C.A.C. came from a devoted Christian family.
In 1926 he said, "When I was a
boy I remember a brother coming to my father's house, and I said to myself, I
wish that I knew all that he knows!
In the same year he recalled, "My
father used to say that there was not much difference between high Calvinists
and low Arminians because "the former had bad self before them and the latter
had good self before them, but neither of them had Christ before them".
He was soundly converted in 1878 at the age of 16 . He was true to his
commitment and the Lord used him for a wonderful service.
He was
well-known in the South of England, taking part in Bible Readings and
Conferences in that area.
In June 1941 in his 80th year
he wrote:
"My health keeps fairly good, considering my age, but under
present conditions [ World War II ] I do not feel able to get about as in past
years. "But I am sure that the Lord will give opportunity, and an open door,
for such service as he intends to be rendered.
"It is a very great favour
from Him to be enabled to serve Him, and His saints, even in the very smallest
way".
On December 12, 1939, he wrote:
"It has been a very definite
exercise with me ever since I began to break bread that the printed ministry
ought not to be made the source of financial profit.
Our brother's
health and general condition began to show a marked deterioration about October
1944, and from that time onwards he was unable to get to meetings regularly,
and was frequently under medical care.
From time to time he would seem to
revive and come out but these occasions became less and less frequent, and the
last time he was present at a meeting was on the morning of Lord's Day, August
5, 1945.
After that his condition rapidly became worse and on September 6
he was hurriedly removed to hospital for an urgent minor operation, which gave
him relief from pain temporarily, and for a few days he was able to see a
number of the brethren.
His sufferings, however soon returned and for a
week from September 14 such visits were very restricted. Our sister, Miss Ivy
Tucker, who had looked after him for many years, was in constant attendance at
the hospital and was able to spend a considerable time with him, reading or
speaking to him as his condition permitted, and one of the last pieces of
ministry read to him which he was able to enjoy was "Corners" from "Words of
Truth" for August 1944.
Further, owing to her experience of his
long-standing weaknesses Miss Tucker was allowed to prepare all his meals at
home as a special case and take them to the hospital, but he was
frequently unable to take any nourishment, and on isolated days did not even
speak a word.
During the morning of Saturday, October 6, he
became unconscious, a condition from which he never recovered, although even
then, at times, his lips were seen to be moving as if, possibly, addressing the
Lord.
He fell asleep at 9:20 am on Lord's Day, October 7, Miss Tucker and
a hospital sister (in fellowship) being with him at the time.