Introduction

Introduction

This booklet gathers a range of articles of ministry by Fred Trussler that have previously appeared in various periodical magazines.  The sources have been given where available.

Frederick Walter Trussler was born in 1885 in Hambeldon, Surrey—his father George was a farm labourer, and moved about in Surrey with his family from farm to farm, as many of his kind had to in order to get work.  As a young man, Fred had also worked on farms.  He married Florence Wyatt in 1913 and they appear to have settled first in Chiddingfold, south of Godalming, also in Surrey.  When he was considered in 1916 as a conscientious objector in World War 1, he is recorded as a walking-stick maker.  This must have been a local trade, as two other objectors from this village were in the same work.  Later on, he worked in forestry, and operated a sawmill making pit props for coal mines. This background adds interest to the word on four trees included in this book.

Fred Trussler was local for many years in the meeting in Horsham.  I remember him from when I was young, preaching and taking fellowship meetings, which I was able to appreciate.  He had his own special place in the affections of his brethren, and a distinct style of ministry associated with a simple life and close link with the Lord Jesus.  Some of these addresses particularly bring out how much he appreciated the Lord for His personal beauty and His sufferings.  He served widely in ministry until old age: these articles show that he paid a visit to Australia nearly at the end of his life.  He was taken to be with the Lord at Horsham in 1969.

Scripture quotations are from the King James’ Version and the Darby Bibles.

ANDREW BURR

2020