No account of the Flamboro’ society would be complete without reference to the late Vickerman Mainprize. He was the son of Mr L. Mainprize, whose life and example became an inspiration to his children. When eighteen years of age Vickerman was converted, and within two years became a local preacher and class leader.
When we first knew him he was in the prime of manly strength and a working fisherman. He had several narrow escapes from drowning. On one occasion he, along with two others (father and son, named Robson, members of our society and at whose home one of our ministers was entertained), fell victims to the raging sea, near Flamboro’ Head and our friend, after struggling until his strength was exhausted, and his tongue swollen until it filled his mouth, was rescued in what appeared his utmost extremity. He was yielding to despair when he seemed to hear a voice, as if from heaven, saying, ‘Look to the right, there is deliverance.’ He looked and saw a boat approaching, which soon afterwards took him safely to shore. Again, when helping to moor a vessel, on the Welsh coast, he was hurled by the force of a hurricane into the sea, and would have perished but for a boat which opportunely passed by. Once again, when securing a vessel which was in danger of being driven from its moorings, he got upon a plank, along which he was, with difficulty, crawling on his hands and knees, when he was blown into the water, from which he was rescued barely in time to save life. He retained ever afterwards a grateful recollection of these merciful deliverances and used to weave them into his sermons, in a very realistic way, with benefit to his hearers.
He was an ally of Mr Coulson in the mission which established our cause in Flamboro’. He often used to speak of those early triumphs, which he vividly remembered to his dying day and which he helped to achieve. For half a century he and his estimable wife made a home for the preachers, always giving them a most cordial welcome. He represented the Circuit at the District Meetings and Conferences. He laid the foundation stones of most of the chapels in the Bridlington Circuit and generously supported all our Connexional institutions. He was a total abstainer for many years, but towards the close of life and by his physician’s advice, he began, occasionally, to take intoxicants. His conscience however, was troubled, and going to God in prayer for divine guidance, the conviction fastened itself upon his mind that he ought to take no more strong drink for any purpose. He was obedient to the heavenly voice, and seemed to gain health and strength afterwards.
Mr Mainprize was one of those who are not spoiled by the change of fortune. For many years he was very poor, and picked up a precarious living on the sea, but about the year 1868 he became the possessor of a large fortune, and abandoned his perilous occupation. His heart, however, was not chilled by his wealth; he was as true, as humble, as prayerful and as devoted to Primitive Methodism at the end of his career as he was at the beginning. On taking the chair at the Kilham Chapel Anniversary (1877) he said, ‘I have served God forty-six years. Like Paul, I know what it is to be abased, and what it is to abound; what it is to be hungry and what it is to have more than I need. I was once very poor, now I am rich, but in the midst of all God has kept me, and by His grace I can say I have not lost an inch of my height, nor a pound of my weight, nor a drachm of my zeal.’ No topic of conversation gave this good old man more pleasure than a talk about the early days of Primitive Methodism. He died a few years ago in the full triumph of faith.
From an old book called "Primitive Methodism on the Yorkshire Wolds," by Rev H. Woodcock, 1889.
Gravestone reads:
"In affectionate rememberance of VICKERMAN MAINPRIZE
of Flamboro who fell asleep in Jesus
May 20 1884 aged 71 years
'Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not
the son of man cometh' Matt. 24 ch. 44 v.
Also MARY ANN relict of the above
who died March 14 1894 aged 71 years"
