Thomas S Henry

Early Life

Thomas Shuldham Henry, M.A., LL.B., was the only son of Dr. P. Shuldham Henry, President of Queen’s College, Belfast. He was raised in a cultured, educated environment and trained for a distinguished legal career at the English Bar Association. By temperament and lifestyle, he was a lively, pleasure-loving man of the world, fully immersed in society and its enjoyments, with little concern for spiritual realities.

Conversion and Call to Christian Service

The turning point in Henry’s life came in 1860, through a deeply personal and solemn experience. A beloved brother-in-law, an officer in the 91st Argyllshire Regiment, died in his arms, declaring with confidence, “I am going to Jesus.” Though this deeply moved him emotionally, it did not immediately awaken his conscience.

At the funeral, however, as the coffin was lowered into the grave and the familiar words “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” were spoken, Henry—standing as chief mourner beside a four-year-old nephew—was suddenly struck by a piercing inward question:
“If your body were in that coffin now, where would your soul be?”

That moment marked the beginning of true spiritual awakening. Soon afterward, he was persuaded to hear J. Denham Smith, who was then preaching powerfully during a season of revival at Kingstown, Dublin. Through that ministry Henry found peace with God and assurance of salvation. The change in his life was unmistakable. As he later put it, he had “given up law for grace.”

Early Evangelistic Work

Fresh from the atmosphere of the Irish Revival of 1859–1860, Henry returned to London with a burning desire to serve Christ. He began by addressing children’s meetings, where God greatly blessed his simple, earnest messages.

He then took on a significant public role by conducting the “Additional Theatre Services” in major London venues such as the Surrey, Victoria, City of London, and Soho theatres. These meetings supplemented the evangelical work supported by Lord Shaftesbury’s committee. Alongside men such as Reginald Radcliffe, Richard Weaver, and William Carter, Henry saw many people reached with the Gospel.

Partnership with Reginald Radcliffe and European Outreach

For a period, Thomas Shuldham Henry worked closely with Reginald Radcliffe, travelling widely throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. Together they became the first English evangelists to preach publicly in Paris. The response was extraordinary—large crowds gathered to hear about the love of God, and the work promised to spread rapidly.

However, the French authorities intervened. Under orders from Napoleon III’s Minister of the Interior, public meetings were prohibited, and only small private gatherings were allowed. As a result, the mission was curtailed, and Henry and Radcliffe eventually went separate ways.

Ministry in Britain and Ireland

After the separation, Radcliffe responded to the call for help during the Lancashire cotton famine (1861–1862), while Henry continued preaching elsewhere. He ministered in Plymouth, where a notable work of God began, and later in County Kerry, a region where many members of the landed gentry and their families were converted. Among these was Richard Mahony of Dromore Castle, whose conversion had lasting influence.

For many years Henry worked closely with Denham Smith, especially in key centres such as:

• Merrion Hall, Dublin

• Clapton Hall and the Iron Room, London

• St. George’s Hall, London

In London, he typically devoted at least two months every year to preaching, and his ministry there was consistently marked by God’s blessing in the conversion of souls and the strengthening of believers.

Character and Theology

Thomas Shuldham Henry was firmly committed to what he called “the old paths” of Christian doctrine. He held unwaveringly to:

• The full authority of Scripture

• The foundational truths of the Gospel

• The present heavenly ministry of Christ

• The soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ

He was not swayed by theological trends or modern scepticism, remaining deeply anchored in historic evangelical faith. His preaching combined doctrinal clarity with heartfelt appeal, and he possessed a deep love both for sinners and for God’s people.

In one letter written shortly after preaching in Clapton Hall in November 1893, he expressed the spirit that governed his life and ministry:

“It is such an honour to be a soul-winner, and a privilege—one that angels might envy—to be allowed to build up His dear people.”

Final Illness and Death

Shortly after returning to Plymouth, Henry was struck down by a severe rheumatic illness. He lingered for several weeks, fully conscious of his approaching end. His faith remained calm and triumphant. Shortly before his death, he said with confidence:

“This mortal will soon put on immortality.”

On 2 January 1894, Thomas Shuldham Henry passed peacefully into the presence of Christ.

Legacy

Thomas Shuldham Henry left no monument of stone, but his legacy lives on in:

• Souls brought to Christ through revival preaching

• Believers strengthened by clear, Christ-centred teaching

• A life that demonstrated wholehearted surrender to God’s call

Once a brilliant young lawyer destined for worldly success, he became instead a devoted servant of Christ—one whose life testified that no sacrifice made for the Gospel is ever lost.