David Fountain 1929 - 2004

Memorial article by Harry Waite, to be published in Grace Magazine

It is a signal honour to be asked to give a testimony to an exceptional man of God. He was dearly loved by his wife Frances, his stalwart children and his grand-children, the Pastor and church in Southampton, and by all who had fellowship with him down many years.

On 4 July, around 4pm, this faithful, devoted servant of Christ slipped quietly and easily into the seen presence of the Lord. He was 74 years of age. So was the great hymn writer, also of Southampton, Isaac Watts. David greatly admired him and wrote a biography of him. The first hymn of his thanksgiving service was 'When I survey the wondrous Cross'.

It so happened that I was preaching that Sunday in Spring Road Evangelical Church. I was invited to have tea with David and Frances. The arrangement was that I was to let myself into their house and sit in the lounge. Just before 4pm David came and stood quietly in the doorway. I was struck by his serene countenance and radiant smile. He said that he would be down in a minute. He went upstairs, lay down on his bed and went home to glory and to Christ. He passed suddenly out of this earthly scene with a seraphic smile on his face.

Frances soon came into the house and we met on the stairs. I put my arms round her and told her that her beloved husband had gone to be with the Lord. She was convulsed with tears and then suddenly said with brightness, 'David is free from all his sufferings and is now with Christ'. She was overwhelmed with joy at the considerate way that God had called him into heaven and home. Frances expressed her determination to attend the evening service, saying that David would want her to do that.

David had been for 12 long years stricken with that debilitating disease ME. I have never known such loving and tender devotion as that which Francis constantly, sacrificially and lovingly showed to her afflicted husband. What an unconscious and prolonged ministry that was, and so unstinting, having only the wellbeing of David on her heart. He himself declared that he could not have endured his privations had it not been for the loving devotion of Frances.

Throughout his 37 years as a faithful and fruitful Minister of Spring Road, David Fountain maintained a staunch adherence to the inerrant Word of God. It cost him dear at times but he did not waver in his noble stand for truth and righteousness. When he was, for those 12 years, largely taken out of circulation he earnestly and graciously continued to argue for separation from all compromise and confusion within evangelicalism.

The conversations I was privileged to have with David - often brief because of his weakness - were both challenging, stimulating and edifying. David Fountain dared to be a Daniel; dared to stand alone; dared to have a purpose firm and dared to make it known.

David Fountain was born in Dulwich, South London, on 27 September1929. He graduated and had an MA at Oxford University. He wrote several valuable books, and he was a strong influence for the purity of the gospel of Christ crucified all his life. His Thanksgiving Service was triumphal and the sense of the presence of God was real and precious. David's eldest son Andrew, speaking for the whole family, gave a most thrilling and moving account of his father's gracious and fruitful life and ministry. The whole family loved him dearly. Pastor Mark Stocker also made a wonderful tribute to David, as his helper and mentor behind the scenes.

We continue to uphold Frances and the family in these days where both gratitude and sorrow remain.

My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity (Malachi 2:5-6, AV).