A History of Horncastle Part 10

For the above details I am largely indebted to the notes "On the Wong,"

of the late Mr. W. Pacey, supplemented by the _History of England_, in seven volumes, of the Rev. H. Walter, B.D., F.R.S., Professor in the East India College, Hertford, Chaplain to the Duke of Northumberland, &c., &c.

THE BAPTIST CHAPEL.

This is the oldest nonconformist building in Horncastle. It is generally supposed that there was a still earlier chapel, situated near what is called the Bow Bridge, which spans the southern branch of the ca.n.a.l, between Cagthorpe and St. Mary's Square, but we have no definite proof of this beyond a vague tradition.

The Baptist community date their origin from the time of the Commonwealth. The earliest person of note connected with this religious body being John Bunyon, author of _The Pilgrim's Progress_, {84a} who espoused the cause of the Parliament against Charles I. He first preached in Bedford, where he was a tinker by trade, in the year 1655, visiting various other parts of the country in succeeding years, until he died, August 31st, 1688, and was buried in Bunhill Fields.

An old doc.u.ment shows that at a meeting held at Bedford, in the spring of 1655, over which he presided, it was decided to send one of the members, "Mr. Brown to Horncastle, in Lincolnshire, to a few persons of the belief, seeking help to guide them in forming a society." Before the "Toleration Act" was pa.s.sed in 1689, nonconformist places of worship were not allowed to exist within five miles of a market town. {84b} In Asterby, about six miles from Horncastle, there is a Baptist chapel, locally reputed {84c} to be the oldest in the kingdom. At Coningsby is a Baptist Chapel, with a school, dating from nearly the same period, with an endowment of 26 acres of land. The Baptists of Horncastle mostly, in those days, worshipped at Asterby. At Donington-on-Bain there is also a very ancient chapel, where the Baptists of Louth worshipped. The two chapels of Asterby and Donington have a joint endowment of 20 a year, and are now affiliated to Northgate Chapel in Louth.

The Foundation Deed of the Chapel in Horncastle is dated Sept. 19, 1767; and the names of the founders are given as William Bromley, Vicars Keal, Hamlet Dabney, William Taylor, William Storr, William Dawson, Thos.

Hollingshed, Charles Bonner, George Gunnis, James Coates, John Blow, and William Tenant.

The Chapel was originally a structure of one story, having its entrance in the centre of the north wall, and the pulpit opposite. Until the early part of the 19th century it had no baptistry, immersion being performed in the water-mill pit, {84d} in the north of the town.

Considerable structural alterations were made in the year 1843, when the walls were heightened and upper windows inserted; a gallery was erected at the east end; the north door was bricked up, and the present entrance at the east end opened; the pulpit being removed to the west end, facing the door. A further enlargement was made by a small vestry on the west being added, thus providing sitting accommodation for 250 worshippers.

On the north side of the building is a graveyard, but only three inscriptions are legible, they are "Mary Markwell, died March 28th, 1776, aged 29. Prepare to meet thy G.o.d." This was, doubtless, one of the earliest interments. The second is "In memory of Thomas Lamb, who departed this life June 7th, 1811, aged 82.

Here rests that lately animated clod, Who self despised, and glorified his G.o.d; And when that great decisive day shall come, He'll rise triumphant from the silent tomb.

Also of Frances, his wife, who departed this life April 2nd, 1810, aged 79. He was a watchmaker. The third is as follows: "Sacred to the memory of Eliza, daughter of William Parker, Solicitor, and Elizabeth, his wife, who died 1st April, 1835, aged 20 years. Them that sleep in Jesus will G.o.d bring with Him." Mr. Parker occupied part of the premises now forming the shop and residence of Mr. Bryant, shoemaker, in the High Street.

There is little doubt that the house adjoining the chapel, on the north west, was once the minister's residence. On the stairs leading to the present rostrum there is still a doorway, which evidently led to the house. There is a stone tablet over this door, and in 1892 an exact copy of this was made, and placed on the north wall. The inscription reads "John Hill, departed this life Oct. 16th, 1779, aged 48, Pastor of this Church 13 years."

There are some tablets on the wall within, but the Rev. F. Samuels, who was Pastor when the Chapel was renovated, about 1882, unfortunately allowed the inscriptions to be obliterated.

It is interesting to know that the Mint Lane Baptist Chapel, at Lincoln, was founded in 1767, by worshippers at Horncastle. {85a} Curiously it was not till 1892 that the Horncastle Chapel was "registered" as a place of worship, the omission being only then discovered, when application was made for a licence to solemnize marriages.

In 1893 the Chapel was thoroughly restored, at a cost of 80; the interior being modernised, the walls painted, the old high pews removed and replaced by neat seats, the old box-shaped pulpit taken down, and a rostrum and platform erected. There is a good organ, with special seats for the choir.

We may add that the Baptists are now a very numerous and influential body. At the Baptist World Conference, held at Exeter Hall, London, July 10 and following days, 1905, the first ever held as an united community, Dr. Maclaren of Manchester presiding, a message was received from the King and Queen, thanking for a loyal address from the Conference. The President also stated that he had informally received a greeting of good will from the Established Church, as well as from the Free Churches.

On that occasion ministers and delegates attended from various parts of Great Britain and the Colonies, from America, France, and other countries. A meeting was held under "The Reformer's Tree," in Hyde Park, Miss Burroughs, a coloured lady, being on the platform, also Mr. Britto, a coloured vocalist, and the singing being led by a coloured choir. The President, Dr. Clifford of London, stated that there were present 4,000 delegates, from all parts of the world, representing some seven millions of Baptists, {85b} and 5,700,000 communicants; but besides these there are 14 or 15 millions of "adherents" to the cause, so that the whole body numbers over 20 millions.

The Rev. W. E. Pearson was appointed August, 1905, but left in Feb., 1907, to pursue his studies at college.

THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.

The Croft Street Chapel, or New Jerusalem Church, is both structurally and intellectually, the most recent developement of Nonconformity in Horncastle. The founder of this community was a personality so remarkable that it may be well here to give a brief sketch of him.

Emanuel Swedenborg, son of a Lutheran bishop, was born at Stockholm, in 1689. During more than the first half of his life he was distinguished as a hard worker in the field of science, and from his many clever inventions, and valuable public services, he was enn.o.bled by his sovereign. But in the year 1743, after a serious illness, accompanied by brain fever, the result of excessive mental labour, he threw up all work of this kind, declaring that he had received a "call" from the Lord, who manifested Himself to him, by personal appearance, and commissioned him to devote further life and strength to holier purposes.

Being a man of strong will, albeit, not improbably, with a touch (as was thought by several) of mental aberration, the result of his illness, he threw himself, with characteristic energy, into the work of religious proselytism, in support of the special views with which he was now inspired. He became a kind of religious clairvoyant, living an ecstatic existence in communion with angels and spirits. He printed accounts of various "Arcana," as he termed them; visions granted to him of heaven and h.e.l.l; the state after death, the true worship of G.o.d, the inner spiritual sense of the scriptures; and so forth. He held spiritual intercourse with the dwellers in other planets, conversing with Apostles, with Luther, Calvin, Melancthon, &c. "Things hidden since the days of Job (he declared) were revealed to himself."

Followers gradually gathered round him, inspired by his own enthusiasm.

He visited England frequently; and before his death, in London, A.D.

1772, he had established congregations in England, Ireland, Wales, France, Holland, Sweden, Russia, and even in Turkey and America. It is said that several Anglican clergy adopted his views, though still retaining charges in their own church.

The special tenets of the sect, which he founded, seem to have been, that, while believing in one G.o.d, they held that He was the Christ; that Christ always existed in human form, but not in human soul; and that in His Person there was a real Trinity; that the bible was to be understood in a spiritual sense, which was first revealed to Swedenborg. Their ritual, which was based on that of the Anglican Church, included a splendid priesthood and an elaborate ceremonial.

Swedenborg's very numerous writings included a number of mystic works, especially connected with what he called the "Spiritual Influx," which was not limited to locality but pervaded everywhere. Translations of all his works have been issued by the Swedenborg Society, located at No. 1, Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C., and at Horncastle they may be borrowed from the New Church Free Library in Croft Street. The Horncastle branch has also its own monthly magazine, _The New Church Advocate_.

The following is a brief account of the Society's origin and progress, in Horncastle, from particulars furnished to the present writer, by the esteemed minister, Rev. R. Mayes, in 1903 (the second year of his ministry), and by Mr. Edwin Townell, who has been secretary for a quarter of a century. The Society was inaugurated on August 9, 1869, when Messrs. Bogg, Moore, Hall, Cook, Austin, and Bellamy, met at the house of Mr. E. J. Moore, 19, Queen Street; Mr. Moore being appointed Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Bogg and Mr. Hall Trustees, and Mr. Bogg nominated as first Leader. Mr. Cook offered the use of a room in his house, rent free, and the first service was held on the following day, Sunday, the 10th of the same month.

As Mr. Bogg resided at Benniworth, nine miles from Horncastle, he could not undertake a service every Sunday; and, at first there was only an evening meeting, weather permitting.

[Picture: The New Jerusalem Church]

There was a good deal of opposition for a time, especially from the Congregationalists, under their minister, Mr. J. E. Whitehead; this, however, served rather to increase the general interest in the new movement, and the evening congregations grew in numbers. The first tea meeting (which ultimately became an established monthly inst.i.tution) was held March 14, 1870, in a room in the alley named "Tinker's Entry," there being then 14 members on the roll; when addresses were given by Mr. J. S.

Bogg, Chairman; and by Messrs. Cook, Moore, T. Wemyss Bogg, and others.

In May of the same year Mr. Richard Gunton, of the Lincolnshire New Church a.s.sociation, visited them, followed by Rev. John Hyde in October, Mr. Gunton coming again in December of the same year. We may here observe that this connection with Mr. Richard Gunton became, as will be hereafter shewn, a most valuable a.s.set in the Society's favour, in more ways than one. He took up his residence in London, first in Oseney Crescent, Camden Road, N.W., and afterwards in Tufnell Park Road, N., but he never lost his interest in the Horncastle branch; visiting the town year after year, to preach or give lectures, in the Corn Exchange, on behalf of the Society. His last visit was in October, 1896; his death occurring on the 5th of the December following, after (as was fitly stated) "40 years of faithful service as Superintendent Missionary," as well as having been Treasurer of the New Church Conference.

In 1871 Mr. Moore left Horncastle, the room in Tinker's Entry was given up, and the meetings were held in the house of Mr. W. Hall, where a library was also opened for the members. Subsequently, with a view to the erection of a suitable place of worship, Mr. Hall bought a piece of land in Croft Street and presented it to the Society, the project being also warmly supported by Mr. R. Gunton. A subscription list was opened, plans and estimates obtained, and the foundation stone of a fabric was laid, Sep. 16, 1872. The appeal for support concluded with these words: "This will be the first house of worship constructed in the County of Lincoln, for the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only G.o.d." This was signed by W. Hall, Treasurer, and Edwin Dawson, Secretary.

The Chapel was opened Jan. 29, 1873, being dedicated by the Rev. Dr.

Bayley, Minister of the Chapel in Argyle Square, London; who had given a series of lectures in aid of the Society four years before (November, 1869) in the Corn Exchange; and, after the dedication, he again gave addresses, which were continued by Revs. P. Ramage, R. Storry, C. H.

Wilkins, Mr. R. Gunton, and others, usually morning and evening.

We will now describe the Croft Street fabric, opened under these favourable auspices. It consists of a square oblong, standing north and south, 40-ft. by 20-ft.; the architect was Mr. Gosling of London, the builder Mr. Chas. Blyton of Horncastle, the material being red and white brick. There is accommodation for 150 persons; the cost of the structure was 350. The fittings, which had formerly belonged to a chapel in Cross Street, Hatton Gardens, London, were presented by Mr. William Pickstone.

At the south end there is an apsidal recess with three lancet windows, the central one having coloured gla.s.s, with the figure of the Good Shepherd and an inscription at the bottom stating that it was "Presented by J. W Fishleigh and f.a.n.n.y his wife, in memoriam, Feb., 1901," being in memory of their only daughter, who died in London, the mother having been brought up in this connection.

Within this apse there is a platform, with polished oak rail in front, resting on carved pillars. On this is a Reading Desk and Communion Table. The carpet and communion cushion were presented by the late Mr.

T. Tapling, carpet manufacturer, of London, who was a native of Lincolnshire. In the centre of the apse is a carved oak chair, having the monogram I.H.S., which was given by Mr. C. Blyton. In front, standing on the Chapel floor, is a harmonium by Alexandre & Sons, of Paris; it is a fine instrument, having four sets of vibrators and 14 stops. It was obtained partly at the cost of the congregation, and partly by a donation of the late Mr. John Jobson, from Mr. Thomas Gunton (son of Mr. Richard Gunton of London), who resided at Bunnyfield House, Hatfield Park, and was for many years private secretary to the late Marquis of Salisbury. The instrument originally cost 84. Mr. William Hall presided at this harmonium from the first.

We have mentioned Dr. Bayley of London as the earliest preacher in the new chapel; there was no resident minister till 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Hall entertained during the whole of the first year (1873) the preachers above named. Others of note who followed were Mr. Layland of Nottingham, Leader of the Society in 1876; followed, 18778, by Mr. J. R. Boyle; to whom succeeded, 18789, Mr. W. A. Bates (afterwards of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia); Mr. W. J. Adc.o.c.k, 187980; Mr. A. E. Beilby, 18801; Mr. W. Hall, 1882; and Mr. William Robinson, October of that year. At various dates the preachers were Rev. R. Storey of Heywood near Manchester, Rev. Mr. Wilkins of Nottingham, Mr. Skelton of London, Mr.

Pulsford of Leicester, Mr. Cameron of Edinburgh, Mr. Fairweather of London, Mr. Ashby of Derby, Mr. Best of Hull, Rev. T. Prestland of London, Rev. Joseph Deans in 1899, and Rev. J. R. Rendell, President of the Conference; Rev. Lewis A. Slight of Northampton, 1900; Rev. J. T.

Freeth of Bolton, President, 1901. From time to time preachers were sent by the New Church Conference, and later by the East Midland and Lincolnshire a.s.sociation.

Three marriages were solemnized in the Chapel by Rev. L. A. Slight, viz., that of Miss Townell and Mr W. Chapman of Oundle, Dec. 11, 1900; Miss Elizabeth Hall and Mr. Edwin White, both of Horncastle, May 21, 1901; and Miss Florence Smith to Mr. Alfred Storton of London, July 9, 1901.

The Rev. Richard Mayes, the first resident Minister, came from Leicester, first preached here Feb. 23, 1902, and entered on his ministry in October of that year. Other preachers during that interval were Mr. Fairweather of Loughborough, Mr. L. A. Slight, Mr. Layland, Mr. W. Hall and Mr. H.

Deans.

A Sunday School was opened with the Chapel in 1873; this was, at a later date, temporarily closed, but re-opened by Mr. Mayes. Under him, ably supported as he is by members the Townell and Blyth families, and others, the services, which are short, bright, and musical, are being attended by increasing numbers. Mr. Edwin Townell is still Secretary, as he was in 1880; and with Mr. Mayes' ministry Mr. H. Freeman succeeded Mr. W. Hall as Treasurer.

THE REV. THOMAS LORD.

The subject of this notice, no longer holding a ministerial charge, is by many years the doyen among Nonconformist preachers in Horncastle, being the oldest Congregational Minister in England. He completed his hundredth year on April 22, 1908; on which occasion he received a congratulatory telegram from His Majesty the King; while a public fund was inst.i.tuted for a presentation to be made to him in recognition of the occasion, which he desired to be given in his name to the local Inst.i.tution of Nurses.