Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire Part 13

The Church appears to have decreased in number during the changes that had taken place, as there are only 41 names given as members when Mr.

Bicknell was settled. In the course of his ministry 56 members were added. He filled the pastoral office at Welford for about 18 years and 9 months, as he resigned his charge in 1811. In the latter years of his life Mr. Bicknell was minister at Crick, where he died at an advanced age, in the year 1849.

In October, 1812, Mr. Benjamin Hobson, of Driffield, Yorkshire, visited Welford as a probationer, on the recommendation of Mr. Gill, of Market Harborough. After supplying four Sabbaths, he received a unanimous invitation from the Church and congregation to the pastoral office, which he accepted, and entered on his stated labours February 21st, 1813. The number of members in the Church at this time is stated as 43.

Mr. Hobson was born at Sheffield, in the year 1780. In the account given of his early life, we have another case presented, amongst the thousands that have been known in the Church of G.o.d and in the ministry of the Gospel, of one who had to trace his early impressions of religion to the efforts of a pious mother. From early youth he was the "subject of pious emotions," which he always attributed with grateful and filial affection to the piety and prayers of his mother. "Her earnest importunity at family prayer for the salvation of her children," he said, "often affected me, and I believe was the means of leading me to see the value of my soul and the necessity of dependence on Jesus Christ." He derived benefit from some of the last sermons of the Rev. Jehoiada Brewer, and at length joined the Church under the care of Rev. James Boden. He commenced his studies for the ministry at Homerton; but during the first year his health was so affected that he was obliged to return home. This led to a change in the place where his studies were to be pursued. At the urgent request of his mother, that he might not be placed so far from home, in case sickness should return, he obtained admission into the college at Rotherham in 1802, having for his tutors Dr. Edward Williams and Mr. Maurice Phillips. He pursued his studies with commendable diligence, and obtained general esteem by his consistent piety. His first pastoral charge was at Driffield, in Yorkshire, where he was ordained on the 8th July, 1806. Here his labours were useful and his ministry prized; but in the year 1813, influenced in a great degree by the advice of his friend and relative, Mr. G. Collison, of Hackney, and Mr. G. Gill, of Market Harborough, he removed to Welford: and here he continued until within four months of the close of his life, serving this people as their faithful and affectionate pastor for about thirty-five years; and he did this with general acceptance and prevailing usefulness. During his ministry 115 members were added to the Church. His devoted piety was always manifest. With an earnest concern to promote the highest welfare of his charge, with an ardent attachment to the cause of G.o.d, with strong desire to advance the kingdom of the Redeemer, and to be a blessing to those around him, he steadfastly pursued his labours. He had much of the spirit of devotion--was a man of prayer, a man of G.o.d. His preaching was earnest and affectionate, plain and faithful. He was the attentive village pastor, that took some delight in visiting his flock. If his talents were not of a high order, they were of a useful character. If his mind was not powerful, his spirit was affectionate and fervent, and his views of evangelical truth clear and decided. If a sanguine temperament rendered him at times too susceptible, religious principle triumphed, and Christian prudence prevailed. He had a large share of domestic happiness, earnestly seeking the spiritual welfare of his children, their early acquaintance with G.o.d, and decision for the Saviour. He had the happiness of seeing all of them, in the morning of life, "choosing the good part which shall not be taken away from them."

He greatly loved the Missionary cause, and endeavoured to promote a missionary spirit amongst his people. He had one son. That son was engaged in the medical profession, but he was at length anxious to go as a medical missionary to China. The father's love to the Missionary cause was now put to the test; and its sincerity was fully proved. Though for a time conflicting feelings agitated his mind, and parental affection prompted him to say, "Anything but _this_," yet in the strength of the Lord G.o.d he was enabled to present this sacrifice with a willing mind, and could but rejoice that he was counted worthy to be so closely identified with the Missionary cause. He was Secretary for about ten years to the Northamptonshire Independent a.s.sociation, and was generally held in high esteem by his brethren. The last meeting of this a.s.sociation, before Mr. Hobson removed, was held at Welford, when he resigned his office, and the ministers present testified in a gratifying manner their esteem and affection.

In the year 1847 his declining health rendered it necessary that there should be some change in his ministerial duties. An attempt was made to obtain an a.s.sistant; but increasing indisposition, arising from chronic bronchitis, together with some things appearing which were painful to his feelings, decided him at length to relinquish the work, and try the effect of a change of air. He left Welford on the 18th of May, 1848, and numbers of his people felt and said that not their faithful minister only, but their father and their friend, they were about to lose.

He went to the island of Guernsey, with the hope that a milder climate might benefit his health and recruit his strength. But he continued to decline; and just four months after bidding farewell to his people at the sacramental table, he was called from the scenes of time to join the Church triumphant above.

In the closing scene, looking at life in the light of eternity, what he had been enabled to do in the service of G.o.d seemed to be nothing in comparison with what he had failed to accomplish. His feelings for some weeks were not only checkered, but very painful. The state of his mind was dark and distressing, arising, no doubt, from physical weakness, and the completely relaxed state of the nervous system. But the last week was one of great mercy. The enemy was not suffered to distress, nor fears to agitate: his mind was kept "in perfect peace, being stayed on G.o.d." He often spake of Christ as the _rock_. He died on the evening of the Sabbath, September 3rd. His remains are deposited in the new cemetery at Saint Peter's Port, Guernsey. The event of his death was suitably improved there by the Rev. W. Wild, from Phil. iii. 9; and at Welford by his successor, from Hebrews xi. 4: "He being dead, yet speaketh."

Mr. Hobson was succeeded in his labours at Welford almost immediately by Mr. Walter Gill, who had pursued his studies for the ministry at the seminary at Hackney. He entered on his probationary services in May, 1848, and was ordained in the month of April in the following year. Mr.

Ransom, Mr. Gill's cla.s.sical tutor, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Toller, of Kettering, offered the ordination prayer; Mr.

Toller, of Harborough, asked the usual questions; Mr. Keynes, of Blandford, delivered the charge; and Mr. James, of Birmingham, preached to the people in the evening.

The present number of members in the Church is about 80. There are 130 children in the Sabbath-schools connected with the congregation, viz.--boys, 72; girls, 58: there are 23 teachers.

There are occasional services conducted on Sabbath evenings in the village of South Kibworth, where there is a small Chapel held in trust by some of the Welford friends.

CHAPTER VII.

MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT CREATON.

In the accounts of the Nonconformist ministers who in the year 1662 sacrificed their livings in the Established Church, in obedience to what they regarded as the claims of truth and of conscience, we find the name of Mr. Richard Hook, ejected from the rectory of Creaton, Northamptonshire. After his separation from the Church he preached for some time in his own house; but he afterwards removed from Creaton, and went to reside at Northampton. Though we have no certain information as to the results of Mr. Hook's ministry, yet there is some reason to conclude that a number of the people left the Church with their pastor, and sought for spiritual instruction, as they had opportunity, under the ministry of the Nonconformists. It was probably after the removal of Mr.

Hook from Creaton that Mr. Shuttlewood, another of the Nonconformist ministers, began to preach the Gospel in this place. At that time his residence was at Sulby Abbey, near Welford, and his labours appear to have been then divided chiefly between Welford and Creaton. For a more particular account of Mr. Shuttlewood, his labours and his sufferings in the cause of G.o.d, we must refer the reader to the memorials of the Church at Welford. But it was when on a visit to his friends at Creaton that he was seized with an affliction that quickly terminated his useful life, and raised his spirit to that "rest that remaineth for the people of G.o.d." Here he ended his days, and here his remains were interred in the Churchyard, where a plain stone was erected to his memory.

Mr. Ironmonger is said to have been the next Nonconformist minister here, after Mr. Shuttlewood. In an account of the ordination of Mr.

Tingey, a predecessor of Doddridge at Northampton, we find a Mr. John Ironmonger, of Buckingham, engaged. We think it probable that this was the person that for a time ministered at Creaton. A Mr. Dale, minister at Creaton, was present at the ordination of Mr. Tingey, in 1709. The pastor immediately succeeding was Mr. Barker; then Mr. Chambers is recorded as the next minister here, and he died in 1735. After this came Mr. Hextal, who was a native of Broughton, in Northamptonshire; a member of the Church at Kettering; for some time studied under Mr. Saunders, his pastor, preparatory to his admittance into the academy at Northampton under Dr. Doddridge, which he entered in the year 1732.

On the completion of his studies, it is stated that he settled at Creaton in 1736; but his ordination did not take place until 1738, for there is still preserved in the handwriting of Doddridge the testimonial that was given on the day of ordination, of which the following is a copy:--

_Creaton_, _April_ 26, 1738.

This is to certify, that the Rev. Mr. Wm. Hextal, having given full satisfaction as to his abilities and qualifications for the work of the ministry, was this day set apart to the pastoral office by prayer, fasting, and the imposition of our hands, at the desire of the Church of Christ in this place, who unanimously invited him to the exercise of the said office amongst them.

Witness our hands--P. DODDRIDGE, D.D.; JAS. WATSON, Leicester; THOS.

CARTWRIGHT; J. DRAKE, Yardley; J. HUNT, Newport; SAML. TAILOR.

We find a list of members of the Church, containing forty-seven names of persons that were communicants at the time of Mr. Hextal's settlement; then follow the names of twenty-one members, over which the pastor has written, "Taken in since I came." These members were resident in ten different villages.

In the handwriting of Mr. Hextal we find a copy of the following recommendation. Though it is without date or any full direction, yet it appears to have been an application to the manager of some fund for a.s.sistance.

The congregation at Creaton, lately under the care of Mr. Chambers, have unanimously made choice of Mr. Hextal to succeed him, after finishing a regular course of academical learning at Northampton acceptably, and where his temper and conduct secured him very respectful regard from the people. As his abilities, principles, and character are very satisfactory to us, and, according to our view of things, worthy of the esteem of others, we take the liberty to recommend him to your favour and encouragement, as one that promises usefulness, and we think, by the divine blessing, may be instrumental in supporting the interests of Christianity in that society. Your favourable view of this our recommendation will lay an additional obligation on ------.

_To the Rev. the Ministers, and the other Gentlemen, Managers, &c._

It was a short time after the settlement of Mr. Hextal, that a minister's meeting being held at Creaton, Dr. Doddridge preached his interesting sermon, ent.i.tled 'Christian Candour and Unanimity stated, ill.u.s.trated, and urged,' from Phil. ii. 1, 2, which was afterwards published, with a Dedication to the Countess of Huntingdon. The ministry of Mr. Hextal at Creaton continued until the year 1752, when he removed to Sudbury.

The next pastor was Mr. Warburton. For some time he a.s.sisted Mr.

Gilbert, the successor of Doddridge at Northampton, and preached at Creaton in the afternoon of the Sabbath. Mr. Gilbert dying in 1760, Mr.

Warburton confined his labours to Creaton, where he was minister for about twenty years. After his removal, Mr. John Wood, from Sudbury, was unanimously chosen his successor the same year. Mr. Wood was a native of Welford, sent out by the Church there, during the ministry of Mr. King, to preach the Gospel: he was educated at the academy at Daventry. He laboured here for about twenty years, and closed his life and his services in the Church on earth in this place. He died April 7th, 1790, "leaving the Church," it is observed, "in a declining state."

The next pastor was Mr. Joseph Whitehead, who came to Creaton in 1793, and continued his labours here for twenty-three years. When Mr.

Whitehead entered on his ministry here there were twenty-two members of the Church, and seventy-one were added during the years of his pastorate. In the second year of Mr. Whitehead's labours the present Meeting House was erected. The old building, which held about 400 persons, was occupied on a lease of ninety-nine years, supposed to have commenced about the date of 1694, as it was at the expiration of that lease that the new place of worship was reared.

The fidelity and zeal with which Mr. Whitehead discharged his ministerial office was crowned with such success as greatly to increase the Church and congregation. The medical a.s.sistance which he was always ready to afford to those who needed it, rendered him extensively useful to the afflicted poor in his neighbourhood. His candid and friendly disposition endeared him to his brethren in the ministry. His exemplary patience, under painful bodily affliction, displayed the excellence of his Christian principles. As he advanced in life, he evidently appeared to grow in grace; acting habitually under the eye of his Master, he was prepared for his change. "Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." He died at the house of his friend, the Rev. H. Knight, of Yelvertoft, after a few hours' illness. His remains were interred, with every token of respect, at the foot of the pulpit where he so often urged upon his people the great doctrines and precepts of the Gospel. Six of his brethren bore the pall. The Rev. Mr. Jones, minister of the parish Church, attended, as a token of his high esteem for the deceased. The Rev. G. Gill, of Harborough, began the funeral service with prayer; the Rev. B. L. Edwards, of Northampton, delivered a very affecting and appropriate address; the Rev. J. Gronow, of Weedon, concluded the solemn service. A large congregation of people a.s.sembled on the occasion, whose undissembled grief showed how much he was beloved. On the following Lord's-day the Rev. H. Knight, in whose house he died, improved the affecting providence, from Heb. xiii. 7-9. The place of worship was thronged before the service commenced, and many hundreds could not gain admittance.

Mr. T. Aston succeeded Mr. Whitehead. He had pursued his studies for the ministry at Hackney, and was ordained over this Church and congregation September 23rd, 1817. On that occasion Mr. Hobson, of Welford, commenced the service with reading and prayer; Mr. Gill, of Harborough, stated the nature of a Gospel Church; Mr. Knight, of Yelvertoft, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. D. W. Aston, of Buckingham, brother to the ordained minister, delivered the charge, from Col. iv. 17; Mr. Toller, of Kettering, preached from Luke x. 11; Mr. Griffiths, of Long Buckby, concluded.

Mr. Aston admitted thirty-two members to the Church during his ministry, which continued until about the year 1826, when Mr. Williams became the pastor of the Church, who gives the following account of his ordination to that office:--

Having received a unanimous invitation from the Church and congregation at Creaton to become their pastor, I was ordained October 7th, 1828. Mr. Edwards, of Northampton, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Griffiths, of Long Buckby, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Scott, of Rowell, gave the charge; and Mr.

Hobson, of Welford, preached to the people. Mr. Aston left Creaton about two years before. The first year of the interval was supplied by Mr. Robertson, afterwards of Wellingborough; and the second, by an interesting young man of the name of Jocelyne, who was on probation, and had received a call from the Church to remain, but was prevented entering on the pastoral office by death. He ruptured a blood-vessel by digging one day in the garden; went to the west of England for the benefit of his health; but was soon called, as we hope, to the country where none of the inhabitants shall say any more, I am sick. J. WILLIAMS.

We find a record of forty-seven members as belonging to the Church when Mr. Williams commenced his labours, and fifty-one were admitted during his ministry, which continued until March, 1840. Of the removal of Mr.

Williams it is stated, "that it was owing to the secession of some individuals from the Church and congregation, who, being Baptists, succeeded in raising a Baptist interest in Spratton, about a mile from Creaton. Mr. Williams very handsomely left 150 volumes for the use of his successors."

Mr. Martin succeeded Mr. Williams as pastor. His first visit was in May, 1840, when he preached two Sabbaths. Mr. Fletcher, from Highbury, preached five Sabbaths as a probationer, but retired on discovering that the congregation was not unanimous. Mr. Martin preached four Sabbaths in August and September, when he received an invitation to become a probationer for three months, at the close of which he was unanimously called to the pastoral office, and was ordained April 28th, 1841; when Messrs. Bull, of Newport, Prust, of Northampton, Griffiths, of Buckby, Harry, of London, and Toller, of Kettering, were engaged in the princ.i.p.al services of the day. The ministry of Mr. Martin continued here for little more than seven years; for it is recorded that he preached his farewell sermon at Creaton on Sabbath-day afternoon, May 21st, 1848, having accepted an invitation to the pastorate of Whitefield Chapel, Wilson Street, Long Acre, London. During his ministry forty-five members were added to the Church.

Mr. Mandeno, from Newport, Salop, the present pastor of the Church, entered on his stated engagements at Creaton on the first Sabbath in October, 1848. The present number of communicants is 60. There are 80 children in the Sabbath-school.

Occasional services are conducted in two villages in the vicinity of Creaton.

CHAPTER VIII.

MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT DAVENTRY.

Circ.u.mstances of rather common and incidental occurrence are sometimes the immediate precursors of events which are followed by important results to future generations, while they may have a bearing on the eternal interests of a number of undying spirits. Something of this nature appears in the origin of the Christian Church, of the Independent denomination, in the town of Daventry.

Nonconformity took early root in this place. After the Bartholomew Act, secret meetings for worship were frequently held late at night, and conducted occasionally by ministers, at a house in the hamlet of Drayton, where considerable numbers from the town and neighbourhood often a.s.sembled, in which was a backdoor opening into the fields, to facilitate retreat in case of detection--no unnecessary precaution, in those days of persecution. A Mr. Worth, ejected from the living of Kilsby, preached at Daventry for some time after his ejectment.

The following account was given to Dr. Ashworth, about the year 1747, by Mr. Thomas Porter, a member of the Church, then 80 years of age, or upwards--a man of a very respectable character and remarkably sensible.

An aged minister, who lived some considerable distance beyond Daventry, in his way to London lay at the Swan Inn (formerly the princ.i.p.al inn) in this town, where he was taken ill, and confined for a week or longer. Mr. Lindsey, who kept the house, and all his family, behaved to him with much kindness, and it appears to have been a very regular house. The minister, on the evening before he departed, desired the family to come into his room, when he particularly thanked Mr. Lindsey and each of his family for their civility to him, and expressed much satisfaction in the good order of the house; "but," said he, "something leads me to fear there is not the fear of G.o.d in this house. It grieves me to see such honesty, civility, economy, and decency, and yet religion is wanting, which is 'the one thing needful.'" On this, he entered into a close conversation on the nature and importance of real and inward religion, which he closed with telling them he had with him a little book, lately printed, which he would give them, and wished them to read it carefully; then gave them 'Baxter's Poor Man's Family Book.'

This fixes the date to 1672, or later--the year in which that book was printed.

It is not certain who the minister was, or that Mr. Lindsey ever saw him again or knew his name; but it is suspected that it was Baxter himself. Mr. Lindsey read the book with pleasure, sent for other of Mr. Baxter's works, and he, and some of his children, became excellent characters.