Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire Part 26

Some time before this Mr. Perry had been preaching at Wollaston, and when he was invited to the pastoral office twenty-four persons had united together in the fellowship of the Gospel. At the ordination service, Mr. Hillyard prayed; Mr. Carver stated the nature of the service, and proposed the usual inquiries; Mr. Raban offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Carver gave the charge, from Rev. ii. 10--"Be thou faithful unto death," &c.; Mr. Bull preached to the people, from Phil. i. 27--"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ." In the evening Mr. Greathead prayed, and Mr. Goode preached from Psalm li. 18--"Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion," &c.

Mr. Perry's ministry, after his settlement, was of short duration, scarcely extending to five years; during its continuance he admitted twelve members to the small society. On February 28th, 1793, he died. He was interred at Lavendon the Sabbath following, when Mr. Raban preached the funeral sermon, from 1 Thessalonians ii. 8--"So, being affectionately desirous of you," &c. He was a man of a truly pious, affectionate spirit, and was much beloved by the little flock over which he presided.

Immediately after the death of Mr. Perry, another member of the Church at Wellingborough, who had been chosen to the office of a deacon there, but who was resident in Wollaston, was called to take the oversight of this infant Church. In the records of the Church to which he belonged it is stated, under the date of April 8th, 1793, "Brother David Hennell exercised his gifts by expounding Scripture to the Church in the vestry, which was very acceptable." October 3rd, "He was dismissed to the pastoral office, having the united and fervent desire of his Church for his usefulness and comfort." The friends at Wollaston record, "immediately after the burial of our late worthy pastor, the Lord was pleased to show us he had seen our distress and heard our cries, for he was disposing the mind of a dear friend of this place to the work of the ministry--Mr. David Hennell. His gifts were tried at Wellingborough, at the Church to which he belonged, under Mr. Carver, and approved; they in Christian love gave him liberty, unanimously, to come and statedly preach amongst us. The ordination service was held October 8th, 1794, when Mr. Raban commenced and asked the questions; Mr. Carver delivered the charge, from Matthew xxviii. 20--'Teaching them to observe all things,' &c.; Mr. Bull preached to the people, from 1 Thessalonians v.

12, 13--'I beseech you, brethren, to know them which are over you in the Lord,' &c. Mr. Hillyard, junior, preached in the evening, from Acts xi.

23."

Mr. Hennell continued his services as pastor for twenty-nine years, and during that time the place of worship underwent some enlargement, and some additions were gradually made to the Church, seventy-five members being added during the course of his ministry. At the commencement of the year 1822, owing to advancing years and increasing infirmities, Mr.

Hennell felt it to be his duty to resign his office, which he did on Lord's-day, January 21st.

Immediately after this, the attention of the people was directed to Mr.

Thomas Coleman, who was a member of the Independent Church at Kettering, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. T. N. Toller. Mr. Coleman had preached at Wollaston for the first time on the Christmas-day previous to the resignation of Mr. Hennell, and was now invited to preach to them on probation. This engagement was continued until Midsummer, when he was invited to become the pastor, and was ordained September 5th, 1822. The following is the record preserved of the ordination service:--

Mr. West, of Harrold, read the Scriptures and prayed; Mr. Morris, of Olney, delivered the introductory discourse and asked the questions; Mr. Hennell, the former pastor, gave a brief statement of the steps that had led to the formation of the present connexion; Mr. Coleman stated the motives which he trusted influenced him to engage in the work, the reasons why he preferred to exercise his ministry among Dissenters, and his views of the doctrines of the Gospel; Mr.

Jacomb, of Wellingborough, offered the ordination prayer; Mr.

Renals, of the same place, delivered the charge, from 1 Tim. iv.

16--"Take heed to thyself and to thy doctrine," &c.; Mr. Toller, of Kettering, preached to the people, from 1 Peter ii. 2--"As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word," &c. Mr. Pickering, of Brigstock, preached in the evening, from Col. i. 12--"Giving thanks unto the Father," &c.

A Sabbath-school was first formed here after this settlement.

Mr. Hennell survived nearly eight years after the ordination of his successor, and acted during the whole of that period in the most kind and affectionate manner towards him. He died July 28th, 1830. By his request, his death was improved by his successor, from words chosen by the preacher as appropriate to his character and the peaceful close of his life (Luke ii. 29): "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word."

In the year 1831 Mr. Coleman removed from Wollaston, having received an unanimous invitation from the Church and congregation at Ashley and Wilbarston. During his ministry twenty-two members had been admitted to the Church.

After this, Mr. Edwards was engaged in preaching to the people for about ten months. When he had left them, different supplies were engaged, until, at the commencement of the year 1834, Mr. Thomas Lord, who was a member of the Independent Church, Castle Hill, Northampton, was engaged as a supply. His services proving acceptable, after a suitable time of trial he was invited to become the pastor, and was ordained October 24th, 1834, when Mr. Morris again stated the nature of a Christian Church, and asked the questions; Mr. Renals offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Bennett, of Northampton, delivered the charge, from 1 Tim.

iv. 6--"A good minister of Jesus Christ;" Mr. Phillips, of Harrold, preached to the people, from Phil. ii. 1--"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ," &c. Mr. Vorley, of Charlton, preached in the evening, from Phil. i. 27--"Only let your conversation," &c. Mr. Lord's ministry here continued until the year 1845, when he removed to Brigstock. During the course of it about fifty members were added to the Church; but ere it closed, some declensions took place. Considerable improvements were made in the place of worship, by its being repewed and a new vestry erected, at a cost of about 250. A dwelling-house was also purchased and fitted up for the minister, and made over to the interest, by the liberality of Mr. John Ward, of Knutson.

On the third Sabbath in August, 1846, Mr. John Anderson became the pastor; but he resigned his office in July, 1847.

In the year 1848, Mr. E. W. Finch, from Mr. Frost's seminary at Cotton End, near Bedford, became the minister of the place; but on March 27th, 1851, Mr. Finch resigned, and removed to Portshead, Somerset. Fourteen members were added to the Church by Mr. Finch.

In October, 1851, Mr. D. Hersch.e.l.l came to Wollaston, and is at present ministering there. There are now about forty-one members in the Church.

There are about fifty children in the Sabbath-school. Occasional services are conducted in villages in the vicinity.

Amidst various and frequent changes of late, this interest still remains, attended with difficult circ.u.mstances. May it be greatly revived, its numbers increased, and its efficiency promoted!

CHAPTER XX.

MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT PETERBOROUGH.

The Independent Church at Peterborough appears to have originated in the labours of a Mr. Glascott, a minister belonging to Lady Huntingdon's connexion, who came to this place about the year 1776 or 1777, to preach the Gospel of Christ. He first took his stand under the Cross in the Market-place. He was often interrupted in his services, and experienced much opposition; but on some occasions there was seen the Lady of ---- Orme, Esq. standing beside him, which proved some protection to him from the a.s.saults of the rude a.s.semblage around.

There was also the late Mrs. Baker, who was one of the first fruits of his ministry, who became an eminent Christian, useful in the cause of G.o.d, regarded as a mother in Israel, surviving to a good old age.

After some time they obtained a small building for public worship, on the premises of Mr. Ashby, of Westgate Street. At length an opportunity was presented for building a more commodious place. Roger Parker, Esq.

was willing to let them have the piece of ground where the Chapel now stands, for the small sum of five guineas; but the circ.u.mstances connected with this agreement show that to the poor emphatically the Gospel was preached, for they were unable to raise the sum above specified, and were obliged, when they met Mr. Parker at the office of the attorney where the agreement was to be fulfilled, to inform him privately that they could not raise the amount required; and he put his hand into his pocket and n.o.bly gave them the five guineas, that they might fulfil the contract before the attorney. The Chapel was erected in 1779 or 1780.

Mr. Thresher was the first minister that was settled over them. But such was the intolerant spirit then prevailing in the place, that much persecution was endured by the minister and his people. They were frequently a.s.sailed on leaving the Chapel, pelted and sometimes almost covered with mud and dirt. After Mr. Thresher's ministry closed amongst them, Mr. Woodward became the pastor. He preached every third Sabbath at Pinchbeck, near Spalding, to which place he subsequently removed.

The people had to struggle with great difficulties, and the congregation became very low; so that at length the Chapel was closed, and remained shut up for about seven years. At the end of this period a lay preacher from Northampton visited Peterborough; and seeing the desolate state of things, he endeavoured to collect the scattered few, and to preach the word unto them. Application after this was made to Thos. Wilson, Esq., who sent supplies from Hoxton Academy. The Chapel was re-opened and stated services restored about the year 1804.

The labours of Mr. Harris, one of the students from Hoxton, proved very acceptable; he received an invitation to become the pastor, and was ordained over them. In his days the congregation flourished; he became very popular, and great numbers heard the word from his lips. Such was the interest that his preaching excited, that the late Bishop Madan, who manifested a liberal spirit towards Dissenters, has been known to stand at the entrance of the Chapel, with his hat in his hand, to hear Mr.

Harris. But he removed to Swansea about the year 1810.

After this, supplies were again obtained from Hoxton. Mr. Jeanes was invited to become the pastor; his preaching was acceptable and useful; but a few years after he removed to Market Deeping. Mr. Cave was another of the students who accepted an invitation to minister here; but after a few years he removed to Yaxley. The next minister was a Mr. Phillips, who had been in Lady Huntingdon's connexion, and had ministered in Zion Chapel, London. He was pastor for a few years, and some success attended his labours; but the people again wishing for a change, Mr. Phillips retired in the year 1818, but continued to reside in Peterborough, and preached occasionally. He was at length seized with paralysis: tried by long and heavy affliction, under which he was very graciously sustained.

He died in the year 1831.

Mr. J. E. Isaac was the next minister who received an invitation to the pastoral office. The congregation was in a very low state when he entered on his labours, but it increased under his ministry; and after he had laboured for three years, the Church was re-organized, and Mr.

Isaac was ordained May 22nd, 1821. On that occasion, Mr. Jervis, of Ramsay, commenced the service; Mr. Holmes, of Wisbeach, delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Morrell, of St. Neots, offered the ordination prayer, and gave the charge; Mr. Wright, of Stamford, preached to the people. In the course of his ministry, Mr. Isaac had some serious trials to contend with; but he persevered in his labours, and they were rendered in some measure successful; so that in the year 1832, the Chapel having become too small for the congregation, it was thought desirable to attempt an enlargement. This was effected, and the place was re-opened for divine worship in July of that year: on that occasion, Dr. Pye Smith preached in the morning and evening, and Mr.

Haynes, of Boston, on the following Sabbath. About this time a Sabbath-school was commenced in connexion with the Chapel.

There are the names of about thirty persons recorded "who," it is observed, "regarded Mr. Isaac as their spiritual father." But under date of 1834 we find the statement, that the Church saw the necessity of a change, on account of the great decrease in the number of hearers; so that Mr. Isaac resigned in September of that year. Some time after this, Mr. Penman became the minister, and was ordained February 3rd, 1836.

About this period, application was made to Earl Fitzwilliam for the grant of a piece of ground on the south side of the Chapel, on which to build a school-room for the use of the Sabbath-school. This was obtained, at a rental of five shillings per annum, on a lease of ninety-nine years. The cost of building, with some alterations in the Chapel, was about 205.

During the last five years, Mr. William Palmer has been the pastor of this Church. His labours have been rendered very successful, in increasing the congregation and making many additions to the Church.

Side galleries have been added to the Chapel, at a cost of 100. There have been 120 members in Peterborough and Yaxley added to the Church.

The Sabbath-school has increased from 60 to 200 children. But in the month of October, this year (1852), Mr. Palmer was obliged to resign his charge and retire from his labours for a season, on account of long and severe affliction.

Thus another change has come over this people; but if the spirit of the Gospel prevails amongst them, they will receive direction from above, and G.o.d will carry forward his designs of mercy by the ministry of his truth and the other appointed means of his grace.

CHAPTER XXI.

MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH IN TOWCESTER.

In the early part of the 17th century, Mr. Samuel Stone, one of the Puritan divines, ministered in the Church at Towcester. He was born at Hertford, and educated in Emanuel College, Cambridge. Having finished his studies, he resided for some time in the house of the excellent Mr.

Richard Blackerby, where he received useful instructions, and imbibed the spirit and principles of his venerable tutor. Afterwards he became minister at Towcester, in Northamptonshire, where his superior accomplishments and great industry were manifest to all. This, however, could not screen him from the oppression of the times, as he was an avowed but modest Nonconformist to the ecclesiastical impositions. At length, seeing no prospect of enjoying his liberty in his native country, he resolved to withdraw from the scenes of persecution and retire to New England, where he arrived in the year 1633, and there he died, July 20th, 1663. It is observed, that "Mr. Stone was a pious, learned, and judicious divine, equally qualified for the confirmation of the truth and the refutation of error. His ministry was attended with the powerful demonstration and application of the truth: his views of Church discipline were Congregational."

The first regular services by Dissenting ministers that are known to have been held at Towcester were conducted chiefly by Mr. Heywood, while he was pastor of the Church at Potterspury. He preached for some time, every third Sabbath morning, in a licensed house; and in the same place, a Mr. Stranger, a Baptist minister, residing at Weston, preached occasionally. In the year 1764, the pious people of both denominations united to build a Meeting House for their mutual accommodation. When Mr.

Goode became the pastor at Pury, he continued the services in the manner of his predecessors, and his labours were crowned with a happy degree of success. But a change occurred, which interrupted the union which had hitherto subsisted between those who held different views on the subject of baptism. In 1782 a Mr. Reddy, a Baptist minister, came to reside at Towcester, and then the stated use of the new Meeting House was refused to Mr. Goode and his hearers, who, in consequence of this, met for three years after in a private house. The attendance increasing, it was deemed necessary to build another place of worship, in which they were generously a.s.sisted from various quarters. On the removal of Mr. Goode from Pury, they obtained supplies from Newport and Hoxton Academies.

April 6th, 1794, the members of the Church at Potterspury that resided in Towcester separated from that Church for the purpose of commencing an Independent Church here, Mr. Thomas Slattery, from Hoxton Academy, preaching to them for the first time on that day. On May 5th, 1794, eleven persons were formed into a Christian Church, Mr. Hillyard, of Olney, presiding. For some time they were supplied by various ministers, Messrs. Bull, Greathead, and Hillyard occasionally administering the Lord's Supper. At length Mr. Gunn, a student from Hoxton Academy, was invited to become the pastor, and he was ordained October 16th, 1796.

Upon this occasion Mr. Denny, of Long Buckby, offered the ordination prayer; the solemn engagements mutually confirmed between the people and the minister they had chosen were introduced by some observations on the proper tendency and principles of such a transaction, from Mr.

Greathead, of Woburn; Mr. Bull, of Newport, gave the charge, from Col.

iv. 17; Mr. Horsey, of Northampton, addressed the Church, from 2nd Cor.

iv. 15.

In little more than three years after this settlement Mr. Gunn removed to Aylesbury, and was succeeded at Towcester by Mr. Joshua Denham, who commenced his ministry here February 9th, 1800. Mr. Denham continued his services as pastor until the year 1814, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Joseph Gravestock, from Newport Academy, who was ordained on the 17th of August in that year, when Mr. Jackson, of Old, began with prayer; Mr. Thomas Morrell delivered the introductory discourse; Mr. Watson offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Bull gave the charge, from Ezek. iii. 17; Mr. Aston preached to the people, from 1st Thess. v. 13. Mr. Jackson preached in the evening.

On the death of Mr. Jackson Mr. Gravestock removed to Old; when, after a period of four years, Mr. Hitchin became the pastor, in July, 1818. In the year 1823 Mr. Hitchin removed to Hockliffe, and Mr. William Hawkins, from Newport Academy, was chosen to the pastoral office. Mr. Hawkins laboured here between twenty and thirty years; during his ministry a new Chapel was erected. Mr. Buckingham, minister at Potterspury, went out from this Church.

Mr. S. Causby, the present minister, entered on his labours in July, 1851. The records of the Church contain 146 names of members admitted to the Church from its formation to the present time; but for seventeen years, _i.e._ from 1815-1832, the book appears to have been neglected, and no names were entered. The number of members at this time is 50.