(l^atneU Hnittecattg Slibtacg Jt^ata, New Qock BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library BX7177.W31 S56 Independency in Warwickshire : a brief h olin 3 1924 029 457 151 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029457151 INDEPENDENCY IN WAEWICKSHIEEi A BBIEF HISTOBT OF THE INDEPENDENT OE CONGEEGATIONAL CHUECHES IN THAT COUNTY; CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THEIR PASTORS; WITH AN ILLUSTRATIVE MAP AND VIONBTTE ENGRAVINGS. .4:''- % JOHN SIBREE and M. CASTON. " Walk aliout Zion, aijO go round about her ; tell the towevs thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks ; consider her palaces ; that ye may tell it to the generation following. Fob this Gob is ode God foe eyek and etee."— Psalm xlviii., 12, X3, 14. COVENTRY: G- AND E. KING. LONDON: WARD AND CO. 1855. a. AND r. KING, PKINTEKS, FLEET STKBBT, COVINTRT. PREFACE The Ecclesiastical History of several of the Congregational Churches of the County of Warwick is found to be of a remarkably interesting and instructive character. The labours and sufferings by which a purer embodiment of New Testament faith and order was introduced into some parts of this locaHty, were so extraordinary as to demand to be rescued from obhvion, and preserved in a more durable form than tradition, or the scattered and imperfect manuscripts in which they at present exist. Impressed with this conviction, the Authors have prepared the materials of the following small work for publication. They have IV PBEFACE. endeavoured to " gather up the fragments" of the past in reference to every town and village in the County ia which an Indepen- dent Church has been formed, or a Congre- gation established. Presuming that such a record may instruct ap.d gratify the fiiends and members of those Churches and Congregations in parti- ticular, and not be unacceptable to the Christian public in general, they submit the volume to their candid perusal. Should any profits arise from its sale, they will be given to the Warwickshire Associa- tion of Independent Churches, for the spread of the Gospel in the destitute parts of the County. Clii-ton Villa, near Covestrt, Oct. 1, 1855. CONTENTS. CHAPTBE I. COVENTRY. PAGE Part I. — Origin and General History of Nonconformity in Coventry 1 Part II.— Memorials of the Independent Churches in Co- ventry : — Section 1. The Independent Church at Vicar Lane 47 „ 2. The ludependent Church at West Orchard 81 „ 3. The Indep^dent Church at Well Street 108 Part III.— Brief Notices of other Nonconformist Communi- ties in Coventry . — Baptists: — Cow Lane ,. 113 General Baptists : — ^White Priars' Lane 116 Society of Friends 118 Wesleyans 119 ♦ CHAPTER II. Memorials of the Independent Church at Warwick 121 CHAPIEB in. Memorials of the Independent Church at Bedworth 146 CHAPTER IV. Memorials of the Independent Churches in Biriningham : — Section 1. The Independent Church at Carr's Lane 174 „ 2. The Independent Church at Steelhouse Lane... 184 „ 3. The Independent Church at Graham Street ... 188 „ 4. The IndependSit Church at Legge StreiBt 190 „ 5. The Independent Church at Lozells 193 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTEE V. TABZ Memorials of the Independent Church at Stratford-upon- Avon 195 CHAPTEE TI. Memorials of the Independent Churches in Nuneaton : — Section 1. The Independent Church at the Old Meeting... 207 „ 2. The Independent Church at Bond End 212 CHiPTEK vrr. Memorials of the Independent Church at Kenilworth 215 CHAPTEE vm. Memorials of the Independent Church at Strettou-under- Fosse 224 CHAPTEE rx. Memorials of the Independent Church at Atherstone 234 CHAPTEE X. Memorials of the Independent Church at Foleshill 252 CHAPTEE XI. Memorials of the Independent Churches at Kineton and Eatington : — Section 1. Kineton 268 „ 2. Eatington 274 CHAPTER xn. Memorials of the Independent Church at HartshiU 280 CHAPTEE XIII. Memorials of the Independent Church at Churchover 289 CHAPTEE XIT. Memorials of the Independent Church at Bulkington 291 CHAPTEE XV. Memorials of the Independent Churches in Leamington: — Section 1. The Independent Church »t Spencer Street 293 2. The Independent Church at Holly Walk 304 CONTENTS. Vll CHAJTEE XVI. PAGE Memorials of the Independent Church at Erdington 310 CTTATTEB XVU. Memorials of the Independent Church at Long Comptou... 315 CHAPTER XTIH. Memorials of the Independent Church at Solihull 319 CHAPTEE XIX. Memorials of the Independent Church at Tamworth 336 CHAPTEE XX. Memorials of the Independent Church at Southam 346 CHAPTEE XXI. Memorials of the Independent Church at Coleshill 379 CHAPTEE xxn. Memorials of the Independent Church at Withybrook 387 CHAPTEE xxin. Memorials of the Independent Church at Eugby 392 CHAPTEE XXIV. Supplemental Memorials 401 EERATA. PAGE 110, read Theodoxa, for Theodosia. 194, second line from the bottom, read 1842, for 1853. 199, read AlUott,;for AUiot. 262, twelfth line from bottom, read 1789, for 1719. 262, eleventh line from bottom, read 1792, for 1722. 264, twelfth line from top, read William for Robert. 286, tenth line from top, read converted for con-verted. 306, ninth line from the bottom, read Haggai ii., for Hag- gaii i. 312, eighteenth line from the bottom, read indiscriminate for uumised. Itstdepenbewct in Warwickshire TVilJjiJ/rvitlf. Solihull o JOwwle- to ^re^frrd '"^ CHAPTEE I. COYENTRY. PAET I. OEIGIN AND GENERAL HISTOEY OE NONCON- EORMITY IN COVENTRY. COVENTET— ITS AOTlQTnTT AlifD ECCLESIASTICAI. DISTINCTION — MK. TONG'S "dedication" — WICKLIFFITES — MAETTES SAUN- DEES— GLOTBK — PUEITANS — EBNN — OXEIfEKIDGE — S. CLAKK HEEEING — VINES EAXTEE KING — GEEW — BETAN MUS- SON WILLS — JAEVISBKTAN — SIIE'WTSLL TONG OLDPIELD WAREEN MEKEELL DODDEIDGE PAETINGTON — BLACK- MOEE AND OTHEKS — PLACES OF WOESHIP — LIST OF PEESBT- TBEIAN AND UNITARIAN MINISTEES. It has b^n remarked, by Dr. Johnson, that there is scarcely an individual, however obscure, vs^hose history, if recorded, would not be found to be of an interesting character. A similar observation might be made re- specting private families, and especially Christian communities. The Congregational Churches in Coventry have a history, the details of which we design in the present Chapter to record. We shall, however, previously fur- nish a general sketch of the progress of Nonconformity in that city, from the earliest date down to the period of the Act of Uniformity in 1662 ; with the establishment of the society of Presbyterian Dissenters. 2 OEIGIN AND GENEEAL HISTOKT OF CoTENTRT is one of tlie most ancient cities in the kingdom; and is celebrated for its manufactories of ribbons and watches. Its population, according to the census of 1851, is 36,812. Among the numerous proofs on record of the important position it once occupied, is the fact, that by the roU-tax of 1377, in the notices which it contains of the population of all the piincipal towns, Coventry appears third on the list, in point of magnitude, next to London ; — ^York and Bristol being the only two taking the precedence. That the eminence to which Coventry, in former times, had attained, was mainly attributable to its religious estabHshments, is abundantly manifest. It is supposed, to have been a town of the ancient Britons ; and that the latter part of its name is derived from the British word tre, signifying a town ; and its prefix, given by the Saxons, from Covent, or Corwent, in allusion to the circumstance of a monastery having been founded there in the Saxon era. Even as early as the ninth century an important convent of nuns existed here. Several "famous monas- teries" were subsequently founded in this city; — of which only the names remain : such as the Priory, the monastery of the Grey Friars, of the "White Friars, and of the Carthusians. Previous to the Eeformation, Coventry possessed the " matchless display" of a mag- nificent Cathedral and two noble parish Churches in one cemetery, with an extensive Priory and Bishop's Palace nearly adjoining. The two Churches escaped the de- struction in which the Priory and Cathedral were involved; these churches are especially distinguished by their beautifully taper and lofty spires. NONCONrOEMITT ITS COVENTEY. 3 Attractive, however, as splendid architecture may be to the eye, and high as it may rank in SBSthetics, there is something still more inviting to the taste of the "true worshiper." " The Most High dweUeth not in tem- ples made with hands." " The hour cometh when ye shall not in this mountain worship the Pather God is a spirit ; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." In the ecclesiastical history of Coventry, Nonconfor- mity is of very ancient date. It may be traced up to the period and the labours of the immortal 'Wickliffe. In " the Dedication to the Congregation of Protestant Dissenters in Coventry," prefixed to " A Funeral Ser- mon preached at Coventry, July 3, 1716, on Occasion of the much-lamented Death of the Eev. Joshua Merrell, late Minister of the Gospel there, by John "Warren," there occur the following interesting hifitorical records. The vpriter of this "Dedication" is the Eev. "Wm. Tong, who was for some years minister of "The Great Meet- ing" ia Coventry. " It hath been," says Mr. Tong, " the honour and privilege of the city of Coventry, and the parts adjacent, to have had a constant succession of serious Christians living and dying there, not only since the deliverance of the land from Popery, hut for a long time before. "That faithful and undaunted servant of Christ, Mr. John Wickliffe, -who lived and died no further from you than Lutter- worth, was doubtless an instrument of much good among your predecessors above three hundred years ago ; and indeed he may well be accounted the Morning Star of the times of reformation. " Your city, and the country round, have been a plantation and seed-nlot of manv eminent nrofessors of tke nurer Christia- 4 ME. tons' S DEDICATION. obtained a good report, and stand recorded in the acts and mo- numents of the Church of Christ. " Trom the fiery trial in the Marian reign, there hare never been wantingwith you considerable numbers of deVout Christians, who, not satisfied with that defective Eeformation which the Court of England judged most convenient for their political interests, have constantly breathed after a more thorough con- formity to the rule of the Gospel, according to the best examples of the foreign churches. "It was your advantage, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and King James the First, to have with you several serious and profitable preachers, who, though they did not wholly separate from the National Estabhshment, were often interrupted in their ministry by citations, prosecutions, and censures in the Spiritual . Courts, because they could not approve of all the rituals of worship, nor of those rules of ecclesiastical government that were then in use. Of these, none has left a more fragrant name than the venerable Mr. Humphrey Eenn, who spent above forty years among you with great success. " If my information be right, he had not been dead many years before God sent you those two very excellent men. Dr. Obadiah Grew, and Dr. John Bryan, both of them burning and shining lights, the one a Barnabas, and the other a Boanerges; under their ministry the Word of God mightily grew and prevailed. " The distractions of the civil war drove a gre.it number of the Puritanical Ministers into Coventry, as theu- City of Eefiige, where they escaped the violence of their enemies, and greatly helped forward the good work of practical religion among you. Perhaps you may have yet some living that can remember the weekly days of fasting and prayer, that were then kept with uncommon strictness and solemnity. "Within two years after the Restoration, the citizens or Coventry were deprived at once of eveiy minister they had among them. In one day they lost Dr. Grew, Dr. Bryan, and Mr. Basnett, against whom their enemies had nothing to object, save in the matters of their God; but their excellent instructions remained in many of the people, 'as nails fastened in a sure place by those masters of assemblies, being given forth by the Great Shepherd.' " Many of us have received a very particular account of the state of the aifairs of religion witli you, before and after that change was made by the Act of Unifoi-mity; and no one had retained a more distinct memorial of those matters,^ than that JIE. TOWe S DEDICATION. 5 brave, honest, ingenious gentleman Major Eobert Beak, who for many years was the great ornament of your citj' and society. " I now speak of things within the memory of several among you. While those faithful ejected ministers were allowed to live in your city, they ceased not to instruct their affectionate people privately, and from house to house ; and when the seve- rity of the times removed them some miles from you, they sent you their sermons composed for your use, and fah-ly transcribed, and not filled with matters of doubtful disputations, but with the great essential doctrines and duties of the Christian religion. "Though I address myself chiefly to those that had been under the ministry of the two Doctors already mentioned, yet I am sensible the interests of real godliness were promoted among you by some worthy ministers of the Congregational persuasion, such as Mr. Basnett, Dr. Singleton, and especially Mr. Boon, of Finham. " Mr. Boon, you have often heard, was bred up a lawyer; you know he was a gentleman of a good estate and family, and I am persuaded it was out of a real zeal for the honour of Christ and the good of souls, that he gave up himself to the ministry of the word ; he was excellently qualified for it, and very useful in it, till bodily distempers and weakness took him off from his constant attendance upon it. He had a noble genius, a wise, grave, and serious spirit ; I had the favour of much friendship from him, and was a ivitnoss of the end of his conversation. "When yom- ministers that had been sUenced among you were hasting off the stage, G«d left not himself without witness of his wonted care for you. Mr. Jarvis Bryan and Mr. SheweU, were for some time the helpers of your faith and joy. It was the general character of Mr. Jarvis Bryan, that his Mfe was a continual sermon, "Mr. SheweU was born in your city, but had spent several years in Kent, where he had been also silenced ; and having for some time kept a private school in or near Maidstone, he re- turned to his native place, at a very seasonable time, when you wanted his service, and gladly accepted of it. " After the death of Mr. Bryan, God was pleased to cast my lot among you in the year 1690, when I had just entered upon my 29th year. I spent almost 13 years very comfortably with you ; if my ministry had any success, I owe the thanks entirely to God: if it met with any acceptance, I am obUeed to be thank- b ME. TON& S BEDICATION. death of Mr. Shewell, [which occurred Jan. 19, 1693,] that I am persuaded you will always remember it, and think it ought to be left upon perpetual record. For some time before he died, he had preached several sermons upon the subject of indwelling sin, and was going on with it. The last Sabbath he lived, he seemed to himself, and to you all, to be in very good health ; we aU ex- pected he would have gone on with his subject, upon which we had heard many excellent sermons ; but to our great surprise, he took for his text, ' The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.' — ^Philem. 25. This unexpected change of his sub- ject occasioned many thoughts of heart; inquiry was made of his daughter, whether he had any design of leaving us; but nothing of that appeared, nor could she give any other account of the matter, but only that on the Saturday, evening, he did not come down to prayer in his family at the usual time, that she went up to his study, and found him in some confusion ; he told her he was not able to go on with his subject, he must preach from some other text. If this was surprising to you, it was much more so, when on the Wednesday after, at his turn in the weekly lecture, he went up well into the pulpit, and prayed and read his text, and then dropped down in an apoplectic fit, and was carried out of the pulpit into the vestry, without speaking one word more. In an hour or two he died. " You cannot forget the astonishment with which our minds were then filled; it was made plain to us all, that though he did not design that sermon for his farewell, yet God designed it should be so. How convincing was it to us then, that our times are in God's hand, and the number of our days is with him. " His place was supplied after some time by the reverend and learned Mr. Joshua Oldlield, who spent some years with you with good acceptance and success, till the death of Mr. T. Kentish removed him to London. "After him, God sent to you your present minister, [Mr. Warren,] who has now spent a great part of his time and strength among'y ou : I can truly say when I thought it proper for me to leave Coventry, it was a great ease and satisfiiction to my mind, that you were not left without « skilful and faithful shepherd. " Some of you know how much it was my desire that Mr. Joshua Merrell might succeed me among you: I was assured by long and intimate acquaintance with him, he was capable of doing more than filling up my place, and that if he came to you, he was like to be a great blessing to the city. M'a. lONG S BEDICATIOJJ. 7 " His father and mother were members of that congregation at Knutsford, in Cheshire, where I was first minister; they were exemplafjr Christians. This their eldest son was very much observed and esteemed in his early days for unusual gravity, seriousness, and diligence; he had taken in much of the spirit and manner of the Kererend Mr. Edge, of Wilkington, under whose ministry his tender mind was formed for the service of God. In every place where he came, he greatly improved in aU useful learning, in divine knowledge and grace; he loved to converse with aged Christians, and would inquire out the times and places where they met together for prayer and religious conference; and would steal in among them, and valued such opportunities more than all the diversions with which other young people use to fill their vacant hours. " I think it was a little before the dawning of our liberty, that he was solemnly ordained in Derbyshire, by the aged ejected ministers that lived in that county, and spent many years in a faithful discharge of his duty in and about Uttoxeter, in Staf- fordshire. ' " He certainly denied himself in his worldly interest when he came to you, but it was his desire to be more publicly and statedly useful than he had been, if God should make his way plain before him ; and now for the space of twelve years that he has lived with you, you have fully known his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience ; you have seen how he has honoured God, living and dying; with what circumspection and meekness of wisdom he lived ; with what calmness and serenity of soul he received the sentence of death in himself; how willingly and well pleased he went down into the dark valley, supported by that everlasting Covenant, which had been for so many years settled and sealed between God and his soul through Jesus Christ. " Those of us in the ministry that stood about him, a few days before he died, must not forget his kind and faithful advice, how earnestly he recommended to us, daily meditation on the Holy Scriptures, as that which from his oWn experience he could assure us was of great advantage. " It seems his manner had been, for. several years, to spend some time eveiy morning, first in reading the Scriptures in course, then in meditating closely upon what he had read, and 8 ME. TONS S DEBICATION. " And now, my friends, give me leave to put you in mind, that the loss of your faithful minister makes the present time to he an hour of temptation to you. Tour prudence, your himii- lity, your meelcnoss, and mutual love and tcudeniess for one another, will now be tried. Your due esteem and affection for your surviTing pastor, and your respect to the surrui\'flil relict of him that is gone; the subjection of your wills and inclinations to reason and religion, these Cltristiau virtues wiU. uow be put to the trial ; and J hope, when they arc tried, they mil be foxmd to praise and honour ; only keep yi ivir hearts irith all diligence, and may the parting prayer of the Eovereud Mr. Shewell be now eminently answered to you, ' the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen.' " I have detained you too loug from the good sermon you heard on this sad occasion, but if the short liistorical accoimt of the state of Nonconfonnity in your city, which I have deduced from several ages past to your own times, may be a means to establish you in that way of worship and communion, which comes nearest to the Scripture standard, and to engage you to approve yourselves in all tilings, in a manner suitable to your holy profession, and to the laudable example of the several generations of those good old Puritans from whom you are descended, it will be very much to the satisfaction of " Your obliged and very " Affectionate friend and sen'ant, W. TONG." We now revert to tte period from whieh Mr. Tong commeiices this interesting sketch. About the year 1400, in the reign of Henry IV., that is, nearly twenty years after the death of "Wickliffe, we are informed that " the Lollards or Wickliffites, -were become a numerous pai'tj-, which appeared extremely dangerous to the Established Chiu-ch, and even formid- able to the civil authorities."* In 1423, there arose a * It appears that the name Lollards M'as given on the Con- tinent to bodies of religionists marked by any peculiarity of creed or practice, loug liefure it was known iu England. Mos- heim says, " It is certain this was not a name to denote any partiotilar sect, but was formerly common to all persons and all WICEUFEITES. 9 disturbance in the city of Coventry, from the " enthu- siasm of the secta/ries," as the historian calls them;— the same terms being tiien employed to describe the serious piety of sincere Trotestants as axe now used by some to designate the religion of Evangelical Noneon- formists. " These sectaries," contiaues the -writer, " had collected a great audience together in Coventry park. At the feast of St. Andrew, one Jolm Grace, a hermit, and formerly a monk and friar, came into this city, and jjreached five days together in the Little park, .... the which John Grace was a famous man among the peox)le." He was, however, opposed by the eccle- siastical and civil authorities, and committed to gaol.* In 1485, in the reign of Henry VII., " amongst divers and sundry other good men in Coventry," says Fox, "nine persons," whose names he mentions, "were examined before the Bishop of Coventry and LicMeld, in St. sects who were supposed to be guilty of impiety towards God and the Cliiurch, ranler au external priifession of extraordinary piety." Tlie Englisli Lullards were certainly declared oppo- nents of the Established Church, and of all tlio pretensions of the Komish liiorarchy. They were as tndy Reformers and Pro- testants as liiitlier ami his foEowors in the next century. They first began to withdraw from, what was then called, the Church of England, in 1389, and may be considered as the first body of Nfinconfomdsts in the kingdom. Henceforward they appointed ministers from among themselves, and conducted divine worship after their own method. — I'ictorial Ilist. of Eng., vol. ii. p. 141. In the famous lack-learning Parliament which met at Coven- try, in October, 1404, the Commons, in answer to the King's demand of a grant to carry on the Welsh war, went the length of proposing that he should seize the revenues of the Church, and apply them to the public service. 10 wiczLnniES. Michael's Ciiurch, upon ttese articles, — on tlie claims of St. Peter, — on tlie worsliip of the Yirgin, — on masses for the dead, — on pilgrimages, — on transuhstantiation, — on priestly absolution, — and on eating flesh in Lent, &c., and for denying these doctrines, and refusing to recant, were reprimanded and ordered to do penance." " In the year 1488, Margery Goit was accused of denying the doctrine of transubstantiation, declaring, ' that priests buying forty cakes for a halfpenny, and shewing them to the people, and saying that of every one of them they make the body of Christ, do nothing but deceive the people, and enrich themselves. And that seeing Grod, in the beginning, did create man, how can it be that man should be able to make God ?' This woman also was reproved and commanded to do pe- nance."* * Fox's "Acts and Moimments," 8th edition, folio, vol. i., p. 1015. "John Fox, A.M.,was horn of respectahle parents at Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1517. He became feUow of Magdalen College, Oxford. Being expelled from the University for his protestant nonconformity, he lost the favour of his friends and relations. He met, however, with a friend and patron in Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote Hall, near Stratford-on-Avon (whose sou was the subject of Shakespear's satire). This worthy person took him into his house, and made him tutor to his children. 'WliUe in this situation, he married a citizen's daughter of Coventry, but still continued in Sir Thomas's femily till his pupils were grown up. Afterwards he procured entertainment sometimes at the house of his father-in-law, — ^his own father having died when he was young, — and sometimes at the house of his wife's father in Coventry, till a little before the death of Hen. VHL, when he removed to London. Having spent his life in laborious study, and in promoting the interests of true religion, he died in 1.587, in the 70th year of his age." For particulars of his life and labours, see Brook's " Lives of the Puritans." MAEITKS. 1 1 The penalty inflicted on these " heretics" was to carry faggots on their shoulders about Cross Cheaping, on a market day. Par severer trials, however, were in reserve for their successors. In the 10th year of the reign of Hen. VIII., 1519, six godly men, and one woman, were, for their " Protestant heresies," burnt at the stake in. the Little Park. •' When these were dispatched," says Fox, " the Sheriffs went to their houses, and took all their goods and cattle to their own use, not leaving any part thereof to their wives and children for their support. And since the people began to complain of this cruelty, and of the unjust death of these innocent martyrs, the Bishop, with his officers and priests, i caused it to be noised abroad, that they were not burned for having the Lord's Prayer, and the Commandments, in English, but because they did eat flesh on Fridays, and other fasting days ! ! — which could not be proved, nor yet was any such charge alleged against them in their examinations. The witnesses of this history," continues Fox, "are yet alive (1570), who both saw them, and knew them : of whom, one is by name Mother Hall, dwelling now at Baginton : by whom also this is testified of them, that they, above all others in Coventry, .... in godliness of life, differed from all the rest of the city."* Edward YI. succeeded his father Hen. VIII. ; but in 1553 was removed from his devoted and affectionate subjects by death. " During the six years' reign of this amiable monarch," ob- serves Fox, "neither in Smithfield, nor in any other part of the realm, was any one known to suffer on account of religion, either papist or protestant ; except two, one an English woman, called Joan of Kent, and the other a Dutchman, named George, who died for certain articles not much necessary here to be rehearsed." As soon as Mary had ascended the throne, (1553), we find her exercising her tyranny and cruelty ia Lon- 12 MAETYES EOGEES, don and in the city of Coventry. The first martyr was John Kogers, who was burnt at the stake at Smithfield, in London. The second was Mr. Laweenob Satotdees, of whom the martyrologist has given an extended and most interesting account. He was burnt alive in the Little Park, on Feb. 8, 1565, four days after the mar- tyrdom of Eogers. He was a man of respectable parent- age. He received an early education at Eton, from whence he was removed to King's College, Cambridge, where lie made g'reat proficiency in knowledge and learning. He assidaoiisly studied the Holy Scriptures that he might be qualified for the work of the ministry. He was flislingiiished by his eminent piety, and his frequent and fervent devotional exercises. On leaving the University, he preached, for a while, at Fotherin- gay. He was afterwards appointed reader in Lichfield Cathedral : then removed to a benefice in Leicestershire; and from thence was called to the benefice of AHhaUows, London. Aliout this lime he preached at Northampton, boldly declariug against the errors of Popery. He was soon summoned to appear before Bonner, Bishop of London, and was committed to the Marshalsea prison, where he continued a year and three months. During his imprisonment he wrate a letter of condolence and sympatliy to Abp. Cranmer, Bp. Eidley, and Bp. Lati- mer, who were at that time in prison at Oxford. He was afterwards summoned to appear before the Queen's Council, at which several bishops were present, to un- dergo an examination ; the particulars of which may be found in Fox's " Book of Martyrs." Haying been excommunicated, he was delivered over MAETTES — SATOTDBES. 13 to the secular power, and remanded to prison. " On the 4tlL of Feb., Bishop Bonner came to the prison to degrade him, or to deprive him of his official character ; which when he had done, Saunders said to him, ' I thank God I am none of your church.' The day fol- lowing, in the morning, Mordaunt, the Sheriff of Lon- don, deKveredhim to certain of the Queen's guard, who were appointed to conduct him to the city of Coventry, there to be burned. "Wlien he arrived there, a poor man, who used to serve him with shoes, came to him and said, ' my good master ! God strengthen and com- fort you !' To whom he replied, ' I pray thee to pray for me, for I am the unmeetest man for this high office that ever was appointed to it ; but my gracious God and dear Pather is able to make me strong enough.' That night he was put into the common gaol, among other prisoners, and slept little, but spent the night in prayer and instructing of others. " The nest day, the 8th of Eebruary, he was led to the place of execution in the Park without the city, going in an old gown and shirt, barefooted, and often- times fell flat on the ground, and prayed. When he was come near to the place, the officer appointed to see the execution accomplished, |^harged Saimders with having disturbed the Queen's realm, with false doctrine and heresy; 'wherefore,' says he, 'thou hast deserved death ; but yet if thou wilt renounce thine heresies, the Queen wiU pardon thee ; if not, yonder fire is prepared for thee.' To whom Saunders replied, ' It is not I, nor my fellow preachers of God's truth that have disturbed 14 MAETTES SLOVEE. BONGET. the Queen's realm; but it is yourself, and sucli as you are, who have always resisted God's holy word. I hold no heresies, but the doctrine of God, the blessed gospel of Christ; that hold I, that believe I, that have I taught, and that will I never revoke.' With that, this tormentor cried, ' Away with him !' And away from him went Saunders with a cheerftil courage towards the fire. He fell to the ground and prayed : he rose up again, and took the stake, to which he was about to be chained, in his arms, and kissed it, saying, ' Welcome the Cross of Christ ! Welcome everlasting life P and being fastened to the stake, and fire put to him, full sweetly he slept in the Lord !" On the 19th of September, in the same year, two other martyrs were burnt at the same spot ; viz., Egbeet Glovee and CoEiTELnrs Bonget. The former of these was a gentleman of high respectability, residing at Mancetter, near Atherstone; a further account of whom will be found in our historical notice of Nonconformity in that town. No wonder that such innocent blood was not like " water spilt upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again;" but rather like "good seed," sown in a fruitful soil, which produced " thirty, sixty, a hundred fold." "Verily, verily," said our blessed Lord, in anticipation of his own death, " except a com of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much finjit." So, in a subordinate sense, may it be said of the blood of his servants. "Precious" it was "in the sight of the Lord:" and PTJEITANS. 15 tlirougliout successive generations was followed by Holy, active, useM lives spent in the promotion of his cause. Not a few who descended directly or collaterally from the martyred Saunders " rose up and called him blessed;" whilst among these were found some who successfully laboured in the Church of God. Several faithful minis- ters, bearing the honoured name of Saunders, are found in connection with the Church at Bedworth, at Coventry, and other towns in the kingdom. Ofl. the accession of Queen Elizabeth, 1558, many of the Protestant exiles who had been driven to the conti- nent by the persecutions in the reign of Mary, returned. These good men pleaded for a purer form of worship and discipline than the authorities would allow; and hence they were called Pueiiafs. They were an illus- trious race ; " the salt of the earth ; the lights of the world;" the ornaments of the church; the pillars of the state. Hume, who treats their principles with ridicule and contempt, has bestowed upon them the highest eulogium. " So absolute," says he, " was the authority of the crown, that the precious spark of liberty had been kindled, and was preserved, by the Puritcms alone; and it was to this sect that the English owe the whole freedom of their' constitution." To promote the reformation in the church which they desired, they formed associations ; held days of fasting and prayer for the queen and the church, and for ex- horting the people to repentance and reformation of Ufe, at those places where they could obtain a pulpit. Some of these assemblies were held in Coventry ; where, also, 16 rENif. for a short time, ttey had, though under concealment, a printing press.* In this city resided one of the most eminent of the puritan diviues, Mr. Htjmpheet Feiot. " This most learned and venerable divine was several years nunister at Northampton, and above forty years a laborious and faithful preacher in Coventry, and remarkably success- ful in his ministry; yet he underwent many troubles for nonconformity. While iu the former situation, he experienced the cruel oppression of the times, and 'was apprehended and committed to close prison, where he remained a long time. During his confinement, the inhabitants of Northampton presented a supplication to Queen Elizabeth, htimbly and earnestly beseeching her majesty to grant his release, and his restoration to his beloved ministey; pleading that, during his abode in that place, he had lived an honest and peaceable Ufa, and had maintained a high character by his diligence in preaching, his obedience to God, and to those in au- thority. It does not appear, however, whether this application was at all successful. It is very probable he never returned to his charge at Northampton." Having at length obtained his release, he most pro- bably entered upon his ministerial charge in Coventry, * "In 1559 were good ministers sent to Coventry. The mayor made an Act of Leet, and levied upon every house towai-ds their maintenance." " 1560. Mass was put down in Coventry dming this year; all images and popish relics were beaten down, and burnt in the open streets, and the gospel was preached freely."— MS. City Annals, where lie became Vioar of Trinity Ghureh, Eeb. 21, 1577. The manuscript City Amaals mention that in 1584 or 5, " was a great contention between Mr. Pemi, and one Griffen, a Welchman, for the vicarage of Tri- nity : Mr. Fenn was restored to the great joy of many, smd the said Griffen dismissed." The oppressed puritans being desirous to be eased' of their heavy burdens, Mr. Penn was chosen by the London ministers to accompany the Earl of Leicester, in a presentation of their afflictions and desires to those in authority; but with what success is not known. While exercising his ministry in Coventry, he was cited to Lambeth, and having refused to subscribe to certain articles enforced by the Archbishop — ^Whitgift, — ^he was suspended. He remained under suspension a long time ; during the whole of which period his cure was totally neglected. But by the kind favour of the Earl of Leicester in 1585— at which time his contention with the Welchman took place — ^he was restored to his ministry, and returned' to his charge in Coventry. " Though this excellent divine might probably enjoy peace and quietness for a season, his troubles were not ended. In the year 1591, an. information was exhibited against him and many of his brethren, for attending the associations, and other alleged offences ; when they were aU apprehended and committed to prison. During their imprisorunent, they presented a letter to the queen, dated April, 1592, in vindication of their own innoeency. It does not appear how long a time they remained in prison after that period. ITpon Mr. Fenn's release, he most probably returned to Coventry, where 18 OXENBBIB&E. he spent the rest of his days."* It appears that he had a son in the ministry ; as the annals of the city state that a "Mr. Humphrey Fenn, preacher, was appointed Lecturer of St. John the Baptist, or Bablake Church, in 1624. In 1641, was published "The last Will and Testament, with the profession of faith, of Humphrey Fenn, Pastor of one of the Churches in Coventry."! Mr. Clark, in his " Lives annexed to his Martyrology," says, that in this "his last will and testament, he made so fuU and open a protestation against the hierarchy and ceremonies, that when it was tendered to be proved, the prelates, or those of their party, would not allow it to have a place among the records of the court. He died," adds Mr. Clark, " in a firm attachment to those principles for which he suffered ; and was famous for his ministry and nonconformity in the city of Coventry." During Mr. Fenn's ministry, and that of the puritan and nonconformist divines, for many successive years, the liturgical form of service was not observed ; but extempore prayer, and the simple mode of worship adopted by modern dissenters. A contemporary with Mr. Fenn, and an eminent pui-itan divine, was Mr. Jomr Oxenbeidge, who had been minister at Southam, in this county, but came to Coventry, where he was celebrated for his great learn- ing, piety, and and usefulness. In 1576, he was taken into custody, and summoned before the High Commission Court for nonconformity ; but it does not appear what * Brook's Lives, vol. i., pp. 444 — 447. t For several extracts from the MS. City Annals, the Editor is under great obligations to Goo. Eld, Esq. HEEEING. 19 punishment was inflicted upon him. About the year 1583, he was again called before his ecclesiastical judges, and suspended from his ministry. In 1609, he was appointed by the Corporation as one of the Lecturers at St. John the Baptist. He ended his days among his friends in Coventry. * The City Annals state that in the year 1608, "the Mayor ordered Bablake Church to be repaired." This church, from the time of the Eeformation, had been disused, and became quite dilapidated ; but having now been restored, a weekly Lecture was established " to be held every Saturday from 3 to 4 o'clock, for the better fitting of people for the Sabbath." This lectureship was appointed " during the pleasure of Mr. Mayor and his brethren; the preacher to be at their discretion, and to receive five shillings for every sermon." " 1624, April 24, Mr. Humphrey Fenn [the younger], preacher, was appointed to the Bablake Saturday lecture." Upon the death, ia July, 1643, of Mr. Eobert Proc- tor, "Vicar of Trinity, a parish meeting was held ; when it was agreed that they would, as far as possible, exert themselves to procure the appointment of Mr. Jultnes Hbeeing, A.m., as his successor ; but these endeavours were unsuccessful. Mr. Herring was of the University of Cambridge, and commenced his ministerial labours in Coventry, and preached with great approbation. Here he had studied divinity in his earlier days imder the venerable Mr. Fenn. He subsequently removed to t Clark's Lives, p. 161. c 2 20 8. CXAEK. Slire-wsbury, but died in 1664, at Amsterdam, in Hol- land. He was an eminently holy and useful preacher ; and became a victim of Archbishop Laud's cruelty; who, with characteristic ferocity and levity, used to say, " VQ.piclde that Herring /"* Mr. Samuel Clakk, A.B., known as the author of " Martyr ology, with Lives annexed," was for some time a Lecturer in Coventry. He was the son of Hugh Clark, A.M., a puritan minister, who succeeded Mr. Edward Lord, another worthy puritan, who had been for some years Vicar of Wolston, a village seven miles from Coventry. Mr. Lord had been persecuted and imprisoned for nonconformity. During the famous Thomas Cartwright's exile at Guernsey and Antwerp, he took charge of his hospital at "Warwick. He was an eminently holy man, an able preacher, and an excellent divine. Upon his deprivation of his living at "Wolston, in 1590, Mr. Hugh Clark took his pastoral charge, being chosen to that office by the people. He was a zealous and laborious preacher. In addition to his own parish church, he had a chapel of ease at some distance, at each of which he preached twice every Sabbath. This he continued during the greatest part of his time at "Wolston, which was nearly 44 years. He died in 1634. Mr. Samuel Clark, his son, was bom in 1599. He was sent to the Free School at Coventry, and was after- wards educated at Emanuel College, Cambridge. After he left the "University, he married " a pious, humble, * Brook's Lives, vol. ii., p. 489. S. ClAEK. 21 prudent, and sweet-tempered person, tte daughter of a minister of Bed-vrortli." Having laboured ia Cheshire, and other places, for about five years, " he received a letter from the mayor, aldermen, Mr. Fenn, [the younger,] and other godly people in Coventry, impor- tuning him to preach a Lecture there on Lord's day afternoons and Tuesday mornings. He complied, and was at first treated with respect, but could not be quiet long; for Dr. Buggs, who had engrossed both the livings of St. Michael and Trinity, seeing his hearers leave him, soon discovered his enmity against Mr. Clark; and having the power of both the pulpits, denied him entrance into either. The Corporation having the church of St. John the Baptist, at the end of the town, at their disposal, appointed him Lecturer there. Upon some expressions, however, which he used in the pulpit, lie was prosecuted by his old opponent ; and the new naayor, being a friend of the doctor's, obliged him to quit his lectureship ; upon which he assisted his father at "Wolston. About this time he was applied to by the magistrates of "Warwick to preach a Lecture there, but Tvas opposed by the vicar. The Earl of Warwick, how- ever, made him his chaplain, and in this capacity he continued for five years, during which God was pleased greatly to bless his labours, and particularly in Lord Brook's family. At this period the minister of Alcester, in the same county, died, and Lord Brook gave Mr. €lark the living, to which he was also unanimously chosen by the people. Here he continued about nine years, effecting a remarkable reformation in the manners of the inhabitants; — ^the town having been proverbially 22 TINES. known as drunken Aloester. He was then reconunended to Bennet-Eink Church, in London, and was chosen minister. From this church he was ejected by the Act of Uniformity, in 1662. He afterwards removed to Hammersmith, and continued twenty years in retire- ment. In this seclusion, however, he was diligently employed in composing several valuable works, among which is that already mentioned, — ^his Martyrology. On Dec. 25, 1682, having blessed those about him, he resigned his soul into the hands of his Heavenly Father, being aged upwards of 83 years. He had two sons ejected ministers. This family gave up, for conscience' sake, not less than £600 per annum." Further interesting accounts may be seen of them in Brook's "Lives;" and Palmer's "Nonconformist's Memorial."* Mr. Tong, in his " Dedication," speaks of " a great number of Puritanical Ministers" having been driven by " the distractions of the civil war into Coventry, as their city of refuge." In the " Lives of the Puritans," this notice occurs : — " Mr. Kichaed Vines, A.M., a learned and excellent divine, .... was chosen schoolmaster at Hinckley, in his native county; and afterwards ob- " "When the celebrated Puritan, William Proline, was sent to Carnarvon jail, in 1637, he passed, on his way from London, through Coventry, where he was very much welcomed. He spent the Lord's day in this city, and twice attended divine service at chm-ch. Archbishop Laud hearing this, sent a mes- senger to Coventry to bring the mayor and six others up to London, and convened them before the council. Though most of them never spoke to Prynne, they wei'e fined two or three hundred pounds, reprimanded, and discharged." Brook'* Lives, vol. iii., p. 51. BIXTEE. 23 tained a presentation to the rectory of "Weddington, [near Nuneaton,] in "Warwicksliire. . . . Ontte break- ing out of the civil -war, [1642,] Mr. Vines was driven from his flock, and forced to take shelter in Coventry. Indeed, there were about thirty worthy ministers in that city; who, driven from their flocks, fled thither for safety from the plunder of soldiers and popular fury; though they never meddled in the wars. The heavy judgments of God being now inflicted upon the nation, these divines set up a morning Lecture in that city, in which Mr. Vines was frequently engaged, as well as on the Lord's day." Mr. Vines was a Presbyterian divine, and was chosen one of the celebrated assembly of divines of Westmin- ister. He was minister of St. Michael's Church only for a short time. On his removal from Coventry, he was •appointed master of Pembroke HaU, Cambridge; in which office "he promoted true religion and sound literature to the utmost of his power, and restored the College to a very flourishing state After a labo- rious and useful Ufe, he died in 1655, aged 55 years."* Among the refugees in Coventry was the eminent E.1CHAED Baxtee ; who, in his own account of his life, gives a brief description of the battle of Edghill, and his subsequent proceedings. "IJpon the Lord's day, October 23, 1642," says he, "I preached at Alcester for my reverend friend, Mr. Samuel Clark. As I was preaching, the people heard the cannon play, and per- ceived the armies were engaged Next morning, * Brook's Lives, vol. iii., p. 230. 24 ANECDOTE OT BAXTEE. being desirous to see the field, I went to Edgliill But now, for myself, I kaew not what course to take. . . I had neither money nor friends. I knew not who would receive me in any place of safety. Hereupon I was persuaded to go to Coventry, where an old acquaint- ance, Mr. Simon King, was minister; so thither I went." ■ Hero he was invited by the Committee and Governors to stay with them, and lodge in the governor's house, and preach to the soldiers. "Here, accord- ingly,'' he says, " I lived in the governor's house, fol- lowed my studies as quietly as in a time of peace, for about a year; preaching once a week to the soldiers, an.d once, on the Lord's day, to the people; taking nothing from either but my diet." In Ms " Dying Thoughts," he says, "What mercy had I, amidst the calamities of a civil war, to live two years in safety at Coventry, a city of defence, and in. the heart of the kingdom !" The following circumstance, handed down by tradi- tion, is stated to have taken place during Mr. Baxter's residence at Coventry : — " Several of the ministers ejected by the Act of Uniformity, who resided in this city, united with Mr. Baxter in establishing a lecture in a private house, on a neighbouring common, near the village of Berkswell. The time of worship was generally a very early hour. Mr. Baxter left Coventry in the evening, in- tending to preach the lecture in the morning. The night being dark, he lost his way ; and after wandering about a considerable time, he came to a gentleman's house, where he asked for direction. The servant who came to the door informed his master, that a person of very rcspectiible appearance had lost his way. The gentleman requested the servant to invite liim in. Mr. Baxter readily complied, and met with a very hos- pitable reception. His conversation was such as to give hi» AJJECDOTE or BAITES. 25 host an exalted idea of his good sense, and extensive informa- tion. The gentleman wishing to know the quality of his guest, said, after supper, ' As most persons have some employment, or profession in life, I have no doubt, sir, that you have yours.' Mr. Baxter replied with a smile, ' Yes, sir, I am a man-catcher. ' A man-catcher,' said the gentleman, ' are you?' 'I am very glad to hear you say so, for you are the very person I want. I am a justice of the peace in this district, and am commissioned to secure the person of Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at a conventicle in this neighbourhood, early to-morrow morn- ing; you shall go with me, and I doubt not we shall easily apprehend the rogue.' Mr. Baxter very prudently consented to accompany Mm. Accordingly the gentleman, on the foUomng morning, took Mr. Baxter in his carriage to the place whe^e the meeting was to be held. When they arrived at the spot, they saw a considerable number of the people hovering about ; for seeing the carriage of the justice, and suspecting his intentions, they were afraid to enter the house. The justice observing this, said to Mr. Baxter, ' I am afraid they have obtained some information of my design ; Baxter has probably been apprised of It, and therefore will not fulfil his engagement ; for you see the people will not go into the house. I think if we extend our ride a little further, our departure may encourage them to assemble, and on our return we may fulfil our commission.' When they returned, they found their efforts useless ; for the people still appeared unwilling to assemble. The magistrate, thinking he should be disappointed of the object he had in view, observed to his companion, that as the people were very much disaffected to Government, he would be much obliged to him, to address them on the subject of loyalty and good behaviour. Mr. Baxter replied, that perhaps this would not be deemed suflScient; for as a religious service was the object for which they were met together, they would not be satisfied with advice of that nature ; but if the magistrate would begin with prayer, he would then endeavour to say something to them. The gen- tleman replied, putting his hand to his pocket, ' Indeed, sir, I have not got my Prayer-book with me, or I would readUy com- ply with your proposal. However, I am persuaded, that a per- son of your appearance and respectability would be able to pray with them, as weU as to talk to them. I beg, therefore, that you will be so good as to begin with prayer.' This being agreed to, they alighted from the carriage, and entered the 26 KINO. aKEW. house, and the people, hesitating no longer, immediately fol- lowed them. Mr. Baxter then commenced the service by prayer, and prayed with that seriousness and fervour for which he was so eminent. The magistrate standing hy was soon melted into tears. The good divine then preached in his ac- customed lively and zealous manner. When he had concluded, he turned to the justice, and said, ' Sir, I am the very Dick "Baxter of whom you are in pursuit. I am entirely at your disposal.' The magistrate, however, had felt bo much during the service, and saw things in so different a light, that he laid aside entirely all his enmity to the Nonconformists, and ever afterwards became their sincere friend and advocate, and it i« believed also a decided Christian."* Mr. SiMOBT KjNe, to wliGm Baxter has referred, was ejected from Bottlebridge, in Huntingdonshire. " He was sometime a schoohnaster at Bridgnorth, where Baxter and he lived together in the same house. They were afterwards fellow labourers in Coventry. Mr. King was minister of Trinity parish from 1642 to 1645." He afterwards removed to a village near Peterborough, where he died at an advanced age. He is described as " an able scholar, a man of solid judgment, and of un- blameable life." Among the puritan divines is also mentioned Mr. James Cranford, M.A., as the son of Mr. James Cban- FOKD, many years head master of the Free School in Coventry. The two men most distiaguished in the annals of Nonconformity ia this city, in the seventeenth century, were Dr. Grew and Dr. Bryan. Dr. Obabiah Gkew was bom at Atherstone, 1607, and was educated at Baliol College, Oxford. In 1 632, he • Congregational Magazine, vol iii., 1820, pp. 397-8. OEEW. 27 was elected master of the 'Free School, at Atherstone. He -was appointed Vicar of St. Michael's Church in 1642, by the mayor, aldermen, and principal citizens of that large parish, as successor to the Eev. William Panting* When the Act of Uniformity took place, in 1662, he was one of the illustrious two thousand who could not conscientiously comply with the unrighteous terms of that act.f The Bishop (Hacket) was particu- larly urgent with him and Dr. Bryan to conform, and gave them leave to preach a month longer; but Dr. Grew at once preached his farewell sermon. He was afterwards driven from place to place, for no evU but praying and preaching ; though his prudence made him restrict the number of his hearers.]: "In 1665, when the plague alarmed the city, he began to keep open meetings there in some licensed place; but was forced by the Oxford Act to remove. During the liberty in 1672, he took a license, and returned to his * The Eev. Wm. Panting was ' dispossessed of the Vicarage of St. Michael's, which was sequestrated by the Parliamenta- rians, who invited Dr. Grew. Mr. Panting had been one of the Chaplains of Charles I., which may account for his ejection. t "Baktholombw-dat," says the immortal Locke, "was fatal to our Church and Religion in throwing out a very great num- ber of worthy, learned, and orthodox divines." J In 1643, the solemn League and Covenant was taken in St. Michael's Church by the parishioners. In 1646, there was a public disputation in Trinity Church, between Drs. Grew and Bryan, and one Koiolles, and a London draper, concerning the baptism of infants. On Jan. 8, 1 684, nearly two hundred of the inhabitants of Coventry were presented to the Grand Jury for not going to church ; and were sentenced at the Sessions to be imprisoned for frequenting conventicles."* * MS. City Annals. 28 GEEW. people ; who, as they had parted from him with many tears, now received him with joy ; and he held public meetings tiU 1682, when the liberty was recalled. Though there was not then a man in Coventry who opposed him, one Captain Hickman, of Barnacle (a neighbouring village), an indigent gentleman, imdertook the business, hoping to get £100 from the magistrates for neglecting their duty, in not suppressing this meet- ing; but he failed in -his design, and they defended themselves well enough. Tet some time after, some of the same individuals, when they understood how it would gratify those in power to fall upon such men, sent for him, even when he was blind through age, and demanded why he lived in a corporate town. Some persons offered to pay the penalty, but nothing would satisfy them without sending the old gentleman to the Coventry jail ; where he endured six months imprison- ment in a filthy chamber, though the best that jaU afforded. He was the better reconciled to the place, as Mr. Saunders, Mr. Glover, and others, had lain in it before, in Queen Mary's days After his release he was forced a third time to leave the city, but his heart remained with his beloved people ; and therefore as he had lost his eye-sight, he kept an amanuensis, and dictated to him a sermon every week, wliich he sent to be read to four or more writers in short-hand, every one of whom read it to four others, who also transcribed it. By this means it was read at twenty different meetings of small numbers, to avoid the penalty of the law. This practice he continued till the Eevolution of 1688, when he returned to the city, and preached as long as GKEW. BETAN. 29 his voice could be heard, viz., till a month before his death, which took place on October 22, 1689, in the 83rd year of his age. He was buried in the Chancel of St. Michael's." Dr. Grew was "a cabn, grave, sedate divine; more retired, and less active than Dr. Bryan; but godly, able, and faithful in his ministry ; familiar in conversation, courteous in his manner, and fit to associate with the greatest. There were few gentlemen in the coimtry but had a veneration for him. Having in his younger days drank deep in spiritual trouble, he earnestly sought a stedfast faith in Christ's satisfaction, and endeavoured to promote the same in others. He was a man of great candour and moderation, and was not forward to cen- sure others who did not express themselves just as he did. Mr. Baxter had been his acquaintance, and used to speak of him with great respect. He was very studious when he was blind, and not idle in prison. The eminent Dr. Nehemiah Grew was his son, who was a learned physician and botanist. Dr. Grew's published works were, 'A Sinner's Justification by Christ; or the Lord Jesus Christ our Eighteousness :' and 'Medita- tions on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.' " In 1644, John Bktait, D.D., was appointed Vicar of Trinity Church. He had left his living at Barford, near "Warwick, worth £140 per annum, to come to Coventry. The income of the living of Trinity was £80 per annum ; but the parish agreed to add to it £20. He was ejected in 1662, but remained in Coventry officiating ia connection with Dr. Grew, tiU his death in 1675. He was a very learned divine; an energetic 30 MTTSSON. WILLS. preaclier, a holy man, and universally esteemed. He was admirably quaMed for Ms office of educating youth ; and sent forth a great number of worthy minis- ters. He published "A Discourse on Dwelling with God;" a Sermon entitled "The Virtuous Daughter;" and " A Discovery of the probable Sin causing the great Judgment of Eain; a Sermon at Coventry, Dec. 23, 1674." "Harvest Home," 1674. He had three sons ejected ministers.* Mr. Obadiah Mitsson appears to have been an aged supernumerary Dissenting minister in Coventry, a co- temporary with Dr. Bryan, and probably preached to the same people; for a work is in existence by Dr. Bryan in verse, entitled "Harvest Home, being the sum of certain Sermons upon Job v. 26, one whereof was preached at the funeral of Mr. Ob. Musson, an aged godly minister of the gospel, in the EoyaUy licensed rooms in Coventry." This Mr. Musson had been ejected from the B«ctorv of Church Langton, in Leicestershire. He left his living when he was very aged, and destitute of support. "He retired," says Calamy, "to Coventry, where he found God and good people kind to him, tiU worn away by age."t At the death of Dr. Bryan, in 1675, Mr. Samfel • A funeral Sermon, entitled " Peace and Rest for the Up- right," was preached for Dr. Bryan, by the Rev. Nathaniel Wanley, at Trinity Church. In this discourse the preacher speaks in the highest terms of the deceased; which was honour- able to both parties — the one being an Episcopalian, and tlie other a Nonconformist divine. t Nonconf. Mem., vol. ii. p. 391. JAEVIS BETAN. SHEWEIL. 31 Wills, wlio was a native of Coventry, and had been ejected from his liviag at Birmingham, appears to have returned to his native city, and to have been colleague with Dr. Grew, untQ 1682, when he was driven away by " some imquiet people." He died in Shropshire, in 1684, aged 73. He was a sedate,' quiet, peaceable, able, divine.* Mr. Jaevts (or Geevase) Betaw, ejected from Old Swinford, Worcestershire, succeeded his brother. Dr. John Bryan, in 1675, as pastor of the congregation, and spent the latter part of his life among them. He died in Coventry, ia 1690, and was buried in Trinity Church. He was a very worthy man, and generally lamented ; a thousand persons being present at the funeral. Mr. Jarvis Bryan had, as his assistant, or co-pastor, Mr. Thomas Shewell, M.A., of Cambridge University. "He was born at Coventry, where his father was a reputable citizen and clothier. He was a pupil of that learned and excellent man, Mr. James Cranford. He * Mr. John Tkoughton, B.A., from whom the family of the Troughtons in CoTentry have descended, was a Nonconformist minister, and ejected from Oxford University by the Act of Uniformity. He was the sou of Mr. Nathaniel Troughton, a clothier; was bom at Coventry, and educated in the Free School there, under Mr. Samuel !Frankland. He entered St. John's College, Oxford, in 165.5, and was afterwards Fellow of that College. He became an eminent preacher in Oxford, and " was the most applauded by the scholars, though he had been blind from his infancy." " This learned and religious person," says Anthony Wood, " died in Oxen, Aug. 20, 1681, aged 44, and was buried in the church at Bicester ; in which place he had lived and laboured for some years. His funeral sermon was preached by Abraham James, Master of the Free School at Woodstock, who was also himself o blind man." — Nonconform. Mem., vol. iii., p. 128. 32 TONG. became the Vicar of Lenliam, in Eent, from whicli living he was ejected hy tlie Act of Uniformity. After many years, he returned to his native city, succeeding Dr. Grew in his two offices of pastor and tutor, and conti- nued preaching there to the last."* The extraordinary circumstances connected with his death have been re- lated by Mr. Tong. (p. 6.) Mr. William Tons was co-pastor with Mr. Shewell. This excellent man, who was justly esteemed one of the most distinguished Presbyterian divines of his age, is now chiefly known as the friend and biographer of the eminent Matthew Henry. He was bom at Eccles, near Manchester, in 1662. He was first educated for the profession of the law; but his thoughts being directed to the Christian ministry, he was placed for academical learning in the private seminary of the Rev. E. Frankland, at Natland, in Westmoreland. He began to preach in the beginning of the reign of James II., a dark and threatening time for Noncon- formists. He frecLuently preached to the poor people in the country, when he knew not but, at the end of the sermon, he might exchange the pulpit for the prison. In his younger years, he was earnestly soli- cited to conform to the National EstabKshment; but he preferred truth, and purity, and liberty, to the greatest secular honours and emoluments. Upon the religious freedom granted by King James, in the beginning of 1687, he preached at Chester, previous to Mr. Henry's settlement there. Not long afterwards, he was invited * Nonconf. Mein., vol. ii., p. 829. TONG. 33 to Knutsford, in the same county, wliere he received a call to the pastoral office at the close of 1687. "When he had been settled about two years at Enuts- ford, he accepted an invitation to the pastorate at Coventry, in 1690, where, as he states in his " Dedica- tion," he " spent almost thirteen years." He was there "a burning and a shining light ;" exercising his abilities and energies, not only in that city, but in the neighbouring places. Upon him seemed to devolve " the care of all the churches." His occasional preach- ing laid the foundation of several societies of Protestant Dissenters in those places where none previously existed. Whilst at Coventry, he had the care and education of several young gentlemen of rank, who became eminent in their day; he was also instrumental in training up others for the Christian ministry. TTpon the death of Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, in 1702, Mr. Tong was invited to succeed him in 1703, as pastor of the church at Salter's Hall, London.* Over this church he presided with great reputation for upwards of twenty-four years. Though he ranked with the Presbyterian denomination, yet he associated very much with the Independents. During the disputes at Salter's HaU, in 1719, relating to the doctrine of the Trinity, he took the side of the subscribing ministers. Just before this event, he had published, in conjunction with several other learned ministers, a Tract entitled, " The * Dr. Calamy says, in his " Historical Account," — " April 2, 1705, died the celebrated Mr. John Howe. He was succeeded in the Lecture at Salter's Hall by Mr. Wm. Tong." Vol. ii., p. 41. 34 TONG. , OlDFIELS. Doctrine of the ever Blessed Trinity stated and de- fended." He was also one of the ministers employed in continuing the Commentary on the New Testament, begun by Matthew Henry, but left imfinished at his death. The part undertaken by Mr. Tong, was the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Eevelation of John. Having "kept the faith" during a long and useful ministry, he "finished his course" on March 21, 1727, aged 65 years. His funeral sermon was preached and published by his colleague, Mr. John Newman ; from which the above facts have been selected. Mr. Tong was the author of several valuable works, besides those already mentioned : these are enumerated in Wilson's " History of Dissenting Chuichesin London." Yol. ii. p. 32. During Mr. Tong's ministry at Coventry, the excel- lent Matthew Henry frequently preached at the Great Meeting in his way to and from London and Chester. Mr. Tong having survived Mr. Shewell, Joshua Old- MEin, D.D., was united with him. in the co-pastorship. Dr. Oldfield was a native of Carsington, in Derbyshire ; where his father, Mr. John Oldfield, was some time minister, and from whence he was ejected for noncon- ' formity. He was a student of Christ's College, Cam- bridge. He there became eminent for his piety and learning. "When the time arrived for taking his degree, he chose to quit the University, being dissatisfied with the subscription then required. He became afterwards tutor to the son of Paul Foley, Esq., Speaker to the House of Commons, in the reign of Ejng "William III. He subsequently was chosen pastor of a congregation at OLBFIELD. WAKEES-. 3,5 Tooting, in Surrey. He tken removed to Oxford, wliere he became intimately acquainted with the immortal Locke. Erom Oxford he removed to Coventry, in 1693, and was joint-pastor with Mr. Tong. His labours, as a tutor, for which he was so justly celebrated, commenced here ; but persecution laid hold of the good man, and occasioned him much expense, vexation, and sorrow. " Upon a suspicion of his instructing youth, he was cited to appear in the Ecclesiastical Court at Coventry, Oct. 14, 1697. The matter was then transferred to the King's Bench ; but at length was dropped ; not without intimation from his Majesty, that he was not pleased with such prosecutions."* In 1700, Dr. Oldfleld re- moved from Coventry to succeed Mr. Thomas Kentish at Maid-lane, London. During the disputes at the Salter's Hall Synod, he divided with the non-subscrib- ing ministers. He died November 8, 1729, aged 73. He was a divine of superior talents and endowments, and the author of several theological tiacts and sermons. On the removal of Dr. Oldfleld to London, Mr. John "W^ASEEN became, in 1700, an assistant to Mr. Tong. There were three ejected ministers of the name of War- ren; — one of whom, probably, was the father of this Mr. John Warren. He had been chaplain to Philip Poley, Esq., of Prestwood, near Kidderminster. Eor upwards of forty years he maintained an honourable and useful position as minister of the Congregation in Coventry. At his death, a Funeral Sermon was preached for him, and published by his neighbour and * Calamy's Historical Account, vol. i., p. 403. D 2 36 WAEEEN. lIEEEEIil. friend, Mr. Joseph Carpenter, of Warwick, in which, he is described as a man peculiarly distinguished by the amiableness and kindness of his disposition; the gen- tleness and politeness of his maimers ; his liveliness and wit in conversation ; his general intelligence ; his bibli- cal knowledge; his piety as a Christian; and his fidelity as a preacher and pastor. His ministry was popular, and he kept up a large congregation for many years. "Through the goodness of God," says Mr. Carpenter, " his life was prolonged to nearly seventy years He died as he lived, recommending a regard to serious religion to all that came about him, in the most perti- nent and pathetic manner ; expressing at the same time a deep sense of the failures of his Ufe, and a cheerful hope of a blessed immortality. ... As to this Society, I fear it will scarce ever be wholly made up ; may it in some part, and that speedily!" Mr. Warren died in the year 1742.* After Mr. Tong's removal to London, Mr. Joshtja Meekel, was chosen co-pastor with Mr. Warren. We must refer to Mr. Tong's "Dedication," for a notice of his history and character. It appears that he was a faithful minister of Christ. Mi-. Warren, in his funeral sermon on occasion of his death, in 1716, says, address- ing the congregation, — " I hope there are several among you that hare reason to thank God that you ever saw his face, or heai'd his voice. The vford he has spoken has reached your hearts ; and those that were convinced before, he has been an instrument of bmlding up, and of comforting and directing .... I intreat you to re^ * In 1711, the famous Dr. Sacheverel passed thi-ongh Coven- try, — much confusion ensued. EOGEKSON. 37 member liow he preached 'Christ, and him crucified.' How earnestly he pressed you to come unto him; exposing the folly and misery of your distance, or even of your delay Never forget what he has warmly urged upon you, for the carrying on of family religion, and closet devotion ; and especially for your better attendance on public worship. It was what he often lamented, that on Lecture-days so few would ' wait at Wisdom's gates :' and that at the hours of prayer, he could not prevail over the sinful modesty of some good people among us, who by that were kept absent He had no affectation for novel- ties : he was for the plain, important truths of the gospel The first converts ' continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doc- trine and fellowship :' and if any of you should depart from that ■doctrine, or that fellowship, it will, besides other aggravations, be a sort of reproach upon him that is gone. . . . How firm was his dependence on the covenant and promises of God ! . . . His faith was in the righteousness of Christ to recommend him to the acceptance of the Father. He disclaimed all expectations from himself, and had recourse to the Lord Jesus as the Foun- tain of all divine aid, by whose assistance he must do his duty; and by means of whose intercession that imperfect duty must be accepted Though, at his death, he had no ecstasies of joy, he was clear about his interest in Christ ; and this he kept to the last, committing his spirit into the hands of God his Re- deemer." On Mr. Merrel's death, in 1716, Mr. Warren became sole pastor, and continued such till his own decease in 1742. In the mean time he had three assistants. The first of these was Mr. ErcHiED E.OGEESoif, from Duffleld, in Derbyshire, who was settled in 1717 ; and after sis years, removed to Alcester in 1723. A vacancy thus being occasioned, several candidates were recommended to Mr. Wajren, among whom were a Mr. Smith, Mr. Partington, and Mr. Philip Doddridge ; " whose praise is in all the churches," and throughout the Christian world. At that period, early in 1723, Doddridge was pursu- 38 BODBKIDGE. ing a course of studies imder tte tuition of Mr. John Jennings, at Hinckley. He had recently received an invitation from the Church at Kibworth, in Leicester- shirp. In a letter to his friend and patron, Dr. Samuel Clark, of St. Albans, dated May 4, 1723, Mr. Doddridge says,— " Mr. Rogerson, who assisted Mr. Warren, at Coventry, is lately removed. I went thither last Wednesday, to preach the lecture at Mr. Warren's particular desire. After the sermon, some of the principal persons of the congregation met me at my inn. They told me they had made it their business to inquire, and found that all who had been present expressed themselves very well satisfied; and desired that no more candidates might be sent for from distant places; but that I might come and settle among them as soon as possible. They acknowledged they could not offer this as a certain and universal invitation, because a great many people were absent, as they always are upon these days, but they desired I would come over, ant{ preach for them the next Lord's day that I was disengaged ; and that in the mean time I would suspend the Ivibworth affaii-. .... Mr. Warren, indeed, did not say one word on the subject, though I had a good deal of his company. He was obliged to go to the jail immediately after the sermon to visit a criminal under sentence of death He has some considerable per- sonal obligations to Mr. Smith, and has endeavoured to the utmost to introduce him as Mr. Eogerson's successor; but the generality of the people oppose it with a great deal of warmth." Mr. Doddridge adds, " If I were to detei-mine for myself, I think I should prefer Coventry [to Kibworth] on many accounts. . . . ' I will not mention the more agreeable character of the place, company, and accommodations ; for I know, that in a case of this nature, where the glory of God and the good of souls appear in some measure to be concerned, these things are but little to be regarded. It is much more important to observe, that Co- ventiy is one of the largest dissenting congregations in England, consisting at least of 1,200 people, so that, caiteris paribus, I may have, an opportunity of doing at least five times iis much good there as I can at Kibworth. Besides, my tutor tells me, that he thinks my preaching is pretty much suited to the tasto of that BODDEIDGE. 39 people; and, if tliey send me a unanimous invitation, which is the hypothesis I now go upon, the event will sufficiently prove it. To this I cannot hut add, what I lay almost an equal stress upon, which is, that I should be in the way of improvement; for Mr. Warren is certainly an incomparable preacher ; and it is hard to say whether his mode of address be more suited to the vulgar or the polite You see that my inclinations are rather towards Coventry ; hut I desire that may not bias you. I cheerfully refer the matter to Providence, and to your pru- dence and friendship. I am, &c. " P. DODDRIDGE." In reply to this letter. Dr. Clark says, " I entirely approve of yom- acceptance of Coventry rather than Kibworth, if you have the option; and I heartily beseech God that you may be an instrument of much service ia that considerable place." The affair closed, however, ia his decUning to accept the iriYitatioii, as we leara from the following rejoinder of Mr. Doddridge : — "May 25. 1723. " Rev. Sir, — I have received your letter, and am very glad that you concur with me in your sentiment with relation to Coventry. I still think, that if the people had been all of one mind, it would have been as agreeable a settlement as I could have desired; but Providence had ordered it otherwise, and I have determined to go to Kibworth, and hope you will not disap- prove of my choice when you hear the reasons for it Some gentlemen came over from Coventiy the day that I received your letter, and they assured me, that if the congregation were to be divided into six parts, five of them would be desirous for my coming. They told me that Mr. Rogerson came in upon a much smaller majority, and yet lived very comfortably among them; and promised that they would raise me £50 a-year; whereas Mr. R.'s stated salary was no more than £40; but I told them that I was absolutely resolved against making myself the head of a party upon any terms, or preaching to any part of a congregation against their will; and therefore desired that they, and the rest of my friends at Coventry, would not enter- tain any thoughts of my coming, and promised the Kibworth people that I would very speedily settle among them," 40 DODDEIDGE. He settled at Kibworth, where, in one of his playM letters to a lady, he says, " I have not above forty hearers in the morning. It is one of the most unpolite congregations I ever knew; consisting almost entirely of fanners and graziers, with their subaltern officers. I have not so much as a tea-table in my whole diocese, although above eight miles in extent, and but one hoop petti- coat within the whole circle I live here just like a hermit: and, were it not for talking to the cattle, admiring the poultry, and preaching twice every Sunday, I should certainly lose the use of the organs of speech, and so should not be able to tell you, when I come to London, how much I am, " Honoured mftdam, " Your dutiful son, and obedient servant, " PHILIP DODDRIDGE."* Even after his settlement at Kibworth, however, he had some lingering wishes to be at Coventry. In a letter to Mr. "Warren, dated June 17, 1723, he says, " Rev. Sir, — I lately received a letter from Coventry, inform- ing me that those who have the management of public affairs there among the Dissenters, have agreed to send for me to preach in a few days, and that I may expect to hear further of it very quickly. As it is an aifair of considerable importance to me, I would therefore beg the favom- of a letter from you, before I determine whether I shall come." And again he says, "I con- fess that if my way to Coventry lay open, I should think it pre- ferable on many accounts; principally, as by the blessing of God I might hope to be more useful than I can be at Kibworth. Another circumstance which I lay an equal stress upon, is that I should have all imaginable advantages for improvement, both in the preaching and prudential part of the ministerial work, by your excellent example and conversation. So that I should be very ready to come and supply for you any Lord's day, upon timely notice, if I had any considerable reason to believe that my services would be accepted I would beg you to speak your thoughts plainly. I desire further that you would tell me * " Correspondence, &c., of Dr. Doddridge," by his Grand- son, vol. i., p, 226, 236, 245, 246. BOBDELOeE. 41 whether Mr. Smith has (as I am infonned,) laid aside all thoughts of assisting you; or whether any considerable steps have been taken towards inviting any other person."* Again, in another letter to Mr. "Warren, imder date " Sept. 16, 1723," lie writes,^ " Rev. Sir, — I am informed that the question is still enter- tained as to inviting me over to preach at Coventry. Without inquiring what is likely to be the result, I have long been deter- mined not to meddle any further in that affair, and therefore 1 desire that none of my fi-iends there will give themselves any trouble about it. I heartily wish that the choice of an assistant may issue so as to be idH the advantage of the congregation in general, and for your satisfaction in particular. I beg the favour of you to give my humble service to my friends at Co- ventry, and thank them for their kind thoughts of me." It seems that " the friends at Coventry" could not give Tip their heloved Doddridge ; for early in the next year we have the folloTsdng reply to a renewed corres- pondence : — " To Mr. Pool, and the other leading members of the Con- gregation at Coventry. "Feb. 18, 1724. " Gentlemen, — It certainly becomes me to return yon my most humble thanks for the uncommon civility and respect with which you have always treated me, and particularly for that remarkable testimony of your regard which I have just now received. But as to the particular affair which you propose, I cannot possibly entertain any thought of it. I will not now enter into my reasons at large The principal point is, I cannot think of appearing in opposition to Mr. Warren in an affair of this nature. It is extremely contrary to my own incli- nation, and would certainly be resented by all the ministers in the country, and by several of my friends at London ; and it would also render me extremely odious to all the Dissenters in Coventry that were not of my own congregation ; and so em- broil me in endless contentions, which it would be difiBcult to * Correspondence, &c., of Dr. Doddridge, vol. i., p. 246. 42 DODDEILGE. manage, and impossible wholly to avoid. Upon this and several other accounts, I could not think of accepting the invitation, in case you should favour me with it. I do not apprehend it would be of any importance to appoint the meeting which you are pleased to propose; otherwise I should be heartily willing to embrace that or any other opportunity of expressing the sense I have of your many favours, and the sincerity and respect with which I am. Gentlemen, "Your most obliged, most affectionate, and most " humble servant, "P. DODDRIDGE."* About a month, after, in a l^ter to a fiiend, he ■sprites, — " The people at Coventry are all in a flame. Mr. Smith has been chosen there in such a manner, as it is not worth my while particularly to describe. The greater part of the congre- gation were extremely disgusted, and struck off with a resolu- tion of building another meeting-place. The next week I re- ceived a letter signed by the mayor [Mr. Pool,] and several of the aldermen, in which they gave me an account of their pro- ceedings, and told me that they -had unanimously chosen me to be their minister, adding very noble proposals upon the head of subscription.^ I am fully persuaded that I shall never have an invitation to a more considerable people, or a larger sphere of usefulness. But it would have been downright ingi-atitnde to have opposed Mr. Warren ; and, therefore, without deliberating a moment on the affair, I immediately sent them an absolute denial. I hope, that in matters of such a nature as this, I shall always act upon that admirable maxim of Solomon, — " Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox, and hatred therewith."! In a further correspondence, dated " June 29, 1724,'' Mr. Doddridge, in addressing the mayor, Mr. Pool, says,— " Worshipful Sir I believe you wiU acknowledge with * Correspondence, &c., of Doddridge, vol. i., p. 344. t £150 per annum, though he had only £35 at Kibworth. i Correspondence, &c., of Doddridge, vol. i., p. 348. DODBEIDGE. PAETINeTOIir . 43 me, when you impartially consider these things, that there can be no more room for me to think of settling among you upon any terms whatsoever ; but you may depend upon it, that as I have the most affectionate sense of the many favours which I have received from my Coventry friends, I shall always be ready to serve them in any thing that lies in the way of my duty; and farther I persuade myself they will not desire it." Having recommended them, in their present circumstances, to " act," if possible, " in concert with good Mr. Warren," he concludes, "I have nothing further to add, but that when this uneasy business is over, I intend to give you a visit My humble service to all friends with you, and particularly Mr. [Alderman] Moore. I heartily thank him for his generous pro- posal, which my duty will not permit me to accept."* The unhappy conneotion that had been formed be- tween Mr. Warren, Mr. Smith, and the Congregation, which led to a considerable secession of members from the place of worship, did not continue many months ; for we find that in the same year of Mr. Smith's ap- pointment, 1724, Mr. John Paetington, M.A., of Scotland, was associated with Mr. Warren. This con- nection lasted till 1730, about six years; at the close of which period Mr. P. removed to Hampstead, near Lon- don. " This gentleman, whose name is known to but very few persons, was horn and educated in Scotland, and regularly called to preach the gospel accordiiig to the orders of the Scotch Kirk. We possess no informa- tion to determine whether he ever had a stated- charge in his native country." " About the year 1732, [soon after his removal from Coventry,] he was chosen to succeed the Eev. Zechariah Merrel, then lately deceased. From Hampstead he removed to the Scots Church at Founder's Hall, in 1738. In this situation he conti- * Correspondence, &c., of Doddridge, vol. i., p. 403. 44 BLACKMOKE. FIETCHEE, ETC. nued till tis death, in 1749."* Mr. Partington was succeeded by Mr. Peancis Blackmoee, who was the son of Mr. Chewning Blackmore, minister, of "Worcester, and grand- son of one of the ejected ministers, Mr. William Black- more. He received his academical education" first under Dr. Latham, and afterwards at the University of Glasgow. He was settled for a short time at Evesham ; but ia 1730 came to Coventry, as colleague with Mr. Warren. In this situation he continued for twelve years, and removed to Worcester in 1 742 ; and died in 1761.t Towards the close of Mr. Warren's life, the congre- gation was much divided in their doctrinal opinions. Mr. Ebenezeb Pietcheb was recommended to them as being a man not likely to take part in any dispute. He became their minister in 1742, and died in 1763. Mr. RoBEET Ateinson was united with him in the pastorate in 1744, and left Coventry in 1756. On his removal, Mr. Thomas JAOKSOif immediately succeeded; and died in 1785. In 1763, Mr. Posthumoxjs Llotd, from Thame, in Oxfordshire, was elected as minister in connection with Mr. Jackson; and died in 1777. Mr. Petee Emans followed in the same year ; and, on the death of Mr. Jackson, in 1785, became sole pastor. Mr. Emans had been educated at Mile-end Academy, London; and after various successive settlements at Dorking, Ipswich, Nottingham, and other places, he finally fixed at Coventry, where he was pastor for 33 ♦ Wilson's "History," &c., vol. ii., p. 496. t For a more particular notice of Mr. Blackmore, see "Christian Reformer," Oct., 1852. EMANS, DATIES, ETC. 45 years, and died in 1810, at Dudley, in tte 74tli year of his age. Mr. Timothy Daytes, from Llwyn-rhyd-owen, Cardiganshire, succeeded Mr. Emaas, in 1810, and removed to Evesham in 1819. Mr. J. Donotjohtje came in 1820, and left in 1823. He was followed by Mr. "William Bowew, A.M., from the College at York, and the University of Glasgow; who removed to Cradley in 1829. In 1830, Mr. Henet GAEnifBB "Weeeoed, from York College, became minister ; and on account of in health went to reside in Italy, in 1839. Mr. John GoEDOir, from Coseley, in Staffordshire, was chosen minister in 1840. This gentleman was highly esteemed and respected by his fellow-citizens, for his private virtues, his pubHe spirit, and his superior and com- manding talents. He removed to Edinburgh to take charge of a congregation in that city in 1854. We proceed now to give some brief notices of the places in which the congregations of Drs. Grew and Bryan, and their successors, assembled for public worship. On King James II. granting liberty of worship, in 1687, (more to favour the Eoman Catholics than Pro- testant Dissenters,) the Presbyterians of Coventry held their meetings in St. Mcholas HaU, commonly called Leather HaU, on the south or left side of West Orchard ; in which building they constructed seats and galleries, and where they continued to assemble tUl 1700 ; when, finding the place inconvenient, they biiilt a Meeting- house on the back of the HaU, facing Smithford Street, — a large and substantial building capable of accommo- dating above a thousand persons. The purchase of the Hall and the new building cost £800, 46 LIST OF MINISIEES. The following is a list of the Ministers of Leather Hall, and of the " Great Meeting," as it has for many years been called. The ministers and their congrega- tions were originally " orthodox," and were denomi- nated " Presbyterians." But since the ministry of Mr. "Warren, in 1742, the Unitarian form of belief has been adopted, and the Congregational form of government has, for the most part, been observed. Ministers. From Set- tled 1672 died Removed to Dr. Obacliali Grew Ejected from St. Mi- 1689 chael's „ Jolm Bn'an Ejected from Trinity Church 1672 1675 Rev. Samuel Wffla Ejected from Birming- ham 1675 1684 Shropshire, 1082 „ OTadiall Musson Ejected from Church Langton 1674 „ Jai-vis Bryan Ejected from Old Swln- ford 1675 1690 „ Thos. Shewell, M.A. Ejected ftom Lenham 1689 1693 „ WUliam Tong ^utsford 1690 1727 Salter's Hall, Lon- don, 1704 Dr. Joshua Oldfleia Chilsfs College, Cam- bridge 1693 1729 Maid lane, London, 1700 Kev. Johu Warren Prestwood, near Kid- dei-minster 1700 1742 „ Joshua Merrel Dttoseter 1704 1716 „ Eichard Rogerson Duffleld, Derbyshire 1717 Alcester, 1723 „ J. Parbtagton, M.A. Scotland 1724 1749 Hampstead, 1730 „ Francis Blackmore 1730 1761 Worcester, 1742 „ Ebenezer Fletcher 1742 1763 „ Robert Atkinson 1744 1756 „ Thomas Jackson 1756 1785 „ Posthumous Lloyd Thame, Oxfordshire 1763 1777 „ Peter Emans* Nottingham 1777 1810 „ Timothy Davies Uwyn-rhyd-owen, Car- diganshire 1810 Evesham, 1819 „ J. Donoughue 1820 Left, 1823 „ Wm. Bowen, A.M:. Collogo at York and Glasgow 1823 Cradley, 1829 „ II. GardnerWreford College nt York 1830 Italy, 1839 „ John Gordon Coseley, Staffordshire 1840 i Edinburgh, 1864 * Ifc will be seen by the dates, that the Congregation had always two Minis- ters to the period of Mr. Jacltsou's death, when Mr. £mans became sole pastor. PART II. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES IN COVENTRY. SECTION I. — THE INDEPENDENT CHUEOH AT VICAE LANE. ORIGIN OF INDEPENDENOT IN COVENTET — BASNETT — SINGLETON BOON — INCOEPORATION OP OHCKCHES OP OOVEKIEr AND BEDWOETH — SAUNDEKS-^EUECTION OP VICAE LANE MEETING HOUSE — DODDRIDGE INVITED AS PASTOK — SIMSON ALLIOTT DALTON SAUNDEES, JUN. ELLIOTT — BENNETT BRACK' STONE^EA&LETON SIEKEE NEW CHAPEL AND SCHOOL- KOOMS — LIST OP MINISTEES — STOKE — POTTEK's GEEEN. The origin of Independency, or Congregationalisin ia Coventry is iavolved ia some obscurity. Mr. Tong, as we have seen in his " Dedication to tlie Dissenters of Coventry," says, " I am sensible that the interests of real godliness were promoted among you by some wor- thy ministers of the Congregational persuasion, such as Mr. Basnett, Dr. Singleton, and especially Mr. Boon, of Finham." Mr. Samuel Basnett was a native of Coventry. His father was mayor of the city ia 1625. He was edu- cated at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; where he was a diligent student, and made considerable improvement. He was appelated Lecturer in connection with Drs. Grew and Bryan, at Coventry, preaching once on the Lord's day at St. Michael's Church, and on 48 BASNBTI. SINGLEIOlf. a week day at Trinity Cliurcli. During this period, a email number of CongregationaUsts in the city chose him as their pastor ; and to them he adminiBtered the Lord's Supper apart from the communicants at St. Michael's and Trinity. He was a man of eminent piety ; comely in his person, and amiable in his dispo- sition. He was a weighty, judicious preacher, perfectly concordant with his brethren as to all doctrinal points, though preferring the Congregational form of Church government. With these brethren he lived in much amity. At the time of the ejectment he was driven from his lectureship; was chased away from Coventry by the Corporation Act, and was a short time at Ather- stone, where he died.* We are furnished with no dates, as to his birth or death. A body of CongregationaUsts appears to have existed in Coventry before Mr. Basnett's time ; but by whom, or at what period, it was formed, we have no informa- tion. It was not, however, dissolved by Mr. Basnett's removal ; for, some time after, the Church elected to the pastorate Dr. Johk Singleton. This learned man was nephew to Dr. John Owen, and had been a student at Christ Church College, Oxford, whence he was ejected from his studies by the King's Commissioners, in 1660, after he had been at the college eight yeai's. He then went to Holland, and studied physic. It is not certain whether he took his degree in that faculty, or in divi- nity ; but he was always afterward called Dr. Singleton, though he did not practise any further than giving his • Nonconf. Mom., vol, iii., p. 346. SIjSr&LETON. BOON. 49 advice to particular Mends. His settlements were various. Residing some time with. Lady Scott, in HertfordsMre, lie preaoted to some Dissenters at Hert- ford. He was 'afterwards pastor to a congregation ia London, though ia what part does not appear. When the meetittgs were generally suppressed, he went into "Warwickshire, and Uved with his wife's brother, Dr. Timothy Gibbons, a physician, and a pious man. When liberty was granted to the Nonconformists by James II., ia 1687, Dr. Siagleton preached at Stretton-under- Fosse, a small hamlet, about eight miles from Coventry, to a congregation that came from different places in the neighbourhood.* From thence he removed to Co- ventry, to be pastor over the Independent Congregation which had been under the pastoral care of Mr. Basnett; whence he was again called to London by a congrega- tion meeting in SUver Street. At length, after labour- ing with reputation in these different spheres of duty, he died, at an advanced age, in 1706. He possessed much learning and ability, and was a judicious preacher; but his pulpit talents were not popular. He published an English Poem, and a Sermon in "the Morning Exercises."f Mr. Boon was ejected from the living of Settrington, a village near New Malton, in Yorkshire. The account given by Calamy of this good man is exceedingly brief. We are informed that "he was a pious and learned gentleman of good estate and family, and had been * See History of Church at Stretton-under-Fosse. t Nonconf. Mem., vol. i., p. 218. Wilson's " History of Diss. Ch., vol. iii., p. 89. 50 BOON. educated at Emanuel College, Cambridge. He at first foUowed tlie profession of the law." "We know not by what circumstances lie was led into "WarwioksMre. It appears that he came to reside at Pinham, a very small hamlet, near Stoneleigh Abbey, about three miles from Coventry. It is presumed that a congregation assem- bled in his own private house, consisting, probably, of persons from Coventry, and the villages in the neigh- bourhood. It win be found in our Memorial of the Church at Bedworth, that Mr. Julius Saunders, pastor of that church, was ordained to the work of the ministry in Mr. Boon's house ; " because," says Mr. Saunders, " by reason of his Olness, he was not able to come to us;" on which occasion " the Church assembled;" and a sermon was preached by Mr. Matthew Clark, of Mar- ket Harborough. It is probable that whilst residing at Fiaham, Mr. Boon received an invitation to the pas- torship of the Independent Church lately under the care of Dr. Singleton ; and that he then resigned the profes- sion of the law, and gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry. His ecclesiastical principles were Con- gregational ; but he was more especially zealous for the great things of religion— evangelical faith and practical holiness. He had reason to glory iu his ancestry ; for he was descended from some who were martyrs ia Queen Mary's bloody reign. He was an excellent practical preacher, and exposed himself to much danger of sufferings: but some who came with a design to inform against him, were affected and awed by his preaching, so as not to offer him any harm.* " He * Nonconf. Mem., vol. i., p, 218; vol. ill., p. 447. TJiriOIf OP COVENTET AlTD BEDWOSTH CHUEOHES. ' 51 was excellently qualified, for the ministry," says Mr. Tong, " and very useful ia itj till bodily distempers and weakness took him off from his constant attendance upon it. He had a noble genius, and a wise, grave, and serious spirit. I had the favour of much friendship from him ; and was a witness of the ' end of his con- versation.' " (vide p. 5.) For what length of time Mi. Boon was pastor of the Independent Church at Coventry, or where or when he died, we have not been able to ascertain. He probably, however, died at Pihham, at the dose of the 17th century. It is supposed that about the time of Mr. Boon's decease, this Church became iacorporated with the Independent Church at Bedworth, under Mr. Julius Saunders's pastoral care ; as there are several notices in the old Church Book of that place, of persons " residing at Coventry added to the Church [at Bedworth,] in a Church-meeting in Coventry." In that record occurs the following item : — " 1707. Nov. 18. A day of fasting and prayer about the union of such as had been members of the Church formerly in Coventry with us, which the Lord was pleased this day to effect : those that entered into covenant with us, were Mr. Thomas Search, afterwards chosen a ruling elder," and six others, whose names are mentioned. Mr. Saunders adds, — " Old Mr. Clark [i. e. Mr. Matthew Clark, of Market Harborough,] advised this thing done this day, Nov. 16, 1687, [viz., the day of his own Or- dination at Knham,] twenty years ago exactly. The hand of God seems to be much in it." Mr. Saunders seems, however, to have been in the habit of holding religious services at Coventry, with the ■E 2 52 EEOBGANIZATIOJSr OP CHtTECH AI COVENTEt. members of tte Cliurcli residing there. TJnder date " 1709, Sept. 22," he says, " In these days, I have often gone to Coventry to the meet- ings of prayer; but few of them were there." " 1712. July 4th," Mr. S. writes in the Church-booi, — " A day of fasting and prayer at Coventry, the Church [at Bed- worth,] gave a call unanimously to my son [John] to exercise his gifts in our vacancies [vacations]. I hope God was with us." " 1712. Aug. 26, My son preached at Bedworth; and I preached at Coventry." " Oct. 27. A day of fasting and prayer. The Church, Pas- tour, and Elders gave a regular call to my son John, to exercise his gifts at Coventry as well as Bedworth in the vacancies." " 1716. Dec. 23, A day of fasting and prayer at Coventry, about my son John, his going to reside there." This son, however, was afterwards (April 28th, 1718), dismissed with recommendation to the Church at Bury, Suffolk. At length, the Church at Coventry was again reor- ganized, and formed into a distinct, independent; body, as is shown by the following minutes in the Church - book at Bedworth : — " 1720. Feb. 14, A day of fasting and prayer at Coventrj-, to seek the blessing of God upon their sitting down there as a dis- tinct body, with my nephew, Mr. Thomas Saunders." "1720. Feb. 24, It being the Lord's day, our brethren at Coventry, under their hands desired their dismission to sit down with my nephew, Mr. Thqpias Saunders, in the following letter : — ' To our reverend and affectionate Pastour, the Elders and Deacons, with the rest of the Brethren of the Church of Christ, at Bedworth : — ' We who are members of the same Church, having met and conversed together, to know one another's minds, what method to take for the keeping up and further settling the interest of Christ that is Congregational at Coventry, are now come to a THOMAS SATTNBEES. 53 determination in our own minds, and do now, with a singular eye to the glory of God in the peace and love of our precious liord Jesus Christ, and love as brethren, a/nd, as we hope, in and with the mind and will of God, desire our Dismission from you; for that we are in great fears we shall be wholly broken up here at Coventry, or else he supplied but once a fort- night, in case our brother, Mr. Thomas Saunders, should be removed from us upon the solicitations he has had from several other places destitute of Pastours : And the Church at Bed- worth being in a flourishing state (for which we desire with you to rejoice in the Lord), we conclude that our brethren there will be for the keeping open the meeting-door every Lord's day, at Bedworth, which makes us fear that the consequences will be the shutting up of ours at Coventry, which we cannot by any means be willing 40; but rather to have a constant supply amongst us for God's glory, if possible : And in order thereto we hope to raise up amongst us what may be a comfortable subsistence (considering our means), for a Pastour to reside with us : And for our encouragement Mr. Thomas Saunders has said that he purposes to come and dwell in Coventry, and be satisfied with what we can raise amongst us for the mainte- nance of him, and seems free to take the pastoral charge of us : Therefore we desire it may be effected as soon as may be, to prevent further solicitations to draw him from amongst us : And so. Brethren, we desii-e your ready and unanimous compli- ance with our reasonable request in this great and weighty con- cern, which we hope will tend to the increase of the interest of our Lord Jesus Christ in both places: And so we bid you heartily farewell, whose names are hereunto subscribed, 'THOMAS SAUNDEES,'" And thirty-flYe other Members. " 1720. Feb., 24. The Church of Christ assembled in Bed- worth did then consent to the desire of our Members at Coven- try, to give them their Dismission; and do hereby dismiss them with Mr. Thomas Saunders from our Communion, to sit down as a distinct body of themselves, in the same faith and order which we profess and practise. Witness our hands, "JULIUS SAUNDERS, Pastour. " William Payne, Edward Wise, Thomas Perkins, Simon Reader," Elders and Deacon^. Ttus Mr. Thomas Satwdees seems to haye been tie 54 THOMAS SAIOTDEKS. successor of Mr. Boon, after a lapse of about twenty years. He was a descendant of Lawrence Saunders, tlie martyr. The family liad possessed a large estate at, or near, Bedworth, but lost tbe greater part of it on account of tbeir nonconformity. This Mr. Saunders, "in his younger days," observes Mr. Some, of Harborough, "was much addicted to those amusements and diversions in which too many in the present day lavish away their precious time; whUe their best and most valuable interests are neglected. But 'it pleased God,' who designed him for eminent service, ' to call him by his grace,' which effec- tually reclaimed him from the follies of youth, and led him afterwards frequently to drop a tear over them, praying that they might he remembered no more. As soon as he had received the grace of God, it was his great concern to watch against every thing that might obstruct his progress in religion, and to use aU proper means to promote and strengthen the Christian temper in all its branches. It was a strong desire to do good to the souls of men, which inclined him to devote him- self to the work of the ministry. He was not so early in his preparation for that holy employment as some others, but with the blessing of God on his great industry, he soon came forth qualified with such endowments which are of the greatest im- portance to render ministers useful to the Church of Christ." In the year 1715, he was placed under the tutorship of his uncle at Bedworth, to receive an education pre- paratory to the work of the ministry, and was admitted a member of his Church, on the 6th of Becember, of that year. On the 12th of Septi, 1716, he was elected Deacon of the Church. On the 17th of Nov., there is the following entry by the Pastor in the Church-book : — " My nephew, Mr. Thomas Saunders, being desired, exercised his gifts before the Church ; whereupon the Church gave their judgment that such gifts should not be quenched, but rather exercised and improved, as opportunity offers; but that by no ) THOMAS SATJITBEES. 55 means he should neglect his studies. I think this was the mind of God, yea, I believe it." " 1717. Mar. 7. A day of fasting and prayer, wherein William Pain and Thomas Orton, were ordained ruling elders; Thos. Perkins and Mr. Thomas Saunders, were ordained Dea- cons. Our officers were first chosen by the Church, and then ordained by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." Prom this time it appears that Mr. Thomas Saunders officiated, not only as deacon, in connection with the members of the church residing . at Coventry, but fre- quently preached to them in the place of their assembly; as, early in 1720, they were incorporated into a distinct Church, and invited Mr. Saunders to become their pas- tor ; ' but he was not ordained over them ; for the connection did not continue more than twelve months. "On Lord's day, May 21st, 1721, Mr. Saunders preached, we suppose, for the first time, at the town of Kettering. Such was the favourable impression produced by his services on that day, that he was invited to become their pastor The society to which Mr. Saunders ministered at Coventry was very unwilling to part with him. The Church at Kettering was equally anxious to obtain his services ; and then he states, as one great reason that influenced his decision, ' he should have ten times the number to preach to that he had at Coventry.' He at length accepted the invitation of the Church at Kettering, and entered on his stated engagements there Sept. 14, 1721; and was ordained in November following. The congregation so increased soon after his settlement, that it was found necessary to build a larger place of worship, which the congregation did in the year 1723. " He died in the midst of his life and usefulness, after an illness of some months, July 21st, 1736. In the records of the Church it is stated, that ' he was an evangelical preacher, had a happy delivery, an agreeable temper, and graceful appearance; was much respected by the church people, and much endeared to his own flock, who lamented their loss many years after.' His fiineral sermon was preached by Mr. Some, of Harborough, 56 THE GEEAT MEETING. from a passage Mr. Saunders had chosen, 1 Cor. xt. 10, 'Not I, but the grace of God that was with me.' "* He was a great admirer and friend of Dr. Doddridge, at whose Ordination lie gave the address to the people, and with whom he corresponded.-j- We return to the Independent Church at Coventry. After Mr. Saunders's removal to Kettering, the Church seems to have declined. The Pastor at Bedworth inserts the following entry : — "1721. May 31. Our advice to CoTentry was that they should keep open the church doors as long as they could." This is the last notice of the Church at Coventry that occurs in the Bedworth records. But brighter days were yet ia store for thi^ feeble flock ; though it seems it remained destitute of a regular pastor for about four years; during which period, it is probable, they had the ministerial services of Mr. Saunders of Bedworth and his students. It wiU be seen by our notice of the proceedings of the society at the " Great Meeting," in Coventry, and .especially in the letters of Mr. Philip Doddridge, that a serious division took place, during Mr. Wan-en's minis- try, on account of the election of a co-pastor. In a letter to a friend, dated "March 14, 1724," Mr. Dod- dridge says, "The people at Coventry are all in a flame. . . . The greater part of the congregation have sti-uck oflF with a resolution of building another meeting place." And on "June 29," in the * " Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamp- tonshire, by T. Coleman," pp. 90—94; in which fm-ther parti- culars of Mr. Saunders are recorded. t Doddridge's Correspondence, vol. i. THE NEW CHAPEL IN TICAE LANE. 57 Postscript of a letter to the Mayor, Mr. Eichd. Poole, he writes — " My humble service to all friends with you, and particularly Mr. Moore. I heartUy thank him for his generous proposal, which my duty will not permit me to accept." This proposal, no doubt, was the offer of a certain amount of salary, if he would comply with the wishes of himself and friends to become pastor of the Congre- gation iatending to assemble in the new meeting-house, which was then being built : that meetuig-house was in VicAE Lane. Mr. John Moore, who was an alderman of the city, was a man of devoted piety, and of considerable pro- perty. He gave the land for the erection of the meeting-house; and erected that building at his own . expense; — a good and substantial edifice, with galleries, capable of accommodating a congregation of seven hun- dred people. In addition to this, he bequeathed an endowment to the congregation consisting of a dwelling house — at that time an inn, called " the Cross Keys," situated in Smithford Street, and a tenement in Vicar Lane, the rents of which were to be applied by the trustees to the necessary repairs of the meeting-house, and the surplus to be paid to the minister for the time beiag. He left also other considerable endowments for the benefit of the poor in Coventry, electing his five trustees for these latter endowments from among the trustees of the meeting-house. It is not known, for a certainty, in what part of the city the first con^egation of Independents assembled for public worship, under the ministry of Mr. Basnett, Br. Singleton, and Mr. Boon ; but it is very probable that it was in some licensed building in Much Park. 58 THE NEW CHAPEL IN TICAE lANE. Street, as it was in a house in that locality the congre- gation met during the ministry of Messrs. Julius and Thomas Saunders. The " New Chapel," as it was called, in Vicar Lane, was opened for public worship, October 14th, 1724, on which occasion a sermon was preached by Mr. John Fleming, a Presbyterian minister and tutor, then re- siding at Stratford-upon-Avon. The text of the sermon was 2 Coria. v. 18, "All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ; and hath given to us the nunistry of reconciliation." A manu- script copy of this discourse is in the writer's possession. It is truly evangelical and faithful. As this was the first sermon preached in Vicar Lane Chapel, we shall give a brief extract. Li concluding it, the preacher " I hope by this time you are thoronghly sensible of the necessity of your being reconciled unto God. And if you would share in this benefit, you must keep up gospel ordinances and a gospel ministry. That this is your desire, this rery place in which we are now met to call upon the name of the Lord, is an undeniable demonstration. Nothing is wanting now to complete your wish, but one to serve at God's altar — a minister to 'minister in holy things.' See now that ' in all your ways,' and especially in this great matter, you 'acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.' liOt a spirit of love and unity, peace and charity direct and govern your consultations; and above all, dread discord and division. Take care continually to eye Divine Providence, and follow its conduct. You cannot, indeed in this, or in any other case, expect an immediate answer from heaven; but as we must not suppose that God's promises of divine direction are insignificant, so if well observed, there may be some secret turn of mind that may make our way plain to us, and leave no doubt that it is the will of God. " Now may the Lord direct you to a person eminent in piety and learning, prudent, and of sound principles, of a truly nsrcoEPOEATioir oe the chitech. 59 holy, and exemplary life, and of a serious and peaceable spirit ; which are qualifications, in my opinion, most likely to answer the intentions you have in this grand affair, namely, the honour of God, the edification of your own souls, and the credit and advancement of real religion. It is your aim and end that God looks at, in every action ; and if these be right, as I hope they are, you need not doubt that he will smile on your endeavours, will hear your prayers, and ' hallow this house to put his name there,' and his eye and his heart wUl be upon those his servants that love and fear his name." Such a minister as the preacher here describes, the congregation hoped to possess ia the person of the eminent Doddridge, to whom their first invitation was given; but their hopes were disappoiated. After the chapel was opened, they were supplied by various ministers, some of whom were doubtless candidates for the pastorship. In the mean time, a Christian Church was regularly organized. The foUowiag is the first item that is recorded in the old Church Book, the minutes of which were carefully preserved by the first pastor for nearly fifty years. " 1725. Saturday, May 22d. This day, the Eev. Thomas Tingey, of Northampton, [the immediate predecessor of Dod- dridge,] being Prseses, the members of the church in Midsfort [Much Park] Street, [late under the care of Mr. Thomas Saun- ders,] and the Members who left the Church in the Great Meeting, met together; and having given themselves to the Lord, and to one another, were, by the said Mr. Tingey, incor- porated into a Church state ; upon which the preceding Rules for government and discipline were signed by them." The " Eules" here referred to have respect to the election of elders and deacons ; the choice of a pastor ; the admission of members; the exercise of discipline, &c., such as are now usually adopted by Independent 60 SIMSON. Churclies. There is one "Rule," however, which Beems to have special reference to the ground of the secession of the majority from the Great Meeting : — "6. An Assistant is to be approved of and chosen by the consent of the Pastor, the majority of the Church, and Contri- butors of the audience ; and public notice is to be given before they proceed to such an election or approbation." A " Church Covenant" then follows, containing those points of theology, and those articles of Christian fel- lowship, usual in such documents, all of which are of a decidedly orthodox and evangelical character. The next minute that is entered in the Church-hook is as follows : — " Lord's day, May 23. This day the Church did, according to agreement, receive the H. Sacrament from the hands of Mr. Tingey, together with their [future] pastor, Mr. Simson. The first minister elected by the Church was Mr. Paibick Simson, A.M., who was of respectable parent- age and "honourable ancestry." He is supposed to haye been the son of Mr. Patrick Simson, minister of Stirling, in Scotland, who, says GiUies, in his Sistorical Collections, " was a learned and godly man. I heard him preach when I was at school at Stirling. From him I first received the Communion. He wrote the history of the Church in centuries, in English : a man weU versed in the Fathers and Church History, yea, in all leaniing."* The son came to Coventry from Dun- dalk, in Ireland. In what way he was introduced to the congregation at Vicar Lane, we have no means of * Historical Collections of Ministers in Scotland in the 17th Century. SIMSON. 61 knowing. The following entry appears in the records of the Church : — " 1725. July 6. Tuesday. This Church having unanimously chosen our reverend brother, Mr. Patrick Simson, to be our Pastor, did this day sign his Call, and put it into his hands, which he accepted." Two days after, Mr. Simson' s ordination took place ia the Presbyterian Meeting' House at Kenilworth. The event is thus very briefly recorded : — " Thursday, July 8. This day Mr. Patrick Simson was so- lemnly set apart to the work of the ministry, and the pastoral office, at Kenilworth."* In his funeral sermon, which was preached and pub- lished by his last colleague, and his successor, he is described as eminent for his piety and holy and exem- plary life. " Your fathers," says the preacher, " can inform you of the involved state of this church when he became its pastor ; and remember that it was principally rectified by his prudence, kindness, and generosity. There were two things by which his religion was chiefly distinguished— fervent zeal for the doctrine of the atonement through the death of Christ ; and for con- formity to his example as a Saviour who was meek and lowly. It is true that our dear friend, like his adorable Master, found enemies ; but they were only such as were enemies to truth and peace, decency and goodness Though he was justly respectable for his education, useful learning, and honourable ancestry, yet he did not value himself on these things : he rather sought to be esteemed as ' a good man and a just.' " Mr. Simson continued to be a faithful minister and pastor, for the lengthened period of forty-eight years ; * Mr. Turton was at that time an evangelical minister at Kenilworth. 62 SIM80N. and died in a good old age on January 7, 1773, and was buried ia Trinity church.* It is pleasing to find that a good feeling, in a short time, existed between the two congregations and their ministers of the Great Meeting and Vicar Lane, which is proved by the following items in the church-book : — " 1728. Sept. 1. This day, the Church being met, it was proposed that, considering the great sickness that prevailed, and other evidences of the divine displeasure, a day of humilia- tion, fasting, and prayer should be observed by this Church : and at the same time solemn thanksgiving should be offered unto God for his singular goodness in giving us a plentiful har- vest, at a time when the dearness of bread had afflicted many poor families in a grievous manner. This proposal was unani- mously agreed to, and Thursday, the 12th instant, appointed for these purposes ; and Alderman Pool, in the pastor's absence, was desired to invite Mr. Warren and the other ministers to assist in that work." " Sept. 8. Aid. Pool reported that he had been to wait npon Mr. Warren, and found him disposed to have the two churches to meet together on such public occasions, for the greater increase of brotherly love and unity : upon which our former appointment of Thursday was changed ; and it wsis left to the pastor to agree with Mr. Warren, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Parting- ton, upon proper measures for the joint observation of snch public days of humiliation or thanksgiving as the two societies should agree to observe, and that for maintaining of brotherly love, peace, and unity, to which tliis Church ia well disposed." " Sept. 15. The Pastor did, according to appointment, meet with the aforesaid ministers, and agreed that such public days should be jointly observed by the two Churches altematel}-, in the two places of worship, and that Wednesday next, being the 18th inst., should be observed as a day of humiliation and thanksgiving for the above causes ; the place of public worship, * A grandson of Mr. Simson, Mr. Robert Simson, L.L.B., who was instructed in the Assembly's Catechism at Vicar Lane Chapel, became Vicar of St. Michael's Church, and continued in that office for nearly fifty years. SIMSON. 63 liac vice, at the Old Meeting, to begin at half an hour after ten." " SeptI 18. This day was observed according to appoint- ment ; — Mr. Partington begun with prayer and reading the Scriptures ; Mr. Smith preached a Humiliation Sermon ; Mr. Simaon, a Thanksgiving Sermon ; and Mr. Warren concluded with prayer." One of Mr. Simson's deacons was a Mr. Benjamin Boyoe; and in the Cliurch records, under date 1734, July 26tli, there is entered the follo-wuig minute : — " Mr. Boyce acquainted the Church that his son, Benjamin Boyce, was gone to Northampton to prosecute his studies under the Rev. Mr. Doddridge, and desired a letter recommendatory to the Church there ; and they left it to the pastor to write the said letter; who wrote accordingly. At the termination of his academical course, Mr. Boyce was invited to take the pastoral charge of the Independent Church at Kettering. This he accepted, and became the immediate successor of Mr. Thomas Saunders, formerly of Coventry. Thus the Independent Church connected with Vicar Lane, in that city, gave two pastors in succession to that at Kettering. Of the ordination service, which took place May 7, 1740, Mr. Boyce says, "Mr. Julius Saunders, of Denton, Norfolk, [formerly of Bed- worth,] introduced the solemnity with prayer ; Mr. Simsou, of Coventry, .preached a very plain and evangelical sermon ; and Dr. Doddridge gave me a very affectionate and important Charge, which I desire never to forget ; and to the people a very free and affectionate exhortation." " He was a close student, and a practical and experi- mental preacher He continued his ministry at Kettering for 30 years, and died in 1770, aged 54 years." Mr. Addington, afterwards Dr. Addington, of 64 SIMSON. Mile End Academy, London, but then of Market Har- borough, delivered tbe funeral oration at tbe interment of Mr. Boyce, and Mr. Gregson, of KoweU, preaclied the funeral sermon; in which the preacher states — "It should be known that he feared the Lord from his youth. He gave himself up to the church imder the pastoral care of Mr. Simson, of Coventry, when he was 16 years of age ; and began the work of the ministry before he was 21."* It appears that after the death of Mr. "Warren, the style of preaching at the Great Meeting having become less " orthodox," a considerable number of members seceded from that place from time to time, and joined the Church at Yicar Lane. "1756. July 22," the following item is recorded:- — "This day was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, on account of the gloomy aspect of atfairs, by the loss of Minorca, &c. At the conclusion, the Church met, and my son Eobert, aged almost 15, was admitted a member." " 1757. Aug. 4. This day was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, on account of the dangerous and threatening aspect of affairs with respect to the Protestant Religion, and the liber- ties of Europe; and also on account of the han'est &c." After Mr. Simson had sustained the pastorate about 34 years, his health began to fail, and he was occasion- ally laid aside from his labours. On Dec. 16, 1759, Mr. Eichard Alliott was unanimously chosen by the Church as an assistant to Mr. Simson. Having faithfully laboured in that capacity for three years, " with general satisfaction and much edification to the people," a Church-meeting was called by the desire of the pastor, • Coleman's " Memorials of Independent Churches in North- amptonshire," p. 100. AHIOTT. 65 and " the sentiments of tlie members taken as to the ex- pediency of calling Mr. Alliott to be co-pastor with Mr. Simson. After solemn prayer to God, they feU. in with the proposal, and chose him accordingly; and having obtained his consent to accept of the important office, he was solemnly ordained, and set apart to it by a con- siderable number of ministers in the Old [or Great] Meeting, in this city, on Nov. 11, 1762." This place was selected, probably, as being more capacious than the chapel in Yicar Lane. We regret that we have no record of the proceedings of this interesting service. Mr. Richard Allioix was' a native of Kenilworth, and received his education for the ministry in London, under Dr. David Jennings and Dr. Savage. He came to Coventry in 1759; and was a most faithful, laborious, and useful minister of Christ. The chapel was crowded every Lord's day during his ministry. His preaching was eminently blessed in the conversion of sinners to God. But alas ! he was cut off in the midst of his days and usefulness, being the victim of a pulmonary con- sumption. Mr. Simson thus notices his death in the Church-book : — " The Lord thought fit to make an awftil breach in this church on March 11, 1769, by calling to himself our late be- loved pastor, the Eev. Richard Alliott, after labouring among us in the gospel about nine years, with diligence, fidelity, and success." He died at the early age of 30; and his 'mortal remains now repose in the picturesque church-yard at Kenilworth. He was the father of the late highly- respected minister, Mr. Eichard Alliott, of Nottingham, and grandfather of the present esteemed Dr. Eichard 66 BALTON. AUiott, Theological Tutor of the "Western CoUege, Ply- mouth ; and Mr. "William AlHott, the beloved pastor of a Church at Howard Chapel, Bedford. Mr. Alliott's successor, as co-pastor mth Mr. Simson, was Mr. Jacob Damon, who had received his education at MUe End Academy, under Dr. Conder, and was set apart to the pastoral office at Silver Street Independent Meeting House, London. Mr. Dalton continued in that connection only three years and a half, when he resigned his charge, in 1769. Having been recommended to Mr. Samuel Reader, one of the deacons of the church at Vicar Lane, Mr. Eeader was requested by the Church to write to Dr. Thomas Gibbons, then minister of Haberdasher's HaU, who was intimately acquainted with Mr. Dalton, to know whether he could give Tiim a recommendation. Dr. Gibbons, Mr. Hitchins, and others, gave hiTti satis- factory testimonials. Mr. Dalton, therefore, came ; and, after having spent several weeks at Coventry, and " the Church having observed a day of fasting and prayer to implore the divine direction in this weighty affair," on Sabbath, May 28, 1769, they Tmanimously chose Mr. Dalton to be co-pastor with Mr. Simson. " On Thurs- day, Aug. 17, there was a meeting of ministers, at the desire of the Church, to beg a blessing on Mr. Dalton's ministry, when a suitable sermon was preached by Dr. Ashworth," then divinity tutor at Daventry. About two years after Mr. Simson's death (1773), viz., on Dee. 10, 1775, Mr. Dalton was invited, by a part of the Church, to become sole pastor. He held DAXTON. 67 this office, amidst much distraction of the church, and diminution of the congregation, for about nine years, when, in 1784, he resigned. He is supposed to have been addicted to inebriety, and thus lost his reputation. " After this, he gradually sunk into ohscurity, till death summoned him to another world. In his best days he never shone as a preacher. But as he himself entertained higher thoughts of his preaching abilities, in order to disprove the public opinion, he published, in the year 1772, a small volume of Sermons, fifteen in number, in his best style ; but these did not at all add to his reputation as a sermonizer."* He also published a funeral sermon for his oo-pastor, Mr. Simson, in 1773. The proceedings connected with the election of Mr. Dalton, as sole pastor, led to the secession of a considerable number of members and subscribers from the congregation at Yicar Lane, and laid the foundation of another Independent Church, which subsequently met at West Orchard. And here we cannot but admire the wisdom of the over-ruling providence of God in bringing real good out of seeming evil. This secession prepared the way for the very effective services of the late venerable Gboege Btjiidee, " whose praise is in aU our churches," and whose " works praise him in the gate." Two spacious places of worship now exist instead of one of comparatively small dimensions ; and it is our sincere and earnest prayer that both chiu'ches may live in peace, and enjoy prosperity. Ko minutes of the proceedings of the Church at Vicar Lane are recorded in its annals for six years, viz., * "Private Information." Wilson's "Hist. Diss. Churches," vol. iii., p, 113. e2 68 SAUNDERS. from 1778 to 1784. During that interval, it seems that the church was in a very desolate state. Mr. Dalton having resigned his charge at the latter end of the year 1784, the pulpit was supplied for several months by Mr. Samuel Neeley. About this period, an invitation was given to Mr. Thomas Sattndees, of Bedworth, to become the pastor. He was grandson of Mr. Julius Saunders, minister of that place, and a nephew of the former minister of this church of the same name. As a bio- graphical notice of Mr. Saunders will appear in om- memorials of the Church at Bedworth, we refer to that record for further particulars respecting him. His removal to Coventry is noticed by him in the following " Memorandum" in the Church-book : — " After spending several years in the work of the ministry in the church at Bedworth, some things arose that tended to the disturbance of my family's peace, and consequently to the uneasiness of my own mind ; and having received an invitation from the Church and Congregation at Vicar Lane, Coventry, I signified my acceptance of that invitation, and entered upon a course of stated ministerial service at Lady-dav, 1785. "The Church and Congregation, by a variety of unhappy events, being brought into a very low and diminished condition, it was thought proper that every religious attempt should be made for the revival thereof, in a steady and humble reliance upon the favour and blessing of the exalted Redeemer, who only can build up and comfort the waste-places of Mount Zion. It was not the request of the Church or Congregation, but my own choice to attempt preaching three times on Lord's days, if the Lord should favour me with health and ability for it. This I attempted, and through the good hand of God have gone forward in that service for several months together." He then notices his having established prayer meet- ings on Sunday mornings, before public worship, and SAimDEES. ELLIOIT. 69 ftn Monday evenings ; and also a " public Lecture" on Thursday evenings. The ministry of Mr. Saunders, though not popular, was instrumental in the conversion of many souls. Numerous additions were made to the Church during his pastorate. He was held in great veneration as a holy, upright man of God. He was a man of a tender- spirit; and was called by some, "the weeping prophet," as he seldom preached without shedding tears. In the Church-book there appears the following minute respecting the close of his Ufe, and of his con- nection with this Church : — "On the 19tli of Nov., 1800, Mr. T. Saunders was afflicted with a paralytic stroke, which rendered him unable to perform the duties of his office. The people were supplied by various ministers, till Lady-day, 1801, when Mr. Saunders resigned. At this critical time, when the assistance of neighbouring ministers was requested, they strangely refused, and left the interest to stand or fall ! Mr. Weayer, a student of Rotherham College, then visited the people ; and after a time of trial they invited him to become their pastor, which he declined.* After his departure, sermons were read to the people by one of the Deacons, as had been the practice previous to Mr. Weaver's coming among them." After some months Mr. G. W. Ellioit, from Burton- upon-Trent, came as a probationer, and on May 16, 1802, the people unanimously elected him as their pastor; to which he assented on the 30th of that month. At that period, there were only 38 members in the Church; and the Congregation was reduced to almost the lowest condition, * Mr. Robert Weaver, afterwards pastor of the church at Mansfield. 70 ELLIOTI. BENlSrEIT. Od. the 10th of Aug., 1802, Mr. Elliott was ordained as pastor of the Church. Mr. Burkitt, of Keiulworth, delivered the charge, andMr. Richard AJliott, of Notting- ham, addressed the people. Mr. Elliott writes in the Church-book — " It was a joyful day. It was the first Ordination service' ever held in our Meeting." At a Church meeting, held Oct. 3, of the same year, " It was proposed that a Sunday School should be esta- blished — the proposal met with general approbation." A few months afterwards — in. 1803, a Sermon was preached on its behalf by Mr. J. Moody, of "Warwick. The School then consisted of 80 scholars. On Jan. 1, 1804, Mr. EUiott resigned his ofiice as pastor, and at the same time gave up the ministerial character, hy going into the Army, "to the very great astonishment," says the Church-book, "of all the neighbouring ministers, as well as of other persons of all denominations." Mr. Elliott was succeeded the same year — 1804, by Mr. Obadiah BENTfETi. Mr. Bennett had, for a con- siderable time, been minister of an Independent Chapel at Kmlico, London, but resigned his connection with that place in 1800. He then was minister of Paradise Chapel, Birmingham, for a short time; but subse- quently removed to Atherstone, and from thence came to Coventry. He continued his services at Vicnr Lane Chapel — with questionable reputation — for about six years. No records of Ms pastorate are known to be in existence. At the expiration of this period, he re- moved from Coventry, it is supposed, to London, where he died. BEACKSTOIfE. 71 In the year 1810, Mr. EicHABD Beackstone -was elected to the pastorate of the Church. He was bom at Portsea, in 1786, and was the eldest of twenty-one children, all of whom he survived, though he was not, at his death, an old man. His father was a dissenting minister, by whom he was sent to Homerton College, where he received an education for the ministry under the celebrated Dr. Pye Smith. Having been invited to take charge of the Congregation at Vicar Lane, he was ordained as Pastor the same year. Messrs. Eagle- ton, Jerard, and Pranklin, of Coventry; Braekstone, sen., of Ashford, in Kent; Burkitt, of Kenilworth; Brewer, of Birmingham ; and Hartley, of Lutterworth, taking parts in the service. He continued his services " in much weakness, and fear, and trembling" for two years; and then, after a short time, removed to Hungerford, in Berkshire, where he remained nearly four yeajs. He then removed to Harlestone, in Iforfolk; and from thence, in succession, to several villages, labouring at one period in connection with the Association of Staffordshire. At length he re- turned to Coventry ; and set up a small School ia the neighbouring village of Stoke, where he terminated his labours, his sufferings, and his life in 1845, in the 60th year of his age. He was a humble, holy man of Grod ; possessing good natural abilities ; but, by physical infirmities, ill qualified for the work of the ministry : of this he was conscious ; but he did as well as he could, and often lamented that he could i^ot serve God more efficiently. 72 EAGIETON. Mr. John Eagleton was iavited by the Church to succeed Mr. Brackstone.. Mr. Eagleton was bom in Coventry, in the year 1785. His father was a local Ijreacher in the Wesleyan connection. In his youth he enjoyed but few educational advantages ; and his literary attainments were almost entirely self-acquired. Having experienced the power of religion in early life, he com- menced preaching to small assemblies when he was only 17 years of age. It is to be regretted that, at this time, he was not favoured with a CoUegiate education ; but, says he, " No far-famed academy in the threefold kingdom of George the Third, bade me welcome to its diversified privileges ; and silver and gold I had none wherewith to purchase a name or a place among the sons of the prophets. Far otherwise was my condition; eight years' servitude was assigned me, that I might earn my bread by the sweat of my brow." His early efforts in preaching, which were as a local • preacher among the Wesleyans, were highly acceptable ; but he became a kind of Independent minister even when associated with that body ; for he received an in- vitation to the pastorship from a small Church and Congregation which his father had gathered, assembling in a room in Gosford Street. His views on doctrinal points becoming Calvinistic, " his determination was, if possible, to re-model his father's Church, and esta- blish it upon the independent principle." This, at length, he accomplished. The place in which the congregation assembled becoming too sh-ait for them, they decided upon building a new Chapel, which was erected at the lower part of Gosford Street, capable of accommodating neaxly 700 people. This place was EAeLETOir. 73 soon filled, and great success attended the ministry of the young pastor. His ordination took place in 1809, when Mr. Thos. Grove, of WalsaU, and other ministers, engaged in the service. Circumstances, however, arose, which caused his temporary removal from his attached and beloved people ; and the Congregation at Atherstone, being at that time destitute of a pastor, Mr. Eagleton was invited to fill the vacancy, which invitation he accepted in the year 1810, and remained with them two years. " Meantime the congregation at Coventry were scattered in every direction, and were ' as sheep having no shepherd.' The house in which they once worshiped was occupied by the Wesleyans." The removal of Mr. Brackstone from Vicar Lane pre- sented an opening for Mr. Eagleton' s return to Coventry. His former congregation united with that at Vicar Lane, in inviting him to become the pastor at that place. He complied with the request, and in the year 1812, be- came minister of the united congregations. His ministry was the means of much spiritual good. During his pastorship of seven years, eighty members were added to the Church. In the year 1819, having paid a visit to the destitute Congregation at Livery Street, Birmingham, he received an invitation to become their pastor. With this request he complied, to the deep regret of his people at Vicar Lane. After seven years' residence in Birmingham, he re- moved to Huddersfleld, where a new and spacious Chapel, in Eamsden Street, had recently been erected. Here he laboured with much acceptance for about six years, at the expiration of which period, his health 74 EAGLETON. SEBEEE. declined; and in the month of August, 1832, lie died, in the 47th year of his age. Mr. Eagleton was endowed with no ordinary quaUfi- eations for the Christian ministry. He possessed an original and vigorous mind; and had the ability of giving full force to his thoughts and feelings, by the use of nervous and expressive language. Distinguished by argumentative and impassioned eloquence, he laid hold on the conscience with an iron grasp, shaking one world with the thunders of the next ; yet sometimes combining a melting tenderness that touched and swayed the finer affections of the heart. A brief Memoir of Mr. Eagleton was published by one of his talented daughters ; from which some of the facts we have related have been selected. The "Works published by Mr. Eagleton are — 1. Thoughts on the Covenant of Works. 2. The Probable Destiny of Great Britain. 3. The Eevelation of Jesus Christ. 4. A Sermon on Infant Baptism. 5. A Sermon on the Deity of Christ. 6. A Sermon on the Death of the Princess Charlotte. 7. A Manual of Hymns. 8. Sacred Harmony, a collection of Original Tunes ; — with some smaller publications. In the year 1819, an application having been made to Hoxton College, London, for the services of a student, Thos. Wilson, Esq., the treasui-er of that in- stitution, requested Mr. John Sibrbb, then a student in the College, to visit the people ; which he did in the summer of that year. This visit was renewed for several weeks in the winter. A unanimous call both from the Church and the Subscribers was given to Mr. S. to become the Pastor — which he accepted ; and came to take up his residence in Coventry on March 31st, 1«20. SIBKEE. 75 The ordination of Mr. Sibree took place July 27 of that year ; on which occasion, Dr. "William Harris, Mr. Sibree' s Theological Tutor, offered the Ordination prayer ; Mr. Jay, of Bath, delivered the Charge to the minister; and Mr. J. A. James, of Birmingham, ad- dressed the people. Messrs. Hartley, of Lutterworth ; Knight, of Telvertoft ; Percy, of Warwick ; Miller, of Atherstone ; Dix, of Bedworth ; Franklin, of Coven- try; and Eoberts, of Melton Mowbray, engaged in other parts of the service. Soon after Mr. Sibree's settlement, he was called V to visit a criminal in the Coventry jail, who was under sentence of death. He accompanied the malefactor, in a mourning coach, to the place of execution on Whitley Common. Having announced that, on the following Sunday evening, he intended to preach a sermon at his Chapel, as an improvement of that awful event, such immense crowds assembled, that it was found impossible to hold the service in the Chapel. The assembly, therefore, withdrew to Warwick Green ; and from the balcony of one of the houses on that spot, Mr. Sibree addressed a congregation amounting, it was calculated, to six or seven thousand persons, from the words in Ezekiel xxxtii., 7, " son of man — ^wam theni from me !" It is believed that many souls were savingly converted to God under that sermon ; many were added to the Church at Ticar Lane as the result ; and from that day the place of worship became so crowded that it was found necessary to enlarge the chapel. This was accomplished, by taking down nearly the whole of the former building, and extending the new building in 76 SIBEEE. the front. The new Chapel was opened for public worship Jan. 8, 1 823 ; and sermons preached by Mr. J. A. James, of Birmingham ; and Dr. Vaughan, then of "Worcester. The new building was made to accom- modate about 1,200 persons, including two tiers of galleries for the Sunday Scholars. During the enlargement of the Chapel, the Congre- gation assembled first in St. Mary's HaU ; and then in the County HaU, for several successive Sabbaths ; but these places being found too small, the Lancasterian School, on the Burges, was fitted up, and occupied by the Congregation for the remaining period. Mr. Sibree opened rooms for preaching on week-day evenings in Spon Street and Much Park Street. These cottage services were productive of much spiritual benefit ; and many were induced to attend pubUe wor- ship on the Sabbath-day, who had been previously living in the entire neglect of religion. In the year 1833, new and spacious Sunday and Day School Eooms, adjoining the Chapel, capable of accommodating 600 scholars, were erected. On March 8, 1841, at a Social Tea Meeting of the members of the Church, held in the School Rooms, the Pastor read a brief History of the Church (a sum- mary of the above), with a statistical account of the proceedings of the Church. In the latter it was stated that at the time of the settlement of the present minister— in 1820, the number of members of the Church was 104. From that time to the close of 1840— a period of 21 years, 432 members had been added to the Church. There were at present in the SIBEEE. 77 Churcli 338. In the course of this time ten young men had heen sent forth from among them to labour in the ministry ; of whom one was a brother of the Pastor, — Mr. James Sibree, settled at Hull; and another, Mr. "William Clarke, a laborious and useful Missionary in Canada, North Am.erica. Mr. Sibree has sent forth from the press the following publications : — 1. Ecclesiastical Lectures; or a Series of Discourses on subjects connected with Noncotiformity ; 1831. 2. An Expos- tulatory Epistle addressed to the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, on the Eite of Confirmation; 1831. 3. The Pastor and his Flock; a Discourse at the Ordination of the Rev. Thos. Morell, Jnn. ; 1834. 4. The Ecclesiastical Warfare, a Lecture on hehalf of the Birmingham Voluntary Church Society ; 1836. 5. The "Whitefield Centenary ;—Whitefield's Preaching a Model, and his Reward a Motive, to all Christian Ministers ; — a Sermon preached on Stinchcombe HiU, Gloucestershire, July 30th, 1839. 6. The Corn Monopoly condemned by the Scrip- tures; 1841. 7. The Pastor's Office and the People's Duty, a Euneral Discourse on the Death of Rev. E. M. Miller; 1845. 8. The Characteristics and Dying Testimony of Peter ; a Dis- course occasioned by the Death of Rev. Dr. Styles; 1849. 9. Euneral Oration at the Interment of Rev. F. Franklin; 1852. 10. Human Anatomy Simplified ; in a Course of Three Elementary Lectures; 1854. 11. Independency In Warwick- shire ; a Brief History of the Congregational Churches in that County; with Biographical Notices of their , Pastors ; 1855. Tracts ; — (1) The Reclaimed Infidel; or an Account of the Last Days of William Rose; 1827. (2) A Voice from Coven- try, respecting the proceedings of Mr. G. C. Smith and the Seamen's Society; 1832. (3) The Law of Church Rates explained; and the Duty of Dissenters Recommended ; 1836. (4) A Few Words with a Railwayman about his Soul ; 1836, 78 LIST OF MnriSTEES AT VICAE LANE CHAPEL. The following is a list of the Ministers of Much Park Street Meeting House, and of Vicar Lane Chapel : — Ministers. From tled died KemoTed to Eev. Samuel Basnett Oxford and Cambridge Dr. John Singleton Stretton-under-Fosse 1688 1706 saver Street Meet- ing, London, 1697 Key. Mr. Boon Ejected from Settring- ton, Yorkshire „ Thomas Saunflers Bedworth 1720 1736 Kettering, North- amptonshire, 1721 „ Patrick Simson, Dundalk, Ireland 172S 1773 A.M „ EJohardAlliott Academy in London 1789 1769 „ Jacot) Dalton Silver Street, London 1769 London, 1784 „ Thomas Saunders Bedworth 1785 1806 London, 1801 „ G. W. Elliott Burton-upon-Trent 1802 Entered the Army, 1804 London, 1810 „ Obadiah Bennett Atherstone 1804 „ Richard Braokstone Homerton College, Lon- don 1810 1845 Hungeriord, Berks 1812 „ John Eagleton Atherstone 1812 1832 Birmingham, 1819 „ John Sibree Hoxton College, Lon- don 1820 In connection with the Church at Yicar Lane are two branch Congregations; one of which is ia the neigh- bouring village of STOKE. This Congregation origiaated in the formation of a Sunday School, in 1813, which was held at Stoke Row. Here the prospects were so encouraging, that the friends of religion, actuated by an earnest desire to extend the Redeemer's kingdom, thought themselves justified in having a more permanent building for this interesting locality; and, in the year 1836, a small neat Chapel was erected in the public road, capable of accommodating about 200 persons. This was built at the expense of pottee's geeen. 79 the Congregation at Yicar Lane; by which, also the Sabbath School is chiefly maiataitied. The other Congregation is at POTTEE'S GEEEN, which is a hamlet in the parish of Sowe, about three miles from Coventry. The origin of the cause ia this place is worthy of record. In the summer of 1816, a member of the congregation at Yicar Lane went on a Sabbath day todistribute religions Tracts in this place, which he found in almost a heathenish state. He talked with some of the inhabitants on the importance of religion. On returning home through the fields, he observed several children running after him. On inquiring what they wanted, they said, they wished he, or some one else, would come and teach them to read, as children in other places were taught. This Macedonian cry delighted him, and he promised to repeat his visit for that purpose next Lord's day. He did so, accompanied by a few friends. A group of children was gathered, a room obtained, and a Sun- day School regularly formed. This led to preaching services ; and a congregation of adults was soon col- lected. A commodious place of worship was then erected by the Congregation at Vicar Lane, and was opened in 1820, when Sermons were preached by Messrs. Jerard and Sibree, of Coventry. In the year 1823, a worthy man, named Mr. James Etce, a member of the Church at Vicar Lane, became a resident of Potter's Green, and established a Day School, superintending also the Sunday School. By the in- 80 structions he imparted; by his consistent and holy- example; byhis amiable disposition; and by his private intercourse with the poor cottagers, he became univer- sally beloved and respected, and was exceedingly useful. He preached also occasionally in the Chapel. On the evening of Sunday, March 17, 1839, as he was thus engaged, his articulation became imperfect and confused. A friend went up to the pulpit, requesting him to close the service. He asked whe^ther he had been saying anything improper. The friend assured him he had not, but that he was evidently unwell. "Then," said he, " let me pray." "No," replied the friend, " you are too iU." "Then," rejoined he, "sing the doxology." The Congregation did so. He was then taken into the adjoining cottage, and, early on the following morning, he breathed his last ! " How many fall as sudden — not as safe !" His mortal remains were buried in the Chapel, in which a small tablet has been erected to his memory. Teachers from Vicar Lane continued to render their services for many years, untU a body of teachers was raised up from the School and Congregation, who now entirely carry on the good work. The Congregation, however, is still supplied, ia part, by Itinerants from the Church at Yioar Lane. Great moral and spiritual good has been effected. Many members from this place have been added to the parent Church at Vicar Lane. Tor the last 36 years, Mr. Sibree has regularly preached the Annual Sermons for the School out of doors to large assemblies, who have liberally contributed to the sup, port of the institution. PAET II. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES IN COVENTRY. SECTION II. — THE INDEPENDENT CHUKCH AT 'WEST OECHAED. BEMAEKS ON DIVISIONS— SECESSION FROM VICAK LANE — GEIP- FITH — MATTHEW WILKS INVITED TO WEST ORCHARD — EUEDEK HIS SETTLEMENT — LETTER OF M. WILKS — OF ROWLAND HILL — BURDER'S DESIGNATION — ATTENDANCE ON MALEFAC- TORS — SUNDAY SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED — COTTAGE LAEODHS — ASSISTANT PREACHERS — WARWICKSHIRE ASSOCIATION — MIS- . SIONART SOCIETY HOME MISSIONS — PERSECUTIONS — " VIL- LAGE sermons" — INVITATION TO LONDON — REMOVAL FKOM COVENTRY — FETTER LANE — DEATH — JEEAED CAPTURE IN THE " duff" — SETTLEMENT AT WEST ORCHARD — NEW CHAPEL CO-PASTOKSHIP WITH ME. DELF — ME. JERARD'S DEATH- NEW SCHOOL ROOMS — HILL FIELD, ETC. The divisions wliicli sometimes occur ia Churclies of the Congregational order, though, evils in themselves, especially at the time of their occurrence, are usually beneficial in their results. The righteous mourn, and the wicked rejoice; but sooner or later the reverse is realized. Innumerable instances might be adduced in confirmation of this fact. Por there is this peculiarity in Independency ; — that while other Christian commu- nities — such as the " National Establishment" and the Wesleyanbody, are weakened and diminished by division, Congregationalism is strengthened and multiplied. Divide an Independent Church you may; but destroy Independency you cannot. "Divide and conquer," is 82 SECESSION EEOM TICAE LAHS. a maxim wHoh, in tHs case, will not apply. TIk? Enemy may imagine that when he has divided am Independent Church he has achieved a triumph; but woe be to him if he has many such victories! ^Ve plead not for divisions ;— we rejoice in the unity of the Church ; — we delight in seeing " Jerusalem builded as a city that is compact together ;" and say, " Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity withui thy palaces." Nevertheless, when that peace is for a time iaterrupted, and that harmony broken, we have often occasion to admire the wisdom, the power, and goodness of God, in ■ " turning the curse into a blessing," and in causing the untoward " things which happen" to a Church, to " turn out rather to the furtherance of the gospeL" Thus He " Out of seeming evil still educes good." These remarks are applicable to the history of Inde- pendency in the city of Coventry. In our notice of the Church at Vicar Lane, it will ha seen that a serious division took place in that commu- nity on the. election of Mr. Dalton as sole pastor. One of the deacons and a considerable number of the mem- bers and of the congregation withdrew. This occurred early in the year 1776. The people assembled for a time in different places in the city ; but more statedly in a large room in a respectable mansion at the top of Little Park Street, which has since been taken down. The first minister invited to labour amongst them was Mr. John Giin?riTH, of whom a brief memoir was published in the JEvmgelioal Magazine for 1799, from which it appears that he was bom in London, in 1714. GEIPFITH. 83 pis father was profess(^y a Churclimaii ; but his fnother was a Protestant Dissenter, and a member of the church under the pastoral care of the celebrated Mr. Thomas Bradbury. In his youth, Mr. Griffith gave himself up to gaming, dancing, and other worldly amusements. At length, however, his conscience was awakened; he became decidedly religious, and joined the Christian society worshiping at the Tabernacle in Moorfields. In connection with that society, he was frequently engaged to deliver exhortations at private social meetings. In 1754, he became pastor of an Independent Church at Deptford, in Kent. From this place he removed; and in 1772, a new Meeting-house was erected for him and his congregation in Mitchell Street, behind St. Luke's Church, Old Stteet, London. The attendance at this place haviag declined, he ac- cepted a Call to Coventry, about the year 177G. Here he continued but a few years, for he does not appear to have been adapted to the situation. Thence he removed to Brigstock, in ITorthamptonshire, where he laboured among a poor, but pious congregation for several years. Being now more than seventy years of age, he returned to his native city, about the year 1788, and for the • most part lived in retirement, preaching occasionally in , London, where he died in 1798, in the 84th year of his age, and was buried in BunhiU Pields. Though he received no academical education, his abilities for the ministry appear to have been respectable. His preach- ing, though not popular, was solid and evangelical, and his labours not altogether in vain. In the year after the secession from Yicar Lane, vi^., 82 84 ITEW CHAPEL.' in 1777, a new Chapel was l^eoted in "Wesi OECHAEHy to accommodate 300 persons. After the removal of Mr. Griflith, Mr. George Towns- end, afterwards of Eamsgate, came as the first supply ; who was followed by his brother, Mr. John Townsend, subsequently minister of a chapel in Eotherhithe, Lon- don ; and the originator of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. These were succeeded by Mr. Matthew Wiles, who afterwards became an omiaent and popular minister of the Tabernacle, Moorflelds, London. This gen- tleman was invited by the Church at "West Orchard, in 1 782, to become their pastor. The invitation, however, he declined.* The following minute appears in the old Church-book ; — "At a public Churcli meeting held in the Meeting House on Lord's day afternoon, the 5th of May, 1782, after divine service, the deacons and members of the Church did then and there sign and send an invitation to the Rev. Matthevr Wilks, of Islington, to accept the pastoral care of them as a church of Christ. The opinions of the subscribers were then asked by the Church, who approved of their act, and signed their names as a mark of their approbation; reserving to the members of the Church the full and sole power of choice. SAMUEL READER,-) THO. COLLETT, L Deacons." "WM. BROWN, > The pulpit was then supplied by Mr. John Cockin, at that time minister of Kipping, Yorkshire, and after- wards of HaUfax. To him an invitation to the pas-, torate was given, wliich he also declined. Mr. Edwai-d Burn, a minister of the Countess of Huntingdon's Con- * The Editor, in several interviews with this venerable man, has frequently heard him speak of the happy seasons he spent in his earlier days at Coventrv. BtJEDEK. 85 mection, but subsequently*Episcopaliaii minister of St. Mary's Churcli, Birmingliam, supplied the pulpit for a few Sabbaths. And then came Mr. George Burder, of Lancaster, as a supply ; and a unanimous Call was given to him by the Church, to become their pastor. In the Church-book is the following minute ; — "1783. Aug. 3. At a public Church meeting, held after the morning service, the deacons and members of the Church signed a Call to the Eev. George Burder, of Lancaster, to accept the pastoral care of them ; which Call was unanimous, and without one dissenting voice. After the service of the afternoon, the subscribers to the meeting, n,ot being members were called together, and signed an invitation to the said Mr Burder, approving of the aforesaid Call of the Church, but reserving to the members only, the sole power of choosing a minister. " The Call wb,s delivered to Mr. Burder the day following ; - and was then accepted by him; But having necessary affairs to settle, he, with his family, did not come to reside in Coventry till November following. He preached and administered the Lord's Supper on the first Sabbath of November, 1783." " At that time," says the late Mr. Eichard Alliott, of Nottingham, (who was a member of the Church at West Orchard,) iu a letter addressed to Dr. H. F. Burder, " At that time, good, serious, evangelical preaching, of a useful tendency, was almost unknown in Coventry, and the savour of it nearly lost. Mr. Burder was in every respect cal- culated to supply this deficiency. His personal appearance in the pulpit was exactly such as became his office — dignified, without ostentation; grave, but not severe; benignant, without the most distant approach to levity ; his actiqn was well adapted , to the service in which he was engaged, and to the subject of the discourse which he was delivering He was a serious man employed about serious things ; serious, but not morose — he had the gravity and cheerfulness of faith, hope, and joy in the Holy Ghost. .... His delivery was pleasing and interest- 86 BTTEDEE. iag; his voice melodious; his language neat and correct; M» style remarkably simple, clear, and perspicuous. His constant aim was to do good; to gain, not the applause, but the souls of men I shall be excused for adding, that I consider him to have been the best model of a sincere, devoted, and faithful minister of the word of God, and of the gospel of Christ, which ever came under my personal observation ; and as one of the most useful, if not the most useful, man of his times." The following items relating to Deacons appear in the Church-book, recorded by Mr. Burder : — "Mr. Samuel Reader,* one of the deacons of the church, died November, 1793. He was a great friend and benefactor to it j and the principal burden and care of the affairs of the congre- gation devolved upon him." " In the year 1800, Mr. Brown and Aid. CoHett also died j so that no deacons remained." " At a Church Meeting held Oct. 30, 1800, the Church pro- ceeded to the choice of three deacons, viz., Mr. John McBae, Mr. Jas. Whittem, and Mr. Nathl. Merridew; they having been proposed by the minister one month before. They were chosen with the unanimous consent of all present." Mr, GrEOEGE BuKDEE was born, in London, June 5th, 1752.f His excellent father, Mr. Henry Burder, was a deacon of the church at Petter Lane. His son George, while but a youth, became a decided Christian. Having at an early age displayed a partiality for draw- ing, he was placed, on leaving school, with Mr. Isaac Taylor, an eminent engraver, J and eifterwards became * Father of the late Counsellor Reader, and Recorder of Coventry. t For much of the information given in this notice of Mr. Burder, the Editor is indebted to the interesting "Memoirs," published by his son. Dr. H. F. Burder; to personal communi- cations which he received from the lips of their revered subject ; and to private sources among his surviving friends. J Mr. Taylor was for some years .in Independent minister at Ongar, in Essex, and was father of the distinguished literary family bearing that name. BtJBDEE. 87 a student in the Royal Academy at Somerset House. As lie advanced towards maturity, he frequently heard, ■with deep interest, the preaching of the illustrious Whitefield, and of the excellent Bomaine. To use his own words, he " became much more fond of that sort of preaching which was then termed Methodistical." " My judgment," he says, "was before informed, but I found my heart affected by this kind of preaching." There can be no doubt that some of the chief excel- lencies of his published sermons may be traced to the recollections and impressions of early Ufe. At the age of twenty-one he entered on the business of an engraver; b«.t secular pursuits were not most accordant with his feelings and wishes. When he was about twenty-four years of age, he took a journey into Shropshire, and spent a short time in the vicinity of his father's estates. By the persuasion of a Christian friend, he was induced to make his first attempt to preach at the house of one of the tenants. Thus he commenced the work of the Christian, ministry. But though he did not enter any academy or college, he became "an able miaister of the New Testament." On his return to London, he frequently preached in the villages surrounding the metropolis, and in several chapels in the city, with acceptance and success. In about a year after he began to preach, he accepted an invitation to the pastoral oversight of a church at Lancaster, where he was ordained Oct. 29, 1778. There he continued six years, faithfully devoted to hig pastoral duties, and assiduously employed in extensive itinerating labours. The years he spent in that sphere 88 BUEBEK. ■were among tlie most laborious and most useful years of his Hfe. A vdder sptere of labour, however, and one more adapted to the energies of his mind, was presented to him in the populous city of Coventry. In his brief Autobiography, contauied ia his "Memoirs," he says, " 1783. Early in tWs year, I felt inclined to leave Lancaster. I thought my wort there seemed to he done. I hope some good was eifeoted ; yet, by the fi'equent removal of hearers, and other circumstances, there was little or no increase of the church and congregation. My principal nsefiilness, I appre- hend, was in being instrumental in introducing the gospel,. or assisting in introducing it, in Kendal, Bootle, Garstang, Pres- ton, and some other places. There seemed now a promising opening for more extensive service and usefulness, both at Walsall and Coventry, at both which places ministers were wanted. I visited both places, and spent Lord's day, June 15, at Walsall, and preached on the IMday following for the first time at Coventry, and spent the following Sabbath there." Mr. Burder having soHeited the advice of Mr. Mat- thew Wilks, on the subject of his settling at Coventry, received from him the following characteristic letter, — in which he greatly underrates his own talents, which, notwithstanding his peculiai-ities, wore of a high order : — " Tabernacle House, Bristol, May 21, 1783. " Dear Brother,— I am happy to give you any information which may determine your resolutions towards Coventiy. " As to the dark side of that congregation, I know of none but what is common to all; viz., some 'who know not the God of their fathers.' My principal objection to settling there, was a sense of my own inability for a stated pastoral charge. I never did, I do not now, think myself equal to it. TUs is true. Those who have only a few buttons, buckles, pins, &c., to sell, should peddle them about the country in a little hand-basket; while those who have a lai-ge assortment of every valuable BUEBEE. 89 article, may, with great advantage, open shop for fixed customers. " The reason why they have not had a minister settled over them, is chiefly owing to me, in not giving my answer sooner ; though this was at their request, fearing that if I did it before I had paid them another visit, I should do it in the negative. I wished them not to be in a hurry, and objected to some, who, I thought, would not do them any good. Ministers they might have had in abundance, but you know there are many who are rather a curse than a blessing where they go. " They are gradually increasing in regular hearers, and in members ; and they promise, under a godly minister, to be a very large interest ; for the city is large, populous, and very ignorant ; and yet there is a great spirit for hearing : indeed I thmk there is the beginning of a great work. There is a popu- lous country around, where you may labour ; and, indeed, they want — (no flattery) — a man just of your make. " I begin to believe you are their long looked-for minister, and I hope I have not believed in vain. " Yours, " M. WILKS." Mr. "Wilts was a man of distiiiguislied sagacity ; of wtioli he has here giyen a decided proof. "We select a few more extracts from Mr. Burder's Autobiography : — " 1784. Began this year with a sermon to youth, on Ezekiel xxxvi. 26. 'A new heart will I give you.'* " Jan. 11. Lord's day afternoon, baptised my son Henry at the meeting, having preached on Matt, xxviii. 19. " The increase of the congregation induced us to erect galleries in our chapel ; and as we, the congregation, were not able to meet the expense incurred, I undertook to visit London, to obtain pecuniary aid. Having heard of my intention, the Bev. Rowland Hill, with whom I had the pleasure of being pre- * This discourse, which appears in his ""Village Sermons," was useful to the conversion of many; among whom was an eminently useful female — "a mother in Israel," — connected with the church at "V"icar Lane, — Mrs. Catharine Clarke. 90 BTTEBEB. viously associated in some itinerant labours, wrote to rae the following friendly and humourous letter. [We give only an extract] : — ' St. George's Eoad, Southwark. ' My dear brother Burder, — And so you are coming up to London upon the delightful errand of begging. Much good may it do you. I have had enough of that to last me for a good seTcn years to come. To be sure, it is true, that honest people should always pay their debts, I wish you success in paying off your Coventry debts ; but you must Ijnow I have an old score against you, on which account I draw out the following just demand : — " George Burder, late bishop of Lancaster and its environs, now translated to the see of Coventry, debtor to Rowland Hill, rector of Surrey Chapel, vicar of Wotton Underedge, and curate of all the fields, commons, &c., throughout England and Wales ; — for supplying one month the metropolitan church at Lancas- ter, and many other places, throughout the diocese at large ; the sum of one month's labours for the Surrey Chapel, from the above-mentioned bishop, is most justly demanded. " And now, my dear brother, to come to a serious settling of the point, &c That God may bless you in all your ways, and prosper you in all your undertakings, is the vepi' sin- cere prayer of " Your very affectionate brother, K. HILL." " I was not publicly designated to the pastoral office at Co- ventry [continues Mr. B.] until Wednesday, May 26, [1784J, when Mr. Denny, of Long Buckby, [the last surviving student of Dr. Doddridge, and who died in 1813, at the age of nearly 90 years,] and Mr. Scott, of Hinckley, prayed ; Mr. Saunders, of Bedwortli, pi-eachod ; and Mr. Grundy, of Lutterworth, concluded. Mr. Percy, of Woolwich, [father of Mr. J. W. Percy, minister of Warwick,] preached in the evening." Frequent references are made by Mr. Burder, in hia Autobiograpliy, to liis visits to condemned prisoners in the jail ; and his attendance on malefactors to the place of execution; and also to sermons preached out of doors to thousands of people, on these awful occasions. BUEBEE. 91 Among these notices is the following : — "1785. April 18. Preached once more to the poor con- demned men at the Gaol hall, from Amos iy. 12. ' Prepare to meet thy God.' After service they were taken in a mourning coach to Whitley Common, where I attended them with Mr. Wilks. I had some hopes of the two younger men. I gave notice from the cart that Mr. Wilks would preach at West Orchard, my chapel, which he did in the evening, to a vast congregation, from these words : ' And, ye fools, when will ye be wise ?' " It appears that Mr. Burder was the founder of Sunday Schools in Coventry. These invaluable In- stitutions for the neglected working classes, had recently been established by Eobert Eaikes, Esq., in the city of Gloucester. Mr. Burder says, "This year [1785,] Sunday Schools were commenced in Co- ventry. They had been established at Manchester, Birmingham, and other places. Wishing to introduce them here, I inserted a letter, recommending them, in the Coventry paper [the ' Mercury.'] Soon after this, a meeting was held, and a com- mittee chosen to begin them on the libei'al plan of Manchester, by a general subscription in the town, and the parents of the children were to choose what place of worship they should attend. " This method was pursued for two or three years, I think ; but the Clergy never attended, not liking to unite with Dis- senters, who were thought to have more than their share of scholars ; and the union was dropped, all parties thinking it better to act separately." Sunday Schools were conducted for many years in a room in HiU Street, adjoining the burial-ground ; and also in a room at the bottom of West Orchard. Of Mr. Burder's exertions to do good in other parts of the city, we have the following notices : — " The town being of considerable length, I thought that if a, large room were fitted Tip in one of its extremities, persons 92 BTJEBEE. might be induced to hear the gospel, who could not come from any distance to the chapel. I therefore looked out for a place, and met with an old shop, not in use, which I fitted up. [This was in Gosford Street.] Here I began to preach on Eriday even- ings ; and here, I have reason to believe, some were called by grace, two or three of whom afterwards went into the ministry." These were, it is believed, Mr. Ttomas Chipman, ■who became Assistant to Mr. Best, of Cradely, in Worcestershire ; Mr. Benjamin. Price, who was minister at Woodbridge, Suffolk; and Mr. Laxon, for many years minister in Guernsey, and who yet survives. " Some years after," continues Mr. Barder, " I took a similar method at the western extremity of the to\vu [at Spon End.] but I think not with so much success as at the former place. In two or three private houses also I expounded, sitting in a, chair." The year 1788 Mr. Burder describes as "a most eventful and afflictive year." In this year his step- mother, and his father died nearly at the same time. His own health, too, was greatly affected. At this time, he looked out for an assistant minister. Several students and ministers came and acted in that capacity. Among the students were Mr. John Sibree, (father of the present minister of Vicar Lane Chapel,) who was then under the tuition of Dr. Addiugton, of Mile End Academy, London; and afterwards settled at Frome, Somersetshire. Mr. John Griffin, a student under the eminent Mr. Cornelius Winter, came also as a supply ; (who was pastor subseq[uently of Portsea ;) as did also Mr. John Ball, afterwards of "Westbury, Wilts, and Jewry Street Chapel, London ; and Mr. Daniel Fleming, who settled at Nuneaton. These were followed by Mr. Samuel Burder, a nephew of Mr. George Burder, who BTJSBEE. 93 contiiiued about twelve months, preaching in the after- noon, and occasionally ia the neighbouring villages. He was afterwards ordained as Pastor of a Church at St. Albans ; but subsequently conformed to the Church of England, and was afternoon and evening Lecturer at Christ Church, Newgate Street, and St. Dunstan's, Pleet Street, London. He was the author, of "Oriental Customs." In the year 1793, Mr. Burder was deeply interested, and assiduously engaged, in the formation of the Warwickshire Association of Ministers for the spread of the gospel both at home and abroad, which contributed not a little to prepare the way for the establishment of the London Missionary Society. A meeting was held in Mr. Moody's house, at Warwick, June 27, 1793, when the great question was discussed as to the duty of Christians with respect to the spread of the gospel; On the 6th of August following, " at Nuneaton, — after the ordination of Mr. Fleming, a circular letter [on this subject] was produced, read, and approved, and ordered to be printed.'' For further particulars respecting the movements in connection with the form- ation of the London Missionary Society, we refer to our history of the Church at Warwick. We add only the following : — " Coventry, Vicar Lane Chapel, Jan. 21, 1796. A Com- mittee of Directors of the Missionary Society, viz., Mr. S. Greatheed, Sir Egerton Leigh, and Mr. Burder, assisted by the brethren of the Association, met at the vestry of West Orchard Chapel, for the examination of candidates for the intended Mission to Otaheite; when several person^, preachers, artificers, and the wives of some of them, were conversed with on the subject. Several were approved and recommended to 84 BtTEDEE. the London Committee, and afterwards employed by them." Among these, were Mr. Rowland Hassall, and his wife, mem- bers of the Church at West Orchard. Mr. Burder was equally zealous on behalf of Horns Missions. He laboured indefatigably, amidst mucb op- position and violence, to introduce the gospel into the destitute towns and villages of the county. In some notes added to his published Funeral Sermon for his friend and faithful coadjutor in this good work, Mr. Moody, of Warwick, he says, — ■ " The various acts of violence committed at Kenilworth, Atherstone, Long Itchington, Wolston, and other places, were disgraceful to a civilized country. At the first of these villages, though the place was registered according to law, tumults fre-" quently took place, and among many methods taken to distm'b the worship and annoy the people, a wasp's nest was procured and laid in the passage leading to the meeting. At Atherstone, aqua-fortis was poured on the people's clothes, and their win- dows broken. At Long Itchington, a man, who assumed the office of a recruiting Serjeant, pretended to enlist the preacher, detained him by force iu a public house on the Lord's day, and ordered the point of war to be beaten ; nor was the minister liberated till money was extorted from him." Mr. Burder then details more particularly the perse- cutions endured at Wolston ; the offenders in this case were brought before the assizes of "Warwick ; but they escaped the punishment they deserved. On one occasion, when Mr. Burder was preaching in the open air at the village of Berkeswell, a hedgehog was thrown at him, the spines of which lacerated hig flesh ; but, in his own calm and unperturbed manner, he said, "I little thought that I should ever live to ihed Mood in my Master's cause."* * The following instance of the persecuting spirit, and stolid ignorance that prevailed, might be mentioned. A preacher BtTEDEfi. 95 Thus did tHs holy zealous man " approve himself as a minister of God, in. much patience, in tumults, in labours, ia watchings ; — by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love imfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God ; — by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report." During his residence in Coventry, he published the first two volumes of his " Village Sermons," a work which was afterwards extended to eight volumes. " Many other works, before and after this series, were published by him, all of which are marked by his cha- racteristic qualities — eminent simplicity, directness of adaptation to the end, and that end obviously and con- tinually — usefulness. The Village Sermons, however, are the publications which will never be forgotten; and they deserve the immortality which they wiU assuredly obtain. They have gone through numerous and large editions, have been widely circulated in America, and have been translated into several of the contiaental languages." , They have been read in villages and went to the neighbouring Tillage of MUongley, and held a religious service out of doors. A man, considered somewhat respectable, and who was a schoolmaster, came to the preacher, abused him, and beat him most unmercifully. A warrant was issued against him. With much consternation he came to Coventry, to consult Mr. Aid. Merridew, a magistrate, with whom he had often had dealings; and thus expressed himself: " Mr. Merridew, I want your advice. A man came to our village to preach last Sunday evening; and not approving of such bawling, I pat a stop to it. I certainly did not use the man very well ; but I have been served with a warrant ; and if Tou can help me out of this scrape, God forbid that I should ever have any thing more to do with religion as long as I live!" 96 BITEDEE. schools in all parts of the country ; and have been very extensively preached by the clergy of the Chtirch of England ; and even in the parish Churches in Coventry — the city in which they were originally delivered by their dissenting author in a dissenting meeting-house.* In the year 1796, Mr. Burder received a unanimous invitation from the Church at "Walworth (which was so long favoured with the ministry of Mr. George Clayton) to accept the pastoral charge. His inclinations were strong in favour of removing to that sphere of labour, especially as he wished to be actively engaged in pro- moting the objects of the Missionary Society. This invitation, however, after mature deliberation, he declined. On the decease of Mr. John Eyre, of Homerton, in the year 1803, Mr. Burder was solicited and elected to be his successor both in the office of Secretary to the Missionary Society, and' Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. He received also a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the Church at Fetter Lane. " I ventured to accept these appointments," said Mr. Burder, " I trust with a sincere desire to glorify God and edify his Church, humbly hoping that the great Head of the Church would supply my dear old friends at Coventry with a faithful minister." It cost him * The Editor once met with a clergyman at Camhridge, who informed him that he had preached all Mr. Burder's Village Sermons in his parish churdi ; hut regretted that a greater number had not been published than two volumes. On the Editor informing him that eiiiht had been published, he ex- pressed great Surprise and delight, and " rejoiced as one that has found great spoil," BITEDEE. 97 muoli, however, to burst asunder the strong and tender ties that had for nearly twenty years united him to that church, which had been bnilt up by his assiduous, zealous, and successful labours. The attach- ment cherished and expressed by his church, evinced especially in their reply to his letter of resignation, (which appears in the "Memoirs") and indeed by all classes of his hearers ; and the unfeigned respect with which he was regarded by the inhabitants of the city at large, were such as to render a separation unusually painful. It was sustained, however, on his part, by an undotibting conviction of duty which he never ceased to feel. Circumstances had occurred, it appears, to loosen his attachment to the sphere in which he had so long laboured. To this subject he thus refers : — "1803. About this time my mind was full of uneasiness and dissatisfaction with my situation at Coventry; which, on many accounts, had been unpleasant to me for a long time. Indeed I had much wished for a removal to town ever since the Missionary Society commenced ; longing to lend my helping hand to a work which I was convinced was of God, and likely to produce grand effects. When therefore an opening was made for my employment in a work which appeared to me far more important than that in which I was engaged in Coventry, I determined, after solemn prayer, deliberation, and advice, to resign my pastoral office, which I did." At Midsummer, 1803, Mr. Burder removed from Coventry to the metropolis, having " taken leave of his old congregation, though not formally," by a sermon on Sabbath evening, Juue 19, on the words, "What I say imto you, I say unto aU, "Watch !" The limits of this work will not allow us to enlarge 98 BUKDt!E. on the incidents of Mr. Burder's life, after Ms removal from Coventry : suffice it to say, that he continued to fill up his various offices, vdth diligence and usefulness — " Messed and made a blessing," to a very advanced period; till at length, having endured many bodily infirmities, with the loss of his sight, though with a mind retaining its wonted vigour and serenity; sur- rounded by his attached and devoted family, he gently and serenely, on the 29th of May, 1832, yielded up his spirit into the hands of Him who had redeemed it by his blood, and entered into the joy of his Lord, in the 80th year of his age. His mortal remains were deposited in the family vault in Bunhill Pields, on the 5th of June, the eightieth anniversary of his birth. " Devout men carried him to his burial, and made great lamentation over him." The last forty years of Mr. Burder's Hfe were iden- tified with the origin and progress of most of those noble Institutions which are the glory of our age and country, and which are destined, we trust, to effect the moral renovation of the world. His name wlU always be associated with the honoured names of Bogue, and "WDks, and HUl, and Hardcastle, and Townsend, and "Waugh, who " shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever." " Not on the marble column that may serve For those, who else would be by aU forgot, — His monument we may, perhaps, observe In Caffre Kraal, or in an English cot ; Or 'midst the happy South Pacific Isles, On which ' the Sun of Righteousness' has risen, Where ' Burder's Point' in Christian gladness smiles, Blest with the influence of the reign of heaven." JEKARB. 99 It was Mr. Burder's honour and happiness to have two sons in the ministry — Dr. Henry Forster Burder, for upwards of 40 years the esteemed and honoured pastor of the Independent Church, St. Thomas' Square, Hackney ; and one of the Tutors of Hoxton College : and Mr. John Burder, for many years Independent minister at Stroud, Gloucestershire, in which town he was respected, beloved, and greatly useful. Mr. Burder's works are too numerous and too well known to require any farther notice. In his early days he wrote a little book for children, entitled, "Early Piety;" and in his closing years, he wrote " Sermons 'to the Aged." The former was published in 1776, and the latter in 1828. We have obtained a complete catalogue of his pubHoations, and find that they amount to above thirty, besides numerous Tracts published by the Eeligious Tract Society, of which Institution he was the " projector ;" and a considerable number of small pieces in the Gospel Magazine ; the Theological MisceUauy ; the Christian Magazine ; and the Evan- gelical Magazine. On Mr. Burder's removal to London, the pulpit was supplied by several candidates, among whom was Mr. Joseph Berry, afterwards of "Warminster, Wilts ; and then pastor of the Church in New Broad Street, London. Many of the Congregation wished him to settle among them. An invitation, however, was given to Mr. John Jekaed, who was then a student at Hoxton College. He came to Coventry in 1803, but was not ordained until October 24, 1804. On that occasion Mr. (afterwards Dr.) "Williams, of Birmingham, intro- h2 loo JKEAED. duced the service by prayer and reading tte Scriptures^ Mr. Moody, of Warwick, delivered the Introductory Discourse, and asked the usual questions. Mr. Burkitt, of Eenilworth, offered the Ordination prayer, with im- position of hands. Mr. Burder, of London, gave the Charge to the Minister. Mr. Stollery, of London, preached to the People ; and Mr. Jonathan Evans, of Foleshill, concluded with Prayer. In the evening a double lecture was preached by Mr. Jehoiada Brewer, of Birmingham, and Mr. Hewitt, of Bedworth. The next day being the meeting of the ministers of the "Warwickshire Association, after the public business was concluded, the Lord's supper was administered to the members of the two Independent Churches in Coventry, and many others of the neighbouring towns. The Ordination services were afterwards published, in which Mr. Jerard has given an interesting account of his early history ; from which we select the following facts : — Mr. Jerard was a native of Ipswich, and bom in 1775. Having a taste for reading, especially novels, romances, and dramatic writings, he became disgusted with business, and wished to travel abroad. He soon had an opportunity to gratify his inclination ; and after studying navigation, he went to Smyrna ; and soon after accompanied Lord Macartney's embassy to the Emperor of China. A long and severe sickness, however, on his passage home, in 1794, made him give up his sea-far- ing Ufe. "In the month of February, 1795," snys lie, " it pleased the Lord to affect my mind very deeply with the danger of my state JEEAED. 101 as a sinner; and to convince me, tliat fhe internal power of religion, about which I had hitherto been so indifferent, was absolutely necessary. Impressed with these sentiments, I went and heard the word with fixed attention; for I perceived it was for my life." He 60on found "joy and peace in believing," and joined the Cliurcli at Ipswich, of wliich, Mr. Edward Davies was pastor. He henceforth wished to live devoted to God in the work of the ministry ; but, he says, " I was frequently much depressed vrith an idea of my pro- bable incapacity, ever to discharge the duties of a settled minister in my own country. A second mission to the South Sea islands being in contemplation, I conceived that would be a. suitable sphere for the exercise of my talents." Soon after this, he was proposed to the London Mis- sionary Society as a candidate for missionary labours, and was accepted. He embarked on board the Buff, and left England, Dec. 23, 1798, in company with about thirty mission- aries, ten of whom had wives and children. They had a most disastrous voyage ; and to complete their miserj^^ the vessel was captured by a French privateer. " In the confusion at our capture," says Mr. Jerard, "I had happily secured my bible and hymn book, which, in these circumstances, were of incalculable worth." Mr. Jerard enters into a very minute and affecting detaU. of the sufferings of the missionaries. After iaving been re-captured by a Portuguese fleet, the ships were conveyed to Lisbon, and the missionaries, -after ten months' absence, sufferings, and disappoint- ment, came back to England, and "the present mis- Jiion was now completely at an end." The serenity of 102 JEEAEB. JTEW CHAPEL.' miad, for which. Mr. Jerard was always remarkable, was peculiarly manifest ia the early part of this calamitous voyage. Previous to the capture of the Duff, he says, " I one day ascended to onr mizzen-top (which was necessary for the sake of retirement) to seek more of the Spirit of God, and to pour out my desires for the universal spread of the gospel. At this season I was faTonred with the light of God's countenance in a very peculiar and impressire manner ; and on reading the 121 st Psalm, was indeed overwhelmed with a sense of divine goodness, for I was enabled to apply the whole of it to myself, or rather the Holy Spirit did, in a manner past ex- pression." Soon after these events, Mr. Jerard, by the recom- mendation of one of his fellow missionaries, Mr. Howel, afterwards pastor of a church at Enaresboro', entered Hoxton Academy, where he remained above three years ; and was then settled as pastor of the Church at Vest Orchard, Coventry. In consequence of the dilapidated state of the Chapel, and a deficiency of accommodation, the congregation, in 1820, directed it to be taten down and rebuilt. The site in front was cleared by the removal of some old tenements, and the present enlarged and commodious place of worship erected, and opened for public worship on the 25th of October, 1820, by sermons preached by Messrs. James and East, of Birmingham. The follow- ing- is a copy of the inscription on the Foundation- stone : — "On the 17th day of April, 1820, in the first yeai- of the reign of his majesty George IV., this, the first stone, was laid of a new meeting-house, in West Orchard, Coventry, to be built for the use and at the expense of the Calvinistic Congre' JEBAED. 103 gation of Independent Dissenters attending upon the ministry of the Rev. John Jerard, who was ordained to the pastoral office over the Church the 24th day of Oct., 1804. Minister, John Jerard. Deacons, John McRae, Nathanael Merridew, James AVhittem. Architect, Stedman Thomas Whitwell. Builder, Henry Leneve Holland." For a long series of years, Mr. Jerard pursued his ministerial labours, conscientiously, diligently, quietly, unostentatiously, and usefully; — ^much esteemed and beloved by all wbo bad tbe happiness and bonour of bis acquaintance. During tbe greater part of bis ministry be, in common witb bis brethren, preached thrice on the Lord's day — besides attending two, and often three services in the week days. In bis earlier life in Coventry, he fi'eqnently went to neighbouring villages to preach, and always felt a deep 'iat^est in such home missionary operations. "We have often heard him. speak of his perilous journeys on foot in dark and wintry nights to " preach the gospel to the poor." It was his lot to endure many and severe personal and domestic suiferings. These he bore with that meekness and resignation which always adorned his character. He was bereaved by death of several children ; and of an afflicted associate, one of the most amiable and lovely of her sex. He often " went to the grave to weep there." In the summer of 1851, he went to Leicester to stay some little time with his married daughter and son-in- law. There he was accustomed to take short walks for exercise and recreation; but his favourite occupation was to sit in the garden with a grandchild on each fiide of him, listening to their prattle^ and entertained 104 jEEAnr. ■with, their amusements. On one of these evenings, after having conducted family prayer, he retired to rest. The morning returned, but he rose not from his bed. He was entering " the valley of the shadow of death;" but he "feared no evU, for God was with him ;" and on the Sunday evening of July 20th, his prepared and happy spirit winged its way to the man- sions of the blessed. He died at the age of 75 ; having been nearly 48 years pastor of the Church. The corpse was conveyed to Coventry, and interred in HOI Street Burial-ground. The Puneral service was conducted by Messrs. Sibree, Percy, of "Warwick, and James, of Birmingham ; the last of whom delivered the Funeral address in the Chapel ; and Mr. Delf the address at the grave. On the following Sunday evening the Funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Delf, from Gen. xlviii. 21. " Behold I die, but God shall be with yon." On the succeeding Sunday evening, Mr. Sibree also im- proved the event at Vicar Lane Chapel, from Joshua i. 2. " Moses my servant is dead." The Funeral Address and Sermon were published by request. From the former, we make the foUowing extract : — " I should do injustice to my ovna feelings," says Mr. James, " were I not to say something of him whom we have lost, and whom we all deplore; — of his gifted intellect, his holy life, his blameless conduct, his amiable disposition, his gentle spirit, and his patience in afflictions. How exemplaiy was he in his behaviour, as a husband, a father, a master, in domestic life ! How sound in doctrine, as a Christian divine 1 How chaste, earnest, and faithful in his sermons as a preacher ! How tender in his sympathy, vigilance, and kindness as a pastor ! Uniting all that was most pacific with all that was noble, and veiling all UELF. 105 with the most profound humility. Nearly half a century have I known him, and he always appeared to me to be one of the loveliest specimens of humanity, and of the sanctifying grace of God." In his Puneral Sermon, Mr. Delf says, " His preaching was quiet, rather than impetuous ; simple rather than elaborate, more substantial than attractive, and more elegant than oratorical. His usefulness was great. While directly the means of doing good to many by his public labours, and especially to several who themselves entered the ministry, and are now usefully engaged in the discharge of its duties ; his whole influence tended powerfully to the production of impressions in favour of Christianity The moral virtues which adorned him, must ever be his highest pi-aise. His unwavering faith, his unfeigned humility, his broad bene- volence, his inexhaustible patience, his noble freedom from envy or jealousy ; these were his highest ornaments, as they will be his most permanent memorial. If at any time he showed a desire of superiority over others, it was to become ' the least of all, and the servant of all ;' and if there was any defect in his moral graces, it was through the excess of this desire. He was sometimes silent when he ought to have spoken : reserved, when a frank expression of opinion was greatly needed. Ofttimes was it a grief to many, that one so able to give judgment and counsel was silent, when those less- " able were so forward to speak. Sometimes this arose from timidity, sometimes from a natural sensitiveness and delicacy of feeling; but probably oftener from distrust of himself, and from a conviction within, that he was ' less than the least of all saints.' " Mr. Jerard having, in the 68th year of his age, and the 39th year of his pastorate, felt his need of assistance, several students were invited to supply the pulpit, and among these was Mr. Edwa-BD HicKMAiir Delf, at that time the senior student of Coward College, London, who first preached at West Orchard in June, 1843 ; and, after a probation of six weeks, was unanimously invited 106 SCHOOL EOOMS. hj the Church and subscribers to become co-pastor with Mr. Jerard. Mr. Delf accepted the Call, and com- menced his labours on the 12th of ITovember. His ordination took place on the 14th of Pebruary, 1844. Mr. Jerard began the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer. Mr. Thomas Toller, of Ketter- ing, delivered the Introductory Discourse. Mr. Percy, of Warwick, proposed the usual questions, which were responded to by the newly-elected minister on behalf of himself; and by Mr. "W. P. Taylor, one of the deacons, on behalf of the church. Mr. Caleb Morris, of Petter Lane Chapel, London, offered the Ordination Prayer. Dr. Jenkyn, one of thfe tutors of Coward College, deli- vered the Charge to the minister; and Mr. Sibree concluded the morning service by prayer. In the evening, the service was opened by Mr. Smedmore, of Leicester ; and Mr. James, of Birmingham, preached to the church and congregation. On the 1st of August, 1854, a large and commodious School Room, with convenient Class Rooms, behind the Chapel, was opened for Sunday and Day Schools. The expense incurred by the erection of this building was about £1400. The follovping is a list of the ministers of "West Orchard Chapel : — Ministers. Fi-om Set^ fled died Removed to Bov. John Grifatli „ George Burder „ John Jerard „ Edward H. Delf London Lancaster Hoxton Academy Coward College 1776 1783 1808 18i3 1798 1833 1851 Brigstock, North- amptonshire, 1781 London, 1803 HILL FIELD. 107 In the year 1825, a house, which had been previously used for preaching, was opened for a Sunday School in the neighbouring hamlet of EADFOED. This place continues to be supplied by itinerants and Sunday school teachers from West Orchard. In 1836, a spacious School Eoom was erected by the congregation of "West Orchard at HILL FIELD. This place is situated in a populous district in the east- em suburbs of Coventry. The building is also used as a Chapel, in which religious services are conducted every Lord's day afternoon and evening ; and on Monday and Tuesday evenings. These services are well attended. Many from the congregation have been added as mem- bers to the church at "West Orchard. Three of the deacons and other members of the church are preachers and teachers. There are at present about 200 children in the school. Land adjoining the present builduig is retained, on which it is intended, when funds can be obtained, to erect a spacious chapel ; which the increasing popular tion imperatively demands. A Sabbath School was opened in 1 846, in GOSPOED STEEET, in which, at present, about 80 children are receiving instruction- PAET II. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHUKCHES IN COVENTRY. SECTION m. — THE INDEPENDENT CHUKCH AT 'VrELL STREET. WORSHIP AT LANCASTBEIAN SCHOOL — ERECTION OP CHAPEL — ME. ROWTOn'S ministry — REMOVAL DECLINE AND RESTO- RATION OP THE CONGREGATION MR. ROWTOn'S EETITRN — HIS RESIGNATION MR. WILLIAMS — SCHOOL ROOMS — SBMMAEr OF CONGREGATIONAL FAITH AND ORDER. Ii has been noticed in our account of the Church at Vicar Lane, that while the chapel, in the early part of Mr. Sibree's ministry, was rebuilding, the congregation assembled for pubHc worship in the Lancasterian School Eooms. Previously to their removal to the new chapel, Mr. Sibree suggested to Mr. Nathanael Howton, — ^for- merly minister of FoleshiU, but then residing in Coven- try, — the desirableness of continuing that spacious room as a place of worship. Mr. Rowton, reflecting on the affecting fact that there were many thousands of persons in his native city who lived in the total neglect of public worship, announced, by the circulation of handbills addressed to " the Poor," that this building would be continued as "a free place of worship," especially for their benefit. Mr. Rowton soon gathered a congregation of several hundred persons, most of whom had hitherto neglected BOWTOJT. 109 tke public ordinances of religion. The propriety of erecting a chapel in that part of the city was suggested by several Mends ; pecuniary assistance was offered ; land was purchased in Well Street; and a neat and substantial building was erected, capable of seating 600 persons. This place was opened for public worship, Oct. 2, 1827, when sermons were preached by Mr. Percy, of "Warwick, and Mr. John Blackburn, of Lon- don ; Messrs. Jerard, Sibree, and Franklin, ministers of the city, taking other parts of the services. The sum of £104 was collected on the occasion. Under very encouraging circumstances, Mr. Rowton continued his seK-denying and disinterested labours at this place for seven years.* At the close of this period, in 1834, he was visited with a distressing affliction which seemed to render it improbable that he would again resume the work of the ministry. The pulpit was supplied by various ministers for a considerable time, and at intervals by Mr. Eowton himself; whose health being restored, and the congregation having a minister (who, at the time, was supposed Hkely to remain among them), he received and accepted an invi- tation to become the pastor of a newly-raised congrega- tion at Withybrook, a neighbouring village.f In the mean time, by a series of changes and adver- sities in the congregation at Well Street, the cause was reduced to a desolate condition. The people were * Mr. Rowtoti, for several years, held interesting religious services at the Bablake Hospital, preaching to the old men, the boys of the school, and other persons who came to share the privilege. t See History of Church at Withybrook. 110 WILLIAMS. Boattered, and for a sliort time the doors of the chapel were closed. A meeting of the trustees was convened for the purpose of adopting measures for re-opening the chapel, and gathering the congregation again together. An invitation was presented to Mr. Eowton to retiim, and resume his services. Though occupying, at the time, a quiet and useful sphere at Withybrook, he gene- rously relinquished it, and complied with the wishes of his numerous Christian friends in Coventry. In the year 1845, therefore, he returned to that city to restore the congregation at "Well Street. By the divine hlessing he was enabled to accomplish this object to a certaia extent, — though, by sad experience, he found it much more easy and pleasant to establish a new interest than to restore one that had decayed. For four years he continued to labour, till impaired health compelled him to retire in January, 1850. During his ministry in Coventry, Mr. Eowton pub- lished the following works : — 1. Tlieodosia, or a Treatise on Divine Praise. 2. Tlie Widower's Counsellor and Comforter. 3. Seyeral Religious Tracts.- The pulpit at "Well Street Chapel having been sup- plied by various ministers, an invitation w£is given by the Church and Congregation to Mr. RicHABD Gould "Williams, a student of High- bury College, who commenced his ministry July 21, 1850, and was ordained July 9, 1851. On that occa- sion, Mr. Sibree commenced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer. Mr. Brewin Grant, B.A., of Birmingham, delivered the Introductory Discourse. Mr. STMMAKT OF FAITH AND ORDEE. Ill Percy, of Warwick, offered the Ordination Prayer ; and Dr. Henderson, of London, gave tlie Charge. In the evening Mr. Delf opened the service by devotional exercises ; and Mr. Eowton preached to the Church and Congregation. In the year 1850, new School Eooms were opened behind the chapel, for the accommodation of the Sunday school. The foUowiag is the brief list of Ministers of Well Street Chapel : — Ministers. From Set- tled, died Eemoved to Hev. Nathanael Eofrton Supplies EeT. N. Eowton „ E. aWiUiams Foleshin Withybrook Highbury CoUege 1827 1845 1860 Withybrook, 1841. Resigned, 1850. In concluding our history of the Independent Churches ta Coventry, we give a summary of those principles which they maintain, in common with their brethren : — They believe in the divine inspiration, and authority of the Old and New Testaments : — in One God, revealed in the Scrip- tures as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ; to each of whom are ascribed the same perfections : — They believe that all man- kind are born in sin, and that an inclination to moral evil is inherent in every descendant of Adam : — that the Son of God was manifested in the flesh ; and was, in the same person, the Son of man, and the Son of God ; — that by his obedience to the Divine law, and by his sacrificial death, he meritoriously " obtained eternal redemption for us :" — that the Holy Spirit is given to renew the hearts of men, to bring them to repentance, to produce saving faith and holy love, and to perfect their sanctification : — that men are justified through faith in Christy and " not by the works of the law :" — that aU who \H11 be ■ saved were the objects of God's eternal and electing love^ 112 STJMMAIIT OF TAIIH AND OEDEE. which in no way interferes with the system of human means, nor with human responsibility ;— They believe in the final per- severance of all true believers to a state of eternal blessedness ; and that a holy life is the necessary effect of a true faith and essential to salvation -.—They believe in the perpetual obligation of Baptism and the Lord's supper ;— the former to be adminis- tered to all converts to Christianity and their children, by the application of water to the subject; (rejecting the doctrine of sacramental efficacy,— that by baptism the soul is " regenerated by the Holy Spirit," — " made a member of Christ, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven,") and the latter, — the Lord's supper, — ^to be celebrated by Christian Churches in remembrance of the death of Christ, as a token of faith in him, and of "the Communion of Saints:" — ^They believe that Christ will finally come to judge the whole human race, according to their works ; and that the bodies of the dead will be raised again ; that the wicked wiE " go away into ever- lasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.' With regard to Church order and discipline, Congregational Churches hold that each society of believers is properly a Cliristian Church; that the New Testament contains all the articles of faith necessary to be believed, and all the principles of order and discipline requisite for the adoption of Christian societies : — They acknowledge Christ as the only Head of the Church; that the New Testament authorizes every Christian church to elect its own officers, and to manage all its own affairs ; that the only officers placed by the apostles over indi- vidual churches are the bishops or pastors, and the deacons; that Christian Churches should statedly meet for the celebration of public worship, for the observance of the Lord's supper, and for the sanctitication of the first day of the week; that the con- stitution of a Christian church is purely spiritual, and should not be corrupted by union with temporal or civil power ; that it is the privilege and duty of every chureh to call fortli such of its members as may appear to be qualified, by the possession of personal religion, and appropriate gifts, to sustain the office of the rainistiy : — They believe that the fellowship of every Christian church should be so catholic and liberal as to admit to the piilpit, and to communion in the Lord's supper, all whose faith and godliness arc, on the whole, undoubted, though con- scientiously differing in points of minor importance. PART III. BRIEF NOTICES OF OTHER NONCONFORMIST COMMUNITIES IN COVENTRY.* BAPTISTS.— COW LAISTE CHAPEL. Iw " tte Lives of the Puritans," a Mr. Htrea Evans, a native of Eadnorshire, is spoken of as having resided in "Worcester ; but " about the commencement of the civil "wars, left tbat city, and came to reside in Coventry. Here he found a society of Baptists, and embraced their sentiments, and was admitted a member of their church. This was about the year 1643." He was afterwards called by that church to the work of the ministry. The historian of the Puritans further says, that " In the year 1643, some pious persons in Coventry, having embraced the opinions of the Baptists, invited the Rev. Benjamin Cox, M.A., a learned divine, who had studied at Oxford, being an aged minister, and of good reputa- tion, to come to them, and assist them in the formation of a distinct Church, according to the peculiar senti- ments of the Baptists." "With this minister the Rev. Richard Baxter "held a disputation both by conference and by writing." * It is hoped that some fiitiire historian will fiimish the public with a more detailed account of these respectiye religious bodies. 114 BAPTISTS. This Church met for worship ia a small meeting- house ia Jordan Well. Mr. Cox, after a short time, removed to London. It is not known, who were his immediate successors; but the following ministers be- came pastors of the church while it continued at Jordan "Well, viz., Mr. John Beinb, Mr. Simson, and Mr. Jobs BUTTEEWOETH.* This last venerable man was a native of Lancashire, and was bom in 1727. He had three brothers who, like himself, were baptist ministers. In a brief review of his own life, he says, " In the year 1745, Mr. Jolin Wesley came and preached in Rossendale, at five o'clock in the morning. I went to hear him : he had a numerous auditory. I was struck with his dis- course, and became a constant hearer of the Methodist preachers ; among whom was one John Nelson, a man who had gone through much persecution." Mr. Butterworth, however, entertained Calvinistic views, and was baptized by Mr. Ashworth, father of Dr. Ashworth, tutor of the Independent academy at Daventry. Soon after he commenced preaching, he received an invitation from the Church at Jordan "Well, in Coventry ; and was ordained to the pastoral office in 1751,t and Uved and died among them. He was Httle * The Editor was informed by the late Mr. George Bnrder, that previous to Mr. Butterworth's settlement, there was a baptist minister in the city, who published n work entitled, " The House of God Opened," advocating mixed communion. t On the day of Mr. Butterworth's Ordination, the great Whitefield preached to a vast assembly in Coventry Park. In a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, dated « London, Jime 12, 1752," that seraphic man says, "Next week, God willing, I shall go to Portsmouth; thence to Bathj then to the West; BAPTISTS. 115 kno-wn beyond Ms own circle of Mends, except by his valuable labours in compiling a Concordance to the Holy Scriptures. An interesting Memoir of him was published in the Evimgelieal Maga/dne for 1804, com- piled by the late Mr. George Burder. In the year 1793, a new and more commodious chapel was erected in Cow Lane for the use of the congregation, where they now assemble. Mr. Butterworth c6ntinued his ministry for upwards of fifty years. In the year 1799, Mr. Eeancis Feank- inr, from Dr. Ryland's Academy, at Bristol, was or- dained as co-pastor with Mr. Butterworth, and was also his successor. Mr. Franklin was bom at Mursley, in Buckinghamsldre, in 1772. He became a member of the church of Mr. James Hinton, in the city of Oxford, and in 1795 entered the Baptist CoUege, Bristol, under the tutorship of Dr. Ryland, and Mr. Hughes. For more than half a century, Mr. FrankUn continued his pastorate ; so that only two ministers were pastors of the church for more than a hundred years. After labouring with much assiduity and success in the work of the ministry for this lengthened period, much esteemed and beloved by his church and congre- gation, and his fellow-citizens, he died iu Nov., 1852, in the 80th year of his age; and was buried on the 18th of that month. The funeral Oration was delivered in the chapel by Mr. Sibree. ""WMLe congregated thou- then to Wales ; and thence, may be, to Scotland and Ireland, O that I could fly from pole to pole, publishing the everlasting gospel !" It was, probably, during this " angelic" flight, that he lighted at Coventry. l2 116 GENBaiL BAPTISTS. sands in the metropolis were -witnessing the obsequies of England's most iHustrious hero [the Duke of Wel- lington], and bearing him to a place among the 'mighty- dead/ the friends and family of the deceased were moviag to the beautiful cemetery which adorns our city, to bury, amidst the serious respect and chastened sorrowings of a large assembly, the remains of one whose life among them had been a sermon, a prayer, and a blessing; and whom many delighted to know and designate as ' Father Franklin.' " The funeral Sermon was preached on the following Sunday evening, by his successor, Mr. Eosevear; which, with the funeral Oration, has since been published. The following list of the ministers, though imperfect, is given : — MINISTERS. DATE OP SETTLEMENT. Eev. Benjamia Cox, M.A. ..; 1643 John Brine 1726 — Simson 1731 Jolin Butterworth 1752 Francis Franklin 1799 John Watts 1841 William T. Kosevear 1850 GENEEAL BAPTISTS.-WHITE EEIAES' LANE. " In the very begiimuig of the civil wars," says Taylor, "if not before that period, a General Baptist society existed at Coventry. Though the members were ' a poor despised people,' we have an account of their diligence and zeal left us, by one of their number, which ought to be recorded, in order to provoke others." -GENEEAL BAPTISTS. 117 A reference is then made to their happy prayer meet- ings and conferences, held at an early hour in the mornings of the Lord's day.* It appears that they afterwards either merged into the body of Particular Baptists, or became, for a season, extinct, until the year 1777, when the Church at Longford, in the neighbouring parish of Foleshill, " established preaching every Lord's day, at Coventry ; and for a time there appeared an encouraging prospect of success. But the removal of some persons who countenanced the attempt, and the subsequent confusion in the society at Longford, rendered this undertaking abortive."! ■ Li the year 1822, under the sanction of the War- wickshire Association, a large room in BeU Court, Much Park Street, was opened for public worship ; when sermons were preached by Messrs. Hall, of Wol- vey, Orton, of Hugglescote, andCheatle, of Birmingham, On the 26th of August foUowing, Mr. Green, of Bur- ton, visited Coventry, and assisted ia forming a Church of nine persons, partly members of other churches, and partly of those unconnected with any other denomi- nation. On the 13th of September, 1824, the foundation stone of a new place of worship was' laid, ia White Friars' Lane; on which occasion an address was deli- vered by Mr. Sibree, Lidependent Minister. The chapel was opened for divine worship, April 24, * " Hist, of the Bug. General Baptists," by A.Taylor, vol. i., p. 118. t Ibid, vol. ij,, p. 17J. 118 SOCIETY OF FBIENDS. 1825, when discourses were delivered by Messrs. J. G. Pike, of Derby, and T. Stevenson, of Loughboroiigh. In 1 827, the Church, having been in a state of dissen- sion for some time, was dissolved and re-organized. The following is a list pf the Ministers : — MINISTERS. DATE OE SETTLEMENT. Rev. Wm. Jarvis 1822 „ James Peggs 1828 „ J. T. Bannister 1835 „ C. E. Keighley 1842 „ James Lewitt 1844 SOCIETY OF PEIENDS, OE QTJAEIIES.— VICAE LAKE. The founder of this section of the Christian Church, Geobsb Fox, was a native of Drayton, near Ather- stone, about fourteen miles from Coventry. It is sup- posed that he frequently preached in this city ; and that from his days a body of Friends has existed here. They had " a Meeting-house in TTill Street" (probably on the site of their present burying ground) so early as the year 1687 ; for the celebrated WiUiam Penn, who attended James II. in his progress through this part of the kingdom, " had an interview with the people called Quakers at this Meeting-house." On this occasion two hundred Dissenters went to meet His majesty at or near the village of Allesley, about two miles distant. The present Meeting-house of the Friends is in Vicar Lane, opposite the Independent Chapel. The exact date of its erection is unknown ; but it is believed WESLEY ANS. 119 to have been erected about tbe middle of the last cen- tury. The number of their members is not large ; but they rank among them, as in every other place -srhere they are found, the friends of humanity, the opponents of slavery and of war in every form, — " the excellent of the earth." WESLETAJSTS.— WAEWICK LAJfE. Coventry was one of those numerous places in the united kingdom favoured with the occasional ministra- tions of that remarkable servant of God, the venerable John Wesley. The following are extracts from his Journal : — "July 21. 1779. When I came to Coventry [from Hinck- ley] I found notice hacl been given for my preaching in the park; but the heavy rain prevented. I sent to the Mayor, desiring the use of the Town Hall. He refused ; but the same day gave the use of it to a dancing master. I then went to the Women's market. Many soon gathered together, and listened with all seriousness. I preached there again the next morning, Thursday, 22, and again in the evening. Then I took coach for London. I was nobly attended ; behind the coach were ten convicted felons ; loudly blaspheming, and rattling their chains ; by my side sat a man with a loaded blunderbuss, and another upon the coach." "July 15. 1782. Leaving Birmingham early in the morn- ing, I preached at nine, in a large school-room, at Coventry, [at the bottom of St. Michael's Church yard.] "Tuesday, 11th. The poor little flock at Coventry, have at length procured a neat convenient Room ; [an auction room in the Womens' market] only it is far too small. As many of the people as could get in were all attention. How is the scene changed here also ! I know not but now the Corporation, if it had been proposed, would have given the use of the Town Hall to me rather than to the dancing-master! In the evening I went on to Birmingham." 120 WESLETAlfS. The followers of Mr. "Wesley met, for awhile, for divine worship, in a part of the ancient building that was once the White Friars' Monastery, now occupied as the House of Industry ; and in which the Episcopal and Nonconformist ministers still hold weekly religious services. A small "Wesleyan society was formed, which removed to an auction room iu the Women's Market, as previously stated. They then withdrew to the little Meeting-house, formerly belonging to the Baptists, in Jordan Well. From this place they went to a room in New Court, in Gosford Street ; and subsequently they met for worship in a Chapel near Gosford Bridge, built in 1808, for a congregation of Independents, which, in a few years, was dissolved. This Chapel, however, being a frail structure, was found to be in a dangerous state; the Wesleyans, therefore, raised their present commodious Chapel in Warwick Lane, which was opened for worship in the year 1836, when sermons were preached by Dr. J. Bunting, and Mr. W. Dawson. A body of Wesletan Eefoemeks has for some time assembled for pubHc worship in" an Infant School Eoom, the use of which is Hberally granted by Joseph Cash, Esq., a member of the Society of Priendsj a similar accommodation having been previously granted to the Independents and Episcopalians ; the latter of whom now worship in the District Church of St. Thomas. The PjirMiTiTE Methodists have a small place of worship in Grove Street, which was opened in the year 1836. CHAPTER II. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHUECH AT WAEWICK. OELBBEITY O! THE PLACE — IHE CASTLE — LOHD EBOOKE — LEICESTER HOSPITAL — CAETWRIGHT — FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY — PLACE OF ASSEMBLING PRESBYTERIAN MEETING WILSON CARPENTER — KETTLE — SEPARATION NEWTON VENNOR — ^LOMBARD — ROWLEY — MOODY — MISSIONARY SOCI- ETY — ^WILLIAMS — PERCY — ^NEW CHAPEL FORTIETH ANNITER- SART — PRESENT CIROtTMSTANCES — LONSOMFORD — EM800TE. This venerable and interesting town, celebrated alike for its position, its historical associations, its magnificent castle, and its noble defence of liberty in perilous times, lias not been less bonoured of God, nor is it to be less esteemed of men, for its heroic deeds and sufferings, its principles and champions, in the cause of evangelical truth and freedom. Difficult as it now is to ascertain precisely the history of circumstances and individuals connected with the progress of "pure and undefiled religion" in this loca- lity, respecting which, unhappily, no minute account has been preserved; it is yet gratifying to mate the attempt, and the result, we trust, will be found fraught 122 THE CASTLE. with instruction. Nonconformity at Warwick is like a stream, whose spring is so concealed that it is almost impossible to determine exactly the spot or the period at which it first made its appearance. But a little attention will aid us in the discovery, and enable us to arrive at satisfactory conclusions; whilst the review of the past will furnish abundant matter for adoring gratitude to Him, who, in the worst of times, never ceases to watch over the interests of spiritual piety, to provide for its continuance in the world, and to say to apparently hostile instruments and events, " touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." Within the precincts of this ancient and once fortified borough, situated at about the centre of England, the scene of some remarkable passages in her history, built upon a rook, and watered by the " soft-flowing Avon," the principles of a pure faith and discipline have long been imbedded, and members of the mystical body of Christ, have, in various times, been found, as a portion of that Church which is built upon the " rock of ages," and against which " the gates of hell shall not prevail." Within the ramparts of that majestic pile, whose turrets point to the clouds, and whose beauties attract and gratify every beholder's cyo, — from whose gates the steel-clad warrior once issued forth to queU surrounding foes, and within whose massy walls liberty found a safe retreat, — a richer treasure has often been enshrined, and " incense and a pure offering," in the prayers of the pious great, have more than once ascended to the skies. Not now to mention its excellent Countess LOEB BEOOKE. CAETWEiaHT. 123 of "Warwick, -whose " Memoirs" have recently been republished by the Tract Society, there dwelt " the good Lord Beooke," a name which sheds a lustre of the brightest hue on the annals of the illustrious house of GrevUle ; and within those castle walls was the first Congregational Church formed, and the first little sanc- tuary for its worship built, of which we have any notice in the ecclesiastical records of former times. But we must advert to an earlier period stUl. At the top, or western extremity of the High Street, and just before you approach the ancient gateway of that entrance into the town, stands, on the right, the celebrated Hospital of the Leicester famUy, with its " Bear and ragged Staff" attached to its portal, and other iadications of the noble house by which it was foimded, and to which it once belonged. Here it was that iu troTibloTis times the eminent Thomas Caetweight found a safe retreat, and was sheltered for a while from the raging storm of persecution by the renowned Lord Dudley, of that day. This enlightened and devoted scholar was distinguished for everything great and good, learned and polite, holy and useful, in the times in which he lived. Bom in 1535, a native of Hertford- shire, a student at Cambridge, he rose, through succes- sive gradations, to the highest honours which that University could bestow ; and as a preacher was so popular, says Neal, that "when his turn came at St. Mary's, the sexton was obliged to take down the win- dows," that the multitude of auditors might hear the words of truth and wisdom which fell from his Ups. But in doctrine and discipline he was a Puritan- — one of 124 CAETWBIGHT. the sternest sort — and thougli lie never renounced his coimection with the Episcopal establishment of the land, yet he contended earnestly for a more excellent ■way, and for " the faith once delivered to the saints." So clear and scriptural were his views of church dis- cipUne and government ; so fervently did he labour to diffuse them ; and so courageously did he defend them, that he was more than once arraigned before the superior powers, and suffered suspension, deprivation, imprisonment, and even exile, because of his faithful attachment to the principles for which the Martyrs bled, and which he believed to be essential to the pros- perity, of the Churcl^ of God. Those very principles would have placed him in the front rank of Dissenters ia the 'present day. To disseminate and defend them, he wrote, preached, prayed, and suffered, perhaps almost more than any other of the heroes of that heroic- time. High was the estimation in which he was held: ^- Extensive was his influence both in this and other iands : and when, in advanced years, worn out with' laJbotcrs and sufferings, he expired, in 1603, all admittedtlthat " a prince and a great man had fallen in Israel." " The great Earl of Leicester," it is recorded, ' ' knowing Ms worth, made him governor of his Hos- pital in 'Warwick," and so defended him for awhile from the stormy wind and tempest. There, in that little Chapd over the gateway, this "Father of the Puritans," or, as Oamden calls him, " inter Puritanos emtesiffnanm," exercised his ministry, often indeed molested by arbitrary power, but always bearing a faithful testimony to the " truth of Christ," for about CAETWEIGHT. 125 the space of fifteen years. There, after many vicissi- tudes, he finished his course, aged 68 years ; and there, or in St. Mary's Church, lie, awaiting the resurrection of the just, his mortal remains.* It is not to be supposed that the ministrations of so great and good a man could have been continued, in the town of Warwick, for so long a period, without tokens of the Divine blessing, and correspondent fruits in re- lation to those principles and truths which he laboured to diffuse. Indeed there is good reason to believe that the seed which he scattered took root in the hearts of many, and bore fruit in subsequent years. "Whether, at his decease, or soon after, any separate ' society of Christians was formed, that did not worship within the waUs of the Episcopal Chapel where Cartwright had ministered, we have no means now of knowing; but so early as the year 1645, in an ancient book:!: on sur- gery, written by a pious and eminent practitioner of that art in the town, we read of a worthy man,, ftir whom some surgical aid was required, as being "a. Congt'ega- timal member meeting then in Warwick GasMe." These are the very words. And, as the present Presbyterian or Unitarian place of worship was built on ground * " And I have been told from good authorityj" says Dng- dale, in his History ofWarwickshire,' 1656, " that' the' fi^verend Bishop Andrews observed, that this Cartwright was 'the first that in the Church of England began the. way of praying ex tempore before his sermon, (which some call by the Spirit.") The Memoirs of Cartwright were published by Mr. Brook, author of the " Lives of the Puritans." t " The Marrow of Chirurgery," by James Cooke, of War- wick. " Practitioner in Physick and Chirurgery." Fourth edition 1693. Tirst published previous to 1650. c 126 LOBD BBOOZE. "JlfiYepSin exohange"* for a spot on -wMcli the more qjidient'iedifioe stood, which, the thea Earl of "Warwick wished^o enclose within his castle walls, there is every. ^ason ify conclude that about, or previous to, the middle ftf {he|*enteenth century, a separate society of Christian ■jforshipers was formed, which held its meetings, first probably,' ■, within the castle grounds, and afterwards inS a place erected for them, on a site, at that time ' jjjst without, but now enclosed within the walls of that ;■ beautiful 4omaia. , This leads us to the notice of one of the most dis- tinguished and noble-hearted men that ever breathed on British soil, and was an ornament, as we have already intimated, to the illustrious family to which-he belonged. Eobert, Lord Beookb, allied by marriage to the patriotic house' of EiUsseU, was renowned, not less for his love of liberty, his wisdom in. coimsel, his bravery in the field, and his struggles in his country^ s cause, than for his erudition, piety, adherence to scripture ti'uth, and zeal for the honour of God. This eminent man, who fell at the siege of Lichfield, whom nobles honoured at court, whota senators admired in parliament, and whom Milton eulogised from the press, was a meek and humble disciple of the Son of God, learned in the scriptures, and' ardent in his love and admiration of genuine religion wherever it was found. It was his delight to Imow, and hold fellowship with, "'the ex- cellent of th6;>earth" of every class in that day; and though he was accustomed to move in the highest circles of the land, he dkdained not to associate with * Field's llistory-of Warwick. lOED BEOOKE. 12-7 those wto in liumbl6r life " feared tlie Lord andftlibTigiit upon liis name."* "With such indeed, in spiri^I-Wat- ters, lie loved to unite. Not satisfied with. wlia|| lie saiir in the Cturoh establislmient of the day, he foriied one of a little company who met for fellowship an* praygir "withia, or near, the ■walls of his own magnificent abodS': and in "a Discourse" which he published' " on the nature of Episcopacy," contended for a more simple l&y scriptural form than that which then obtaiaed, and still' prevails, within the hierarchy of these realms. : "This' Tract," says the judicious Orme, " discoveria tonsider,' able portion of acuteness, and a large degree of aoquaintT ance with the argument, both from scripture and anti- quity. The piety and liberality of the writer are also inost strongly marked." In the conclusion his Lordship says, " My desire, prayer, and endeavour, God assiddng me, shall still be to follow peace and hoHness. And though there haply may be some little dissent between my poor judgment and weak conscience, and other good men who are mdre clear and strong, yet my prayer 6haE be to ' keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.' And ' as many as walk after this rule, peace,' I hope, shall be 'on them, and on the whole Israel of God.' "f * It is related that on one occasion at a^Mayer meeting held in his Lordship's Chapel, a poor man was requested to engage in prayer. He hesitated and seemed abashed on account of the presence of the nobleman : upon which Lord Brooke went to him and said, "My friend, do not hesitate on my account; when I ami at court, I am Lord Brooke ; but here I am your brother," i^ ' t Although it is well known that this eminent man was a little inclined, on the subject of baptism, to the Tiew enter- tained by our Baptist friends, yet as his name never occurs in • their records, (which we have carefully' searched); and as he 128 lOfiD BEOOKB. "WTiat were the peculiar ciroiUnstanoes, and Tp-liat the history of the " little flock" with which this excellent does not appear to have associated with them, although a little society of their number existed about the same time in War- wick, we conclude that his regular, at least his principal com- munion in worship was with. the Church assembling, as it is said by the aforementioned authority, at that very time, " within the castle," and which could hardly hare been there without his sanction and approval. The celebrated Mr, John Rtlakd, distinguished by his abilities and learning, and his strong and ardent imagination, was minister of the Baptist Church in this place for 13 years ; viz., from 1746 to 1759. He afterwards removed to Northampton ; and died at Enfield in 1792. He was the father of Dr. Eyland, Divinity Tutor of the Baptist College, Bristol. Mr. Stenneti, another eminent Baptist minister,'was also pastor of this church for three years. How great a friend Lord Brooke was to several of the minis- ters oppressed for conscience' sake in his day, and who after- wards were ejected by the act of uniformity, is well known. The excellent Mr. Simeon Ash, Mr. Sprat, and others, ire- quajtly 'found an asylum at the castle, and were entertained wiih,!^™iian kindness there. Of thes^" was an eminent puritan and one of the ejected nlinisters, Mr. George Hughes, (father-in-law of the eminent John Howe,) who became chaplain to Lord Brooke, having been , resqnimended by the eminent Mr. Dod, another dis- tinguisiied puritan divine. At Warwick Castle, it is stated, Mr. Hiighte had it select auditory. The puritan gentry and nobility met at Lord Brooke's to consult on public affairs, and to prepare for their parliamentary campaigns. They always sent for old Mr. Dod to ask counsel from God by his mouth in prayer for them, and what they ought to do, though he would never interfere in political debates. " Although," says his biographer, "Mr. Hughes lived with my Lord Brooke, he would upon times make an excursion into Coventry, and lodged at nights with his dear friend Mr. Ball, an eminent old puritan, who not only wrote, but lived the ' Life of Faith.' At Coven- try, Mr. Hughes had sight of a virtuous young gentlewoman, the daughter of Mr. Paxton, who had been sheriff of that city, whom he afterwards married. The apparel which she had at her wedding-day, it is said, cost four hundred pounds : but wnsoir. 129 man was so iouoxirably connected, after his. decease, and through, the years that immediately followed, it is aU but impossible now to ascertain; saving, only that we may infer that they continued to meet together for sacred purposes, and held fast to the truth and simpli- city of Christ, in doctrine and in discipline, as they had been taught. At what time their sanctuary was built, within the present walls of the castle grounds, and when it was opened, we cannot determine, nor by whom the word of life was dispensed among them. But of the year 1695 a precious relic has been preserved in " A Sermon preached at the funeral of Mr. John Wtlsos, late minister of the gospel in "Warwick," by William Tong, of Coventry. Truly delightful is it to read the testimony which that sermon contains to his excellence and usefulness, as the preacher enlarges on both ; and appeals to his hearers for a confirmation of what,^e said, whilst iHustratine his character from the ■5S*ff8 Worcester, 1742 „ James Kettle ' Dorchester 174(i IROB „ — Lomhard Wem, Salop 1763 „ — Eowley Trevecca College 1773 1780 „ James Moody London 17.S1 180G „ WUUam Williams Wotton-under-Edge 1807 Edmonton, 1809 „ Jos. Wilcox Percy Epsom ISIO „ E. G. Glanville Spring Hill College 1854 145 VILLAGES CONNECTED WITH THE INDEPEN- DENT CHUECH AT WAEWICE. LONSOMFOED. This is a village seven miles from Warwick, ia the parisli of Eovrington, into wliioli the gospel was intro- duced by tlie labours of a Home Missionary in that neighbourhood, some time previously to 1841, in which year a chapel was built, and 'opened; Messrs. Percy, Hewlett, and Eaven preaching on the occasion. A Sabbath school was also founded, the teachers for which, and the regular supplies for the pulpit, are furnished by the church in Brooke Street Chapel. It is a somewhat lonely vicinity, and a scattered population, but a goodly congregation continues to assemble ; some have profited by the word; and the instructions of the Sabbath school have not been in vain. EMSCOTE EOAD. Its this rapidly increasing vicinity there was occasional preaching from Warwick in former years. In 1838 a small Chapel was erected, principally by the friends at Spencer Street Chapel, Leamington. Religious in- struction has been regularly, supplied to adults and children to the present time. The friends of Brooke Street Chapel have it now under their care. The Sab- bath school is at present in a very hopeful condition : and a growing disposition is manifested to hear the word. These Christian and disinterested efforts, it is hoped, wiU be crowned with good success. CHAPTEE III. MEMOEIAXS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHUUCH AT BEDWORTH. ANTIQTJITY OP THE CHURCH — ^DUDLEY ETIER, EJECTED 3IINISTEE — JUMtrS SAUNDERS — FORMATION OF THE CHURCH PRIVATE ORDINATION — TRIALS TUTORSHIP JOHN, THOMAS, AND JULIUS SAUNDERS — DRAKE READER, AND HIS SONS ^DEAIH AND EUEIAL OF ME. SAUNDEES — KIEKPATRICK ADAM — T. SAUNDERS — HEWITT — DIX— HILLTAED. Bebwoeth was formerly a large and important village, and is now become a small town. It is situated iu a coal mining district, on th.e road between Coventry and Nuneaton. Its name is supposed to be derived from Bede, the name of a Saxon, and worth, a habitation. Its population at the last census was 5059. The Congregational church at this place is one of the most ancient, honoured, and useful, which probably the annals of Independency supply. By the Act of Uniformity, in 1662, an excellent minister, named Dudley Etbek, was ejected from the living in this parish, valued at about £200 per annum. After his «xpuIsion, he went to reside, with his family, at Wed- EYDBB 147 dington, a small village near Bedwortii, where lie con- tinued till the "Five Mile Act" compelled him to remove : for this Act, among other severities, forbade any JSTonconformist minister to live withia five miles of the place where he had previously officiated. Mr. Eyder's labours while at Bedworth had, no doubt, been useful in the conversion of souls to Grod; and thus "a people had been prepared of the Lord."* After several removals, he fixed at Lynn Eegis, in JSTorfolk, where for some time he preached with much acceptance. But the iniqtdty of the times forced him at last to Hve retired. He died about the year 1683. "He was a man," says Calamy, "of exemplary piety and zeal; a close, serious, and affectionate preacher Besides his living, he lost a very good estate, for the sake of a good conscience. His uncle, who had made him his heir, was so incensed against him for his nonconformity, that he resolved never to take notice of him." It is from his family that Henry Eyder, the late Bishop of Coventry, and the present Lord Haxrowby, have de- scended : Dudley Eyder being the patronymic. " lu the immediate neighbourhood of Bedworth, is the small village of Marston, in which was bom, in the first year of Queen Elizabeth (1558), the celebrated divine, Mr. Wm. Pekkins. He was educated in Christ College, Cambridge, of which he was Fellow. He was one of the most famous practical writers and preachers of his age. He was a Puritan Nonconformisf, for which he was once or twice brought before the High Com- mission; but his peaceful behaviour, and great fame in the learned world, procured him a Dispensation from the persecu- tion of his brethren. His works, which were printed in three volumes folio, show him to have been a most pious and indus- trious Divine. He died in the 44th year of his age. — See Neal's " History of the Puritans." l2 148 JTTLITJS SATOBEES. " The blood of the martyrs," and the sufferings of confessors, have ever been "the seed of the church." "We have seen this illustrated in the history of Noncon- formity in Coventry ; nor is it less strikingly evident in the case of Bedworth. The first pastor of a regularly organized Christian church in this place, a man greatly beloved and honoured, in whose days it was formed, and by vfhose prayerful and laborious ministry it was watched over for above forty years, was a collateral descendant of the martyred Lawrence Saunders, for whose affectirig history we must refer to the article on Coventry. Jflitts SATJifDEas, with whom the venerable church at Bedworth commences its history, was a native of this vicinity. The fandly to which he belonged, was an old established one in 'Warwickshire, and probably of the very parts in which the martyr suffered, and the pastor afterwards laboured : for in the parish of Bedworth there stUl exists a building called " Saunders' Hall.'" His parents were highly reputable, and sent their son to Oxford when quite a youth, with a view to his taking orders in the Establishment. But Providence had other purposes concerning him. Another and a higher destiny awaited him. In labours and sufferings somewhat similar to those of his Ulustrious ancestors, among the outcasts of a State Establishment, and in the humbler but nobler walks of liTonconformity, was he to shine as a light in the world, and to serve Gtod and his generation. He had not been long at Oxford, before he was induced to examine more seriously, with the word of JULIUS SAUJTBEES. 149 God in his- hand, the grounds of conformity to the eoolesiastieal laws of the land, and the claims of Non- conformity, and the result was a decided adoption of the latter for the future course of his life and ministry. He did not " confer with flesh and blood." Christ was Revealed in him, and, like one of olden time, " he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God," than to enjoy emoluments and ease where conscience was burdened, and Christian liberty, in his estimation, was curtailed. Nobly he adhered to the choice he had made: and though bonds and imprisonment awaited him, he never swerved from a good profession, and " counted not his life dear unto him, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry he had received of the Lord." To prepare himself for this among the Dissenters, he studied, after leaving Oxford, under Mr. John Shuttlewood, A.B., an eminent Non- conformist tutor who kept an academy at Sulby, near "Welford, in Northamptonshire, in which several distia- guished men of the day were educated for the ministry. "While pursuiug his studies at Sulby, or on leaving it, his footsteps appear to have been directed to Eed- worth, where he preached at first to a few people of the place, and of the surrounding neighbourhood, some of whom came from Coventry and beyond. These were the days, — during the reign of Charles II., — of the " Conventicle," and " Five MUe" Acts, which subjected persons to fines and imprisonment who assembled for religious worship in any other place than their parochial churches; and prohibited the ejected miuisters, and others, from residing, or even coming, within five mUes 1 50 jttlujs satjndees. of any corporate town or borough ; and on this account, probably, it was that Bedworth was fixed upon, as being exempt, according to law, from such liabilities. But if it escaped the latter of these atrocious statutes, it did not the former ; for soon after this excellent man had commenced his labours in what was thought the retired and peaceful locality of Bedworth, the spirit of persecu- tion discovered him, and haled him, by virtue of a sheriff's warrant, to prison. For no other crime than that of holding meetings for religious worship, and speaking to his fallow creatures the words whereby they might be saved, was he committed to Warwick jail; and there, with others, equally honoured, and " shamefully entreated," condemned to pass two silent tedious, and painful years. This period of suffering, to this holy and devoted man, was, what it has usually been to the the servants of Christ, both in early and in later times, a period of close self-examination, and earnest and importunate supplication at the throne of the heavenly grace, from which the walls of no citadel can bar them ; by which process, under the great Eeflner's eye, they are purified " as gold seven times" to reflect his praise, and come forth, the better prepared, as Luther was, by " affliction, meditation, and prayer," for the work the " Lord of all" intends they should perform. So was it emphati- cally with Mr. Julius Saunders. " When I had been long in prison," he aftei-wards, in the review of this dispensation, writes, " viz., about the space of two years, I began to tliinls, has not God some controversy with me, as well as man? And if he has, O that I might know what it is for ! Whereupon I sought him, and he was entreated ruLivs sAinrBEES. 151 of me, and shewed me that it was because I had not sought him after the ' due order.' Whereupon I resolved, if the Lord would give me liberty (which then was soon granted), that I would walk more regularly and orderly. That word was awful to me, 1 Chron. xv., 13. " For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us." As soon as I came out of prison, therefore, I set upon the work with all my might, but with great difficulty was it effected." The " work" here referred to, and for -wMch. he says he had been " travailing about half a year," (and in re- lation to which he .adds, "The Lord at length cleared up our way, bowing all our hearts before him, as one of the brethren was praying on a day of fasting and prayer,") whilst it included his ministerial work in general, was particularly that of forming into a Christian church the believers in Christ around him, who were now, through the divine blessing on his labours, increasing in Bedworth and its vicinity. For this, he and they together prepared by setting apart seasons of special humiliation and prayer, before they gave themselves in a more solemn and public manner to the Lord, and unto each other by the will of God. This they did, with scripture for their guide, after the " good old way," both of more ancient and modem times, by preparing and signing a solemn Covenant, in which they expressed their belief in the great doctrines of redeeming love, and their agTeement to walk together, as much as in them lay, in the com- mandments and ordinances of the Lord. The following are the outlines of this document, as inscribed by his own hand in the Church-book at Bed- worth : — 152 JVUUS SATTNDEES. "Psalm xlviii., rerses 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14th. "The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son pf the Father, full of gi-ace and truth, having called us by his grace unto the obedience of faith, and revealed to us by his Holy Spirit the form and fashion of his house, and drawn out our hearts to long for the courts of the living God, vre sought him sundry times, with fasting and prayer, that we might find favour in the eyes of our God and Father by Christ, to be built an holy temple in the Lord, upon the ' foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief comer stone.' In whom we, his people, in and about Bedworth, who desire to bow before him, and to give thanks to his name for the riches of his grace towards us, are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " "We, having publicly professed our repentance towards God, and our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, whom our souls love, did in the fear, of God, (solemnly taking hold of his covenant for ourselves and our seed, and attesting him to remember for us his covenant) give our own selves first to the Lord, in a perpetual covenant not to be forgotten, to believe in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, and in the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and that these three are one : — to believe the Scriptures to be the word of God: — to love Christ, and to observe to do all that he has commanded us, in his strength. " We gave ourselves to one another, as Church members, by the will of God, to love one another, to pray for one another, to edify and build up one another in our most holy faith, to watch over one another in love, to obey those whom the Lord Jesus shall set over us according to the gospel, by the public snfirage of the church, (Acts xiv., 23,) to walk together as members of the same church, and to do all that our Lord Jesus Christ hath commanded us in the gospel, he himself working within us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. "And that if there be anything we have done that is not warranted by the gospel of our precious Lord Jesus Christ, that it be null and void, as though it liad not been done. And our God forgive us, as we know but in part. " January 25th, 1686." Then follow twelve names, Julius Saunders standing firat, he not yet being Pastor. Of the others, foiu- JITLItrS SAIOfDEES. 153 were of Bed-worth, two of Coventry, two of Keresley, one of Exhall, one of Longford, near Polesliill, and one of Eedfine, near Kenilwortli. After which it is added, — "We each of us made a confession of our repentance and faith to the mutual satisfaction of one another ; and then gave up ourselves to the Lord, and to each other, by the will of God." A short time only had elapsed after this deeply solemn and interestiQg transaction, when a letter was received from the church at Eothwell, or Rowell, Northamptonshire, already a flourishing Christian com- munity, but now destitute of a pastor, iaviting Mr. Saunders to \;ake the oversight of them ia the Lord. He candidly laid the communication before the brethren, ia compliance with whose urgent entreaty it was im- mediately declined ; and the little fraternity continued to enjoy the fellowship and ministrations of their valued friend among them.* His labours were greatly blessed to their spiritual welfare. His preaching attracted hearers from far and near. And in the course of the next year fifteen more were added to their com- munion, five of whom were from "Welford, a distance * The following entry by Mr. Saunders occurs in the Church- book : — "M. 3. d. 16. 1687. Our brother John Haddon [a member of the church at Bedworth] came from the church of Christ in Cambridgeshire, over which Mr. Holcroft and Mr. Odey were co-pastours, to which he was sent by this church, and brought word, that it was the unanimous judgment of that church, that I should take the pastorall charge of the church in Bedworth. This was their joynt counsell declared by that holy man of God, Mr. Odey, the last thing he did before his death ; as God's servant, Mr. Holcroft, told me for my encouragement; but as yet I was fettered, till Christ set me at liberty." 154 JTTLrUS SATrJTDEES. of twenty miles, and one from Hazelbeaeh, a distance of seventeen miles,-' to wtom honourable testimony is borne for their regularity in attending the church meetings, and other sacred services of the year; in winter setting out with their lanterns, and leaving them on the way to be called for on their return. After these, and some other additions, Mr. Saunders exultingly writes, " Thus God has iucreased us, and doubled our number, and many of these, stars of the first magnitude." Eor various reasons, but principally on account of his own deep sense of the importance of the work, and the responsibility of such a charge, Mr. Saunders had been imwiUing to accede to the earnest request of the people to take the oversight of them in the Lord, and it was more than a year and a half from the formation of the church before he could be prevailed on so to do. At length he writes, — " After we had solemnly given up om-selTes to the Lord, and to one another by the will of God, they, in some space of time, gave me a call to take the charge of them. But then was the work so awiul to me, and such opposition I found against it in my own mind, that I was ready to s.ny with Moses, ' Send by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.' Yea, so was I fettered and bound in my spuit, as with a bond of iron and brass, that I could not proceed. Thus I continued, till about the 9th of October, 1687, about nineteen months, when upon a day of fasting and prayer, as our beloved brother Powers, of Welford, was praying, and intreating the Lord of the harvest to thrust * In the Church-book, there is tlie foU9wing item :— "Elizabeth Ridgly, of Hazelbeaeh, Northamptonshire, ad- mitted M. 2. d. 21. 1687. She was a diligent saint, who came to our Church-meetings 17 long miles, 12 times in a year, and that on foot." JULirrS SATTSDEES. 155 forth labourers into his harvest, I found myself set at liberty from the bond that was on my spirit." " When prayer was ended, I said to the brethren, ' Now send to Mr. Clark and Mr. Boon ; I will take the pastoral charge as soon as you will.' I was not willing, I could not make myself willing, until Jesus Christ thrust me forth, and made me so. And this is an evidence to my soul that God has called and sent me." All Mr. Saunders' objections being now removed, and bis acceptance of the pastorate being decided upon, in compliance with tbe wishes of his brethren, and with the earnest recommendation of esteemed friends and ministers elsewhere, whose advice in the matter they had affectionately sought, his ordiaation to the work took place ; not so publicly as now it would, but, on account of the character of the times, more privately, and almost as when the disciples were assembled on that first Sabbath day, " secretly, for fear of the Jews." It was conducted at the residence of one of the brethren, at Finham,* near Coventry, and this is the simple record of the interesting procedure : — "November 16, 1687, being Wednesday, as 'tis called. The church assembled at Mnham, near Coventry, at Mr. Boon's house, because by reason of his illness, he was not able to come to us, where the Eeverend Mr. Matthew Clark, Pastor of the church in Market Harborough, met us, and preached from Zechariah iv. 10., 'Who hath despised the day of small things?' On this day, being a day of fasting and prayer, we renewed our covenant with the Lord, and with one another. After which, the church gave me a call to become their pastor ; which call I accepted, and promised before the Lord to take the charge of them. But who am I, and what is my father's house, that my Lord Jesus should thus far honour me to put me into the * See p. 51. 156 JTOIirS SATJNBEES. ministry? Henceforth I had more boldness and liberty to preach than heretofore. I had now a trembling he^rt, consider- ing the greatness of the work of a watchman. Bnt the Lord was with me, Messed be his holy name, though I am less than the least of all his mercies." "With ardent zeal and laborious application did this excelleiit man now devote himself to the discharge of his sacred duties. He had not been long occupied, however, in his Master's work in connection with this infant community, before trials of a very peculiar nature arose, some from among themselves, and others from his abundant zeal in seeking to diffuse the gospel of Christ, and his growing fame as an acceptable and useful preacher. Indeed it would almost seem that in proportion to his devotedness, his worth, his labours, and his success, was the amount of ministerial solici- tude and tribulation through which he had to pass, and by which his spirit was often exercised, depressed, and humbled before God. At one time we find him com- plaining of a refractory and pugnacious individual whose turbulent spirit and haughty conduct perplexed him sorely ; and at another, of some of whom he told " even weeping," that they were the enemies of the cross of Christ by theu' unholy walk and conversation. On one occasion he is called to account by a Diotrophes in the little church, for engaging to supply the lack of service of the destitute flock at "Welford, and severely complained of for absence from his own people to minister to the necessities of others. So unprincipled and factious did this person become, and so injurious were his proceedings to the cause, that the good man writes, — JULIirs SATmBEBS. 157 " I have continued heayiness for the cliurch's not excommu- nicating V. p, who doth greatly trouble us and break our peace, and on whose account the ways of Zion mourn." This great troubler was afterwards admonished, and ultimately expelled ; and though once a flaming profes- sor, lived, it is feared, to prove that " the root of the matter" vras never in him. How true are the words of otir omniscient Saviour, " Not every one that, saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom !" But the greatest tribulation and perplexity to Mr. Saunders arose from the visit and proposals of a some- what celebrated ittdividual in that day, Mr. E, Davis, minister, of EoweU, whose character, and the ten- dency of whose instructions, it is somewhat difficult, at this distant period, to understand. Suffice it here to say, that the good pastor of Bedworth, whose iateUi- gence, piety, and theology, none could question, was almost led away by his dissimulations ; and so far pre- vailed upon by him as not only to exchange with him the courtesies of Christian life and friendship, but to admit him to the still higher services of the sanctuary, which he afterwards saw cause to regret. Some of the people, moreover, were perverted by his preaolung; imbibed his hyper-Calvinistic, if not Antinomian views, and soon lost sight of all moral obligations and holy consis- tency in their lives and conversation. Whoever was to blame, this was the unhappy result. The truth of Christ was vitiated : the authority of Christ was denied : the grace of Christ was by some turned into lascivious- ness, and the " little leaven" of the Antinomian heresy threatened to " leaven the whole lump . " But God merci- 158 JVLXUB SAUNDEES. fully interposed. The pastor's mind was kept clear; his heart firm ; his ministry unchanged ; and after deep humiliation, with earnest prayer, the Tvithdrawment of some of the members, the expulsion of others, and labo- rious contention " for the faith once delivered to the saints," things returned in due season to their proper state and order. But, -writes the good man, under date Oct. 10, 1693, "I hope I shall loathe Antinomianism whilst I live upon the earth, and lie low before the Lord from a sense of my danger and instability." After the purification occasioned by this storm in the ecclesiastical atmosphere at Bedworth, and the quiet which followed, "the Lord added to the church conti- nually such as should be saved." From various places to which the devoted pastor went to carry the word of life, and in which his labours were crowned with suc- cess, individuals came to testify what God had done for their souls ; and particularly from TJllesthorpe, Bittes- well, Welford, Naseby, Hazelbeach, and Ashby-de-la- Zouch, mention is made of accessions to Christian fel- lowship, of those who had been given him as seals to his ministry. Euling elders were also appointed : and repeated days were set apart for fasting and praver before the Lord. One of the most prominent and important of these appears to have been in relation to Coventry, his going to preach there, and the dismissal of a portion of the community who resided in and near that city to re-or- ganize a church among themselves.* * See p. 52. TiriOESHiP. 159 But now we come to an arrangement of Divine provi- dence, and a portion of the labours of the Pastor at Bedworth, for which he was emiaently qualified, and by which he rendered large and valuable services to the general interests of the church of Christ. This was the instruction of young men for the work of the ministry, and the superintendence of their studies in literature and theology. There was no magnificent structure, no elaborate institution, no parade of learning, or of degrees ; but there was a " School of the Prophets" at Bedworth, much like that, we presume, which Samuel taught at Kamah, or that which the Apostle intended in his advice to Timothy, 2 Epis. ii. 2, " The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." Indeed this latter scripture is one quoted by this excellent person in his own memo- randum of a day spent in fasting and prayer, "that God would direct us what course to take for the succes- sion of a gospel ministry :" for in those times^ the harvest was great, but the labourers were few. The want of them on every hand, the application for help from various churches, and the advice of his brethren in the field, all concurred to urge on Mr. Saunders the importance of his attention to this department of service. Kichly was he rewarded for the work, ffis own sons, and nephew, were among the students educated by him ; and with these were associated several of the most useful ministers in the church of God, of that and the subsequent age. We wUl specify a few : — His eldest son, Mr. John Smmders, who was first settled at Bury, 160 SATHTDEES. DEAKE. in Suffolk; and afterwards at Hertford, over the church in which place he was pastor for ahont forty years, from 1728 to 1768. His nephew, Mr. Thomas Saun- ders, who commenced his ministry at Coventry, to which place he was honourably dismissed from his uncle's church, in company with thirty-five others. Here he continued only for a short season. In 1721, he was called to Kettering, where he laboured with much success for about fifteen years.* Mr. Saunders' second son, Julius Saunders, named after himself, was dis- missed from his father's church, to take the pastoral charge at Denton, in Norfolk. Mr. JoJin Drake was honourably dismissed, in 1722, from Bedworth, to the church at Tardley Hastings, to become its first pastor, in which office he continued for many years ; and whose name we find mentioned as taking a part in the Ordina- tion services of Dr. Doddridge, at Iforthampton. In addition to these, other honourable names occur in the private records of Mr. Saunders, and in the Church- book at Bedworth, of individuals to whom their esteemed pastor acted the part both of a tutor and a friend. Many days of fasting and prayer were observed as one after another was caUed upon to the work, and set apai't to the office of deacon, or elder and preacher of the gospel, wherever his services might be required. Deeply interesting is it to mark the primitive and scriptural manner after which all things were done, and how anxious the devoted pastor especially was to know the mind and wiU of God, and to proceed according to "the * See p. 55. ' EEADEE AND SONS. 161 pattern showed in the mount." Not a step -was taken, not a member admitted, not an officer chosen, not a student dismissed to enter on his pastoral avocations elsewhere, hut a divine blessing was earnestly implored, and sometimes a discourse delivered appropriate to the occasion, as at the dismissal to Coventry, from Exodus xxxiii. 15, "If thy presence go not with me, carry me not up hence ;" and at one time, at the appointment of several to office, from 1 Cor. xii. 28, " God hath set some in the church," &c., at the conclusion of which solemn service, he adds, with peculiar emphasis, " The Lord, I hope, was iu the midst of us." Among the individuals to whom he was the medium of imparting spiritual blessings, and who far many years sustained the office of deacon in the church at Bedworth, was one who, on account of the eminence and usefulness of some members of his family afterwards, might well be introduced here, viz., the worthy Mr. Simon Eeader, the father of Mr. Simon Reader, edu- cated under Dr. Doddridge, and for fifty years the rfispeeted minister of Wareham, in Dorsetshire ; and of Mr. Thomas Reader, the useful pastor, successively, of the church at "Weymouth, Newbury, and Taunton, at which last i^laoe he was tutor for some time of the Western Academy. Both these excellent men were natives of Bedworth, admitted in early life, (with a beloved brother who died at Coventry,) to christian fellowship there : and to Mr. Saunders' ministry was their honoured father indebted for aU his joys on earth, and all his hopes of heaven. In an intercstiag memoir of his son Thomas, given in the Evangelical Magazine M 162 EEABEE AND SONS. for September, 1794, occurs the following allusion to Mm : — " Mr. Reader, senior, in Ms early daj'S, was experimentally unacquainted with real religion. At the parish church at Bed- worth, which he hhd been accustomed to attend, was a minis- ter, who, while he preached the terrors of the law, and described the evil and punishment of sin, never hinted at the way of salvation revealed in the gospel. In consequence, Mr. Reader's conscience was very much alarmed, and he began to be anxiously concerned about the state of his soul. Smarting under convic- tion, he paid still more attention to the word, in the hope of procuring relief to his mind; but he found that the preacher was a ' physician of no value,' and that every sermon he heard only aggravated his distress. In these circumstances, he was induced reluctantly to hear Mr. Saunders. This eminent servant of God proclaimed pardon and peace through the blood of the cross; — here he found relief; and so precious was the gospel to his wounded spirit, that all his former prejudices were at once removed, and he continued to his death a zealous and faithful friend to the cause of religion. After his conversion, his character procured him the esteem of many valuable friends, by whose kind attention, joined with the blessing of Pro^•idence, he rose to a respectable and opulent station in life." Suchi "?vas the father of the two Readers, of whose conversion to God Mr. Saunders was the instrument. Lest, however, he should be " exalted above mea- sure," by the abundance of usefulness assigned to him, " a thorn in the flesh" was given him, by the unholy conduct of some who were members of the church, and whose unchristian lives caused " the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." On one occasion of this kind he records, — " R. K., a deacon of the church, was excommunicated. The church spent the night in prayer. There was much of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe there was not a Ury eye in the place. Neither I, nor the eldest person there, ever saw such a time. It was an awful, tenible resemblance of KIEKPATEICK. 163 the great day of judgment. After which there followed sweet peace for a time." "I see, by experience," he remarks in another instance, " that to cast out the wicked and disorderly- is the way for God to increase, and not diminish us." Thus honoured and tried, Mr. Samders prosecuted his various labours up to the period of a good old age. The evening of his days and ministry was happily serene. Vigour of body and strength of mind, were graciously imparted to him. His last entry in the Churoh-book is in the year 1724; but there is evidence of his being aUve in 1730, from dates still inscribed by his own hand. In 1726, the Meeting-house was built, one of the most respectable and spacious structures of those days, capable of seating six hundred adults; and it still remains to indicate the love and reverence which our forefathers had for the courts of the Kving God. There he was allowed only for a brief period to proclaim the messages of redeeming grace. Diuing his protracted ministry, which extended to forty 'five years, " the number of the names" received into Christian commu- nion, was about three hundred and twenty-seven. Of his last illness and death no record is extant His mortal remains were deposited in a vault beneath the table pew, over which he was just permitted to dispense the memorials of salvation ; and, with still unfaltering tongue, "to show that the Lord is good, and that there is no unrighteousness in Him." The successor of the venerable Julius Saunders, A\-as Mr. John Kiekpateick, M.A., of whom we are able to furnish but comparatively little information. He was associated vnth Mr. Saunders as his assistant, or at m2 164 KIEKPATEICE. least preached mucli at Bedworth, previous to his decease, and was evidently a man of superior ability and attainments. He nobly carried on the work which his predecessor had begun ; and during his pastorate, which lasted about eighteen years, fifty members were added to the church. In his days, the minister's house was erected, and in it, though by no means to the neglect of his flock, he spent much of his time in the instruction of the young men committed to his care. In the latter work, it was Mr. Kirkpatrick's honour as well as that of his predecessor to be employed. In the memoir of Mr. Reader, written in 1794, already referred to, he is described as, — " The Dissenting minister of Bedworth, who kept a private Academy for the education of yoimg men for the service of the sanctuary; to whose care Mr. Reader, when very young, was committed, and under his tuition went through a course of classical and academical learning." This was the Mr. Thomas Reader who was honourably dismissed towards the end of Mr. Kii-kpatrick's ministn' from the chiu-ch and academy of Bedworth to enter on pastoral duties at "Weymouth ; from which place he re- moved to Newbury ; and afterwards to Taunton. Here he became the tutor of the Western Academy, ia refer- once to which office, Messrs. Bogue and Bennett, in their "History of Dissenters," say of him, — " Early devoted to the Redeemer, he used to pray, ' that his head might be filled with schemes for the Divine i^lor)-, hit. heart with the love, and his hands with the work of God." Though exceedingly earnest as a preacher, he was not eminently successful, for he was unduly fond of expounding the prophccie.>i iind the Revelations, nu exercise not the most calculated to EEABEE. 165 edify a promiscuous audience.* Diligence and piety, rather than eminent talents distinguished his conduct as a tutor, and impressed their character upon his students." Besides this excellent man, another of Mr. Kirk- patrick's students, was Mr. Burgess, of Whitworth, near Eoclidale, of -whom Mr. Williams, of Kidder- minster, in one of his letters in 1754, says, — * In the " Autobiography of the late Kev. W. Jay,'' we find the following reference to Mr. Eeader : — ''At Taunton I preached for Mr. Reader. He was >■ very pious and spiritual man ; but had for some time past been led inordinately to the study of the Eevelation. His wife assured me, that sometimes for nearly an hour at a time would he be agonizing with God in prayer, when he found difficulties in the Book, and could get no satisfaction from human authors. Hence he too readily concluded that what came into his mind after these prayers, was the meaning of the Holy Ghost, and this made him too positive in his interpretations. As out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, his reference to the Apocalypse was almost incessant. A friend had apprised me of this addiction, and desired me to observe as we were approaching his house, how long it would be before he brought forth his favorite topic. Within a quarter of an hour, the name of Mr. Newton was incidentally mentioned; when he said, ' Ah, Mr. Newton is a very good man, but God vrill correct him before his death.' Wherefore ? it was asked. ' Because of his indiiference,' said he, ' towards the blessed Book of the Reve- lation.' I asked wherein he had shown this indiiference. ' Sir,' said he, ' when I had finished my Exposition of that Book, I sent him a cdpy for his acceptance, and begged his opinion of the work ; and this,' said he, pulling a letter out of his bureau, ' is his answer'—' Dear Sir,— I am much obliged by your kindness in sending me the volume on the Apocalypse; but you must excuse me for not criticising the contents, for which I have neither leisure nor ability. I hope God has for some years given me a word in season for him that is weary, but he has not given me a capacity to open the seals. — I am, &c., John STewton,' "—Jay's "Autobiography," p. 418. 166 ADAM. "I spent Lord's day, Sept. 15, at Whitwortb, under the ministry of my friend Mr. Burgess, a young Dissenting minister educated under Mr. Kirkpatriek, at Bedworth, and fixed two years ago at this place." How many others were educated by him we are unable to state ; or any further particulars concemingr his ministry. He appears to have continued in his work till about the year 1750, when he ceased to labour and to live ; and it is said he was interred near the grave of his predecessor. In their labours they were united ; and in their death they were not divided. In the same year, 1750, the providence of God directed the church to Gloucestershire, and in th& person of Mr. "William Abam, of Painswick, they obtained a suitable pastor, whose settlement among them can best be described in his own words : — "In the month of Septemher, 1750, Mr. Samuel Brooks, elder, and Mr. John Mallabone, junior, members of the chiirch at Bedworth, came to Painswick ; and after hearing me preach, they told me they were sent to me by the church with an invi- tation to come and preach among them in their vacancy. In compliance with their request, I came to Bedworth in Novem- ber following, and preached three Lord's days, and then re- tm'ned to Painswick. In December following, I received a unanimous call to the pastoral office fi'om the church at Bed- worth, which I accepted, and declared my acceptance of in January, 1751, in a letter to the church, as also my intention of coming, if the Lord permitted, to settle with them in April following. In April, accordingly, I came to Bedworth, with all my family, by the good hand of God. We arrived at Bed- worth on the 19th April, 1751, and were kindly received by Christian friends." " The church kept a day of thanksgiving in the same month for my safe journey to Bedworth, and prayer for a blessing on my ministry." " June 5th. There was a meeting of ministers at Bedworth to pray for a blessing upon my ministry, and two sermons were ADAM. 167 preached, the one by Mr. [Simon Reader, from Wareham, and the other, by Mr. Dowley, of Lutterworth. Mr. Eooker, (who had not yet loft for Bridport) preached in the evening." "June 26th. Mr. Reader, senior, Mr. Mallabone, junior, and Mr. Garrett spent some time in prayer at my house, for a blessing upon my family and ministry." Among the students of Mr. Kirkpatrick was tlie venerable Joseph Barher, for many years pastor of the church of Aldermanbury Postern, London, and successor to the Eev. Thomas Towle. " His long standing and respectable character gave him weight in his denomina- tion, and called him to ofl3.ciate frequently upon public occasions." He published a Funeral Sermon on the death of Mr. Thomas Reader, formerly his fellow- student at Bedworth. Mr. Adam had not been with his people more than a month, before he was called upon to perform the pleas- ing duty of giving an honourable dismission to Mr. James Rooher from his church, and from the nursing school of the prophets in which he had been trained under Mr. Kirkpatrick, to enter on his pastoral engage- ments at Bridport, over the Independent church in that town. "With what efficiency and success he occupied that sphere of labour for the space of nearly thirty years, we need not here indicate, as " his praise is in all the churches;" and in the West of England, as the pastor of Bridport, the tutor of the academy, and the father of the late Mr. William Eooker, minister of Tavistock, his name is respectfully remembered still. Honoured is that church which has sent forth from its communion such men as the Eeaders, and Eooker, to labour in the vineyard of the Lord ! 168 T. SATTNBEES. Mr. Adam continued in Hs work as the pastor of Bedworth about eleven years. In 1762, te resigned his charge. After his removal, the church had various supplies for a season, and mention is made of Messrs. Woodman, Hull, and Kidman, as rendering occasional services among them. The next pastor to whom they were directed was Mr. Thomas SAtrNDEBS, grandson of their first pastor, and of whom an interesting account is given in the Evangelical Magazine for 1806. He entered upon his pastorate in 1764. The progress of the cause for several years appears to have been but slow ; few admissions being recorded, and the minister somewhat discouraged, untU. after 1 772, when special church-meetings were held to implore the outpouring of the Spirit of God, and the success of his word among them. These meetings, at which neighbouring ministers were sometimes called in to assist, were not in vain. The voice of prayer was heard. God graciously poured down the refreshing shower from on high, and they were blessed as at the beginning. Persons from Coton, Attleborough, Nunea- ton, and other parts, were added to their fellowship, whose descendants are amongst the supporters of the cause of Christ at the present time ; whilst their devoted pastor, ofttimes weeping, and with many tears, besought them to be reconciled to God through his beloved Son. He appears to have been a most tender-hearted and affectionate man ; and his removal to Coventry in 1 785 is represented as a great calamity among them.* Most deeply, on both sides, was the sepai-ation felt. * See p. 68. T. SATJNDEES. 169 "When it was known which was the last Sabbath of his preaching to his loving and attached flock, he (not having re- solution enough himself to preach, nor the people to hear a farewell sermon,) broke off abruptly, went to Hinckley, and sent Mr. Scott to Bedworth to preach in his stead, and so appeared no more among his people." But the reasons whicli called him to Coventry were urgent and strong. He laboured at Bedworth for about t-wenty-one years, during which time fifty-two indivi- duals were received into the communion of the church, the greater part of whom were the fruit of his own ministry. The following is an extract from the account given of him in the above-mentioned Memoir : — "Mr. Saunders was born about the year 1738. At the early age of ten or eleven years he had many deep impressions made upon his mind of a religious kind, which through the Divine blessing proved permanent. At the age of fourteen he was placed under his uncle, the Rev. John Saunders, of Hertford, previous to his entering on a regular coarse of studies with a view to the Christian ministry. Upon quitting his uncle, Mr. Saunders entered the academy at Mile End, then under the direction of the Eev. Drs. Conder, "Walker, and Gibbons. He passed through his studies with much reputation, and upon the close of them, proved a truly evangelical and acceptable preacher. He consequently received pressing invitations from several respectable congregations to settle among them. He gave the preference however to the importunate and unanimous one which came from the church of Christ at Bedworth, his native place, and which was founded by his grandfather Julius. Here he was venerated and beloved, and rendered long and eminently usefal. His church and congi'egation were large and flourishing ; and by his brethren in the neighbourhood he was held in much esteem. Here he remained for about twenty-one years ; when, with a view to more extensive useftdness, he re- moved to Coventry, and took the charge of a congregation, then in a reduced state, which met in Vicar Lane in that city. In this situation he discharged the duties of his office with great seriousness ond afifection. His labours were not in vain in the 170 HEWITT. Lord. But hie success does not appear to hare equalled that with which he was favoured at Bedworth." He died in London in 1806, and was buried in Bun- hill Fields. So honoured was the grandsire in his descendant ; and much, it is said, did he resemble him. " Instead of thy fathers, shall be thy children." The first minister who preached to the destitute flock at Bedworth, after the departure of Mr. Saunders, was Mr. James Moody, of Warwick, who spent a Sabbath with them, and who, it is remarked, on account of some peculiar domestic bereavements just at the time, " preached as an afflicted minister to an afflicted people." He was followed by Mr. Evans, of Coventry; and various other supplies succeeded, amongst whom are especially mentioned Mr. Matthew WiLks, of London, who preached at Bedworth for three or four Sabbaths. On the 8th of July, 1788, Mr. Johk Hewitt settled among them. He appears to have been a man of con- siderable genius, and a good preacher. He had a Icnowledge of medicine, and practised it to some extent. In the early part of his ministry a considerable impres- sion was produced, and the church largely increased in its numbers. His influence, from various causes, was great, and his labours were rewarded with success. In his days the Sabbath School was commenced : and in 1808, the Meeting-house was much altered and greatly improved. It was well filled during the greater part of Mr. Hewitt's ministry ; but owing to his undertaking some secular business, which ho did not understand, the management of which devolved on others, tmd did not succeed, his attention was diverted, his influence BIX. 171 declined, and in a measure Ms congregation also. He contiaued till tlie year 1810. In tlie course of his ministry, of nearly twenty-two years, about seventy- eight members had been received into the church, and two were sent to the academy. After his resignation of the pastoral office, he retired to Leicester, where he spent the remainder of his days, without undertaking any ministerial charge. In the month of December, 1810, Mr. Thomas Dix, then a student at Hoxton Academy, visited Bedworth, and in. June of the following year, in compliance with the unanimous request of the people, became their pastor. His Ordination took place on the 30th Septem- ber, 1812: on which occasion Mr. Miller, of Shilton; Mr, Burkitt, of Xenilworth; Mr. Hartley, of Lutter- worth;. Mr; Grill, of Hinckley; and Mr. Percy, of Warwick, were severally engaged. The prospects of comfort and usefulness were gratifying ; and Mr. Dix entered on his work with good hopes of success. Nor were those hopes disappointed. When he came among them, he found the number of the members, from various causes, greatly reduced, as only forty-eight re- mained. But by the Divine blessing on his ministry the circumstances of the church were in a few years greatly improved, and it attained to something of its former prosperity. In 1840, the present commodious School Eooms were built : and other indications existed that the pastor enjoyed the affections of his flock, and that his labours among them were not in vain. Thus peacefully and progressively things continued, till the year 1840; when, unhappily, a spirit of disaffection and unkindness began to appear, which greatly inter- 172 HIXLTAitD. rupted Ms ministry, and led ultimately to his resigna- tion in the year 1844. For thirty-three years he had laboured at Bedworth amidst many pleasing tokens of the great Master's approbation, and during that period, at least 115 members had been added to the church. Mr. Dix removed to Earl Shilton, in Leicestershire. A considerable number seceded from the congregation, and built another chapel within sight of the original. The tried and diminished flock at the old Meeting-house ■were now left, by prayer, diligence, and zeal, to endeavour to heal the wounds inflicted, and repair the breach which had been made among them. The pulpit was supplied by various ministers tiU the month of February, 1845, when Mr. Samuel Hilltaed, previously of Runcorn, in Cheshire, received and accepted a unanimous invitation to become the pastor. In the foUowing month he entered on his work. On the 21st of May in. the same year, a public recognition service was held, at which Messrs. Salt, of Hiackley ; Sibree, of Coventry ; Eowton, of "Withybrooke ; Dr. Eaffles, of Liverpool ; Pope, of Leamington ; Dix, of Earl Shilton ;, Delf, of Coventry ; and Eustace, of Nimeaton, were engaged. In the evening above four hundred persons took tea in the spacious School Eooms, after which, a public meeting was held, at which Dr. Eaffles presided. Mr. Hillyard read a brief account of the formation and history of the church, aad Messrs. Percy, of "Warwick, and Creak, of Atherstone; Dr. Styles, of FoleshiU ; and Messrs. Sibree oad Franklin, of Coventry, delivered appropriate addresses on the occasion. Amidst many vicissitudes occasioned by the lapse of time, and the altered condition of things at HILLY ABD. 173 Bedwoi'tli, in the neighbourliood. of wMcli six new chapels have, in late years, been erected, and the means of grace multiplied on every hand, Mr. Hillyard still continues his labours, not without iadications of the Divine presence and blessing. The number of members is now almost equal to that which existed previously to the division. This is matter for gratitude and joy. Let but the spirit of prayer and love, of zeal and action, correspondent to the claims of the present times, distinguish the friends of truth at Bedworth, and their venerable Zion may yet rival her former glory, and be what she has been in times that are past, and what we earnestly pray she may long remain to be, " a city set on a hill," an " excellency of many genera- tions." Let every one of her members exclaim, — " Seat of my friends and brethren, hail ! How can my tongue, Zion, fail To bless thy lov'd abode ! How cease the zeal which in me glows. Thy good to sect, whose walls enclose, The city of my God !" The following is the list of Ministers :- Ministers. From Set- tled died Removed to Rev. Julius Saunders Warwick Jail, for Non- conformity i6BV i7ao „ John ritzpatrick, M.A. 1730 lVi.0 „ Wmiam Adam Paiuswick, Gloucester- shire 1750 1762 „ Thomas Sanndei-s Mile End Academy, London 1V6'4 1806 Vicar Lane, Co- ventry, 17S5 „ John Hewitt 17SS Leicester, ISIO „ Thomas Dix Hoxton Academy, Lou- don ItiiU Earl Shilton, 1344 „ Samuel HUlyard Runcorn, Cheshire 1S45 CHAPTER IV. MEMOEIALS OP THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES IN BIRMINGHAM. SECTION 1. — THE INDEPENDENT CHUBCH AT CAER's LANE. Un. JAJLES'S "nonconformity in BIEMINGHAh" — SMITH — BOBEETS — WILLS — EISHBE ^ TUKTON — BKODHITEST GEEES- WOOD — MATTOCK WILKINSON — HOWELL WILDE POTf.' FIELD WILLIAMS EKEAVEK JAMES — NEW CHAPEL SCHOOL EOOMS — " JAMES's SOHOLAESHIP" CONGKEGATIOXAD CHAPELS — PEESENT CONDITION OF CAKE'S LANE CHUECH, 1849 — dale's OEDINATION. ALTHOtiGH a small voliune has recently been published by the Rev. J. A. James, containing " An Account of the Rise and Present State of the rarious Denomina- tions of Konconformists in Birmingham," down to the year 1849 ; yet as the present work professes to give a history of the Congregational Churches in irancicJc shire, such a Memorial would be incomplete, without some notice of Independency in that large and important town. Wo design, therefore, to give an abridgment of the statements detailed in Mr. James's volume, so far as it relates to the Independent Churches ; refcriing our readers to that work for a more enlarged account". * It is with Mr. James's kind pcrniission that this abridg- ment is made. SMITH. EOBEETS. WILIS. 175 BiEMiNeHAM is the metropolis of the midland coun- ties ; and contains a population of nearly a quarter of a million. In this to-svn, as in most other manufacturiag districts, ITonconformity has flourished ; — ^independency of social condition ever lieing favourable to freedom of thought and action in religious matters. That Nonconformity existed in Birmingham, duidng the days of the early Puritans, is not unlikely. About the year 1643, a ILr. Smith was rector of St. Martin's ; and a Mr. Eobbbts pastor of a congregation of dissenters from the Established Church ; but of what denomination nothing remains to show. These Puri- tans met, no doubt, in some hired room ; for as yet no place of worship, otherwise than the parish church, had been erected. Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mr. Samttel Wills, of whom we have already given a brief notice in our Memorial of Coventry.* He continued to labour at St. Martin's for twenty years "in great reputation for his probity, wisdom, and seriousness, tUl the year 1660 or 1661," when he removed to another part of the town; and at length he was invited to Coventry. But being driven from that city, he went into Shropshire, where he died in 1684. During Mr.. Wills's ministry in Birmingham, it is supposed that some congregation existed that held separate worship in the town. As Birmingham was neither a borough nor corporate town, it did not come within the provisions and prohibitions of the Five Mile *_ See p. 30. 176 TITETOir. HOWELL, ETC. Act; and was therefore the resort of many of 'the ministers who were ejected from the neighbouring places. Upon the declaration of religious liberty- granted for a season by Charles II., the dissenters in the town licensed a room for public worship, in which a Mr. EisHES preached, who had been ejected from a Uving at Shrewsbury. He was an old man at his ejectment, but lived many years in Birmingham, and died there. It was not, however, till the indulgence granted by James II., in 1687, that any regularly organised society, of which we have any account, was formed. The congregation then chose for their minister Mr. "W. TuBTON, who had been ejected from Kowley Eegis, in Staffordshire. He continued his labours in Birming- ham till his death, which took place in 1716. Previous to his decease, a spot of ground, in 1688, had been obtained by Mr. Turton and his flock, near St. Martin's Church, and a place of worship erected on the site where now stands the Old Meeting. This was the first place ever erected in Birmingham for any other worship than that conducted in the parish church. Mr. Turton's ministay appears to have been eminently successful. At his death, Mr. E. Brodhtcksi, and for a short season also Mr. D. Gteeenwood, remained as joint ministers. Mr. Brodhurst continued his ministry tiU the year 1730, and then died. He was followed in succession by Mr. D. Mattock, Mr. J. Wilkinson, and then Mr. "W. Howell. It was under (his last minister's pastorate that the secession took place wluch led to the formation of the Church in Caer's Lane. BOTJRN. PICZAED., ETC. 177 At Mr. Turton's settlement, another congregation of dissenters existed, and met for •worship in some place that is not known; but for these a second place of worship was erected in. Digbeth. This, from its locality, was called "The Lower Meeting-house." This place, however, was ultimately abandoned, and another building for worship erected in Moor Street, on the spot where the New Meeting-house now stands; and was opened in 1732. The first minister, who was immediately chosen, was Mr. Sajvitjel Botten, in con- junction with Mr. Thomas Pickaed. The celebrated Dr. Joseph Peiestlet was afterwards one of the mia- isters of this place from 1780 to 1791. The Congregations of the Old and New Meeting- houses were origiaaUy Trinitarian, but subsequently embraced TJnitarianism ; and during the ministry of Mr. HoweU, at the former place, a considerable portion of the Congregation seceded, as we have already stated ; and soon after erected a Chapel in Carr's Lane. This building was commenced in 1747, and opened for wor- ship in the summer of 1748. The pulpit was supplied by the neighbouring ministers till November in the same year, when the Church invited Mr. Geevase WiLBE, to become their pastor, who was at that time assistant minister to Mr. James' Sloss, of Nottingham. Mr. "Wilde was ordained in 1750. He appears to have been an earnest, devoted, and popular minister, and soon flUed the Chapel with serious and attentive hearers of the word of life. After labouring, with much success, about 16 years, he died in 1756. His successor was Mr. Ptthfield, from "Wimbome, 178 WILLIAMS. BEEWEH. in Dorsetsliire. He commenced his ministry at Carr's Lane Chapel in 1767. He -was much, esteemed, though not popular or very useful as a preacher. He had a feeble constitution and was the subject of great afflic- tion. He closed his life in 1791, in the 63d year of his age", and in the 24th of his ministry. The attention of the Church, after the death of Mr. Puufleld, was directed to Mr. Edwaed "Williams (afterwards Dr. Williams) then of Oswestry; and he became their pastor in 1792. An interesting biography is given of this eminent divine, by Mr. James, in his "Account," to which we refer our readers. Dr. WiUiams, after labouring in Birmingham for three years and a half, was invited to preside over the Yorkshire- Independent College at Eotherham. This invitation, together with a request to become the pastor of the Church at Masborough, he felt it his duty to ac- cept in 1795, to the deep sorrow of the Church at Carr's Lane, which duly appreciated the talents of this inestimable man. On the removal of Dr. Williams, the church invited Mr. Jehoiaha Beewee, then of Sheffield, to become their pastor, which invitation he accepted, and came and settled in the town in the yeai- 1796. ""With this church ho remained till 1802, when an unhappy occurence took place which caused his resignation of the pastorate in that community. He then withdrew, with a large portion of the church and congregation, to a building in Livery Street. Here he attracted a largo congregation, and was much admired by his followers. Towards the close of his ministry, his friends re- BEEWEE. JAMES. 1 79 solved to erect a new Ctapel; and for that purpose, purchased a site in Steelhouse Lane. At the time of commencing the bmlding, Mr. Brewer was rapidly declining in health." He laid the foundation stone in 1816; but died in the following year, before the buil- ding was finished. "It was a little remarkable," says Mr. James, "that Mr. Brewer should have had a new Chapel erected in Carr's Lane for him, in which he preached but one Sabbath before his removal to Livery Street ; and that he should have ]had ^^another commenced for him in SteeUiouse Lane, the completion of which he did not live to witness." "Mr. Brewer was a man of strong intellect, and passions as strong. Commanding in person, and pos- sessed of a good voice, he was fitted to be what he really was, a very striking and popular preacher." After his removal from Carr's Lane, Mr. Joseph Berry, who had just concluded his studies at Hoxton College, occupied the pulpit for eight months, when the church gave an invitation to Mr. Bennet (afterwards Dr. Bennet) of Eomsey, Hants. On his declining the invitation, he recommended to them Mr. Jomf Akgeil James, who was then a student at the College at Gos- port, under the presidency of Dr. Bogue, Mr. James's first visit to Birmingham was in 1804, when -he was just turned nineteen years of age. An invitation was given to him to come, as soon as his collegiate studies were terminated, and settle with the people as their future pastor. This invitation he accepted the following year, and was ordained to the pastoral office, May 8th, n2 180 JAJtBS. 1806, when Drs. Bogue and 'Williams, and Messrs. Jay, of Bath, Bennet, of Komsey, Moody, of Warwick, Steele, of Kidderminster, and other ministers took part. ' I "The sun of prosperity," says Mr. James, "rose slowly and sometimes cloudily upon us. The first seven years of our history were so discouraging, as regarded the increase of thei congregation, that at the end of that term I had serious thoughts of removing to another sphere." About the year 1812, however, a very considerable increase of the congregation took place ; and there being a demand for increased accom- modation, the old chapel was taken doviTi, and a new one erected on its site. The former place accommodated about eight hundred persons, and the latter above two thousand. The new Chapel was opened in August, 1819, when the late Dr. Joseph Fletcher, of London, preached in the morning, and Dr. Bennet, then of Eotherham, in the evening. The collection after these sermons amoimted to £600. The building cost about £11,000. After some years, new school rooms and lecture room were erected adjoining the chapel, at a cost, (including the purchase of houses for a site,) of not much less than £3,000. When Mr. James had completed the 40th year of his very successful ministry, he preached a commemo- rative sermon, in which he took a retrospective survey, not only of the events of his o\vn pastorate, but of the history of the church from its foundation, which was printed under the title of " Ch-ateful Recollections." JAMES. 181 The Mends of Mr. James then called a public meeting of the congregation for devout thanisgiving, and for presenting a respectful and grateful address; accom- panied by the sum of £500 which they had raised for the purpose of founding a scholarship in Spring HiU College, to be called after the name of their pastor. In addition to the erection of the edifices in Carr's lane, the congTegation erected a chapel at Smethwick, at the cost of nearly £1,000; and another at the Lozells, in the vicinity of the town, at a cost of nearly £1,200. Chapels were also erected by the congregation in Garrison Lane, and Palmer Street, in the town, at a cost of £1,700, in connection with which they support a Town Missionary. In the neighbouring villages of Tardley and Minworth, chapels were erected by them at a cost of £700. "So that," as Mr. James states, "during my pastorate my generous, but by no means wealthy flock have expended little less than £23,000 in the various erections to which they have set their hands ; — thus affording a striking and convincing illus- tration of the energy and efficiency of the volxmtary principle, when properly called into activity." We congratulate this eminent minister of Christ whose eloquent, effective and useful preaching, and whose numerous and valuable writings require no com- ment ; and, with him, render praise to the Author of all good, that he is enabled to record such a statement as the following : — "Our present condition, [1849] then, is as follows: — Our chapel is well filled — our church numbers nearly nine hundred communicants — we have a large Sunday School establishment, 182 DALE. including about twelve hundred scholars, in the various town and country schools — we have a hoys' daily school, a girls' daily school, and three infant schools, containing altogether nearly six hundred pupils — and besides this we have a Brotherly So- ciety for the mental, religious, and social improvemelit of its members, which amount to nearly a hundred and fifty — ^we have a general provident society— and we have all the usual religious and charitable societies for the conversion of the heathen, the evangelization of our own country, the visitation of the sick, and the diffusion of knowledge, which are usually to be found in every well-ordered and working Cliristian community." Thus Mr. James contuiued, unaided, in his laborious work, for nearly half a century ; when, considering the lengthened period of his services, and his advancing years, an assistant in the pastorate was considered desirable ; and, in the year 1853, an iuvitation was given to Mr. EoBEET WuxiAM Dale, M.A., a student at Spring TTill College, and of the London University, to assist Mr. James in his arduous duties at Carr's Lane ; and on the 22nd of Nov. 1854, Mr. Dale was ordained as co-pastor with Mr. James, having been unanimously invited to that ofB.oe by the church in connection with the senior pastor. Mr. GlanviUe, of Kingswood, near Bristol, opened the service with reading the scriptures and prayer. Dr. Eedford, of Worcester, delivered the In- troductory Discourse. Mr. J. Gawthome, of Derby, proposed the usual questions. Mr. Barker, one of the Tutors of Spring Hill College, offered the Ordination prayer, accompanied with imposition of hands. Mr. James gave the Charge to his younger brother ; and Mr. Swan, Baptist minister, concluded with prayer. In the evening, Mr. S. Mai-tin, of London, preached to the church and congregation. LIST OV MINISTEES. 183 The following is a list of the Ministers of Can's Lane Chapel : — Ministers. From Set- tled died 1766 EemoTed to Kev. Gervaae "Wild Nottingham 1748 „ — Punfleld Wimborne 1767 1791 „ E. Williams, D.D. Oswestry 1792 1813 Kashorongh, and Rotherham Col- lege, 1795 „ Johoiada Brewer Sheffield 1796 1817 Livery Street, Bir- mingham, 1802 „ John A. James Gcosport College 1805 „ Robert W. Dale, Spring Hill College 18S4 M.A. VILLAGES CONNECTED WITH TKE INDEPEN- DENT CHUECH AT CARE'S LANE. TAEBLET, In the year 1814, Eeligious Tracts were distributed in this village by the members of the church at Carr's Lane. A room was licensed for preaching, and a Sun- day School was commenced. In 1822, this room was giyen up ; and, in another part of the parish, a cottage was opened for divine worship; and in 1827, a Chapel was erected. Since that period the pulpit has been supplied with preachers, and the school with teachers, from Carr's Lane. Eor a period of 22 ijrears, one zealous individual has sustained the ofSce of Superintendent of the school, ia which above 80 children are instructed. In the hamlet of MIIfWOETH, also, a Chapel has been erected, and religious instruction is regularly imparted to adults and children. CHAPTEE IV. MEMOEIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCHES IN BIRMINGHAM. SECTION II. THE INDEPENDENT CHDKCH AI EBENEZER CHAPEL, STEELHOUSE LANE. ERECTION OF CHAPEL — MR. BAST — EAVEN — ^EOEEETS — ^VADGHAN — HIS RESIGNATION — MARSTON GREEN — SPRING HILL COLLEGE. Oif the removal of Mr. Brewer and his friends from Carr's Lane, they retired to the amphitheatre ia Livery Street. There they remained for about seventeen years, ■when they determined to erect a new chapel. The spot which they selected in Steelhouse Lane, it is tra- ditionally reported, had already been consecrated by the labours of Whitefield, who somewhere in that neigh- bourhood published the glad tidings of salyation. This place, called Ebenezee Chapel, was opened for worship ia the year 1819, when sermons were preached by Mr. Samuel Bradley, oi Manchester, and Mi-. Vm. Thorp, of Bristol. It is a noble erection, and was copied, in its internal and external arrangements, fr-om that which was built for the lamented Mr. Thomas Spencer, who was drowned at Liverpool, and was afterwards occupied with BO much effect by Dr. Eaffles. The first minister of Ebenezer Chapel, and successor to Mr. Brewer, was Mr. Timothy East, who had been EAST. EATEIT. VAUGHASr. 185 a student at Gosport College, and ordained and settled at Frome, in Somersetshire. He undertook the pas- torate of the church in Steelhouse Lane in 1819, and laboured with much efficiency among a large, respect- able, zealous, and liberal people, tiU the year 1843, ■when the connection between minister and people was dissolved; and in 1848, Mr. East went to Scotland. In 1841, Mr. John Raven, of Hadleigh, ia Suffolk, was invited as co-pastor with Mr. East; but after three years removed to Dudley. On the departure of Mr. Eaven in 1844, the church elected Mr. James Eobeeis, of Melton Mowbray, as their pastor; who remained about three years, and then, in 1848, settled at Truro, in Cornwall. The congregation was without a pastor for about two years, when Mr. Eobeei Alfeed Vatjshanj B.A., of the Lancashire College, and of the University of Halle, and who had been an assistant to Mr. Jay, of Bath, for a short time, received an invitation to the pastorate, and was ordained Sept. 8, 1850. The Introductory Discourse was delivered by Dr. Eedford, of "Worcester. The usual questions were proposed, and the Ordination Prayer offered, by Mr. J. A. Jam^s. The Charge to the minister was delivered, by his father. Dr. Yaughan, Tutor of the Lancashire College ; and the Discourse to the people by Dr. Eaffles, of Liverpool. The labours, at Ebenezer Chapel, of this excellent and talented minister, were, however, comparatively of short duration ; for through declining health, he was under the necessity of resigning his charge ia the sum- mer of 1855. 186 LISI OF MINISTEBS, ETC. The following is a list of the ministers of Ebenezer Chapel : — Ministers. From Set- tled. died Removed to EOT. Timothy East „ John Raven „ James Roberts „ R. A.Vaughan,B.A. Frome, Somersetshire Hadleigh, Suffolk Melton Mowbray, Lei- cestershire Lancashire College 1819 1841 1844 1850 Resigned, 1843 Dudley, 1844 Truro, 1848 Resigned, 1855 For the last twenty years a preaching station and Sunday School have been supported by the Church at Ebenezer Chapel, in the hamlet of MAESTON (JEEEN. Here a chapel was erected about 18 years since. The state of the congregation and school is, at the present time, rather discouraging. Considerable aid has been rendered annually by friends at Ebenezer Chapel, to the congregation at Goleshill, particulars of which will be given in our notice of that place. SPRING HILL COLLEGE. " In connection mtli the congregation assembling in Ebene- zer Chapel," says Mr. James, "must be mentioned the founding of Spuing Hill College, which is named from the suburb of the town in which it is placed. Mrs. Glover and her sister, Miss Mansfield, had been for many years memfcrs of the church in that place of worship; when their brother, the late G. S. Mansfield, Esq., came to reside with them. This gentleman was possessed of considerable landed property, as were his SPBDTG HILL COLLEGE. 187 sisters also of property of other kinds Being anxious to do sometMng in the way of glorifying God with that property which had hitherto been employed only for his own comfort and amusement, he expressed'his wishes to Mr. East, who sug- gested to him that it would be a useful appropriation of it, if he founded a College for the education of young men for the Christian ministry. He approved of the plan, and gave some landed estates for the purpose. In addition, he, with his two sisters, set apart a considerable sum of money for the support of the Institution. In order that the College might be established in their lives, Mrs. Glover and Miss Mansfield resigned their dwelling-house for this purpose, and the College was opened for the admission of students in 1838, when thirteen young men commenced their studies tmder the tuition of Mr. !Franci these dormitories of indolence and luxury were dis- turbed by a somewhat ruthless mandate in the time of Henry YIII. ; and the property of these " religious houses," vnthout religion, was given to other, if not to better hands ; at least, the accumulated stores of centuries were distributed, and society in general re- ceived the boon. And now there are found, — " No vestal Queen, to grace the scene ; No minstrel's lay, no choral strain ; No Leicester I (peerless 'mongst his peers) No valiant warriors crowd the train : No captive Monarch clanks his chains ; No sigh escapes from donjon gloom ; No tyrant baron's voice we hear, No, — all sleep silent in the tomb. " No sacred pile, no pious priest, No matin prayers at early morn, No vespers heard at even-tide, No hooded monk, with beard unshorn i MADDOCES. 217 No turret, battlements, or tower, No porch, — sans mark of drear decay, — No court-room, banquet-hall, nor bower; — Time's scythe has swept them all away !" Had Rome, in her power, or her wealthy hierarchy, done anything commensurate with her means, to pro- mote the cause of truth and godliness, Kenilworth had certainly been one of the most religious places ia our land ; for never were the votaries of the monastic order more comfortably provided for, or more richly endowed. But in vain we look for indications of superior know- ledge and piety in her past history. All was formality and sterility; till, in the year 1662, the celebrated year of Nonconformity, we alight on a verdant spot over which the bright and blessed beams of evangelical light were radiating. Amidst the noble company of the " two thousand" witnesses for Christ of that day, who courageously resigned their benefices rather than re- nounce the Truth, was Mr. William Maddocks, of this place, "who," says the Nonconformists' Memorial, " was young when he came to this living, and when he left it ; but when he was older, he never repented of his choice to suffer affliction with so many of the servants of Christ. "When cast out of Kenilworth, and hotly pursued in the country, he hid himself in a wood, and afterwards went to London ; where he was presently noticed for his useful preaching, and chosen pastor to a congregation in Southwark. He continued here, in very good esteem, till death ended his labours." Whether the results of this good man's ministry in the parish of Kenilworth were such as to originate a 218 TUETOir. separate congregation, we are unable to determine ; but certain it is, that soon after the commencement of the following century, a church of tlie Presbyterian order existed, and a small Meeting-house was erected; the ministers of which were orthodox in their views and preaching. In the year 1725, we find that Mr. TiJETOif was one of the pastors of this flock. This gentleman was the son of Mr. ~W. Turton, one of the ejected clergy, and the first Presbyterian minister of the Old Meeting, Birmingham, from 1686 to 1716. In the Meeting- house at Kenilworth, the first minister, — ^Mr. P. Simson, of Vicar Lane Church, Coventry, was ordained; — ^the date of which is "July 8, 1725."* In a letter from Mr. Joseph Carpenter, minister of Warwick, dated "Warwick, July 19, 1735," we meet with the following communication ; — " Mr. P tttt.t ps is engaged [as minister] to Kenilworth for a year from Midsummer. I wish he may do as much good as his predecessor has done hurt, who is now working out his * See p. 61. Dr. SAMtrEL Anneslet was bom of religious parents at Kenilworth, in. 1620. He was of noble birth, and maternal grandfather of the celebrated John Wesley. In the reign of King Charles 11., he was appointed to the vicarage of St. Giles's, Cripplegate, London ; but was ejected from the li%'ing for Nonconformity, on Bartholomew day, 1662. He then became pastor of a flourishing congregation at a licensed Meeting-house in Little St. Helens, and continued such till his death. His retrospect in his last hours was satisfactory, serene, and consolatory. " Blessed be God," said he, " I hare been faithful in the work of the ministry above 55 years. He died in 1696, aged 77. It was in his Meeting-house that the first COEKIE. 219 own ruin as fast as he can."* We have no means of knowing the name of the person here referred to ; nor how long Mr. Philips remained as minister. Towards the latter part of the last century, we find Mr. CoBEiE holding this office. During his ministry the congregation declined in number. The inhabitants of the place in general were sunk into a state of lamentable indifference to all religion, of theoretical and practical infidelity, and of general impiety. About this time, Mr. Moody, of 'Warwick, viewing the moral condition of the people, and being deeply concerned for their spiritual welfare, consulted with his brethren, Messrs. Burder and Evans, of Coventry ; and they re- solved to make some effort to supply the place with the ministrations of the word of Hfe. Immediate steps were taken to procure 'a place for Divine worship. An old bam was obtained, situated on Abbey Hill, and duly fitted up with every convenience for such a purpose. HandbiUs announced to the public that it would be opened on a certain day in June, 1787, on which occasion the " seraphic Pearce," Baptist minister, of Birmingham, was engaged to preach. The crowd to hear him was great. His text was Acts viii., 5th. public ordination service among Protestant Dissenters was per- formed. Dr. Calamy was one of the ministers thten ordained. — See Nonconf. Mem. i. p. 124. It might here be added that the late Dr. Samuel Butler, of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Lichlield and Coventry; the present Archbishop of Canterbury; and the Bishop of Winchester, were all natives of KenUworth ; — the father of the last two pre- lates, the Eev. B. Sumner, having been Vicar of the parish. * Protest. Diss. Mag., Vol. v. p. 284. 220 BT7EKITT. " Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them :" and under that discourse, several persons, it is stated, were saTingly converted to God. On the following Sabbath evening, Mr. Burder, ef Coventry, preached from the connected words, " And there was great joy in that city." " The whole village," we are informed by the private memoranda of a living witness, from which we quote this, "was greatly excited, and filled with hatred and opposition to the Methodists." Often were the ministers insulted while they were preaching.* Some of the disturbers were taken before the magistrates and imprisoned. Frequently was the door ffistened outside to prevent the congregation from separating ; tradesmen lost their customers; servants their employments; and other petty acts of annoyance and persecution were adopted to hinder the progress of the word of God. In a few years, however, this passed away. The " sect every where spoken against" were permitted to enjoy their privileges without interruption, and the Dissenters pursued " the even tenor of their way." During this period, the people, amongst whom a little Church had been formed in 1 792, by Mr. Moody, had been supplied by neighbouring ministers ; among whom was Mr. Joel Maurice, of Stretton-imder-Fosse, in 1797; but no pastor had been settled over them. This led to a partial return of the congregation to the Old Meeting, which took place in the year 1804, when Mr. Thomas Bukkiit, from Bedford, who was an * See p. 94. BTTEKITT. 221 orthodox preacher, came to commence his labours there, Mr. Biirkitt "was ordained as pastor of an Independent Church at Buckingham, in 1783, and continued till 1797, when he removed to Bedford. It appears that he remained as minister at the " New Meeting," in that town, until 1804, when he removed to Kenilworth. He was an exftellent man, much respected by the minis- ters in the vicinity, of agreeable manners, and distin- guished by his power and fervour in suppHeation. He offered the Ordination Prayer when Mr. Percy was set apart to his work at Warwick, and was in the habit of exchanging pulpits with Mr. Jerard, of Coventry, and others. His preaching appears to have been too evan- gelical for some of his hearers ; for upon delivering, on one occasion, a discourse on the infliiences of the Holy Spirit, he received a communication which much grieved him, and soon embittered his connection with them. Eventually it led to his resignation of the pastoral office among them, in 1816. In the year following, he left Kenilworth, where he had not laboured in vain, esteemed and regretted by many. The relapse of the congregation at the Old Meeting, or at least of the ministry, first into Arianism, and then into TJnitarianism, occasioned the return of some to the place of worship on Abbey HiU ; which, for a short season, they occupied in conjunction with a few mem- bers of the Baptist denomination. But this connection did not long continue ; and in a few years, during which the Independents passed through various changes, — and at one time assembled for worship in a room at the lower part of the town, — encouraged by an excellent 222 BBWAUBS. lady — ^Mrs. Lant, — and by the neighbouring ministers, a site of ground near to the old barn was procured, on which, to erect a chapel : and on the 25th of Nov., 1828, the foundation stone was laid by Mr. Sibree, of Coven- try, who addressed the people from Nehemiali ii. 20, " The God of heaven, he will prosper us, therefore we his servants, wiU arise and build." On the 14th of July, 1829, the chapel was publicly opened, and sermons were preached by Messrs. Bints and Thongar, of Birmingham ; and Dr. Eoss, of Kidderminster. The devotional exercises were conducted by Messrs. Bawton, Percy, Coles, Tranldin, Dix, Jerard, and Sibree. It is unnecessary here to enter fully iato the painful legal controversy which arose in relation to some pro- perty, large and valuable, with which a deceased bene- factor, — Abm. Arlidge, Esq., — had endowed a school to be connected with the Dissenting congregation in Kenilworth, and superintended by its minister. Suffice it to state, that after considerable litigation and ex- pensive procedure, it was decided by the highest authority of the land, that the "orthodox" Dissenters were the legitimate claimants ; it having been directed by the testator ia his will, and iaserted in the trust deed, that "the Assembly's Catechism should be for ever taught to the boys and girls." This decided the question ; and on this condition the Trinitarians enjoy the bequest to this day. On the Sabbath following the opening of the new place of worship, Mr. Htsnkt Edwakds, from Highbury College, commenced his labours as the stated minister of the congregation; but he removed to Thetford, BLOW. WEST, BTJTTON. 223 Norfolk, in tlie ensuing year — 1830. On his departure, and after a few occasional supplies, Mr. David Blow, of Matlock, and late student at Highbury College, accepted an iavitation to the vacant sphere, and was publicly ordained as pastor, on the 6th of April 1831 : Messrs. Sibree, Helmore, Percy, Jerard, Soper, of Grantham, (Mr. Blow's late pastor) and James, of Bir- mingham, taking part in the services of the day. His ministry continued for nearly three years, af the close of which period he removed to Brecon, in "Wales. 'Mr . J. F. West, from Sutton Valence, Kent, was Ms successor in 1833, who remained for about four years ; and then removed to London. Some supplies intervened till the year 1838, when Mr. Johw Buttojt, who had previously been ordained at Whitchurch, in Shropshire, entered on his work as the stated minister; during whose pastorate, peace and progress have been enjoyed, and much improvement effected in the arrangements of the endowed School, in the fellowship of the Church, and in the exterior appearance of the place of worship. List of Independent Ministers at the Old Meeting and at Abbey Hill Chapel : — Ministers. From Set^ tied. 1804 X829 1831 1833 183^ died 1842 Eemoved to Eev. Thomas Burkitt „ Henry Edwards ,, David Blow „ J. F. West , John Button Bedford Highbmy College, London Matlock Sutton Valence Whitchurch Kesigned, 1816 Thetford, 1830 Brecon, 1833 London, 1837 CHAPTEE VIII. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT STEETTON-XINDEE-FOSSE. THE FOSSE KOAD — FIRST MEETING-HOTJSE — ^EJECTED MINIS- TERS ; — GILPIN — LOSBET — MAETTN — SWAIN — SINGLETON PASTORS ; — CARTEE ROBINS — STEVENS MAURICE — NEW- MEETING - HOUSE — CHIPPERFIELD — ROBERTSON HALL's "discourse" — GILES — ^NUTTER — MORELL WEAVER — HAKEI- SON. SiEETTos^-triTDEE-FossE IS a liaiiilet in the parish of Monks Kirby. Its name is derived from its contiguity to the celebrated Fosse Eoad, — so called from the ditches on each side. This road, or street, is supposed to have been constructed by the Eomans, and was the highway for the legions' and passengers of Eome, when imperial armies conquered Britain, and divided and marked out her provinces. This small and quiet place is on the Lutterworth road from Coventry, and is about 5 miles from Eugby, its post town. The population is about 300. There is here a Meeting-house, with its parsonage and School Eoom.. Connected with the former are some small endowments, amounting to about £30 per annum. The existence of a Dissenting place of worship here, may, perhaps, be traced to the Five Mile Act of 1665. GILPIN. LOSEBT. 225 Tte first Meeting-house was a Immble thatclied build- ing, not standing on tlie site of the present, but a little further from the main road. A congregation seems to have worshiped in it for the next hundred years or upwards. During the first forty years, it was either without a settled pastor, or without any whose name has been preserved. It was probably formed by serious persons who had attended the preaching of the Ifoncon- fonnist ministers previously to their ejectment in 1662, and who adhered to them afterwards. Of these there were several in the immediate vicinity. One of them was Mr. Gilpin, Eector of Brinklow, a village about two miles from Stretton. Previously to his ejectment, he had borne the brunt of various persecutions for his Nonconformity, but preached occasionally as his strength would bear. After Hs ejectment, he lived privately at Knowle, — a village between Warwick and Birmingham, — in humble circumstances, but not for any length of time. "He was," says the N'oneonformists' Memorial, " a picture of an old Puritan, and preached in his ruff to the very last. Some used to compare him to father Latimer. He was generally beloved by good people in that part of the country for his great piety, humiUty, calm and peaceable temper, contentedness in a mean condition, and the faithful discharge of his office. He was very affectionate in prayer, and gene- rally melted into tears." Another ejected minister in the neighbourhood of Stretton was Mr. Losebt, of Copston, a hamlet of Monks Kirby. " He continued ten years silent because he could not conform; but when Charles II. granted 226 MAEIYir. SWAIW. SINGIETOW. Ms licenses to the Nonconformists, he preached again in his chapel, no one else being put in, and was connived at by the Earl of Denbigh, who was the lord of the manor, and -whose seat was at Newnham Padox, in the neighbourhood. His ministry was very useful. He was a man much cruci&ed to the world ; of which this was one proof: — ^being iavited in Cromwell's time to a living of £60 per annum, he refused it, rather choosing to remain at Copston, where he had but £20, raised chiefly by the contributions of the people." From Monks Kirby, Mr. Richakd Maxtts was ejected; but was Mndly entertained by the Earl of Denbigh, to whom he probably acted as chaplain.* A few miles from Stretton is the village of "Withy- brook, from the vicarage of which Mr. Wiujaji Swain was ejected ; further particulars of whom wiU appear in our Memorial of the Church in that place. The first minister of whom we have any record as preaching at Stretton, was Dr. John Singieion, who had been ejected from his studies at Oxford, in 1660. About the year 1687, he came into "Warwickshire, and lived with his wife's brother. Dr. Timothy Gibbons, a physician and a pious man. At this tinie, he preached at Stretton, probably at the old thatched Meeting-house. Thence he removed to Coventry, to be pastor of the Independent Church in that city ; ui our Memorial of which we have given a more particular account of this excellent and learned man.f * For many years a Baptist congregation has existed at Monks liirby, of which Mr. James Jones has long been the respected minister. t See page 48. CAETEK. EOBINS. 227 The first stated pastor of the Church at Stretton, of "whom there is any tradition or record, was Mr. Eichaed €abyek, who settled there, probably, about 1720, and must have continued the pastorate for thirty years or more. The next or second regular pastor, was Mr. Thoihas EoBiNS, who was bom in the year 1732, at the village of Keysoe, in Bedfordshire. He was educated at Woolaston, in Northamptonshire, and then at Kibworth, under Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Aikin. He removed thence to Dr. Doddridge's Academy, at Northampton ; on whose death, in 1761, he was placed under the care of Dr. Ashworth, of Daventry.* Stretton was the first place in which he statedly exercised his rninistry, and where he settled in 1735. In 1761, he removed to West Bromwioh, where he continued till 1775. In that year he went to Daventry, and became assistant to Dr. Ashworth, and soon after his successor, as resi- dent Divinity Tutor, and minister to the congregation of Dissenters assembling in Sheaf Street. But these offices he resigned in 1781, being disabled by the loss of his voice, occasioned by his exertions in preaching three times one Lord's day at Kettering, for Mr. ToUer. After this, he continued to reside in Daventry; and not having property sufficient for his support, he commenced business as a bookseller and chemist. He died May 20, 1810, in the 78th year of his age. Mr. Eobins was a man of eminent attainments, and great humility. The present parsonage was buUt for him. * The celebrated Dr. Priestley was one of Dr. Ashwortli's ;grst students. a2 228 STEVEN'S. MAXTEICE. In Mr. Eobert Hall's Memoir of Mr. Thomas Toller, of Kettering, there occurs the foUomag notice of Mr. Eobius : — " At the early age of fifteen, Mr. Toller's parents sent him to the academy at Darentry, over which Dr. Ashworth presided : hie assistant in the academy was the Rev. Mr. Robins, who afterwards occupied the same station with distinguished ability. Of both his tutors he was wont to speak in terms of high respect : of Mr. Robins he was often heard to say, that he considered him as the wisest and best man hie ever knew. .... It is to be lamented that he has left none of those productions behind him, which a correct and beautiful imagination, embodied in lan- guage of the most classic purity, rendered so impressive and delightful. The qualities of his heart corresponded to those of his genius ; and though long before his death, his bodily infir- mities obliged him to relinquish a. commanding station, and retire into obscurity, he retained to the last such an ascendancy over the minds of his former pupils, and such an interest in their' affections, as nothing but worth of the highest order can command." The third recorded stated minister was Mr. Samuel Stetens. He was a student at Homerton College, and settled at Stretton in 1762 or 1763, and continued there about seven years, though he does not appear to have been ordained as pastor. He died in 1809, at Birdbush, in Wiltshire. The fourth settled pastor was Mr. Joel Maumce, who had been a student at Carmarthen College, and came to Stretton in 1770. He remained as pastor here till 1797, when he removed first to Kenilworth, and afterwards to West Bromwich, where he died in De- cember, 1807, aged 67. It was in his pastorate that the present Meetiag-house was croeted, about the year 1775. During the ministry of Mr. Maurice, some of the GaONOW. CHIPPEEITEID. 229 €oiigregation embraced TJnitaxianism, not tkrough. his preaching, which was always accounted orthodox, but probably in the following manner : — There existed at this place for more than fifty years, and till about ten ago, a Book Society, one of whose leading principles was, that books on both sides of any debateable theolo- gical subject should be introduced. Such a society, existing not thirty mO.es from Birmingham, was sure to catch some excitement from the fearful riots of 1793 in that town, when the house of Dr. Priestley was burnt to the ground, with all his valuable library and appa- ratus. Many sympathies were awakened for him at Stretton. His works were read; and his religious views took firm hold of many. These sentiments, however, were never those of the congregation gene- rally ; and are not held by any at the present time. Mr. Joseph GrEONOw, who had been engaged as an itinerant preacher by the 'Warwickshire Association, was for a short time an assistant to Mr. Maurice. He removed in 1797 to "Weedon, in ITorthamptonshire, where he was ordained in April of that year, and where he died in 1817. The fifth settled pastor was Mr. Thomas Chippek.- FEELD, from Homerton College, who was ordained ITov. 9, 1796. On that occasion Messrs. Burder and Saun- ders, of Coventry, Moody, of Warwick, and other ministers, with Sir Egerton Leigh, Bart., of Little Harborough, took parts of the service. " The unani- mity of the people in their choice of the minister, his excellent confession of faith, and the conduct of the whole service, gave universal satisfaction to a numerous 230 EOBEETSON. auditory." Mr. Chipperfield continaed the pastorate till 1809, when he removed to ToUesbtiry, ia Essex. For many of his latter years he taught a school at Highgate, near London, and preached occasionally. He died there in 1852, aged 81. The sixth pastor -was Mr. James Eobbetson, from Wymondley College. He came to Stretton in July, 1809, and was ordained in August of the foUowing year. The principal ministers who officiated on that occasion were Mr. Eobert Hall, of Leicester, and Mr. T. ^. Toller, of Kettering. It was at this time that Mr. Hall delivered his celebrated Discourse on " The Discouragements and Supports of the Christian Minis- ter." Mr. Toller's sermon was on Acts xiv. 7. To the regret of many, his Discourse was never published. Mr. Hall, in the Preface to his Charge, says, with characteristic grace, humility, and liberality,— " The worthy person to whom it was addressed, gave a speci- men of his liberality, in engaging me to take so leading a part in his Ordination, when our difference of sentiment on the subject of baptism was well known; a subject which has, unhappily, been a frequent occasion of alienating the minds of Christians from each other. How much is it to be lamented, that the Christian world should be so yiolently agitated by disputes, and divided into factions, on points, which, it is allowed, in whatever way they are decided, do not enter into the essen- tials of Christianity! When will the time arrive, when the disciples of Christ shall cordially join hand and heart with all who hold the head, and no other terms of communion be insisted upon in any church, but what ai-e necessary to constitute a real Christian?" This ordination service produced, at the time, a most extraordinary sensation, and the impression can never be effaced from the minds of those who had the privilege EOBBETSON. 231 of being present. The two eminent preachers seemed to have put forth all their fine powers, and to have been " baptized with the Holy Ghost." In April, 1825, in conseq[uenee of unpleasant cir- cumstances which occurred between Mr. Eobertson and part of the congregation, he resigned his pastoral charge, and removed to Creaton, and afterwards to Wellingborough, where he died in 1842. This event led to a secession of many members of the church and congregation, who became united with other congrega- tions ifi. the vicinity ; and the part which continued to worship at Stretton remained unsettled for some months. Mr. Eobertson was a native of Newcastle-on-Tyne ; and entered the College at "Wymondley about the year 1800. In 1804, he took charge of a congregation at Eversden, Cambridgeshire, for about five years, when he removed to Stretton. He was, in many respects, an extraordinary man ; — distinguished by his solid under- standing, his cultivated iatellect, and his high literary attainments. For twenty years he was a regular con- tributor to the Eclectic Eeview ; his critiques embracing a wide extent of subjects, demonstrative of the sound judgment, the Christian and liberal sentiments, and the acute intelligence of the author. But though eminent as a writer, he was never popular as a preacher : and though, to his intimate Mends, he was a most agreeable associate ; yet to others there appeared in him a stern- ness of disposition which was somewhat repulsive. Towards the latter end of his life he sank into a morbid state of mind, so as to compel him to give up all mental occupation, to discontinue his ministry, and to 232 GILES. NTJTTEE. seclude himself as much as possible from aU social intercourse ; while the dark cloud of melancholy that pressed on his imagination rendered him a victim to despondency, and at times to utter despair. For more than four years his friends iudulged a hope that the darkness would break away, and the sunlight of hope revive his dejected spuit. Such light, however, did not dawn upon him, until "mortality was swallowed up of life." An interesting notice of Mr. Robertson, by his friend Mr. Walford, appears ia the Congregational Magazine for 1842. In January, 1826, Mr. Edwabd Ghes, a student at Wymondley, received a unanimous iavitation from the church to become their pastor ; and he was ordained as such on June 19, 1827. The ministers who took parts ia the service were Mr, Thomas MoreU, Tutor at "Wymondley ; Messrs. Jerard and Sibree, of Coventry ; and Mr. W. Scott, of EoweU. Mr. Giles's pastorate was but short, for his friend and fellow student Mr. Thomas Binney removing from Newport, in the Isle of Wight, to the Weigh House Chapel, London, Mr. Giles was invited to the vacated pastorship : and much to the regret of the scattered but improving congregation at Stretton, he left them for Newport in the autumn of 1829, and continues there to the present time. The eighth settled pastor was also a student from Wymondley, — Mr. Chaeles Case Nottee ; who, imme- diately after Mr. Giles's removal, became pastor ; but left Stretton in Maich, 1831. MOEELL. WEATHE. HAEBISOlf. 233 Tlie pulpit was no-w supplied for some months by Mr. Thomas Moeell, jun., also from'"Wymoiidley, and who was afterwards ordained at Ullestliorpe, LeioestersMre. The ninth settled minister was Mr. Eichaed Weatee, of Foulmire, in Cambridgeshire. He received, ia 1832, an invitation to the pastorate, and accepted it. He re- mained about three years, and then withdrew to private life at IN'orthampton. The tenth at Stretton is the present pastor, Mr. John Haeeison. He was a student at Highbury College, and settled at Loughborough, in Leicestershire, for a few years, from which place he removed to Stretton ; where he commenced his stated pastorate on the 7th of June, 1835. List of Ministers : — Dr. Jolin Singleton Eev. Richard Caxrer „ Thomas Kohins Samuel Stevens Joel Mamice Joseph Gronow Thos. Chipperfleld James Eobertson Edward Giles C. C. Nutter - Thos. Morell, Jun. Richard Wearer John Harrison From Ejected from Oxford Daventry Academy Homerton College Carmarthen College Homerton College Wymondley College Ditto ditto Ditto ditto Ditto ditto Foulmire, Camhridge- shire Loughborough Sel^ tied. 1687 1720 1765 1762 1770 1796 1796 1809 1826 1829 1831 1833 1839 1706 1810 1809 1807, 1817i 1852 1842 Removed to Coventry, 1688 West Bromwich, 1761 Resigned, 1769 Kenilworth, 1797 Weedon, 1797 ToUesbury, 1809 Creaton, 1825 Newport, 1829 Resigned, 1831 Ullesfchorpe, 1834 Northampton 1835 CHAPTEE IX. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT ATHERSTONE. XNCIEKT MONASTERr — MAETTEDOM OF GLOVER — MRS. LEWIS — DISSENTING CONGREGATION — ^LOW CONDITION — REVIVAL BT MR. HEMMINGTON PREACHING HOUSES PERSECCTION — CHAPEL ERECTED — ME. KIRBT— MOSELET — CHURCH ORGAN- IZED — DENHAM — BENNETT — HITCHIN — EAGLETON MILLER NEW CHAPEL ^MISSIONARIES AND MINISTERS SKETCH OF ME. MILLER CREAK — DISETJPTION OF CHURCH READ TILLAGES; SHEEPT — POLBSWOETH BADDBSLBT. The town of Atheestone is situated on tlie Eoman Watling Street road. It is very ancient, having existed at the time of the Conquest. The chief manufactory of the place is hats, in which a very considerable number of hands is employed. Its population is 3,819. In the reign of Edward III., a monastery was founded here, in the year 1375. At what period the blessed eflfects of the Eeformation began to operate in this town, is not known to the writer ; but there is a spot about three miles to the south-west — the old HaU at Baxterley, — of which Dugdale, in his " Antiquities," thus speaks : — " Baxterley Hall is a fair mansion, built in the reign of King Edward VI., by John Glover, then a retainer to the Lord Ferrers, but formerly a servant to the Abbots of Merevale, as I have heard by tradition. Unto which house did that famous asserter of the Protestant religion, Hugh Latimer, sometime 6L0VEE. 235 Bishop of Worcester, resort ; whose ghostly instructions, so well founded Eobert Glover, brother to the said John, that rather than he would secede from them, he chose to lay down his Ufe, being burnt at the stake in Queen Mary's reign, as Mr. Pox in his catalogue of Martyrs, hath declared." The above John Grlover was bora of respectable parents living at Manoetter. "He was heir to his father," says Fox, "and endued with fair possessions of worldly goods ; but yet much more plentiftilly enriched with God's heavenly grace, and inward virtues; which grace of God so working in him, he, with his two other brethren, Bobert and William, not only received and embraced the happy light of Christ's holy gospel, but also most zealously professed, and no less diligently in his living and conversation followed the same." One of these faithful Protestant brethren, Eobeei GioviiE, was imprisoned at Coventry, by order of the Bishop of the Diocese, and afterwards suffered martyr- dom without the gates of that city. " I have received," continues the Martyrologist, " some par- ticulars respecting his latter end from one Austin Bernher,* a minister, and a famUiar friend of his; who stated that this blessed servant of the Lord, Master Eobert Glover, after he was condemned by the bishop, and was now about to be delivered out of this world, it so happened that two or three days before, his heart being cold and desolate of all spiritual * " This good man was a native of Switzerland ; and, from being an attendant on his venerable and aged master. Bishop Latimer, became a minister of Christ Jesus, a preacher of the gospel in the reigns of Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. — During the Marian persecution, his principal refage was at Baxterley Hall. He was, however, for a while, during the height of that fierce persecution, the minister of a congregation in London, which assembled privately, first in one secret place, and then another; and not unfrequently, for their greater security, in the hold of a ship on the Thames, where, after 236 GLOVEE. consolation, he was full of disquietness in the prospect of bearing the bitter cross of martyrdom, ready to he laid upon him. Whereupon, fearing in himself lest the Lord had utterly withdrawn his wonted favor from him, made his complaints to this Austin hia friend, and signifying to him how earnestly he had prayed day and night unto the Lord, and yet could receive no sense of any comfort from him. Austin desired him patiently to wait the ford's pleasure; and notwithstanding his present feeling, yet, seeing his cause was just and true, he exhorted him constantly to cleave to the same and to play the man, nothing doubting but the Lord in his good time would visit him, and give him abundant consolation ; of which he said he was quite sure, and therefore desired him, whensoever any such manifestation of God's mercy should be made to him, that he would give some signification of it; and so departed from him. The next day, when the time of his martyrdom came, as he was going to the place, and was now come in sight of the stake, though aU the night before he had been praying for strength and courage, yet could feel none, suddenly he was so mightily replenished with God's holy comfort and heavenly joys, that he cried out, clapping his hands to Austin, and say- ing in these words, ' Austin ! He is come ! He is come ! He is come !' and that with such joy and alacrity, as to appear rather like one risen from some deadly danger to liberty of life, than as one passing out of the world by any pains of death.' Thus 'at eventide it was light;' for 'Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart.' The final scene of his sufferings was 'without' the city, whither he 'went forth' to Christ ' bearing his reproach.' It was in that part of the ' Little Park,' which is still called ' the HoUows,' the steep their accustomed manner, they had sermon, prayer, and com- munion. We learn that he aftenvards became a renoivned preacher at Southam, Warwickshire, in 1570; to the rectory of which he was presented, according to Dngdale, in 1566, though he probably commenced his public ministry there soon after the accession of Elizabeth."— See "Narrative of the Petsecu- tions and Sufferings of the two Martyrs, JRobert Glover and Mrs. Lewis, of Mancetter, with some account of their fiiend Augustine Bernhe.r, ^c." By the Rev. B, Richings, M.A., Vicar of Mancetter. aiovEE. 237 banks of which at that time afforded the spectators a ftill view of that cruel sight. It was the spot where his most dear and intimate friend, Lawrence Saunders, had suffered only a few months before ;* who, in a few hasty lines, written just before his death, had sent him his salutation and blessing ; thus writ- ing, ' Make haste my dear brother, to come unto me, that we may be glad and rejoice together with that joy which no man shall take from us.' " — Eichings's Narrative, p.' 78. Another distinguislied martyr, a friend of Mr. Jolin Glover's, resided in this neighbourhood, named Mrs. JoTCB Lewis. " This gentlewoman,'' says !Fox, " was delicately brought up in the pleasures of the world. She was the wife of Mr. Thomas Lewis, of Mancetter. In the beginning of Queen Mary's reign, she went to the church and heard mass as others did; but when she heard of the burning of that most godly and learned martyr, Lawrence Saunders, who suffered in Coventry, she began to indulge serious reflections, and to inquire earnestly of such as she knew feared God, the cause of his death ; and when she understood that it was because he had refused to re- ceive the mass, she became very uneasy in her conscience. And as her house was near to Mr. John Glover's,t a man of blessed memory, she frequently resorted to him, and requested him to tell her the faults that were in the mass, and other things which at that time were urged as necessary to salvation. This good man diligently instructed her in the ways of the Lord, proving to her out of God's word, that the mass, with all other papistical inventions, was odious in God's sight; and besides this he reproved her because she delighted so much in the vanities of the world." * It is to be regretted that this spot, (now occupied as gar- dens,) hallowed by the precious blood of these blessed martyrs, has not been enclosed, and thus memorialized. We indulge the hope that this desirable object may yet be accomplished. t "There is no doubt," observes Mr. Eichings, "that the house in which Mrs. Lewis lived, was nearly in the same situation, as that which is now in the occupation of Mr. Charles Weetman." 238 MACHIN. Through the conversation of Mr. Glover, she became at length a decided Protestant ; in consequence of which, she was accused before the bishop of the diocese, by whom she was examined and sent to prison, in which she was confined twelve months. At the expiration of this period, she was condemned to be burned to death, at Lichfield. " When she was tied to the stake with the chain, she showed so much cheerfulness, being so well coloured in her face, and was so patient, that the most part of them who had honest hearts, did lament and even with tears bewail the tyranny of the papists. When the fire was set upon her, she neither struggled nor stirred, but only lifted up her hands towards heaven,»being dead very speedily; for the under sherifij at the request of her friends, had provided such fuel by which she was almost suddenly dispatched out of this miserable world." It is not Kkely that when the light of truth was brought thus near, it would be shut out of the town of Atherstone ; and so it appears that during the reigns of ■the Stuarts, there were certain families of Presbyterians residing in and about the place. Dr. Obadiah Grew was bom here, iu the year 1607.* In 1650, Mr. John Machin, afterwards one of the ejected ministers, "was called to Atherstone, where he spent a year ru a Lecturer's place, and had many converts. In 1654, he removed to Astbury, in Cheshire."! A small Meeting-house, with an endowment worth now about £30 per annum, was given for the use of the Protestant Dissenting congregation in 1725. A Mr. Prothero, who came from Evesham, in "Worcestershire, * See page 26. f Nonconf Mem., vol. i., p. 344. HEMMIHGTON. 239 was one of the first ministers of the place. He was succeeded by a Mr. Wright. Of the history of this Presbyterian congregation, with its ministers, we possess no information. But for many years the Meeting-house has been in the hands of the Unitarians, whose numbers became so diminished and scattered, that they ceased to attend, and closed the place. About the year 1800, evangelical reUgion was iu a very low condition in this town. Few persons seemed to be under its influence. One good man, — Mr. White- head, — ^living at Baxterley, was accustomed to travel to Bedworth, eight miles, on the Lord's day, to joia in religious worship with the Independent chiirch in that place. The instrument of introducing a better state of things was Mr. HEMimf&TON, a clergyman then living at Weddington, and preaching also at Merevale, near Atherstone. He preached in a very plain affectionate manner ; and his labours made a deep impression. He was a man of a truly apostolic spirit, not being confined by canonical rules, but preaching wherever and when- ever an opportunity was afforded, "instant in season and out of season." Under his auspices, those who were converted through his instrumentality in and near Atherstone, established meetings for social extempore prayer, and then proceeded to read, and exhort one another, and to invite among them Dissentkig ministers. A regular meeting for prayer was established iu th6 house of Mr. Gilbert, a carpenter, ia a yard opposite the Market-house. 240 HEMMINSTOSr. Soon after this event, Mr. Jonathan Evans, who resided at Coventry, and preached at Foleshill, com- menced preaching. The first sermon delivered by liim -was in. Mr. GrUhert's yard, whose house having been registered as a place of pubKc worship for Pro- testant Dissenters, preaching was, for some time, conti- nued there ; but the service was subsequently conducted in a room belonging to Mr. Hear. At this time, a violent spirit of persecution raged. The windows of Mr. Hear's house were broken; fire was thrown into the rooms ; and aqua-fortis was poured on the people's clothes. Many " fellows of the baser sort," encouraged by some persons in superior stations of Hfe, frequently endeavoured to promote disturbances, and to interrupt the worship. On one occasion they entered the place in a very tumultuous manner, insulted the congregation, and compelled them to relinquish the service. It was now thought proper to apply to a magistrate for redress; eighteen persons were therefore apprehended and taken before Sir Eoger Newdigate, who warmly espoused the cause of the persecuted ; and would have inflicted the penalty of the law, in its utmost rigour, on the of- fenders; but Mr. Harris, one of the injured party, in the true spirit of Christian forbearance, interposed, and pleaded that they might be dismissed with a reprimand, and the payment of expenses; which was at length, though with great reluctance on the part of the magis- trate, complied with. Having failed in this project, the persecutors had recourse to another. They proposed to remove all tho poor who professed evangelical religion, and did not belong to the town, to their PEESECITTIOlir. CHAPEL EEECTED. 241 respective parislies ; and to deprive otters, as far as they could, of employment. But in this measure they also failed ; for they -were threatened, that if this plan were adopted, all who belonged to Atherstone, residing in other parishes, should be sent home ; and an opulent manufacturer, who employed a great number of persons, declared that if they carried matters to such lengths, he would throw all his operatives upon the support of the parish. Thus, by a kind and gracious providence, were all the attempts of the enemies of the cause to injure it, defeated. It was maintained ; it prospered ; and it was remarked that, ia the course of one year, most of the leading persecutors were removed into eternity. The public services were, for some time, conducted by Messrs. Burder, of Coventry ; Moody, of "Warwick ; Povah, of Ashby-de-la-Zouoh ; Hewitt, of Bedworth; and Evans, of FoleshUl. These ministers were occa- sionally assisted by others, and a blessing accompanied the word ; the hearers increased in number, and it was soon found necessary to obtain a more commodious place of worship. Mr. Benjamin Harris generously gave a piece of land, situated at the top of the Coach and Horses public house yard, on the south west side of the town. Upon this spot was erected a small chapel, capable of accommodating about three hundred persons. In ^May, 1792, it was opened for public worship, and germons preached by Messrs. Burder, Little, of Bir- mingham, and Povah. A room for a Sunday School was afterwards attached, which was for some years the only effective institution of the kind in the town. 242 KIEBT. MOSELET. DBNHAM, ETC. The next object to whioli the attentioa of the congre- gation was directed, was the choice of a stated minister. Mr. Hemmington recommended Mr. Kieby, who became the first minister that settled here ; but in about twelve months, he left the place and neighbourhood. In the year that Mr. Kirby resigned his charge, Mr. William Moseley, a student of Hoxton Academy, was invited to the pastorate. This invitation being accepted, a Church was formed on the 19th of Feb., 1794, in the presence, and by the assistance of Dr. Williams, of Birmingham; Messrs. Burder, Moody, Hewitt, Fleming, Little, and Moseley. In 1795, Mr. Moseley left Atherstone, and went to Long Buckby, and afterwards to Hanley. He was suc- ceeded by Mr. Joshtta Denhait, an Itinerant from Binningham ; who remained three years ; and then re- moved to Towcester. Mr. Obadiah Bestitett, from Paradise Chapel, Birmingham, then became pastor, but removed to Yicar Lane Chapel, Coventry, in 1804; and was succeeded in the pastoral office by Mr. Thomas HiTCHiN, from Bromstone, in Staffordshire, where he had been recently ordained. For nearly seven years he presided over the Church; and in 1810, removed to TatenhaU, in Cheshire. He was followed by Mr. John Eaqleton, from Gosford Street Chapel, Coventry ; but in about two years he returned to that city, to talie charge of the congregation assembling in Yicar Lane. After these numerous changes, Mr. Egbert Maxseli MiXLEE, from Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, was invited to the pastorate, which he held with honour and useful- ness for the lengthened period of thirty-one years. mulee. sew chajei. , 243 On tlie 30th of March, 1813, Mr. Miller was publicly- set apart to the pastoral office. Mr. Franklin, of Co- ventry, addressed the pastor on the ministerial character, from Gal. i. 24 ; and Mr. Salt, of Lichfield, preached to the people, from Philip, i. 27. In the year 1822, it was resolved to erect a new and more commodious Chapel and School Eooms. A fund was commenced; and on the 18th of June, 1826, the foundation stone of the building was laid; a brief history of the church was read, and appropriate addresses deli- vered by Messrs. Salt, Percy, Jerard, and Sibree. The chapel was opened July 16, 1827, when sermons were preached by Messrs. East and James, of Birmingham. This new chapel was erected in North Street, and is one of the neatest and best buildings in the town. It will accommodate, with new side galleries since erected, about six hundred persons. The building and school rooms attached, (the latter of which, with vestry, were erected in 1837,) with the land adjoining, and a small burying-ground, cost about £2,000 ; the whole of which sum was raised chiefly by the members of the congregation, leaving the entire premises unencumbered with debt : thus affording a noble illustration of the power and excellency of the voluntary principle. Several missionaries and ministers have gone forth from this church : viz., Mr. Joseph Cooke, who became minister at Eatington; Mr. E. Pickering, who was settled at Brigstock, in Northamptonshire ; Mr. Thomas Dexter, who left England in 1823, as a missionary, under the patronage of the London Missionary Society, at Trinidad, in the West Indies, but soon died; and e2 244. miLEE. Mr. John Cooke, pastor of the Independent Church at Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire. In 1835, Mr. Thomas Heath, one of the deacons of the church, went forth as a missionary in connection with the London Missionary Society, to the Navigators' Islands, in the South Seas. Two others have since been sent forth from this church into the ministry, viz., Mr. Joseph Spencer, now minis- ter of Tipping Street Chapel, Manchester; and Mr. James Nugent, who had been brought up in the Eoman Catholic faith, but became a Protestant Dissenter ; and is now engaged as an agent in maintaining the Pro- testant faith among Catholics. Mr. Miller was born July 18, 1774, at Lynn, in Norfolk. It does not appear that he enjoyed the privilege of a religious education. At the expiration of his , apprenticeship he abandoned the trade to which he had been brought up, and became an assistant in a school at Manchester. In that town he attended the ministry of the late Mr. Eoby, and joined the church under his pastoral care. In this connection he was frequently engaged in preaching in the neighbouring villages, and soon gained the notice, and shared in the friendship of his pastor, who gave him much assistance in his studies for nearly two years. About this time, the late Eobert Spear, Esq., became the patron and supporter of an Academy, over which Mr. Eoby was appointed to pre- side; and Mr. Miller became one of the first sis students, and continued in the Academy about two years. In the year 1806, he accepted a call from the Inde- pendent Chiu'ch at Chorley, in Lancashire, where he MILLBE. • 245 was ordained Marcli 13th of that year; Mr. Roby, Mr. €harrier, of Lancaster, and other ministers, taking parts in the service. The congregation in this place had become very small ; but through the labours of Mr. Miller, it considerably increased. He remained at Chorley three years, at the close of which he accepted an invitation from two Independent and two Baptist Churches in Liverpool, to become their Town Mission- ary. After a year's residence in Liverpool, he was engaged for four months as an agent in connection with the Surrey Mission, near London. On his journey home to Liverpool, he was introduced to the congrega- tion at Earl Shilton, in Leicestershire ; and in the year 1810, became pastor of the Independent church ia that village. In this sphere of labour he continued for three years, and then removed to Atherstone; and in 1813, was ordained. The ministry of this excellent man was rendered a great blessing to many; especially to young persons; and he enjoyed a high place in the esteem and respect of his church and congregation. Por many years he sustained the offices of Secretary and Treasurer to the "Warwickshire Association of Ministers. In the discharge of these duties he was most indefatigable. But for the last few years his mind was greatly harassed, and his spirits sometimes much depressed, through the perplexities arising from the want of funds to sustain and promote the interests of the Association. Wo man more ardently desired to see all the destitute yUlages of the county favoured with the blessings of the gospel, than did this zealous man 246 MIIXEK. of God. And whatever embarrassments were experieiiced' by a deficiency of funds, be often declared that be never repented for one moment of any effort be bad made, in conjunction witb bis bretbren, to spread the gospel in tbe county. His regret was, not tbat so mucb bad been done, but tbat so mucb remained yet to be done ; and earnestly and constantly did be pray tbat tbe Lord would open tbe bands and hearts of professing Christians to assist tbe cause of Missions at home as well as abroad. May bis prayers be answered ! But "there is a time to die;" and on the 24th of September, 1844, be "feU asleep in Jesus," in tbe 71st year of his age, and in tbe 32d year of his pas- torate. "Blessed are the dead that die in tbe Lord — they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them !" Mr. Miller acquired, by bis uniform and correct deportment, a weight of character that commanded general respect. 'WTiatever men might think of bis religion as a Christian, or bis profession as a Dissenter, all would acknowledge tbat he was a good man. He loved the gospel ; be lived the gospel ; and was cheered to his last days by those hopes and prospects which the gospel presents. In the last letter which the writer re- ceived from him a few weeks before his death, he said, " The time wiU come, and I apprehend it is at no great distance, when I shall have done with all worldly concerns. — And oh ! what a happy hour that wiU be that introduces me to the presence of God and th» Lamb, and to the society of saints and angels in tha world of glory !" iriLLEE. 247 As a minister, he was sound, and truly evangelical in his views; — "a, scribe weU instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom," — "a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." As a preacher, he was more instructive than impres- sive. There was iu his delivery a laboured manner that was not quite calculated to produce the feeling the speaker desired to awaken. He appeared anxious to be correct in his language; but for this he sacrificed freedom of thought, and ardour of address. In the preparation of the channel, he checked the flowing of the spring. But though he was not, in the usual acceptation of the term, " popular" as a preacher, he was useful, which is iinquestionably the best talent. He did not dazzle, but he enlightened. He did not surprise, but he informed. If he had little for the critic, he had always something for the Christian. As an author, his productions, like his preaching, were all of a useful tendency. His publications were as foUow : — 1. A Catechism on the Nature of a Christian Church ; — a plain, cheap manual which has passed through several editions. 2. The Christian Teacher; a Catechism on the principal sub- jects of Divine Revelation. 3. A Catechism of Doctrines and Ordinances of Divine Revelation. 4. The Catechist, or Reli- gious Instructor. 5. An improved edition of Watts's 1st Cate- chism, with exercises. 6. An improved edition of Watts's 2nd Catechism, with exercises and scripture proofs. 7. A Collection of Hymns for Sunday Schools. 8. The Religious Instruction of Children and Youth recommended to Christian Parents. 9. Memoirs of Mr. and Miss Mallabone, of Nuneaton. 10. Funeral Sermon for Mrs, Davis. 11. Sermon in Commemora- tion of Bartholomew Day. 12. Remarks on Religious Worship ; an octavo Volume. 248 CEEAK. Mr. Sibree preached a Funeral Sermon for his old friend and brother in the Chapel at Atherstone, Oct. 13, 1844, on Hebrews xiii. 7, 8. " Eemember them which have the rule over you," &c. By the request of the congregation, the Discourse was published, entitled, "The Pastor's Office and the People's Duty ;" including a Memoir of the deceased ; and " an Account of the Else and Progress of the Church and Congregation ;" from which some of the above niemorials have been selected. At the time of Mr. Miller's iUness and decease, the pulpit was supplied by students from Spring Hill CoUege ; one of whom, Mr. Henet Bkown Cbeak, M.A., received a unanimous and cordial invitation to the pastorate; and was ordained Feb. 20th, 1845; on which occasion Mr. Barker, Classical Tutor of Spring Hill College, delivered the Introductory Discourse; Mr. Sibree, of Coventry, offered the Ordination Prayer ; Mr. "Watts, Theological Tutor, delivered the Charge; and Mr. James, of Birmingham, addressed the Church and Congregation. After continuing his services for about three years among a numerous, united, affection- ate, and zealous people, Mr. Creak was called to occupy a stiU higher station, for which his superior abilities well qualified him ; viz., that of Philosophical Tutor at Airedale CoUege, Yorkshire. He therefore removed from Atherstone to that situation in 1 848. The pulpit was then, for a considerable period, sup- plied by various students and ministers. At length, by a hasty and an unhappy election of one of the latter, on the part of some of the members of the Chuich, this EEAB. 249 once harmoliious, happy, prosperous community was rent asunder. Deacons and members were excluded in a manner contrary to all the rules of congregational discipline, and the directions of the New Testament. The result of which was that four of the deacons, and the principal members and supporters of the cause, withdrew from the place ; and after occupying a room in another part of the town, for some time, they obtained the use of the old Presbyterian Meeting-house in Long Street, where the seceding members of the Church and Congregation still meet, as their temporary place of worship. Early in the present year, 1855, they gave a unani- mous invitation to Mr. Jambs Eeab, of Axminster, late student of the Western CoUege, Plymouth, to undertake the pastorate; with this invitation he com- plied; and was ordained on the 11th of April last. The services were held in the Wesleyan Chapel, as affording more ample accommodation than the Meeting- house where the people are temporarily worshiping. Mr. Caston, of Leamington, introduced the service by reading the Scriptures and prayer. Professor Creak, the former pastor, delivered the Introductory Discourse. The questions were proposed by Mr. Percy, of Warwick. The Ordination Prayer was offered by Mr. Sibree, of Coventry. Professor Newth, of 'Eew College, London, one of the Tutors of Mr. Eead, delivered the Charge ; and Mr. Spencer, of Eochdale, preached to the Church and Congregation. A. prosperous and weU supported Sunday School has, 250 ♦ LIST OF MINISTEES, for many years, been sustained by tHs congregation, which has been rendered a great blessing to the town and neighbourhood. A Eeligious Tract Society has also been zealously maintained, and annual subscriptions and collections to the London Missionary Society, and to the County Association, to a large amount, have been contributed. Indeed there has been no congregation in the county that has been more united, zealous, and liberal than that of Atherstone. It is our sincere and fervent prayer, that every cloud may be scattered, and every obstacle to the continued peace and prosperity of this Christian community be removed. " Thus saith the Lord God, behold I am for you, and I will turn imto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply men upon you, aU the house of Israel, even all of it ; and the cities shall be inhabited, and the waste places shall be buUt; and I wiU settle you after your old estates, and wiU do better unto you than at your beginnings, and ye shall know that I am the Lord." — Ezek. xxxiii. 9 — 11. List of Ministers : — Ministers. From Set- tled died EemoTed to Roy. — Klvby ' 1792 Resigned, 179S „ William lloseley Hoxton Academy 1793 LongBuckby,179» „ Joshua Denham Birmingham 1796 Towcester, 1798 „ Oiaaiali Bennett Ditto 1793 Coventry, 1804 Tatenhall, „ Tliomos Illtcliln Bromstone, Stafford- 18M shire ChesMie, 1810 „ John Eagleton Oosford Street Chapel, 1810 1882 Vicar Lane, CoTen- Coventvy try, 1812 „ R,M. Minor Earl Shllton 181S 1844' „ H. B. Creult, M.A. Spring HiU CoUege 1844 Airedale CoUege, „ Jamos Road Axminstor lens 4.0V0 YILlAeES. 251 VILLAGES IN THE NEIGHBOUEHOOD OF ATHEESTONE. During Hs ministry at Atherstone, Mr. Miller, with, several of Hs deacons and otter memlDers of the church, was accustomed to preach, and to distribute Eeligious Tracts in the surrounding Yillages ; in three of these, smaU chapels have been erected ; — one at SHEEPT MAGN-A. This village is on the borders of Leicestershire, and three miles from Atherstone. In the year 1814, Mr. Miller commenced preaching in a dwelling-house in this place, and established a Sunday School. On the 5th of June, 1816, a neat chapel was opened, when sermons were preached by Mr. James, of Birmingham, and Mr. Jerard, of Coventry. The pulpit is still supplied by itinerants, residing in the neighbourhood. About five mUes from Atherstone is the ancient village of POLESWOETH. This large village was adopted by the Warwickshire Association as a Home Missionary station, in which Sheepy, and the hamlet of Baddesley were included. In 1829, a dwelling-house in Polesworth was fitted up as a Chapel, in which public worship has ever since been regularly maintained. The present Home Mis- sionary Agent, who resides here, is Mr. James Gouge. 252 VILLAGES. BADDESLEY. This is a hamlet to the parish of Pdlesworth, and is about three nules distant from Atherstone. There are collieries in the neighbourhood in which many of the inhabitants are employed. As early as the year 1797, the gospel was introduced to this benighted place; and a Sunday School esta- blished, chiefly by the exertions of Mr. Denham, of Atherstone, and Mr. Dagloy, of Nuneaton. A private house was used for these purposes until May 26, 1801, when a small Chapel was opened for public worship, and sermons preached by Mr. Burder, of Coventry, and Mr. Denham, then of Towcester. A lady, who lived at a distance, and who was owner of the land on which the chapel stood, not only gave the ground, but fifty guineas also toward the building. Much spiritual good has been effected in this place; many of the coUiers having become devoted, praying men. The gospel is regularly preached here by the Home Missionary and others. CHAPTER X. MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT rOLESHILL. BXTENSIVB PAKISH — EJECTED MINISTER, DIAMOND — JONATHAN EVANS — StrCCBSSEUI, LABOURS — CHAPEL ERECTED— CHURCH POKMED^ORDINATION — PROGRESS — MB. EVANS' DECEASE — KOWTON — JONES — ^FORSAITH BETTS — DR. STYLES — BRITISH SCHOOLS — -DEATH OP STTLES — WITHERS — OTHER DENOMINA- TIONS — -GENERAL BAPTISTS — EPISCOPALIANS — MR. NUNN — HUGHES — WESLEYANS. PoLESHiLi is a widely extended parishi, withia the liberties of Coventry, from -wliieli it is distant two miles. It was a part of the vast possessions of the Countess Godiva. The chapel, — now the parish church, — in King Stephen's time, belonged to the monis of Coventry, who retained it till the Eeformation. A large proportion of the inhabitants are employed in the weaving of ribbons for the Coventry manufacturers. The population, which is greatly scattered, is 7,810. A good minister was ejected from the vicarage by the Act of Uniformity in 1662 ; of whom we have only the following brief account: — "Mr. Tmsxeam Diamond was ejected after he had been minister here fifty years. He was a professed Arminian; but his sentiments about ceremonies were puritanical, and so also was his Ufe." 254 EVAifs. Wliat became of tMs venerable man, or what was tbe result of bis labours, in reference to bis flock, we know not. About a bundred years after tbis event, the General Baptists founded a Cbristian cburcb at Longford, a hamlet in tbis parish, of which we design to give a brief notice at the close of tbis chapter. In the year 1782, Mr. Jonath.vn Evans, a native of Coventry, and a member of Mr. Burder's church, after preaching in the open air for some time in various places in that part of 'Warwickshire, turned his atten- tion more particularly to the populous parish of Foles- bill, which stood greatly in need of evangelical efforts. He proclaimed the gospel on diiferent spots in the parish to numerous auditories. He then formed Sunday Schools, and hired several bouses, ia which he often preached. His exertions were very successful; many even of those who had been notoriously wicked, expe- rienced the transforming power of the grace of God. This induced the attempt to give permanency to the good work so hopefully begun. He therefore purchased a building, which stood in an eligible situation by the side of the canal which runs through the parish, and which had been used for the purpose of lajing up the boats belonging to tho Canal Company. This building he fitted up as a place of worship. The congregation became so numerous as to render an enlargement neces- sary. But even after its enlargement, it was found to be insufiicicnt, as the congregation continued to increase. To provide for its necessities, Mr. Evaus then purchased two acres of land, in the centre of the paiish, called i!Tii