Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

732

Obituary. Rev. B. Carpenter.-Earl Stanhope.-Mrs. Brooks.

Thompson, of Boston, in Lincolnshire. To which is prefixed a Discourse on 2 Cor. xiii. 11, occasioned by his death.

30. The Principal Parts of the Christian Religion, respecting Faith and Practice. A new edition corrected and enlarged.

31. A Compendious View of the Nature and Importance of Christian Baptism. Fifth edition.

32. A Catechism; or Instructions for Children and Youth, in the Fundamental Doctrines of Christianity. Tenth edition.

33. A Good Minister of Jesus Christ. A Sermon occasioned by the death of the Rev. Samuel Stennett, D.D.

34. A Sermon occasoned by the Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor (the author's first wife) who died October 22, 1793, with a short account of her Life and description of her Character.

35. The Nature and Importance of Preparatory Studies prior to entering on the Christian Ministry considered. A Sermon delivered at Loughborough before the Governors of the General Baptists' Academy, on Matt. xiii. 52.

36. An Essay on the Truth and Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

37. A Letter on the Duties of Church Members to each other.

38. A Letter to the Churches on the Universality of our Saviour's Death.

On Saturday, November 23, 1816, the Rev. BENJAMIN CARPENTER, cf Old Swinford, near Stourbridge, after a pilgrimage of sixty-four years, entered on his eternal rest. It must be left to a future occasion and to some other pen, minutely to describe the excellencies of his mind and character, to do justice to his seriousness of temper, his zeal in what he conceived to be the cause of his Divine Master, and his constant, delicate, undissembled sympathy in the sorrows of the poor, the sick, the mourning and the destiture. The friend who offers this tribute to the memory of one whom, amidst important differences of opinion, he cordially esteemed and loved, had many opportunities of knowing that Mr. Carpenter possessed unfeigned candour of disposition. The seeming departure from this spirit, which his writings may have been thought occasionally to exhibit, arose from no unkindness of

feeling; for his affection was extended beyond that of most men, to the sincere and upright of every sect and communion. It was the great object of his ministerial labours to promote inward and practical piety-the religion of the heart and life. On the Lord's day preceding his dissolution, he twice preached with his usual solemnity and earnestness, on those remarkable words, Job ii. 10, "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" in a train of reflections which may now console his deeply afflicted family and friends. On the following Wednesday, an apoplectic seizure deprived him of speech: but from that period, till the powers of nature were exhausted and he sunk into the arms of death, his countenance indicated the serene and holy confidence with which his heart was fixed on a better world-where the tender and endearing intercourses of love will be renewed, and the voice of thanksgiving and praise will alone be heard.

J. H. B.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, at his seat at Chevening, in Kent, CHARLES EARL STANHOPE, in the 64th year of his age; an enlightened, zealous, incorruptible and courageous champion of civil and religious liberty. [We hope to receive a more extended account of this patriotic nobleman.]

Died, on Sunday, November 10th, 1816, aged 41, MRS. BROOKS, the wife of the Rev. James Brooks, of Hyde, near Stockport, Cheshire, and was interred on the 14th of the same month, in the cemetery attached to the chapel at Hyde. On the following Sunday, in the afternoon, a funeral sermon was delivered to a numerous congregation, by Mr. Parker, of Stockport, from i Thess. iv. 13, 14.

Mrs. B. had not possessed perfect health for some years; she was, however, generally not only placid, but cheerful. A nervous fever was the disorder supposed to have been the immediate cause of her death;-and this in less than ten days, deprived her neighbours and acquaintance of a much respected friend, and her husband of an excellent wife. She was one who united an attention to domestic concerns 'with a relish for mental pursuits. Her disposition and manners were not of

Obituary.—Mr. John Fordham.—Mrs. Ann Piesley.

the obstrusive kind, so that the knowJedge and taste which she possessed were, perhaps, not fully known to all her friends. Her partner is most deeply affected by the painful dispensation of Providence, which has taken away one who contributed much to his happiness. But he consoles himself with the idea, that as she was the humble follower of Jesus Christ, she will at length be raised by him to glory, honour and immortality;-and that virtuous friendship begun on earth shall be completed in heaven. Stockport, Dec. 10, 1816.

S. P.

September 17, 1816, after an illness of nearly two years, JOHN FORDHAM, of Kelshall, Herts, who has left behind him to lament his loss, a disconsolate widow and four children. In him the community are deprived of a sincere and zealous friend of civil and religious liberty, the Dissenters of a thorough supporter of free and impartial inquiry, his acquaintance of an intelligent, friendly and lively companion, and the neighbourhood of a man remarkable for a frank, straight forward integrity. So prominent was this last rare moral quality, that one and the same observation was made by all ranks on hearing of his death, Well, we have indeed then lost a truly honest man." Nor was he less distinguished for the constancy and sincerity of his friendship; what he was to day, you might rely upon finding him on the morrow. And so companionable was his nature, that he always instantly dismissed all private concerns upon the entrance of a friend, and to them in every sense of the word he was always at home.

His views of Christianity differed very materially from the popular creed; but he seldom made his own creed the subject of conversation. He ap peared to have no desire to make converts to his own opinions. He thought all sects too zealous for creeds, and not sufficiently attentive to the spirit and example of the founder of their religion. He would say, "If Christianity is a dispensation of grace, it is not less a system of morals and motives every disciple had talents distributed to him, and his appointed work to do." He read with great attention and discrimination the controversies of the day, and was accus

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

733

tomed to remark, that controversy was necessary to a more correct knowledge of the Scriptures, the best antidote against bigotry, and no bad remedy to the errors of education; but he deprecated controversial preaching, which as he thought, usually leads to a misstatement of the creed of others, imputing to them conclusions which they disavow, and productive of irritation instead of peace and love.

Amongst his particular friends he was fond of promoting religious discussion, and his acquaintance will long remember the strength of argument as well as sweetness of temper he uniformly displayed. Against all intolerance he was accustomed to express a pointed abhorrence; free, unfettered inquiry he considered as the birthright of Christians, and the glory of the gospel; to substitute any creed whether oral or written in the place of the sacred volume, was an evident return to popery, but to anathematize, to excommunicate, was to beat our fellow, servants, and to lord it over God's heritage. In conformity to this truly Christian and liberal way of thinking, almost the last act of his life was to provide a few friends with a place of worship, where the New Testament, not human creeds, Christian love, not uniformity of opinion, are the bonds of Christian union. His children are too young to know the extent of the loss they have sustained, but at some future time this imperfect sketch of his character may assist to impart some faint image of the virtues of the parent they have been so early deprived of.

E. F.

On Sunday morning, November 24, at Runwell-house, near Farnham, died, aged 80, MRS. ANN, relict of Mr. Thomas PIESLEY, and was interred the following Sunday in the General Baptists' burying ground, Mead Row, near Godalming, in the same vault with her husband. Mr. T. Moore performed the funeral service, and before a numerous assemblage of friends preached from a passage which she had chosen from the 31st Psalm, part of verse 5, "Into thine hand I commit my spirit." From this subject the preacher took occasion to show the character, present privileges, and fu ture portion of the servant of God, and concluded with observing that the life

[blocks in formation]

and death of the genuine Christian was most happily exemplified in the deceased. She was a native of Ditchling, Sussex, where her father, Mr. Agate, was a preacher in the General Baptist connexion: she was of the same persuasion, and a worshipper of the one, living and true God, strict in the practice of moral virtue, and rich in the possession of Christian graces. Her sympathy and benevolence, her unruffled patience, her unaffected piety, the ease and simplicity of her manners, her stedfastness of faith, confidence of hope and serenity in death, reflect lasting credit on her religion, and endear her memory to her friends and acquaintance. That habitual peace of mind which she enjoyed was not disturbed at the prospect of dissolution: she desired it, but feeling neither rapture nor depression, she breathed her last with composure, fell asleep in Jesus, and rested from her labours.

T. M.

On Wednesday, December 11, at Guildford, THOMAS OSBOURN, aged 77, after a long season of weakness and bodily pain. He in early life enlisted in the service of the East India company, and served several years in the Peninsula, and after his return to England he followed the military profession, beloved and esteemed by those who knew him; but at times he drank to excess, and then he was very profane. After his discharge he came to Guildford, where he went to hear Mr. Chamberland, the minister to the Particular Baptists: here he became convinced of the necessity of repentance and newness of life, and was admitted a member of this church, and was very conscientious and circumspect. Prior to this epoch, six or eight of the most enlightened and pious members of this church had been expelled for heresy, (viz. the unity and supremacy of the Father), which they had imbibed through the preaching and conversation of Mr. J. Marsom. Our deceased friend associated with one of these heretics, Mrs. S. Matthews, a devout and intelligent woman, who still attended at the chapel, and was on friendly terms with Mr. Wood, the successor to Mr. Chamberland; she conversed with them freely on the doctrine of the divine unity. Our friend saw reason to consider, and then to believe this

article of the Christian faith; and going to Godalming to hear Mr. Thomas Foster, one of the expelled members, and who had by his zealous exertions collected a small church, he became confirmed in this fundamental truth. Some of his brethren suspected, then questioned, and lastly accused him before the church of disbelieving Jesus Christ to be God. He confessed and contended that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. They replied, that is not enough-you must believe that he is God, you came into the church with this faith. He denied this; if was not faith, I thought it was so, I assented to your creed (this was a written formulary of faith read over and assented to by incoming members). They proposed to suspend him from the Lord's supper which was to be celebrated the next Sunday. He objected, While I continue a member of the church, I am entitled to all the privileges of the church. They would not break bread with an heretic; and they cast him out, not after the second admonition as the Apostle directs, but at this very time when he was first charged with this heresy. He retained his other religious tenets, as did Thomas Foster, with whose church he then united and regularly attended at the distance of nearly five miles. He was bold and unreserved in the avowal of his religious principles, and defended them with zeal and ability from the Scriptures against the attacks and insinuations of his opponents who were many and violent; and although he never entirely relinquished all his former Calvinistic opinions, yet he became very moderate and candid, which will appear from a circumstance that I will relate, and which I myself witnessed, Mr. Foster had embraced the doctrine of universal restoration, and Thomas Osbourn after hearing him for the first time preach on the subject, when he came down from the pulpit took him by the hand and said,

66

Friend, where did you get this new old doctrine?" which he cordially received, and ever afterwards rejoiced therein. He read and studied the Holy Scriptures very diligently, and his conversation was fraught with passages from those lively oracles, and he used to express himself with uncommon feeling and thankfulness on the love of God in Christ Jesus. He died in peace, with a hope full of immortality,

Intelligence.-Wright's Journal of an Unitarian Mission in South Wales. 735

stedfast and immovable in that faith for which in life he had sacrificed and suffered so much. When excommunicated he was advanced in years and his frame debilitated, able to do little towards getting a livelihood, and destitute of parochial aid, his wife lame, and his daughter afflicted with a grievous scrofula, and being deprived of the charities of the church, he was severely exercised. But the Lord in whom he trusted did not forsake him, but raised him up a compassionate benefactor in a meinber of the Church

of England, who allowed him a weekly stipend, beside many other favours: and this he did after our friend had refused to comply with his request to attend the service of the Church of England. Generous and noble-minded Churchman! thy liberality shall not be forgotten; and may it not rise in judgment against those whose unfeeling bigotry led them to expel and abandon this worthy and unfriended confessor of Christ. Mead Row.

INTELLIGENCE.

DOMESTIC.
RELIGIOUS.

An Account of Mr. Wright's Mission in
Wales. Extracted from his Journals.

(Concluded from p. 684.)
IV. GLAMORGANSHIRE.
THIS is the most populous county
in Wales, and the most important in
a commercial point of view; and here
Unitarianism appears to have made
greater progress than in any other part
of the principality. I preached at the
following places.

1. Gelligron. Here I preached in a farm house, to an attentive audience; and Mr. Phillips gave the substance of the discourse in Welsh. Had also the pleasure of visiting the relations of our respected friend, Mr. T. Rees, whose aged grandmother, near her hundredth year, feels a lively interest in the success of the Unitarian cause.

2. Swansea. In this populous and increasing town there is a very respectable and improving congregation. Many of its members, some of them persons of superior rank in society, discover much zeal in the Unitarian cause. Mr. Aubrey's labours in Swansea appear to have been highly useful. The success of Unitarianism seems to have given considerable alarm to some of the reputed orthodox; what they have published, notwithstanding their illiberality, and the temper in which they have been replied to, can hardly fail to excite inquiry and promote the knowledge of the truth. I preached at Swansea four times, most of the congregations were pretty large; and had much pleasant conversation with the friends. Some of them are very active in pushing into circulation small Unitarian tracts.

T. M.

3. White Rock, a place near Swansea, connected with the copper works. Here I preached in a large schoolroom, which is occupied as a place of worship by Christians of different parties. We had a crouded congregation, a number of genteel persons from Swansea and its vicinity attended. Mr. Phillips repeated the discourse in Welsh.

4. Neath. The congregation has been raised in this place by the exertions of Mr. D. Davis. They have erected a very neat and commodious chapel, in which they now meet. In defraying the expence of erecting this building, they have been assisted by subscriptions from several places: still a considerable debt remains, the discharge of which would be beneficial The contributions of to the cause. those friends who have not yet given any thing towards the Neath chapel would be thankfully received. I preached in this place four times; we had respectable, and some of them large congregations. The Unitarians at Neath are not without zeal in the cause. By steady and persevering exertions much good may be done in this town. Mr. Meck preached here

[blocks in formation]

735

Intelligence-Unitarian Chapel Thorne, Yorkshire,

iners, the congregation was small. I am informed it is very good on a Lord's day.

6. Wick. In this village there is an Unitarian Baptist congregation. I preached to a pretty large audience. 7. Newton-Nottage. Here also the congregation ranks as Unitarian Baptists. I preached to a crouded assembly. Mr. Phillips at both these places gave an outline of the sermon in Welsh. Mr. Evan Lloyd is the minister of both these churches.

8. Bridgend. Here is a good meeting-house, but the congregation has long been in a low state. Mr. James has lately undertaken to try what can be done to revive it: he preaches here one Sunday in the fortnight, and Mr. Evan Lloyd supplies the other Sunday. I preached here three times; the hearers were very attentive. In this congregation there is a respectable family who are relations of that truly excellent man the late Dr. Price.

9. Bettws. I preached here to a congregation which was said to be much larger than what usually attends.

10. Cardiff. There are Unitarians in this town, but some of them want courage and zeal. I preached in the Presbyterian meeting-house to a respectable congregation. Mr. Phillips gave an outline in Welsh.

11. Caerphilly. Here I preached in the Town-Hall, to a large assembly. There are several Unitarians in this place and its vicinity. In this town and at Cardiff it is much to be lamented that Unitarian worship is not regularly carried on.

A short distance from Caerphilly is a small congregation, said to be chiefly Antitrinitarian.

In going from Cardiff to Caerphilly I had the pleasure of visiting the relations of my highly respected friend Dr. Carpenter.

On the evening of the day when I preached at Caerphilly it was appointed for me to preach at CraigFargod, but the distance was so great, the road some part of it so bad and difficult to find, that we arrived too late! Here is an old Unitarian Baptist congregation. We conversed with some of the brethren.

12. Merthyr-Tydvil. This is a very populous town situated in the midst of the iron works. The Unitarians meet here in a large school-room, and seem to be pretty numerous, and to

have zeal in the cause. I preached three times to crouded audiences, who were very attentive.

13. Blaengwrach. The meetinghouse here is said to be one of the oldest in the principality, and stands on an hill in the midst of trees, some way from any habitation. I preached to an attentive audience. A Mr. Williams is the minister in this place.

14. Aberdare. I preached here twice, had very good congregations. Mr. Phillips repeated in Welsh the substance of the sermons. There seems to be a good Unitarian congregation in this place. Mr. T. Evan is the minister at Aberdare and Merthyr-Tydvil.

15. Cymmar. Here I preached to an attentive assembly. Mr. James gave the substance of the discourse in Welsh. I know not with what class of Christians the minister of this cougregation ranks, but he appears to be a truly liberal man.

There is reason to think there are Unitarians in some parts of Glamorganshire who do not openly profess the doctrine, nor contribute to its promotion by uniting with its friends. Still the knowledge of the truth is making progress; and in a few years the name Unitarian instead of being thought reproachful, will be esteemed honourable. Our brethren in this county, especially in the eastern part of it, have many openings for their exertions in the great cause of divine truth.

Unitarian Chapel, Thorne, Yorkshire.

At a meeting of the Unitarian Society at Thorne, held in their new chapel after afternoon's service on the Lord's day, December 15, 1816, Francis Moat reported the particulars of his late excursion, and stated that he had left home with å debt of £208. 6s. 11d. upon the chapel, and that after an absence of six weeks he had succeeded in collecting £229 6s. 6d.; that his expenses had been £4 18s. 3d. only (owing to the kind hospitality with which he had been received), leaving a balance of £16. Is. 4d. in the hands of the Treasurer.

It was resolved unanimously: 1. That the grateful and affectionate thanks of this Society are hereby given to the friends at Halifax, Rochdale, Manchester, Stockport, Bolton, Stand, Bury, Monton, Warrington, Gateacre,

« AnteriorContinua »