SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT STREET, NEAR be made up and examined when the majority of the church shall think proper. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do reciprocally agree to the following rules." These friends had not been long united before a persecution commenced, which ended in the magistrates' interference. The most prominent character in the church was Mr. Wm. Gould. It is worthy of remark, that, for some time after May and Hays began to preach in Street, Mr. Gould felt indignant at the new religionists who had come amongst them. After many entreaties, however, he was prevailed upon to hear these dissenters for himself; the consequence of which was, that his prejudices gradually yielded to the force of truth, and he began to relax in his attendance on the Established Church, to which he was brought up; which the clergyman anticipating unfavourably to himself, voluntarily offered Mr. G. an exemption from all his tythes, if he would return to his old seat in the Parish Church. This offer, however, he was enabled to resist, it occasioned no alteration in his mind; he became encreasingly attached to these few despised people, sanctioning the cause with his presence, and supporting it till the hour of his death. About the year 1812, it was found that the place of worship was too small. On choosing a fresh minister, it was proposed to raise a One family subscribed liberally, his sons voluntarily engaged to perform the preparatory work, and hale the stone. In 1814, a commodious place of worship was opened, and the cause for a time had a pleasing ap THE first features of Christianity to be traced in this place, arose from the preach-member gave the ground; Mr. Gould and more suitable edifice. ing of two obscure individuals, namely, John May and Philip Hays, about twenty years ago. These disinterested men having experienced the power of the Gospel in their own souls, felt an ardent desire to communicate the knowledge of it to their perishing fellow-sinners. It appears that both these individuals laboured indefatigably, travelling on Sabbath days, at times, nearly thirty miles to carry the glad tidings of salvation to different villages. From their pious efforts many received the incorruptible seed; and not unfrequently do we hear the aged in the neighbourhood declare their attachment to the memory of those worthy preachers. "July 26, 1798. The church of Christ, established at STREET, have, in mutual deliberation and in brotherly love with each other, agreed to contribute weekly to support the exigences which the church may require. And we further agree, that J. F. and E. P. shall be chosen to distribute these our contributions, in the best manner they shall think proper: such as, relieving preachers who stand in needsick members of the church, &c. and they are to keep regular and just accounts, to pearance. Bristol, was called by the church to the About Lady-day, 1823, Mr. Orchard, of pastoral office. From that time the conMr. Gould and his family with the memgregation has been gradually recovering. bers, came forward liberally to its support. But, alas? he is now no more. Mr. Gould's companion, of late, was the Bible; his devotion was conspicuous; his conversaprincipally on the vanities of the world. tion was savoury; and, of late, it turned He was taken ill on Friday morning, and his sufferings were great; but till a quarter of an hour before his dissolution, he retain the full possession of himself. He was quite resigned to the will of God; and without a murmur on the following evening, Saturday, March 6, 1824, he departed this life, aged 79, in hope of a blessed immortality. He has left a widow in a declining state of health, with five sons and thirty-three grand-children, the former of whom, since his father's decease, have united their efforts to maintain the cause of Christ in this place. A Sermon was preached by Mr. Orchard, on occasion of Mr. Gould's death, to a large congre gation, from 1 Thess. ív. 13, 14. From the church minutes it appears, that John May visited this neighbourhood about the year 1796. When first he came to Street, he met with some opposition; but persevering in the work, he surmounted ed difficulties, and collected a society, of which we have the following rule, drawn up and signed by twenty-three members and subscribers. CHAPELS OPENED.-ORDINATIONS. CHAPELS OPENED. February 9, 1824. A Baptist Church, consisting of ten persons of Strict Communion principles, was formed in Carmel Chapel, Chelsea. Mr. Woollacott, of Lewisham Street, Westminster, introduced the service by explaining the nature of a Gospel Church, and the principles of Dissent. An interesting statement was given of the circumstances which led to the formation of this new church. The members, having previously had their dismissions from other churches, then gave to each other the right hand of fellowship; and received from Mr. House, of Clement's Lane, an affectionate exhortation on the various duties devolving on them in their new relation. Messrs. Bowes, Trimming, and Galpine, were engaged in the devotional exercises; and Mr. Robert Upton, (late of Lambeth) who has received an invitation to settle at Chelsea, administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to the newly formed church. May this little one become a thousand, and this small one a strong nation. On June 27th, the Baptist Meeting in Castle Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was re-opened for public worship, when three Sermons were preached by Mr. Page, of Worcester. It having pleased the great Head of the Church to revive the interest under the ministry of the Pastor, Mr. John Shoveller, the Meeting had been shut up for the purpose of being re-furnished, as much of the pewing, &c. was gone to decay, and for the erection of a deep and commodious gallery. The friends of the interest desire to express their thankfulness to the Lord, for having again visited his church in that Town, and would pray and hope for yet further tokens of his favour. ON July 1, 1824, a Baptist MeetingHouse was opened in the Town of Stroud, Gloucestershire, when three impressive Sermons were preached by the Rev. Jenken Thomas, of Cheltenham, in the Morning from Nehemiah x. 39. in the Afternoon from Isa. liii. 10. and by the Rev. Robert Stodhart, of London, in the Evening, from 2 Cor. iii. 9. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by Messrs. Thomas, Wotton-under-edge; Sutton, Missionary; White, Cirencester; Drayton, Gloster; Rogers, Monmouth; and Richards, (Independent) Stonehouse. Large and attentive congregations were present, and pleasing prospects are entertained. 263 ORDINATION. July 10th. Mr. John Jones, late of the Abergavenny Academy, was ordained Carnarvonshire. The church met in the Pastor over the Baptist Church at Pwllheli, Morning to keep a fast and prayer meeting. In the Afternoon they again met, when Mr. John Edwards, of Rhuthyn, began the service with prayer; Mr. Thomas excellent oration on the nature of a ChrisJones, of Rhydwilym, delivered a most tian church; and for the greater satisfaction of the church and Ministers present, asked Mr. J. Jones to give a confession of his faith; upon which, in a concise manner, he attested his belief in the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, to their great satisfaction. He was then set apart by the imposition of hands, and Mr. J. Prichard, the other Elder of the church, offered a most fervent prayer for God's blessing on the work. Mr. W. Evans, of Aberystweth, gave a short and appropriate exhortation Jones, of Liverpool, to the church. The to the young minister; and Mr. Daniel interesting meeting was then concluded with prayer. In the Evening, Brethren Edwards, of Rhuthyn, and Jones, of Liverpool, preached to a crowded congregation. Union Street Chapel, Brighton.-June 1. The Rev. J. N. Goulty, late of Henleyupon-Thames, was publicly recognized as the pastor of the church and congregation late under the care of the Rev. Dr. Styles. Mr. Hughes, of Battersea, preached on the preceding evening from Gen. iv. 9. "Am I my brother's keeper?" In the morning service, Mr. Douglas, of Reading, delivered an introductory discourse, at the close of which, Mr. W. Penfold, one of the deacons, read a concise statement of the proceedings which had led to the present service, and the call of the congregation was confirmed. Mr. Goulty confirmed his acceptance, and stated the motives and principles by which he had been influenced in his decision. Dr. P. Smith, of Homerton, then offered special prayer; Dr. Winter, of London, addressed the minister on the duties of his office, of this important station, from Col. iv. 17; especially in reference to the peculiarities Mr. Griffin, of Portsea, addressed the people on the duties devolving upon them, from Eph. iv. 1-3; and Dr. Styles preached in the evening, from Acts xv. 14. The other parts of the services were conducted of Huntingdon's Chapel). Mr. Parker, by Mr. Lucy (supplying at the Countess (Baptist Minister), Messrs. Lord, Newto and Stamp, (Wesleyan Ministers), Brigi.ton; Messrs. Davies of Hastings, Winchester of Worthing, Edwards of Petworth, and Davis of Lynfield. |