James Conway Walter

“ The Croft Street Chapel, or New Jerusalem Church, is both structurally and intellectually, the most recent development of Nonconformity in Horncastle. The founder of this community was a personality so remarkable that it may be well here to give a brief sketch of him.
Emanuel Swedenborg, son of a Lutheran bishop, was born at Stockholm, in 1689. During more than the first half of his life he was distinguished as a hard worker in the field of science, and from his many clever inventions, and valuable public services, he was ennobled by his sovereign. ”

“ Followers gradually gathered round him, inspired by his own enthusiasm. He visited England frequently; and before his death, in London, A.D. 1772, he had established congregations in England, Ireland, Wales, France, Holland, Sweden, Russia, and even in Turkey and America. It is said that several Anglican clergy adopted his views, though still retaining charges in their own church.
The special tenets of the sect, which he founded, seem to have been, that, while believing in one God, they held that He was the Christ; that Christ always existed in human form, but not in human soul ”

“ He was interred in the chapel yard, a large stone on the west side marking his grave, while a tablet on the south wall, at the east end of the interior of the chapel bears this inscription, "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Pain, who was ordained Pastor over this church and congregation, Anno Domini 1821. As a minister he was talented, zealous and useful, his chief desire being to bring men unto God. As a man he was amiable and affectionate, his private life bearing testimony to the truth of those counsels he publicly taught. He departed this life April 11th, 1844, aged 44 years." ”

“ Isaac Watts, who had been tutor to the sons of Sir John Hartop, became the popular minister of a Congregational Chapel, in Mark Lane, London, in 1693. Dr. Philip Doddridge was also a valued member, as Minister at Norwich, Northampton, Kibworth near Market Harborough, and other places. From his candour and learning he held friendly relations with the highest dignitaries of the established church; he is chiefly known for his two great works, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, and his Family Expositor. ”

“ Over the rostrum is a recess in the east wall, containing the harmonium, which cost 40 gs., and seats for the choir. The sittings in the body of the chapel are of stained and varnished deal. At the rear of the chapel, entered by doors at each side of the rostrum, is a large room for the Sunday School, with two smaller class rooms above it. The erection of this building was due to the exertions of the Rev. J. Haigh, who was appointed minister in 1850, and as an exception to the usual custom, he was requested to continue his ministry for four years. ”

“ Richard Gunton became, as will be hereafter shewn, a most valuable asset in the Society's favour, in more ways than one. He took up his residence in London, first in Oseney Crescent, Camden Road, N.W., and afterwards in Tufnell Park Road, N., but he never lost his interest in the Horncastle branch; visiting the town year after year, to preach or give lectures, in the Corn Exchange, on behalf of the Society. ”

“ HERE are in Horncastle five Nonconformist religious communities, the Wesleyan, Congregational, Primitive Methodist, Baptist, and New Church or Swedenborgian, each now having substantially built chapels, resident ministers, with Sunday, and, in one case, Day Schools. Through the courtesy of the Rev. John Percy, late Head Minister of the Wesleyan Society, we are enabled to give a fairly full account of its origin and growth, down to the present 20th century. ”

“ The growth of the society was not rapid, and for some years was subject to fluctuations. In 1769 Grimsby had 56 members and Horncastle 42, including such well-known local names as Rayson and Goe. In 1774 Grimsby had fallen to 32 members and Horncastle to about the same In 1780 Horncastle had only 31 members, but the numbers had increased in the neighbourhood; Kirkby-on-Bain having nearly as many as Horncastle, viz. 29, Wood Enderby 10, Hemingby 7, and Thimbleby 18; there being evidently a greater readiness to accept the new teaching among the simpler rural population. ”

“ Brown to Horncastle, in Lincolnshire, to a few persons of the belief, seeking help to guide them in forming a society." Before the "Toleration Act" was passed in 1689, nonconformist places of worship were not allowed to exist within five miles of a market town, [23] In Asterby, about six miles from Horncastle, there is a Baptist chapel, locally reputed [24] to be the oldest in the kingdom. At Coningsby is a Baptist Chapel, with a school, dating from nearly the same period, with an endowment of 26 acres of land. The Baptists of Horncastle mostly, in those days, worshipped at Asterby. ”

“ In 1786 Horncastle was made the head of a circuit to itself, and in that year the first chapel in the town was built, the whole circuit then numbering 620 members. This chapel was near the site of the present Baptist place of worship. A few years later the opposing barrier among the upper class seems in some degree to have given way, as, in 1792, we find the name of Joseph Bass, a "physician," as "leader." ”

“ Thomas Lord, 100 years old, April 22, 1908.
Sunday, May 31, 1908, Mr. Lord preached at Alford, in the Congregational Chapel; and on Sunday, June 7, 1908, at Boston, in the Chapel of the United Methodists.
Notwithstanding his age Mr. Lord's voice is still clear, deep-toned, and resonant; his manner is full of vigor, his language simple, yet eloquent and earnest. His step is firm and elastic. In habit he is an early riser. ”

“ As we shall presently see Hugh Bourne became one of the two originators of the Primitive community, the other was his friend and neighbour William Clowes, a sketch of his career was published some years ago, [15] from which we cull the leading particulars. He was born at Burslem 12th March, 1780, his mother, a daughter of Aaron Wedgewood, being a near relation of Josiah of that name, the inventor of the famous Wedgwood pottery. At ten years of age (1790) he began work in his uncle's pottery, which he continued for several years. ”

“ Although the Brownists had no regularly ordained ministry; as newly constituted under Robinson, there were a number of ministers elected by the congregations, and no one was allowed to teach publicly until, after due examination, he had been pronounced qualified for the work. The Independents differ chiefly from other religious societies, in that they reject all creeds of fallible man, their test of orthodoxy being a declaration that they accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and adhere to the scriptures as the sole standard of faith and practice. ”

“ A meeting upon Mow Cop was proposed for a day given to prayer. At this time Lorenzo Dow, an American Wesleyan visited the Black Country, as the coal district of Staffordshire was called. He spoke of the American camp meetings, himself preaching at Congleton, when Hugh Bourne, with his brother James, was present; William Clowes being also a hearer. They bought books of Lorenzo Dow, which had a marked effect on the future. On May 31st, 1807, a camp meeting was held on Mow Cop, a hill in the neighbourhood. Bourne and Clowes being present. ”

“ As this is a substantial structure, likely to last for many years, we may here describe it. It is of red brick, except the arch of the western door, which has a band of white bricks; the bricks are larger than usual, being 31⁄4 inches in thickness. The entrance has a double door opening into a lobby, at each end of which is a staircase, leading to the north and south galleries. There is a window on each side of the door, three windows above, and over them, in the gable, a stone, with the inscription "Primitive Methodist Chapel, 1853." At the east end of the interior is a Rostrum, 12-ft. ”

“ The society, probably, in a few years became extinct, and it is not till the year 1820 that we find any sign of their revival. The Church Book supplies the following details: In 1820 certain worshippers in the Wesleyan Chapel of that day, finding their religious views not in accord with general Wesleyan sentiment, decided to erect a chapel of their own; and for this purpose they selected a site in East Street, at the north west corner of Foundry Street, where now stands the house, 42, East Street. This building was opened for public worship on March 22, 1821 ”

“ At Sunderland a Theological College was opened in 1868, the former Infirmary building being bought; and here, from that date till 1881, Dr. William Antliff, assisted, and afterwards, succeeded by Mr. T. Greenfield, trained candidates for the ministry. The college was afterwards transferred to a new building at Alexandra Park, Manchester.
In 1889, at the 70th Annual Conference, held in Bradford, the membership of the society numbered 194,347, with 1,038 itinerant and 16,229 local preachers; 430,641 Sunday School scholars, 4,436 chapels and 1,465 smaller places of worship ”

“ John Pain, a Hoxton student, preaching in the afternoon, and the Rev. Thomas Hayes of Boston, in the evening.
Mr. Pain officiated for a few weeks and then returned to Hoxton to complete his education for the ministry. He had, however, left a pleasing impression behind him, and he was afterwards invited, in an address signed by 130 of the townsfolk, to come and settle among them as their first permanent minister. He commenced his labours, in that capacity, in July of the same year. Under his ministry the congregation rapidly increased, and the first chapel was soon found to be too small ”

“ In 1864 Elmfield College was opened at York, as a middle class school, one of their best; John Petty being first Warden; in 1876 a college was opened at Birmingham, named after the great founder, "Bourne College." ”

“ He was a watchmaker. The third is as follows: "Sacred to the memory of Eliza, daughter of William Parker, Solicitor, and Elizabeth, his wife, who died 1st April, 1835, aged 20 years. Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." Mr. Parker occupied part of the premises now forming the shop and residence of Mr. Bryant, shoemaker, in the High Street.
There is little doubt that the house adjoining the chapel, on the north west, was once the minister's residence. On the stairs leading to the present rostrum there is still a doorway, which evidently led to the house. ”

“ The inference from these facts would seem to be, that, at that date, 1781, there was an Independent congregation in the town, probably small, consisting of "W.R." and his personal adherents; as the wording of the confession is said [20] to be very remarkable, and indeed unique, "W.R." was evidently rather of an eccentric turn of mind, which led him to publish this authoritative statement of Faith. ”

“ In 1893 the Chapel was thoroughly restored, at a cost of £80; the interior being modernised, the walls painted, the old high pews removed and replaced by neat seats, the old box-shaped pulpit taken down, and a rostrum and platform erected. There is a good organ, with special seats for the choir.
We may add that the Baptists are now a very numerous and influential body. At the Baptist World Conference, held at Exeter Hall, London, July 10 and following days, 1905, the first ever held as an united community. Dr. ”

“ E. Hayward, who left Horncastle on Thursday, Aug. 29, 1907, for work at Bridlington; he was succeeded by Rev. John Turner, of Colchester, who was 6 years ago in Louth Circuit, [8] the Rev. G. German Brown continuing as assistant. He was succeeded by the Rev. M. Philipson, B.A., coming, with his wife, since deceased (March 14, 1906) , from Stanley, near Durham, where they were the recipients of valuable presents on their departure.
In recent years no member of the society has been more valued than the late octogenarian, Mr. John Rivett, J.P., who died Sept 4, 1906. ”

“ He held spiritual intercourse with the dwellers in other planets, conversing with Apostles, with Luther, Calvin, Melancthon, &c. "Things hidden since the days of Job (he declared) were revealed to himself." ”

“ John Pogson, B.D., entered on his ministry, which he continued until 1905, when he was transferred to Whitworth, near Rochdale. Early in 1907 (Feb. 13) the Rev. J. H. Dingle, who had held the office in 1886, was re-appointed, having served, as above, 12 years at Patricroft, and afterwards at Newmarket and Sheffield.
There is one more tablet in the chapel, which we have not mentioned; it is on the west wall, "In affectionate remembrance of Jane, the beloved wife of William Wood, who died May 12, 1853, aged 48 years. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Mr. ”

“ J. E. Ward, as Treasurer and Secretary, took up the matter, and the present schools were erected on the south of the chapel. On the ground floor is a spacious room, 39-ft. long by 24-ft. wide; there is a vestry for the minister, an infant classroom, and a kitchen with convenient arrangements for tea meetings; above are six large classrooms for boys and girls. These were opened April 29, 1875; among the contributors being Mr. Samuel Morley of London, at one time President of the Society, and Sir Titus Salt, who both, with Mr. ”

“ He was one of the founders of the Congregational Total Abstinence Association; and has always been a warm supporter of the London Missionary Society.
Mr. Lord still preaches occasionally in Horncastle. He has officiated more than once recently in the Lincoln Mission Hall, and not unfrequently occupies the pulpit at the Presbyterian Chapel, Kirkstead, to assist the local minister, Rev. Robert Holden, who is his junior by some 16 years. On
Rev. ”