This little despised band of Christians5, amid all the evil influences at work for their dispersion, were much encouraged by the continued success that attended them. Had the Established Church provided better spiritual food it is probable the growth of Dissent6 at best would have been very slow and weak; and had she, instead of the bitterness everywhere manifested, employed more conciliatory means, it would have tended materially to retard7 the progress of events, which the course pursued rather accelerated by producing conviction of error, and hence leading to a perusal8 of that volume which is and ever will be the only statute9 book of the court of hearers, to which duty they were specially10 and earnestly directed for a solution of all difficulties, a solver of all doubts, and the only safe guide in all practical matters. They were much encouraged and assisted by many of the ministers from the surrounding Churches. The Rev11. Robert Sloper, of Devizes, who especially took the infant cause under his fostering wing, and hence during his ministry12 regarded it as part and parcel of his own particular charge,—a kind of out-station to the Church of that place. Mr. Honeywell, of Melksham, was also very kind to them, visiting and encouraging them as often as his duties at home would allow. Mr. Jackson, of Warminster, and Mr. Sibree, of Frome, were frequent visitors here. The latter would invariably have a service on the Monday morning early before he returned home; and it is believed was the means of doing much good. And p. 43there was the then youthful Jay, of Christian4 Malford, a name that will doubtless continue in the remembrance of the Christian Church for years to come. Some of his earliest pulpit productions were delivered here; he consequently ever after felt a deep interest in its progress and prosperity.
“So mightily13 grew the word of God and prevailed,” that about this time several persons of respectability were induced to attend; doubtless various motives14 were in operation—some were attracted by the juvenility15 of the preacher, Mr. Jay; others with the simple yet melting piety16 of Mr. Sibree; and a third class would desire to hear what this new doctrine17 or sect18 was which was everywhere spoken against; of many it will be remarked, they were in the way, and the Lord met them—“a timid, feeble, youthful hand may pull the string, but an Unseen One guideth the arrow,” brought to a saving knowledge of the truth; they “laid hold of the skirts of Him that was a Jew saying, we will go with you for God is with you,” and cast in their lot with his people.
An onward19 course was now imperative21; the next step was to organize a Christian Church—a good sign when it springs not from the spirit of faction22 and wish to appear something but from a healthy action—a desire to keep the commands of Christ, and become local centres of influence, lights to diffuse23 the Gospel. Such we trust were the feelings that animated24 the first band here—a desire to promote their own individual well-being25 and the glory of God. Their tried and constant friend, Mr. Sloper, met them in conference, and making every proper inquiry26, agreed to form them into a distinct body. Having laid before them the laws of Christ, the Great Head of the Church, by which they were to be governed, and to regulate their daily conduct, walk, and conversation, promising27 to preside over them p. 44whenever his duties at home would allow. The following persons then gave and received of each other the right hand of fellowship:—
Mr. Richard Ward20.
Mrs. Ward.
Mr. Wm. Moor28.
Mrs. Mary Moor.
Mr. Joseph Ward.
Mrs. Ann Ward.
Mr. John Gauntlett.
Mrs. Mary Gauntlett.
Miss Ann Gauntlett.
The two last-named persons are the only ones remaining, the rest are, in the language of the Apostle, “fallen asleep in Christ.” Miss Ann Gauntlett is a member of the Church assembling at Argyle Chapel, Bath, lately under the pastoral care of the now sainted William Jay: the other continues a member of the Church here.
In the year following, feeling their strength increase, “waxing stronger and stronger,” they proceeded to make provision for the young around them, fully29 entering into the spirit of that great truth which has since been so extensively carried out, viz., “that the future hope of the Christian Church must be the young,” they opened a school on the Sabbath for boys in the bakehouse of Mr. Gauntlett, the corner of Parsonage Lane, under the joint30 supervision31 of that gentleman and Mr. Joseph Ward, and one for girls at the old parsonage house, a little way up the lane, where Miss Saunders had a seminary for young ladies. This lady took the superintendence of that department: what were the numbers of the pupils and teachers there is now no record. These things continued until the purchase of the chapel, and the schools were removed thither32, when Mr. Saunders (who with his sister about this time joined the Church) took the superintendency of the whole.
We cannot suffer an occasion like the present to pass without according to the memory of that gentleman the respect due to him for those efficient services he rendered. The energy of mind, the p. 45business-like habits, the sanctified talent, the spontaneous generosity33, the unflinching rectitude, and the unwavering firmness which so strikingly formed his character, he brought to bear upon the prosperity not only of the school, which for forty years he presided over with unvarying regularity34 and constancy, never during that lengthened35 period been five minutes beyond his time, but the cause of the Redeemer generally, which in its various departments found in him a warm supporter, and especially that part of it with which he was immediately connected as an office bearer. Many now risen to take part in the activities of life can bear testimony36 to the tender amenities37, the affectionate solicitude38, persevering39 and patient assiduity by which his instructions were characterised. We deeply deplore40 those events and circumstances which, under the mysterious arrangements of Divine Providence41, have withdrawn42 the several members of his family from this locality, and thus denied the Church of one of his descendants upon whom the Paternal43 mantle44 might have fallen to supply his place, and hand down his name, zeal45, piety, and energy to future generations. We trust that that family will continue to feel a deep and lasting46 interest in the prosperity of this our Zion.
From the continued accessions made and the decline of those prejudices and animosities which had so long vexed47 them from without, it became absolutely necessary that increased accommodation should be provided. Numerous difficulties at first presented themselves, every attempt to obtain suitable premises48 or a plot of ground eligible49 for the erection of a chapel was abortive50. After waiting some time, the meeting-house belonging to the Friends before referred to, situate at the east end of the town, was to be disposed of: such a favourable51 opening naturally created a wish to possess the long-desired boon52. A correspondence upon the subject p. 46was opened, and after due deliberation and counsel it was determined53 to embrace the offer, and the property was delivered over in trust for the especial use and service of the Church and congregation, under the denomination54 of Independents, of the P?do-baptist persuasion55, subject to certain conditions as to the right of the Friends to its use occasionally if required. These documents, with subsequent ones, are now placed in the custody56 of the County Association, who have provided a safe repository for such papers. It was a square building built of rough stone, having brick quoins, and a brick front on one side abutting57 on the street, a narrow lane conducting to a cottage running at the back, the other side and front standing58 in the graveyard59, enclosed with a stone wall; the admeasurement of which is 23 ft. by 39 ft., that of the building 33 ft. by 22 ft. Some considerable alteration60 was requisite61 to fit it for its intended purpose, a pulpit and desk being necessary; these having been accomplished62, the place was opened by two public services; that in the morning by the Rev. Josiah Bull, of Newport Pagnell, and that in the evening by their warm friend, the Rev. William Jay, then settled at Bath. Most of the neighbouring ministers attended and united with them in the joy of that auspicious63 event,—the possession of a sanctuary64 of their own. They still continued dependant65 on foreign aid for the supply of the pulpit until about the year 1806, when the question of a regular established pastorate was mooted66, especially as their much and deservedly esteemed67 friend felt the infirmities of advancing age coming upon him, so as to require additional help at home. The Rev. R. Sloper was unable to give them that assistance so desirable. This subject was one calculated to produce disunion, and painful as it is to contemplate68, yet justice requires it should be told,—sad proof of the imperfection of human nature, even under the professed69 sanctifying p. 47power of the Gospel, the truth so long foretold70 by the Apostle became exemplified, “Whereas there are among you divisions, and strifes, and contentions72. For while one of you saith, I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ, are ye not carnal?”—it ultimated in open rupture73 and separation, not only of the Church and congregation, but also of the Sabbath school, under Mr. Christopher Garrett, who withdrew, he and his followers74, to a cottage situated75 in the lane near the weighing engine. A barn which stood near was afterwards pulled down, and the cottage enlarged to the size of the present building, from that time known as the lower chapel. The separatists have continued a distinct body of close communionists holding Baptist principles, from whom have since seceded76 the other body assembling in the new chapel in White Street, erected77 by Miss Husband.
In the year 1809, the portion of the Church that remained at what was then denominated the Upper Meeting, still desirous of a settled minister, chose Mr. Richard Ward, one of their number, and called him to the sacred office of pastor. Considering it desirable to his standing among the ministers, they proceeded to a public designation of him, and invited the pastors of neighbouring Churches to unite with them and recognise the mutual78 engagement. The usual and varied79 services were gone through embodying80 the profession of faith, the principles of Dissent, the nature of the Gospel Church, the imposition of hands, and the charge to the minister elect, with advice to the Church, in which various parties were engaged. He continued to labour among them with great acceptance until the year 1818, when the infirmities of age coming upon him, he relinquished82 his office. The attendance was much increased under his ministry, and several were added to the Church. It was during this period an p. 48addition was made of a gallery, which was soon filled, and an enlargement of the building rendered necessary; this was accomplished to the extent of 20 ft., its now present dimensions, rendering83 it capable of accommodating about 500 persons. By these alterations84 a heavy debt was incurred85, and remained a burden until the time of the Rev. T. Sturgess, in the year 1829. Mr. Ward lived several years after his resignation, and died in 1839, full of years and faith; he was interred86 in the burying ground adjoining, nearly opposite the lower door.
He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Slade, a young man who was educated for the ministry at the Dissenting87 College at Newport Pagnell, under the Rev. Josiah Bull; and in the year 1818 was ordained88 according to the usual manner among the Churches of the denomination, but only continued with them till when, from an inability to please some who were fastidious, he resigned, and removed to Corsham, where he has continued ever since with comfort and honour to himself and advantage to the people of his charge. May he long continue, be made an increasing blessing89, and with them richly enjoy the benediction90 of the Great Head of the Church.
In the following year the Rev. John Guard, then supplying Portland Chapel, Bath (a new Independent interest which it was attempted to raise to meet the wants of the extensive population of that city, but from the want of encouragement in certain quarters failed) was, from the recommendation and with the advice of the Rev. Wm. Jay, invited as a supply and, being approved of, he was requested to accept the vacant pastorate: he entered upon it in the year and continued to fill it till 1827, being constrained91 through the occurrence of some trying and unpleasant circumstances to relinquish81 his charge. Although he passed through the ordeal92 unscathed and with a clear conscience, yet he was much bowed p. 49down in his spirit, and felt his soul keenly sensitive, deeply lacerated. From hence he removed to Wickwar, in Gloucestershire, where he remained a few years, then went into Hampshire, where the cause being in a very low and unpromising state, and there appearing but very little prospect93 of its reviving, he did not remain long, but removed to Mavagessy, in Cornwall. How long he continued here is not exactly known. The next account of him is, that he returned to Overton, in Hampshire, and soon after terminated his trying pilgrimage.
The removal of this servant of the Most High had an injurious effect upon the cause. The circumstances alluded94 to produced a great convulsion; the Church became divided, part spake one thing and part another, these bitter waters of strife71 ended in a temporary separation, and those who left occupied a room near the weighing engine. The Rev. Thos. Williams, who about twenty years before had visited the town and preached in the Market Place, then residing in London, was visited by an influential95 member of that party, with whom he had previously96 become acquainted, invited to come down, and settle among them, which he did, although he afterwards much regretted that step, being, as he said, misled in the representations made to him as to the state of affairs. The pulpit at the chapel being filled by casual supplies and some of the resident friends, after about six months the breach97 was healed, and the two parties re-united, when Mr. Williams became the pastor of the whole body. Unhappily the calm was of a treacherous98 character, and the sky soon put on a very portentous99 and ominous100 appearance. The echo of discord101 broke upon the ear, and instead of the sweets of harmony and heavenly fellowship, a union of purpose and aim, the unhallowed conflict and strife of party domination, so uncongenial to increase of grace, became apparent; the good man’s p. 50peace of mind was destroyed, and his usefulness impaired102. After remaining a little more than a year, he closed his engagements with them, and withdrew to the lower chapel. He died in the year 1835, and was buried in the ground belonging to that place. A tablet was erected within the chapel to his memory.
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1
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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pastors
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| n.（基督教的）牧师( pastor的名词复数 ) | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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statute
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| n.成文法，法令，法规；章程，规则，条例 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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juvenility
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| n.年轻，不成熟 | |
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piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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diffuse
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| v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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amenities
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| n.令人愉快的事物；礼仪；礼节；便利设施；礼仪( amenity的名词复数 )；便利设施；（环境等的）舒适；（性情等的）愉快 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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persevering
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| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
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deplore
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| vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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abortive
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| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
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51
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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denomination
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| n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
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persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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abutting
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| adj.邻接的v.（与…）邻接( abut的现在分词 )；（与…）毗连；接触；倚靠 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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graveyard
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| n.坟场 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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auspicious
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| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
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sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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dependant
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| n.依靠的，依赖的，依赖他人生活者 | |
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mooted
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| adj.未决定的，有争议的，有疑问的v.提出…供讨论( moot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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contentions
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| n.竞争( contention的名词复数 )；争夺；争论；论点 | |
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rupture
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| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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seceded
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| v.脱离，退出( secede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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embodying
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| v.表现( embody的现在分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dissenting
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| adj.不同意的 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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89
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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101
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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