CHAPTER XI.

MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT WEEDON BECK.

In the village of Weedon, about eight miles from Northampton, where there is a royal military depot with barracks for 1500 men, storehouses and magazines capable of stowing 200,000 small arms, there stands an Independent Chapel for preaching the Gospel of peace, and maintaining the cause of Christ by the voluntary aid of his followers. It is a respectable village Chapel, capable of seating about 500 hearers; it has a grave-yard in the front, and commodious school-rooms behind.

At the time of the Restoration, a Mr. George Martin was vicar of Weedon.

Such was his loyalty, that he lost an arm for the King in Sir George Booth's rising. But, as one that "exercised himself to have a conscience void of offence both towards G.o.d and man"--first fearing G.o.d, then honouring the king--when the Act of Uniformity pa.s.sed, he renounced his connexion with the Church rather than violate his conscience. Such was the spirit of the times, that in 1667 he was in Warwick Gaol for some months, for preaching the Gospel. Some time after his ejectment he exercised his ministry amongst a small number of worthy people at Stony Stratford, who had a great value for his memory a considerable time after. "He was," we are informed, "a serious, holy, good-tempered, and courageous man."

It is probable that the cause of Nonconformity in Weedon owes its origin to the vicar's separation from the Church. Such an event would excite the attention of the people, and promote inquiry among them; and they would be led to seek those ministrations without the Church of which they were deprived within her pale by the oppressive enactments of the day. There had been a number from Weedon and the neighbourhood who had gone to the Church at Norton to hear Mr. Robert Allen, another of the ejected ministers, who was a very popular preacher, whose Church was crowded with hearers from the places around.

"A congregation was jointly formed here and at Floor prior to 1668, in which year the first trust deed is dated."

The earliest known minister of this society was Mr. Peyto. This person was engaged in the ordination service of Mr. J. Heywood, at Potterspury, in 1740. He was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Howe, a native of Northampton, and one of the Daventry students. "He removed before 1770 to Yarmouth, in Norfolk, where he continued until his death. He published several pamphlets and sermons."

This is the second pastor, as recorded in Baker's history of this county. But in the early history of the Church at West End, Wellingborough, we find the following notice of a Mr. Saywell, who appears to have been minister at Floor and Weedon: "We ordered a letter to the Church at Floor, with our judgment that Mr. Saywell was a member and an officer there, and ought to abide till his ministry was fulfilled. We ordered another to the Church at Weedon, to satisfy them with it, and to encourage them to wait with patience." This person must have been about the second pastor that was placed over them.

Mr. Samuel Braybrook, another Daventry student, is recorded as succeeding Mr. Howe, and as afterwards settling at Rendham, in Suffolk.

Then we find the names of Mr. John Offord and Mr. Phares; and then Mr.

William Severn, concerning whom we are informed "that he was a native of Nottingham; at an early age became a popular preacher among the Methodists; was for two years a travelling a.s.sociate with their celebrated founder, John Wesley. But his sentiments undergoing a change, he went to study divinity at Edinburgh, on leaving which University he accepted an invitation to this society, from whence he removed to Welford in 1782, afterwards to Hinckley, in Leicestershire, where he embraced Unitarianism. He died at Hull, in June, 1813, in his fifty-ninth year."

After this, we have the name of Mr. Renfrew; and after him, Mr. Evan Johns, who removed to Welford; then Mr. T. Spencer, who was appointed in 1790, and resigned in a few years after.

Mr. Joseph Gronow was chosen to succeed Mr. Spencer. He was ordained April 27th, 1797, when the Rev. Messrs. Chipperfield, Wood, Horsey, Bicknell, Toller, and Denny engaged in the several parts of the service.

"Mr. Gronow's ministry was very acceptable and useful. He died Dec. 9th, 1817. He lost a beloved wife a few months before his own death. During four months' severe illness, probably brought on by the loss of his wife and the removal of a highly esteemed friend, he manifested a truly Christian spirit. He had been pastor of the Church more than 21 years, and the means of greatly improving the state of the society. Few ministers have been more generally beloved by those who knew them, or have lived more in the affections of their people. In the time of his illness preparations were making for his going to Bath, with the hope that the waters might, under the blessing of G.o.d, restore his health; but when all the arrangements were nearly completed, and the funds necessary for such a journey provided, through the liberality of benevolent individuals, it pleased G.o.d to remove him. The affliction which he suffered during the last fortnight of his life was most painful; but the closing scene was remarkably peaceful. His remains were interred the following Monday, with every token of respect, under the pulpit where he had so often preached the Gospel of Christ. Many of his brethren attended the funeral, six of whom supported the pall. His death was improved by Mr. H. Knight, of Yelvertoft, from Acts xx. 38, to a most numerous and deeply affected congregation."

On a neat mural tablet of white marble, at the right hand of the pulpit, is the following inscription:--

This Stone has been raised by an affectionate congregation to the memory of their beloved pastor, the REV. JOSEPH GRONOW, who for more than twenty-one years continued diligently, faithfully, and successfully to discharge the duties of his office.

His affection, simplicity, sympathy, and sincerity conciliated the respect of all who knew him, and peculiarly endeared him to his flock.

With great calmness, and with a blessed hope of a glorious immortality, he closed his mortal course, December the 9th, 1817, aged 49.

"Though dead, he yet speaks to his people,"

for whose salvation he always manifested the greatest solicitude.

Mr. Gronow was about the middle stature, plain in appearance; as a preacher, serious, affectionate, fervent. Plainness and simplicity marked his language and the plan of his sermons, while they were full of evangelical truth, setting forth experimental and practical piety. He preached as one concerned for the honour of his great Master and the good of immortal souls. Mr. Gronow had been a.s.sistant for a short time to Mr. Maurice, of Stretton-under-Fosse, before he came to Weedon. He was succeeded by Mr. James Pinkerton, who had been a student at the Newport Academy, and was ordained here May 6th, 1819, and was pastor of this Church for thirteen years. In the year 1831 he resigned, and removed to Totteridge, near London; but he had not filled this situation more than two years, we believe, before he was summoned from the scenes of time and the services of the Church on earth. Mr. Pinkerton was of a very amiable and pious spirit, devoted to his Master's work. His sermons appeared to be well prepared, full of important and appropriate thought, discovering some energy of mind, and delivered with animation of manner.

He frequently preached at the meetings of the County a.s.sociation, and was always heard with interest.

At the close of 1831, the present pastor, Mr. Isaac Evans, came on probation, and was ordained July 24th, 1832. During the ministry of Mr.

Evans a new school-room has been erected, at the cost of 120, which was opened in the year 1847. The Sabbath-school is conducted here, containing about 125 children.

The present number of communicants is 80. One service is conducted at Floor every Sabbath, where the congregation is considered as a branch of the Church at Weedon. The present Chapel there was built in the year 1810.

Some alterations and improvements have recently been made in the Chapel at Weedon, at a cost of 115, which will, we trust, add to the comfort of the place and the accommodation of the congregation. All would be accompanied with the fervent and united desire of the pastor and his flock that abundant tokens of the blessing of the great Head of the Church may attend all their efforts.

CHAPTER XII.

MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT LONG BUCKBY.

The populous village of Long Buckby, containing more than 2600 inhabitants, has a neat and commodious Independent Chapel, capable of seating about 700 hearers, with convenient school-rooms, and a respectable dwelling-house for the minister. Previous to the erection of the present building there was an old Chapel, which had stood for many years in another situation; but it is much to be regretted in this case, as in some others, that no accounts have been preserved of the origin or early history of this Church.

Before the year 1662, when Mr. Richard Allen, who became one of the ejected ministers, preached in the parish Church of Norton, a short distance from this village, amongst other places mentioned from which hearers came to attend on his ministry, there were some from Long Buckby; but whether it was very soon after the ejectment of their favourite preacher that they sought the ministration of the Nonconformists in this place we have no account. The earliest notice we find of an Independent minister at Long Buckby is in the account of the ordination of Mr. Tingey, at Northampton, in 1709, when a Mr. Jackson, minister at Long Buckby, was present. In the account which Mr. Sanders, one of the pastors of the Church at Kettering, gives of his ordination, as preserved in the records of that Church, which took place November 23, 1721, he states--"Mr. Cartwright, of Buckby, began with prayer, and prayed well." This proves to us that there was a Mr. Cartwright, a Dissenting minister, at Buckby, 131 years ago. Again, we find his signature attached to the certificate of Mr. Hextal's ordination at Creaton in 1738, which shows us that his ministry extended over some considerable period in this place. He was also engaged in the ordination of Mr. J. Heywood, at Potterspury, in 1740.

As a further memorial of him, we have discovered a very old upright gravestone in the Churchyard of Long Buckby, erected to his memory. With some considerable difficulty we deciphered the inscription, which states concisely his age, the time of his death, and the character he bore.

In memory of the Rev. Mr. THOMAS CARTWRIGHT, who died April 13th, 1744, aged 57; having by a diligent, faithful, and humble discharge of the various duties of the Christian and ministerial life, obtained a good report of all men, and of the truth itself; being most highly esteemed of those by whom he was most intimately known.

Mr. Cartwright left a widow, who survived him thirty-nine years.

The next pastor of this Church was a Mr. Walker, but of his life or ministry we find no records preserved.

Mr. Richard Denny became pastor of this Church in 1763, and continued his labours for nearly forty years. During his ministry the present Meeting House was built, in 1771; and in one part of that ministry a remarkable revival of religion took place, followed by permanent results of the most important kind. He was the last surviving student of Dr.

Doddridge, for whom he retained to his last day the strongest affection.

He survived until the year 1813, when he died at the age of nearly 90 years, having been disabled from regular public service for almost twenty years.

Mr. Denny was born at Barby, a small village in Northamptonshire. Having pious parents, he was from a child the subject of religious impressions.

Serving an apprenticeship at Lutterworth, the preaching of the Gospel he heard there deepened and ripened these impressions, so that he was led at an early age to make a solemn dedication of himself to G.o.d as his Creator and Redeemer.

He was recommended to an eligible mercantile situation in the metropolis; but a peculiar coincidence of circ.u.mstances rendered his application unsuccessful, and, as he had long felt a great desire to devote himself to the work of the ministry, and that desire having been confirmed by his attendance while in London on the labours of Mr.

Whitefield, the sacred flame of holy zeal was so enkindled in his breast, that from an ardent concern to honour his Saviour in the conversion of sinners, he now consecrated himself to this work. Being introduced to the notice of Dr. Doddridge, he kindly and cordially received him under his tuition. Though there was a great disparity between him and his tutor in talents and acquirements, yet there was a great resemblance in Christian affection, holy zeal, and ardent piety; and such was his regard to the "dear Doctor," as he generally styled him, that he often mentioned his name and his excellencies with the tear glistening in his eye.

He was placed in two situations as minister after leaving the academy before he came to reside at Long Buckby; but here was the scene of the largest portion of his ministerial life, his labour, and his success; and at one particular time, as we have hinted, he was honoured with what was considered as remarkable success. He had been repeatedly complaining of the want of a blessing on his labours, and was greatly discouraged; but he wrestled hard, to use his own expression, by fervent and constant prayer, for a blessing to attend his efforts, and his great Master heard the voice of his supplication. There was an extraordinary revival in the congregation at large; many were awakened to the most serious concern about their everlasting interests; and in the course of two or three years about forty members were added to the Church.

After he had resigned his charge, in consequence of advancing years, he set an attractive example of piety and holy consistency; his lively and spiritual conversation was rendered useful to many. In his intercourse with Christian friends he manifested the supporting and cheering influence of religion under the infirmities of age, affording the most pleasing evidence of its reality and power. He was so remarkable for his kind and affectionate disposition, that he was often compared to the apostle John. He could converse on divine subjects to the last, when his frame was enfeebled and his mental powers weakened. Dr. Watts' Hymns were his constant companions; and those sentiments in them which appear almost too seraphic for common minds, exactly suited the element in which he lived. In his last hours he said, "I shall soon see the blessed, blessed Redeemer, and the dear Doctor Doddridge." When he could no longer speak, he intimated a wish that his finger might be placed on a particular verse in Watts' Hymns. This is the language in which he wished to express the sentiments and feelings of his soul, when his lips could no longer move--

"Dearest of all the names above, My Jesus and my G.o.d, Who can resist thy heavenly love, Or trifle with thy blood?"

He died April 13th, 1813, and his remains were interred in the Meeting House he had been the means of erecting, and near the pulpit he had so long and so usefully filled. Six neighbouring ministers attended his funeral, and one of them, Mr. Gronow, of Weedon, delivered an affecting and suitable address on the occasion. The following Sabbath the funeral sermon was preached by his successor, Mr. D. Griffiths, to a very crowded audience, from Rev. xiv. 13: "And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

The immediate successor of Mr. Denny was Mr. Mosely, who came from Atherstone to Buckby, continued here about eight years, and then removed to Hanley, in Staffordshire. It was during the ministry of Mr. Mosely that the present dwelling-house was built for the minister.

Mr. Daniel Griffiths was the next pastor of the Church; he commenced his stated ministry at Buckby March 27th, 1803, and was ordained the 17th of November following, when Mr. Anthony, of Bedford, began the service by prayer and reading the Scriptures; Mr. Horsey, of Northampton, delivered the introductory discourse, asked the questions, and received the confession of faith; Mr. Denny, the former pastor, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Toller, of Kettering, gave the charge, from 1st Tim. iv. 13-16; Mr. Gill, of Harborough, addressed the people, from Deut. i. 38; Mr. Knight and Mr. Morrell were engaged in the devotional parts of the service; and Mr. c.o.x, of Clipstone, preached in the evening, from Matt. vi. 33.

The ministry of Mr. Griffiths was continued in this place for thirty-nine years. In the year 1819, the congregation having much increased, the Chapel was considerably enlarged, and a fourth gallery erected, at an expense of more than 300, which was cheerfully defrayed by the people. At the re-opening of the Chapel in September, the late Mr. Toller, of Kettering, preached, and it is supposed to have been the last time that he officiated out of his own pulpit. Mr. Robertson, then of Stretton, in Warwickshire, "preached," observes Mr. Griffiths, "a n.o.ble sermon in the evening, from 'All souls are mine.'"

In the year 1825 a new and commodious school-room was erected, by means of a legacy of 50 left by Mr. David Ashby for that purpose; the remainder of the cost being defrayed by the relatives of Mr. Ashby.

Mr. Griffiths resigned his charge on the 19th of December, 1841. He still survives, and, with the remaining strength of declining life, is able to preach once on the Sabbath to a.s.sist his son, who is minister at Cannock, in Staffordshire.

After the resignation of Mr. Griffiths, the congregation was supplied for some time chiefly by the students from Spring Hill College; but at length an invitation was given to Mr. Apperly, from Blackburn Academy, who entered on his pastoral duties on the 2nd of October, 1842.

The ministry of Mr. Apperly continued for about ten years. We regret to state that the congregation did not remain in a united or prosperous state; and on the 4th of July, 1852, Mr. Apperly resigned and emigrated to Australia. His friends, as a token of their regard, made him a present of thirty guineas before his departure.