Congregational history

Front matter

Google to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

Chapter I

Academies and ChrifltuLii Missions. James Soott. Heckmondwike. Samoel Bottomley. Honley. Joseph Cocking the Apostle of the West Biding. William Schofield of Lockwood. Choroh at Kipping. Jonas Smith. Origin of chnrch al Bradford. Mr. Cockin at Halifax. Robert Simpson. Academy at Northowram. Benjamin Boothroyd. Conversion. PontefraeL William Vint. Church at Idle. Thomas Taylor. Decline of the Academy at Northowram. Letter of Mr. Fuller. Circnlar of Mr. Moorhonse. Meeting at Leeds. Proposed New Institution. .Dif&colty in finding a Tutor. Special Prayer. Correspondence of Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Williams. Rotherham chosen. Church at Masbro. Opening of the Academy. First Report. Variation in 1804. John Pye Smith. Idle Academy ........ 1—32

CHiLPTER II.

Homerton Academy. Thomas Paine and Republican Supper. Invitation to Mr. Pye Smith. Disorder in the Academy. Thomas Wilson. Letter of Dr. Waugh. William Roby. Early life. At Trerecca. Reads Sermons to Lady Douglas. Worcester. Letter of Guy Fairfax. Reply of Mr. Roby, Sen. Crafty schemes of Lady Huntingdon. Difficulty in obtaining Ordination. First thoughts of Manchester. Preaching at Wigan. G^eorge Burder. Opposition by Weeleyans and Unitarians. Invitation to Cannon Street. Origin of the Church. Mosley Street ChapeL Sliding scale of Elders. Thomas Kennedy. Joseph Smith. Sketch of Mr. Roby, by Mr. Turner .... .... 88 — 67

Chapter III

David Bogue. Sermon at Salters' Hall, on Missions to the Heathen. Meeting at Warwick. Conference at the Bristol Tabernacle. Appeal to Congregational Churches. Response. Meeting at Dr. Williams' Library. Con-

CONTENTS.

ferenoe at ** Castle and Falooii<" BesolutioiiB at Stretton. First MeeUng of the London MiBsionary Society. Miarion to the Soath Sea lalands. Itinerant Society. Correspondenoe of Mr. Eyre and the Itinerants. James Bennett Biots. Tamult enbeided. Mr. Bogne and the Haldane movement. Circnhir to Religions Societies. Letter of Directors of the London Missionary Society to the East India Company. Minntes of the Court. lietter of Mr. Oowie to the " Three Denominations." Letters of Mr. Bogoe to Mr. Burder and Mr. Hardcastle. Disasters of the South Sea Mission. Sadden retreat of the Missionaries. Letter of John Eyre (the Missionary). Settlement of Fogitive Missionaries in New South Wales. Murder of Clode. Eeport of the Colony Chaphiin. William Shelley . 58—91

CHAPTEE IV.

Congregational principles in Scotland. John Morison and the Church at Aber. deen. Dying experience of George Moir. John Campbell, of the " Grassmarket," and Sunday Schools. Preaching at Gilmerton. Joseph Bate, Haldane, and Aikman. Preaching Excursions. Visit to Ban£f. English Congregational Preachers at the Circus, Edinburgh. Church formed. Itineracy of Mr. Roby in Scotland. Pastoral admonition ag^ainst vagrant preachers. Church meeting at the Circus. Letters of strolling players to Mr. Roby. Haldane Seminary. Mr. Grerille Ewing. Economical plan of Education for England. William Alexander. Efforts of Mr. Roby to promote itineracy. Job Wilson. Mr. Roby's missionary sermon. Lancashire itineracy. Mr. Roby importuned by Mr. Haldane to leave Manchester. His determination to remain .... 92 — 118

Chapter V

Origin of Hackney Theological Institution. Thomas Lewis. Union Chapel. Itinerant Academy at Manchester. Trouble with lay preachers. Trying church meetings. Union of Independent churches. Lancashire Union. Jonathan Scott Church at Chester. Job Wilson. Northwich. Cheshire Union. Kmgsbury's Apology for village preachers. Bishop Horsley's Charge. John Townsend's defence of Sunday Schoola Reply of Robert Hall to Horsley. Perilous times. Cautions of Mr. Edward Baines. William Bengo Collyer. Church at Peckham. Sermon to volunteers. Lectures on Scripture Evidoocea ..... 119 — 142

Chapter VI

The Congregational pastor. Joseph Fletcher. John Leiichild. Fletcher and Payne sent to Glasgow. Ralph Wardlaw. Mr. Wilson's Letter to Grovillo Ewing. Letter of Mr. Payne to Mr. Wilson. Mr. Fletcher at Blackburn. Letter to Wardlaw. Robert Morrison. Work in China. Mr. Roby and Grosvenor Street Chapel. A few seeds at Cannon Street Impudent letter. Mr. Roby's reply. John Campbell of the " Grassmarket." Eiugsland ChapeL Youth's Magazine and Teacher's Offering. Oiigiu of the Tract Society. First meeting of the Bible Society. Thomas Raffles. Letter of

CONTENTS. XI

John Aikenhead. Loiter of Dr. Collyer. Preparation for Homerton. Popularity of Mr. Baffles. Commenoement of Haokney Theological Seminary. An«lrew Beed. Arthur Tidman. Spedding Carwen. George Bedford. John AngellJamea ..... 1^3 — 179

CHAPTBB VIL

Death of Dr. WilliamB. Joseph Gilbert. Thomaa Spanoer. Bobert Stephens MoAlL Ezclnsion from Azminster. Doubtful reception at Hozton. Withdrawment. Minntes of Sub Committee. Guest of Dr. CoUyer. Letter of Mr. MoAll to Mr. Baffles. Mr. McAll in Edinburgh. Tour in the Highlands. Course at the UniTersity. Spencer at LiverpooL Last sermon. Death. Funeral. Invitation to Mr. Baffles. Letter of Mr. McAU to Mr. Baffles. Beply of Mr. Baffles. Letter of Mr. McAll to Dr. Collyer. Homerton students. Mr. McAU iuTited to Macclesfield. Letter to Bev. S. Thodey. LeUer to Mr. Broadhnrst. Bobert Philip. William Urwick. James Sherman ...... 180 — 217

CHAPTEB VIII.

General union of Congregational Churches. Frantic nonsense of Mr. Sedgmck. Mill Hill Grammar School. Befnsal of Wickes to bury a Dissenter. Legal Validity of Dissen ers' Baptism. Lord Sidmouth's Bill. Macedonian cry from Upper CiVnada. Application of students in Andover to Missionary Society. Letter of Adoniram Judson. Samuel Nott. Samuel Newell. Letter of Dr. Worcester. Mr. Judson at Grosport Letters of Mr. Newell and Mr. Nott. Missionaries admitted to Bengal by East India Directors. Bichard Winter Hamilton and John Ely. Under discipline at Hozton. Minutes of the Committee. Mr. Hamilton at Leeds. Origin of Congregational Union of Scotland. James Kennedy. Story of Bobert Mofiat. Letter of Mr. Boby to Mr. Burder. Services of the young gardener not wanted " at present'' Mr. Moffitt at Duckinfield. John Williams. Letter of Mr. McAll to Mr. Thodey. " Sublime preachers" wanted at Stockport Visit of Mr. Thodey to Mr. MoAll. Preaching excursion of Mr. Boby. Ashton-under-Lyne. Oldham, etc. . . 218—252

CHAPTEB IX.

Irish Evangelical Sodety. Leaf Square School. Blackburn Academy. Dr. WiUiam Hendry Stowell's account of the methods of Mr. Fletcher. Dr. Pye Smith's Defence of Homerton. Gossip of Mr. Beooksbank. Troubles at Wymondloy. Letter of Mr. Buckham to the Bev. James Bennett, tutor at Botberham. Meeting of Coward Trustees. Account given by Mr. Buckham. Thomas Binney. Withdrawment fromWymondley. Meeting of Mr. Binney with Mr. Fletcher in North Shields, at the Ordination of Bev. W. Hendry Stowell. Thomas Morrell at Wymondley. His Suggestions accepted by the Trustees. Improvement. Letter of

Xll CONTENTS.

Mr. Bixiney to the TnxBieeB. Letter to Mr. Gibson. Be-admiasion to Wjmondley. RestleasnesB of Orthodox Students. Freethinking ChrutiauB at Hackney. UnitarianB and Christian Missions. State of Congregations. James Stratten. Thomas Stratten . 253—278*

CHAPTBE X.

Trial of faith in the South Sea Mission. Tidings of suocees. Political excitement. Peterloo massacre. CasUereagh's Six . Acts. Mr. Baines and political spies. Letter of Mr. Alexander. Duchess of Kent. Princess Victoria and Mr. McAll. Difficulties in Macclesfield. Opposition of Churchmen. Ordination of Mr. McAll. Mr. Urwick and the Easky Discussion. James Parsons. John Smicli, the Martyr of Demerara. Proceedings in Parliament. Insurrection of the slares. Mock trial of Mr. Smith. Condemned to Death. Letters firom prison. Speech of Brougham. Last speech of Wilberforce. Death of Mr. Smith. Funeral. Letter of Mrs. Smitli. Effect of the martyrdom of Mr. Smith on the cause of Negro Emancipation ..... 279 — 809

CHAPTEE XI.

Meeting of Unitarians at the "Spread Eagle." Speech of .Mr. Harris. ControYcrted by Mr. George Hadfield and Bev. James Turner. Robert Halley. Description of Homerton Academy. John Harris. William Thorp. Conrersion of his father. His Death. Robert Vaughan. Thomas Sharp. State of North Devon- Origin of the Home Miesionazx Society. Congregational Union merged in the New Society. Dr Collyer in the shade. Correspondence with Robert Hall. Last days of Dr. Bogue. Sermon of Rev. John Angell James at the opening of the Hoxton Missionary Academy. Dr. Henderson. Mr. McAll inrited to Manchester. Sketch of him by Rot. James Ghriffin. Progress of Rev. R. W. Hamilton at Leeds. Rer. Robert Vaughan at Kensington. Rer. Thomas Binney at the Weigh House . 810—835

CHAPTER XII.

John Campbell, of Kirriemuir. At Kilmarnock. First risit to London. Second appearance. Matthew Wilks. The Tabernacle. Mr. John Wilks. Death of Matthew Wilks. Rev. John Burnett, Rev. John Leif child, and Craven Chapel. John Kelly. Proposed Congregational Union. Action of the Dorset Association. Congregational library. Congregational Lecture. Rhodomontade of the World newspaper. Letter of Henry Rogers. Spirit and aim of the founders of the Congregational Union. First meeting of Provisional Committee. Plan of the Union. First General Meeting. Declaration of Faith and Order. Organisation opportune. Reform Bill. Irish Church Bill. Alarm of the Clergy. Flans of Acaster, Henley, and Dr. Arnold. Origin and Design of the Tractarian Movement ..... 836 — 870

CONTENTS. XIU

GHAPTEE XIII.

Death of Mr. Boby. Mr. Yint and Airedale College. Ber. Walter Soott PiopoBttls for rendering Dissent respectable by Aot of Parliament Mr. John Neale and Moderate Episcopacy. Managers of the Whitfield Societies at ihe Tabernacle. Reformation attempted by Mr. GampbelL Opposition. Conflict, and practical issue. Mr. Binney's address at the Weigh House. Famous sentence in the " Notes.'' Mr. Binney's defence. British Critic Unitarian oontroversy and its effects. Imputation by Lord Brougham. B<*ply of Dr. Pye Smith. Dr. Lee and Dr. Pye Smith. Separation of Unitarians from the Three Denominations. Controversy on Church Establishments. Mr. Binney's conscientiousness and <^rity. Dr. Chalmers and Dr. Wardkw ..... 371—890

CHAPTER XI7.

Dr. McAll in Retirement Meeting for Conference and Prayer. Letter to Dr. RafBee. Meeting in Grrosrenor Street Vestry. Attachment of Ministers to Dr. McAU. Trials at Mosley Street Serious Ilhiess of Dr. MoAll. Last Sermon. Letter to Rev. John Waddington. Letter of Rev. Richard Flet<dier to Dr. Raffles. Last conversation of Dr. McAll. Death. Sermon of Dr. Raffles. Funeral Obsequies. Characteristics of Dr. Raffles. Lancashire Independent College. Correspondence of Rev. John SntdiffiB and Mr. John Blackburn. Mr. Samuel Lees. Letter of Mr. Samuel Fletcher to Mr. Hadfield. Note of Mr. Hadfield. Reply of Dr. Baffles. Dr. Halley invited to Mosley Street Experience in his new position. Speech of Dr. Raffles at the opening of the New Chapel, Great George Street ....... S^T-^lSl

CHAPTER XV.

Colonial missions. St John's, Newfoundland. Letter of Mr. Ward to Rev. S. CoUison. Hali&x, Nova Scotia. Chebogae* liverpooL Mr. AUine. Mangerville. Stanstead, East Canada. Southwold, Ontario. Joseph Silcoz. Letter of Mr. Climie to Mr. Letlie. Canada Home Missionary Society. Rev. Heory Wilkes. Mr. Gibbs. Mr. Parker. Rev. John Smith. Appeal for Help in England. Rev. Richard Miles. First Congregational Church in Montreal. Adam Lillie. Congregational Union. Deputation to America. Conference with Canadian Missionaries. Report of Mr. Miles. Visit of Dr. Reed and Dr. Matheson to Canada. Report of Dr. Matheson. Conference with Directors of the London Missionary Society. William Hayden. David Dyer. Appeal from Australia. Sydney. Hobart Town. Minutes of Congregational Dnion. Meeting at the Mission House. Mr. Binney and Settiers in Australia. Minutes of the Union. Procrastination. Formation of the Colonial Missionary Society.

43^-467

XIV CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XVI.

Dr. Philip and the African Witaemos. Speech of John WilliamB. Queen Victoria. BoT. Joseph Ketley. InrtmotionB of MiBsionary Society. Begnhitions of Committee of Control Objections of Mr. KeUey. BeeolutionB of the Church at ProTidenoe New Chai)el. The Bev. Thomas Qointon Stow. Mr. WeDs' farewell address. Bey. John Boof. First service at Toronta First letter from Mr. Stow. Landing in Adelaide. First annirersary. Ber. Joseph Beasley. Van Diemen's Land. BebeUion in Canada. Letter of Mr. Boaf . Letter of Mr. Wilkes. Ordination of Mr. Climie. Mr. Krepps, the Colonial Student Sydney and Dr. Boss. Mr. David Jonea Melbourne and Mr. Waterfield. Letter of Mrs. Hopkins. First religions serrioe at Melbourne. Letter of Mr. Waterfield. Australian Congregational Union. New Chapel . . 488 — 512

CHAPTEE XVn.

Coward College. UniyeiBity manners. Theological studies. Negative theology. Divinity of man. Counsel to students by Dr. Harris. Spring Hill College. Frenzy of the times. Letter of Bev. John Ely to Mr. Baines. Mr. Baines on Christian profession. Letter of Dr. Pye Smith to Mr. Baines. Home Missionary Society and the Congregational Union. Letters of Mr. Thompson. Speech of Bev. George Smith at Birmingham Conference. Besolution of the Congregational Union. Irish Evangelical Society. Appeal of Dr. Urwick. Prompt action of Mr. Tidman. The Irish Controversy. Letter of Bev. J. Jennings to Dr. Vaughan. Beply. Bejoinder. Letter of Mr. Jennings to Dr. Urwick. Letters of Bev. Noble Sheppard to Dr. Vaughan. Letter of Dr. Bedford to Mr. Wells. Letter of Mr. Wells to Dr. Urwick and Mr. Cooper. Letter of Bev. J. A. James to Mr. Wells ..... 518—546

CHAPTEE XVIIL

Mr. Josiah Conder. Eoclesiastioal Knowledge Society. Mr. Condor's visit to Leicester, The "Angel" James. Laying the foundation-stone of Lancashire College. Catastrophe. Bev. Edward Miall and the "Nonconformist" Dissenting ministers arraigned. An alarm sounded. Manifesto of the Congregational Union. Anti-Corn Law League. Gk>ssiping Letters of Dr. Halley on the Conference. Distress at Stockport Sir James Qraham's Bill. Olive branch. Anti-State Church movement. Dr. Pye Smith and Homerton Committee. Conference at Leicester. Its religious character. Defended by Dr. Price. Objections of tho editor of the "Congregational Magasine." Dr. Vaughan and the projected ** Quarterly Beview." Letter to Mr. Blackburn. Opposition of Mr. Hadfield. Letter to Dr. Baffles. Beply. Decided course of Mr. Kelly. Aims of Dr. Vaughan and Dr. Price . . . 547—578

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER XIX.

th-. Campbell in Bolt Coait. Bible Printing Monopoly. Visit of Dr. Adam Thomson to Manoheeter. Letter of Mr. Hadfield. Letter of Mr. Ohilds. Mr. Bainee and the Committee of the Honse of Commons. Printer's Tiew. Sncoess of Dr. CampbelL Embarrassment of Dr. Thomson, the pioneer of the movement. "Christian Witness." Death of T. S. Gayer. Befnsed a grave by FhHip Hewett, Beotor of Binstead. Dr. Hamilton's address at the Congregational Union. Death of Ber. John Ely. Distress of Dr. Hamilton. Fnneral of Mr. Ely. Last days of Dr. Hamilton. Letter to the Chnrdh. Fnneral. Mr. Binney's notioe of Mr. Baines and Mr. John Morley. Sketch of Mr. Morley by Bev. James Parsons. Mr. Samuel Morley, M.P. GKving and working. Chapel Building. Mr. Green and Mr. Seth Smith. Chapel boilding societies. Ber. Samnel Martin. Rev. Caleb Morria Sir Elkanah Armitage. Sir Titos Salt, Bart Sir Francis Crossley, Bart . . 67&-611

CHAPTER XX.

Relations of Churches in Canada with America. Letter of Mr. Roaf on condnct of parties. Palmer's charges.* Mr. Roafs Defence. Report of Mr. Clarke. Letter of Mr. Binney to Mr. Wells. Economy enforced by necessity. Scheme of Mr. G^allaway. Mr. Wilkes criticised in Demerara. Case of Feam in Berbice. Embarrassing position of Mr. Roaf. Mistakes of Colonial Secretaries. Case of Mr. Geikie. Mr. Wells' resign nation. Valedictory letters. Complaints of agency system. Letter of Mr. Wells to Mr. Wilkes. Death of Mr. Wells. Mr. Binney's tribate to his memory. Letter of Mr. Binney to tlie Church at the Weigh House. Resolutions of the Church. Reply of Mr. Binney. Agency system abolished. New order of things. Dr. G^rge Smith. Rev. Robert Ashton. Scepticism. Address of Dr. Harris . . 612—662

APPENDIX.— Declaration of Faith and Order, etc. ... 668

CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY.

Chapter I

The remarkable interest felt by Congregational Churches in Christian Missions (Home and Foreign) at the close of the last century, was largely the result of the earnest spirit and sound instruction of theological tutors, who devoted themselves to the training of pious young men in various academies formed for the purpose.

A society in London, established in 1756, resolved to support an institution of this kind at Heckmondwike, in the West Riding of j.^^gg^j^^^ Yorkshire, under the care of James Soott, wci Heckpastor of the Congregational Church in that Academy, village. Mr. Scott was educated at the ^^^^' University of Edinburgh, and had acquired much experience in ministerial service — first at Stainland, near Lancaster, and afterwards at Horton-in- Craven, and Tockholes, near Preston. He knew well the character and habits of the people; and what was required in the Christian teachers it was intended to supply.

Little is known of the early history of the institution. Among the first students were Priestley,

2 OONGBEGATIONAL HISTOEY. [OHAP. I.

Prattman, Lambert, Tootbill, Armitage, and Galland, who occupied important positions in the denomination, and were much esteemed as faithful preachers and useful pastors. Mr. Venn (the Evangelical clergyman) sympathized with Mr. Scott in his efforts to meet the spiritual destitution that existed in the Northern Counties, and recommended Samuel BoTTOMLEY to his care.* In the course of this young

man, we have an example of the zeal and tomiey at activity fostcrcd in the students of Hecki^QQ^' mondwike by their devoted tutor. In the

spring of 1796, Mr. Bottomley felt a strong desire to introduce the gospel into Honley — a place much addicted, at that time, to bull-baiting. The house of his cousin, John Bottomley, was kindly opened for religious service ; but as the room would not hold a tenth of the people assembled to hear the juvenile preacher, he mounted a table placed at the door, and John GiLL,t a fellow student, gave out a hymn. Some of Mr. Venn's people attended to support the movement. A woman in the crowd, struck with the boyish look of Bottomley, cried out, " Is that bairn come to be christened ? " Unmoved by the interruption, he read the words of his text (John iii. 36) ; but before he had fairly entered on his discourse, he was confronted with Haslam, the clergyman of the parish, who came with a party oi " roughs," hired at a neighbouring public-house, for " three shillings to be spent in drink." The noisy intruders began their annoyance by singing a set of anthems. The supporters of Bottomley, in turn,

• Memoir of Bev. Joseph Oockin. By his son, John Oockin. t After wards minister at Hull and Market Harborough.

t

*

Chap. I.] Congregational History. 3

sung a succession of hymns, and in the unseemly contest exhausted their opponents. The discomfitted "parson," with his boisterous retainers, returned to the "ale-house" to find that, in their absence, the man intrusted with the drink-money had already spent it in potations on his own account The sermon, in the meanwhile, was preached to the villagers, who remained without further disturbance. Jonas Wimpennt, one of the hearers, was so much interested in the subject that he invited Bottomley, on the spot, to preach in his house at jo^ph Holmfirth. Joseph Oookin,* who became Cockm,the

ApoAtle of

the "apostle" of the West Riding, with theWeat his excellent mother, were among his first converts. In a retrospect of his early Christian experience, Mr. Cockin says : —

** However slender my acquaintance with the ' Gross of Christ ' at this time^ I felt the ' offence ' of it very severely. The whole town where I lived was at rest and quiet — no innovation had diflturhed their repose for many years. They were ' like people, like priest^' going every one his own chosen way — and all the downward road. The Lord's-day was literally a day of aportSy and religions worship was only a pretence to assemble the people for their commencement. As I had been a volunteer in the same cause — and, according to my age and opportunities, as active as others in these unhallowed scenes— my secession, and the cause of it, soon became known. The old ' hne and cry * raised against me was, that I had ' gone mad ;' and when I have walked along the road, I have seen people looking after me, as if I had been an object uncommon in the creation of God. They who live in more enlightened times, and in larger places, where different modes of worship prevail, can have little knowledge of what it is to be the country's talk in an ignorant, stupid village, bewildered with superstition, addicted to foolish customs, and sank in wickedness. Whatever malevolence conld invent, or

* Memoir of Cookin.

4 ^CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY. [OHAP. I.

yirnloDce conld ntter, I had to encounter ; and what made it peculiarly trying, there were yery few either to encourage my Bpirite or to bear part of the burden."

Cockin was violently opposed by his father ; but his mother, by her affectionate sympathy, and ingenious management, helped him in his Christian course.

** As divine service," he says, " was at that time kept by Mr. Venn, in Huddersfield Church, on Thursday evenings, I made a point of attending, though I was at the distance of four miles, and had to go alone. To facilitate my escape, my mother, in the course of the afternoon, carried my clothes into a private place in the fields. I went at the proper time and changed those in which I worked, that I might appear in decent trim. I renr ember once being way-laid by my father, and there was no way of escape, but through a river, which I was just able to ford. To this place I repaired, put off my clothes, carried them ever my head, and thus effected my purpose."

The troubles of the young disciple increased, and, though not fourteen years of age, he was banished from his father's house. Led as he felt ^.„. convinced, by the unseen hand, he found

William . ^ J '

8cV»o6eid, of shelter, employment, and excellent counsel

XjOcJiwood

in the house of William Schofield, of Lockwood, near Buddersfield — ** a tall, elderly man,*' who, on returning home from church, often ** spoke to him with much affection of the things of God."

'* Uuder his roof," he says, " I continued the space of a year, without exception the happiest and the most improving year I ever spent in my life. A new and pleasing scene now opened before me, different from any I had ever beheld before. The opposition I had met with, the fears and taunts that had been thrown upon me^ had made such an impression on my mind, that I thought I was certainly like no other person in the world. As

CHAP. I.] (X)NQREGATIONAL HrSTORY. 5

there were in Honley, at that time, none besides my mother, another persecuted woman, and myself, who made any profession of religion ont of the common conrse of things, I was not aware that onr way preyailed to any extent in any other part. But here I fonnd many others diligently parsning the same conrse, who encouraged and directed me in the things of God, who put good books into my hands, and who instructed me in the knowledge of Christian principles. We had a meeting for prayer and religions conversation in the house on a Monday eyening, at which upwards of sixty people attended, and which was one of the most respectable for knowledge, experience, and gills that I eyer knew, or perhaps ever must. From this meeting in a Meeting at private house^ and in a small country milage^ several Lockwood. very able and useful ministers went out, who are now filling eminent staiicns in the Church of Qod.

"At Lockwood I became acquainted with gracious people, who taught me the fear of the Lord, and formed my lips for social prayer. In their company I felt my inability, and began to wonder at isij ignorance, and to be surprised that I knew so little of those things which appeared so familiar to them. The very words they used were new. I was possessed at that time of few more than such as were necessary to communicate ideas about provision, work, and clothing. I do not believe there were three men in Honley at that time who knew the meaning of one word which is peculiar to any doctrine of the gospel^ and therefore how was it possible that I should ? When I heard a word in preaching or in private discourse, which I did not understand, I wrote it down, and laboured to find out the meaning of it as well as I could, or waited until I got the information from some person. I continued this practice a long time, and collected two or three hundred words before I knew that there existed such books as dictionaries. When I first saw one, and that a very poor one, I thought it an inestimable treasure.*'

Cockin was brought under the notice of Mr. Ryland (curate to Mr. Venn), who directed him in a course of mental and religious improvement. After the absence of a twelvemonth, he was recalled home by his father, and commenced a prayer- meeting at

Honley. Anxious to introduce Evangelical preaching, he went with a young friend to hear Mr. Atley at Nether-Thong Chapel. On their own account, they invited him to preach at Honley, and from that time public worship was kept up there by the Congregationalists.

At seventeen, Cockin returned to Huddersfield in search of employment. Mr. Venn, before this time, had left the town, the " jflock '* gathered by his faithful ministry being driven out by the opposite course of his successor, had formed themselves into a Congregational Church under the pastoral care of William Mooehousb. Amongst the eighteen members whose names are entered, Feb. 14, 1772, in the Church book, that of William Schofield stands first. " Joseph Cockin, Honley," is recorded, as admitted November, 1772. The time spent by him on this second visit to Huddersfield was " very gloomy." He had to pass through the discipline of trial in various forms. His master and fellow- work- . men were " loose and dissolute characters." When it was known that he went to the " new chapel," he was subjected to their constant ridicule and reproach. Though under age, he was compelled to enter the militia, and marched ofi* with his company for a month to Leeds. There he attended White Chapel in his regimentals, and met in Mr. Edwards, the minister, a faithful friend and judicious adviser. At his recommendation, he was received into the Academy at Heckmondwike, September 29, 1774. Kipping, On leaving the •institution, September, 1777. 1777, he accepted the pastoral charge of

the church at Kipping, and entered on a remarkable

CHAP. I.] CONGBBGATIONAL HISTORY. 7

career as preacher, pastor, evangelist, and diligent student of theology. Beginning with a home circuit, he preached in houses, in bams, in schools, or in the open air, that all the villagers round might have an opportunity to hear the gospel. He then extended his sphere of operations, and in conjunction with Jonas Smifh, a congenial friend and j^^^ zealous co-worker, he raised a congrega- ^"■'*^- tion at Eccleshill, and afterwards at Idle, where he was cordially welcomed by Joseph Robinson, preaching in winter in a spacious dwelling-house, and in summer in a bam.

His next attempt to form a Christian society was made at Bradford — preaching on Sabbath evenings in the street. Friends were gained to the ^ . . cause who had received the " truth " the Chowh under the ministry of Mr. Stillingfleet, an * Evangelical clergyman at Bierley Chapel. John Smith, a bookseller, Mr. Gamett, and Mr. Hodgson lent their cordial help. A plan for regular preaching was arranged, and the congregation so increased, that a minister was wanted to form a church and take their pastoral oversight. The Rev. James Orossley, of Booth — a self-educated man of great native talent — accepted their call, but preached only one Sabbath, and died suddenly on the ensuing Sabbath (May 18, 1782). He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Holdgate, for whom a new chapel was built in Horton Lane. For a time, ten or twelve families went regularly from Idle to hear him preach.

From Kipping, Mr. Oockin, ripe in ex- ' oookin at perience, and " well instructed in the mys- ^h^^^- teries of the kingdom," removed to Halifax in

1792. Aided by Mr. Kershaw and Mr. Hodgson, two admirable deacons, he gave himself " wholly " to his work, and laid the foundation of the institutions connected with the first Congregational Church in Halifax,* that made it a centre of influence, powerful and lasting as it has been beneficial. For thirtyeight years in succession, Mr. Cockin preached as a stated supply at the Tabernacle in London, and his counsel was sought in the great religious movements of his time.

Robert Simpson, another student at Heckmondwike, was received in 1776, on the recommendation Robert of tis pastor, Mr. Prattman, of Cotherstone, Simpson, near Barnard Castle. On leaving the

Academy, he went, in 1780, to preach at Haslingden, in Lancashire, and at the Midsummer following, to Elswick, in the same county. After spending about twelve months at each of these places he removed, in 1732, to Bolton-le-Moors, where he laboured for nearly nine years with considerable success, and then accepted the office of tutor to the Evangelical Academy at Hoxton, which he fulfilled with credit for nearly twenty-seven years. At the , ^ death of Mr. Scott, in 1783, the students

Academy , ,

atNorthow- deprived of his care were transferred to Northowram to be instructed by the Rev.

Samuel Walker.

* Sion Chapel, Halifax, was obtained for the deoomiDation by the Trust^ea of Square Cbapel, with the ooncorrenoe of Mr. Cookin. On the 6th of September, 1815, it waa resolved " that the edifice be engaged in co-operiition with the present interest for two years. On the 2l6t of July, 1816, it was resolted that Sion Chapel be now condaoted as a separate intereft, and upon independent principles.*' — Jubilee Memorial by Bct. Bryan Dale, M.A.

CHAP. 1.] CONGBBGATIONAL HISTORY. 9

Benjamin Boothroyd* (born at Warley near Halifax, October 10th, 1768), was one of his pupils. His career in youth had been chequered Baojamm and attended with no small anxiety to his Boo*^«>y^- fidends. Unsettled in his position he ran away from home, and for a time found employment on the borders of Lancashire, leaving his parents in the most painful suspense as to his condition and place