Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire

right of the principal street, in the upper part of the town, a handsome structure, of considerable dimensions for the size of the place. On the front of the building he might notice the inscripti

s deep galleries, its antique pillars, and irregular form, had been entirely taken down; and this Chapel, in a more eligible position, had been raised by the present congregation. And he might be informed that it was nobly done; for after the most liberal subscriptions, amounting to ￡1600, a moiety of which was lost b

we shall lead the reader back to

e or his labours, beyond the statement "that he was a native of Scotland, and had a living in Essex before he came to Harborough," yet by his Nonconformity he teaches us that he had embraced princ

events lead us to the conclusion that the principles of Nonconformity must have obtained a number of adherents in Harborough and its vicinity; because we find that, eleven years after the passing of the "Act of Uniformity" (i

ated, under the best masters, with a view to the profession-first, in the Charter House, in London; afterwards, under Dr. Busby, at Westminster; and under Dr. Temple, at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a diligent student; became eminent for his scholarship: but what was st

sufferer. Devoted to his work, he took every opportunity of preaching the Gospel in Leicestershire and parts adjacent. He was watched narrowly by some furious justices of the peace; and though he had the happiness often to escape, yet he was three times a prisoner in Leicester Gaol, for the crime of preaching the Gospel! After dwelling for a

s surrounding Harborough-some of them a number of miles distant. In the character of Mr. Clarke were combined unbending integrity and conscientiousness, with great kindness of spirit and manner. Of the first we have proof in his decided Nonconformity-in his willingness to suffer rather than to sin-in his following the path of duty, whatever might be the dangers to which it exposed him-in his steady pursuit of all the labours of his calling until laid aside by his last affliction-in his firm res

ther contrived, amidst all that he suffered for conscience' sake (and he drank largely of the bitter cup), to take peculiar care of the education of

od approved; which, but for the grace bestowed upon the youth, might have been a fatal injury to himself and thousands more. After revolving the question seriously in his mind, and reflecting on the sacrifices

ed; still, however, he dreaded above all things a hypocritical profession; and though at first he thought his abstinence from sin, as well as his attention to s

e and abase himself before God in prayer, and set the crown of his success upon the head of free grace!" During the first three years of his ministry he also laid the foundation of several congregations in that country. He was in 1687 called to preach at Sandwich, in Kent, where he was detained by the importunity of those who derived benefit from his labours; but after two years was recalled by the equal solicitations of his father and the flock in Leicestershire. But though he then settled with them, they were compelled by a sense of duty to give him up almost immediately, for, having preached an occasional sermon in London, he was invited to assist Mr. Ford in Miles' Lane. This was his final removal from Harborough. After Mr. Ford's death he became the sole pastor of the Church, was the means of changing

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, from its early date, to have been adopted during Mr. Clarke's ministry. Being one of the ol

, that by the grace of God we will henceforward endeavour to reform whatever is amiss amongst us, according to the best understanding we have of the holy Scriptures, which we believe to be

ed the Church, as before stated, and 172 of whom were gathered from about 30 villages in the vicinity. The village Chapels being few in number in those days, the N

d with great veneration and esteem to this day. It appears probable that he was assistant or co-pastor with Mr. Clarke a short time before the close of his labours; that he came to Harborough about the year 1706, as his name stands in the first trust deed of Ashley Meeting House about that time, as the recognized minister of both places. He took the sole pastoral

on the work. He was for a time a fellow-student with Doddridge, and became his most intimate

th would permit it, take frequent journeys with me to Kibworth on the Lord's-day. And what sweet counsel have we taken together when "we went to the house of God in company!" I have been informed of some of his expressions of respect and tenderness for me, which affect me exceedin

it like a parent, yet supports himself under it with a serenit

f his ministry, is partly attested by the fact that 270 pe

ip of Mr. Some. In the year 1729 he became his assistant, taking services alternately at Kibworth, H

a very important appropriate discourse-from Rev. iii. 2: "Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die"-"On the methods to be taken by ministers for the revival

contained confirmed by the Holy Scriptures, by David Some. Second edition, 1727.' It has an interesting preface, a part of which we shall

pages is to render public ca

it to memory, they soon grow weary of this exercise, and find excuses to absent

re. The questions are so framed that there is room for enlarging upon them, as the importance of the argument may require. The treating upon the heads of divinity in this way insensibly leads into a freedom and easiness of expression, which is hard to attain

an composures, I can assure them that I have long since learned to call no man master upon earth. I have not attempted to explain the doctrines contained in this Catechism because it was composed by that learned body of men, the assembly of divines, but because I verily believe that for the substance of them they are agreeable to the word of God. I was early instruct

ose to allow it a share in my public labours while God continues life and a capacity for service; and if any of my worthy brethren shall make use

.

we present to the reader the short sec

ife do either accompany or flow from jus

on, and sanctification, are assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, jo

fruit of the Spirit is joy." Shall true Christians grow in grace? Yes. (Prov. iv. 18.) "The path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Is perseverance the Christian's duty? Yes. (Phil. iii. 14.) "I press towards the mark." And their privilege? Yes. (1st Peter i. 5.) "Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto

ow to bear it." Again: "We know in whose hands our lives are, and those of our friends who remain-a soul-quieting thought, which I would apply to the

if we must not read his life and character, let us remember and imitate his exemplary piety, prudence, and diligence. This truly revered and excellent man died May 27th, 1737. God was pleased to favour him with a serene and cheerful exit, suited to the eminent piety and usefulness of his life. "I am well satisfied," remarks Doddridge, "that considering how very ge

; clearly indicating what he considered their qualifications should be; what was the nature of the connexion they were about

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steadfastly to adhere to us, if time

s exercised therein, so far as it is agreeable to the mind of Christ revealed in his word? If these be your designs, then in the name of our blessed Redeemer, and with the co

e was purchased of Walter Renals, and bought by Knightle

erected near to the spot where it had stood; for some years bef

when he removed to Horselydown. After the removal of Mr. Halford, Mr. Some had no other assistant to the day of his death, but most probably restricted his labours. He died in the 57th year of his age; "and," said this holy man of God with his dying breath, "If any ask how David Some died, let it be answered, that he sought and found mercy." Dr. Doddridge preached his funeral se

during which many changes took place; and no records were preserved by the

ch at Harborough, that he was constrained to accept the call; but two years after this he speaks of the ordination of one of his students, Mr. Isaac Wilkinson, over the Church at Har

ez Hirons, as minister at Harborough, who entered the academy in 1745. All that we can gather from these statements is, that the congregation was during this period in a very unsettled state, not having bec

ment: Upon the resignation of a pastor who had never felt himself at home among the people, their choice was divided between two persons, who had been proposed by their respective friends. At length it was wisely agreed by both parties to withdraw their suffrages from each in favour of a third candidate, if one could be found who should be agreeable to the whole congregation. At this juncture Mr. Addington was recommended to them by the Rev. Mr.

His congregation was considerable, and some of them came from a distance of several miles; but the Church at As

sign, it was Mr. Addington's custom to distribute and associate as many of his people as he could into classes, according to their age, sex, and situation. In these societies they were in the habit of meeting at stated times for prayer and religious converse, often attended by their minister; the societies were always under his super

time he was by no means a strong and healthy man; and after continuing his exertions of one kind or another for nearly thirty years, he began to find some failure in his energy and activity; and under this impression it seemed prudent to contract the sphere of his duties. Whilst preparing to carry his design into effect, circumstances occurred which eventually issued in his removal; the active part which he took in the politics of the day somewhat affecting both his usefulness and his comfort towards the close of his residence at Harborough. While he was thus circu

e tutor of an academy first established at Mile End, wh

r, soon proved so inconvenient that they were compelled to provide in 1783 a building at Mile End, to which they invited Stephen Addington, minister of Market Harborough, as tutor of what was now called 'the Evangelical Academy.' The friends of the institution procured him a diploma of Doctor of Divinity; but as he had lately relinquished a similar charge under the impression of declining vigo

to labour there under the pressure of infirmities, but encouraged by the gener

he found time to execute; and his dread of living in vain induced him to grasp at objects to which his strength was inadequate. As a preacher, he was more esteemed than admired, for his elocution was defective, though earnest; and his thoughts, always good, were se

ath lately published a small piece upon it, which I think

borough is prefixed to this Treatise, f

judice, and determined to follow the truth whithersoever it might lead me. Far be it from me to assert that I have nowhere mistaken the language of the Holy Spirit in the several passages that either give an account of the administration of Christian baptism or tend to explain the nature and design of the institution; but this I hope I can say, that I have endeavoured to enter into the true meaning of them, and have explained them in a sense that appears to m

Harborough, Sep

upplied by neighbouring ministers, and the students from the academy at Daventry; among the latter of whom was Mr. Belsham, afterwards recognized as the champion of Socinianism. The principal candidates were Mr. Bennett, who afterwards settled at Kidermin

ted March 22nd, 1782. Mr. Gill continued his labours after this union for a long period, with honour to himself and benefit to others. He was permitted to preach the Gospel to them for more than six-and-thirty years, while he lived among them for at least half a century. A paralytic affection rendered it necessary that he should retire from his labours and resign his ch

ed with the Meeting, when Mr. Wild delivered the funeral oration; Mr. Bicknell, of Crick, and Mr. Robertson, of Wellingborough, engaged in prayer; Mr. Chater, of Kibworth, giving out the hymns. His funeral ser

voice was not of great compass. Mr. Gill was not distinguished by grasp of mind, power of reasoning, depth of thought, or extent of information. His powers, whether natural or acquired, were not of a high order. His case shows us what may be done by the weight of character, fervent consistent piety, without superior mental endowments, in filling a respectable station with credit and usefulness. Mr. Gill was considered to be exemplary in

plied Harborough for many months with great acceptance. Mr. Fr

cline accepting the invitation; but, upon its being renewed, he ultimately complied with the call, and was ordained to the pastoral office in October, 1822. The ministers engaged were Messrs. Notcutt, of Wilbarston, now of Ipswic

ual advantage and happiness, he complied with an invitation he received from Bradford, in Wiltshire. Letters were addressed to him signed by 375 persons, urging his stay a

of feeling. The following ministers supplied the pulpit as probationers: Mr. Johnson, from Highbury; Mr. Wooldridge, from Gideon Chapel, Bristol; Mr. Hewlett, la

invitation to the pastoral office; but conceiving the time he had spent among them too limited to form a just opinion of the people and the suitabilities of the place, he engaged to spend a month or five weeks more before he gave his final answer to the wishes of the people.

ssatisfaction, with no prospect as he thought of party feeling abating, and consequently little hope of future comfort and usefulness, he sent a notice of hi

s a student at Coward College, London. At the expiration of his studies, he was invited as a probationer to Harborough, and ultimately to take the pastoral charge, which he accepted, and was ordained Octob

us state, when this settlement took place, yet they gradually attained to a con

of liberality was manifested. Dr. Reed, of London, preached in the morning, from Num. x. 29; Dr. Leifchild, in the evening, from Rom. v. 9. Mr. Alexander, of Norwich, preached on the next Sabbath. The whole amount collec

ol connected with the place contains 150 children. In the Infant-school, conducted on the Sabbath, there are 80 children. For the use of the latter, a room has been recently erected over the general school-room, with class-roo

resents a happy illustration of the sentiment, that a unit