Mr. Scott was, in his latter years, assisted by Mr. Abraham Tozer, who
now succeeded to the charge at Norwich. Dr. Doddridge assisted at his
ordination, and Mr. Samuel Wood was chosen co-pastor with Mr. Tozer. On
the removal of the latter to Exeter, Mr. Wood, afterwards Dr. Wood, held
the pastoral office for twenty years. The church enjoyed, under his
care, a season of prosperity and peace, and the meeting house was densely
crowded. He died, November 2nd, 1767, much lamented.
Mr. Samuel Newton, who had been assistant preacher, was ordained pastor
February 16th, 1768, and continued in the office fifty-six years. He
gave the second list of the whole number of members, which had increased
to 108. He had five assistants in succession. Mr. Hull was the last
assistant, and on the death of Mr. Newton, June 29th, 1809, succeeded him
in the pastoral office. The number of members increased to 112 in 1811,
and to 156 in 1820. Mr. Hull officiated fourteen years, and then
resigned in consequence of a disagreement with the deacons. He became a
church clergyman and perpetual curate of St. Gregory’s in this city.
The Rev. Stephen Morell removed from Exeter and was chosen pastor in June
17th, 1824, and he died in October of the same year. The church next
invited the services of the Rev. J. B. Innes, of Weymouth, in 1825, and
being chosen pastor, he continued in the office twelve years. He died in
April, 1837. He was greatly beloved by his personal friends, and his
character and talents were held in general esteem.
The vacant office was next filled by the Rev. J. H. Godwin, who was
ordained to it on December 6th, 1837. After fulfilling the pastoral
duties for two years, he became resident tutor of Highbury College. The
Rev. A. Reed was then invited to fill the office, and became pastor over
a church of 190 members. He continued till 1855, and then removed to a
wider sphere of labour. The Rev. John Hallett was invited in the
following year, and is now the esteemed minister of the church. Mr.
Hallett, in a recent contribution to the pages of the _Evangelical
Magazine_ on the history of the Old Meeting House, says:—
“The Rev. A. Reed, B.A., now of St. Leonard’s, was Mr. Godwin’s
successor till 1855. Under his superintendence, bicentenary
services, commemorating the foundation of the church, were held,
which, judging from published and oral reports, must have been of a
stirring and deeply interesting character. Spacious school-rooms
were erected, and large day-schools established. Many still live in
our midst who gratefully attest the faithfulness and success of Mr.
Reed’s pastorate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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