This good man kept a record of important events which had transpired
in Battersea. From a manuscript of his, entitled "The Antiquities
of Battersea," the following extract is taken--it will be read with
interest.
"There is also a Wesleyan Chapel and Society here, which originated
at a small house in Bridge Road, near the Bridge, after which it was
removed to Mr Steadman's yard, in which a large room was fitted up for
Divine Worship, and a School formed under the fostering care of Mr.
Lark and Mr. Bridge, assisted by other zealous female teachers. In
conformity with the principles of Mr. Wesley the Society has, under
God's blessing, increased from one Class to three Classes, besides a
Sunday School which is in a flourishing condition. Mr. T. Boughton, the
present Superintendent, is assisted by twelve male and female teachers
who still persevere in the good work of instructing the young. The
present Chapel was built in King Street and was considered necessary
both from the fact that there was not room for the persons who
assembled for worship and other circumstances relative to the Society
at that time. The Chapel was opened by three sermons being preached on
Sunday, October 11, 1840, by the Rev. W. Atherton, Rev. J. P. Haswell,
and the Rev. J. Scott. And on Monday evening, October 12, a meeting
of the Friends connected with the Chapel was held, at which the Rev.
J. P. Haswell presided, one of the chief friends to the cause at this
place. The object of the meeting was to excite a spirit of enquiry with
respect to the ministry of the Word and Christian instruction of youth
in order to benefit the morals of the neighbourhood and salvation of
souls.
"There is connected with this Chapel a Stranger's Friend Society,
whose object is to search out the most forlorn and distressing cases
of poverty and sickness. Its plan is carried out by Visitors who read
to the sick a portion of the Holy Scriptures and engage in prayer with
them, and by conversation and tracts endeavour to instruct so as to
lead the heart to the Saviour, and relieve their temporal wants by
affording them food, &c. rather than money. Many instances of good
have been the result, and the conversion of some to the truth. Its
founders were Messrs. Cooper and Stanley, Wandsworth; its present
officers, Messrs. Stedman and Evans, Secretary and Treasurer, Cullum,
Bridge, Winter, &c., Battersea. There is a small Branch of the Wesleyan
Missionary Society carried on here--a Tract Society, &c. May the Lord
prosper the work that many may be enlightened by the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and made partakers of his great Salvation."
METHODISTIC CHRONOLOGY.
1703, June 17. The Rev. John Wesley born.
1725, Sept. 19. Mr. Wesley ordained by Bishop Potter.
1735, Oct. 14. Mr. Wesley sailed as a Missionary for America.
1739. The Wesleyan-Methodist society established.
1744, June 25. The first Methodist Conference held in London.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account