Congregationalism in the Court SuburbStoughton, John
History
Congregationalism in the Court Suburb
Stoughton, John
Congregationalism -- History; Kensington (London, England) -- Church history
Another family, less known to fame, was Mrs. Bergne, of Brompton Row, and
her two sons. The eldest of them was John Bergne, for fifty years clerk
in the Foreign Office, and during the latter part of the time
superintendent of the French department,—an office which brought him into
association with many foreign and home celebrities. A man of high
culture, great conversational power and exuberant wit, he was
nevertheless decidedly religious, and remained steadfast in his
nonconformity to the end of life. He was a most attentive hearer, and
wrote down many of his pastor’s sermons, chiefly from memory. He
carefully preserved two quarto volumes filled with a course of lectures
on “The Acts,” which I read when I was young, and they gave me a good
idea of the preaching then heard at Hornton Street. A younger son,
Samuel, entered the ministry during Dr. Vaughan’s pastorate, and with
him, as well as his brother John, I enjoyed a lifelong friendship most
intimate, most endeared. He became well known as pastor of the Poultry
Chapel, and as Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The
family lived at Brompton, but year after year made their way morning and
evening to Kensington Chapel; and with them I may couple the family of
the Gainsfords, who resided in Piccadilly. Such circumstances show the
distances which in those days people walked to the house of God. It is
remarkable how many branches of old Nonconformist families included in
our history have since risen to eminence. Here I may mention Dr. Bruce,
the learned archæologist in Newcastle, who married Miss Gainsford; also
their son, the present Recorder of Bradford.
Another family may also be mentioned, though not I believe members of the
Church, as were most of those whom I have just recorded:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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