Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire: with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county.Coleman, Thomas
History
Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire: with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county.
Coleman, Thomas
Clergy -- England -- Northamptonshire; Independent churches -- England -- Northamptonshire; Puritans -- England -- Northamptonshire
Mr. Washbourn was minister at Hammersmith for twenty-two years; and here
we find it remarked, "that his preaching--solid, judicious, and deeply
spiritual--was very soon highly estimated by his new charge, the greater
part of whom at that time were families of considerable standing in
society, as well as of high respectability and influence in the Church.
Not a few were brought to Christ who had seen the meridian of life
unvisited by mercy, and who survived to bless his memory and to render
it blessed." But we find that "it pleased the great Head of the Church,
who retains the prerogative of determining the trials of his servants,
greatly to obstruct the usefulness of the latter part of his life, and
to render it the scene of peculiar affliction, by the rapid progress of
a constitutional malady--overwhelming depression. The most remarkable
feature in this visitation was its periodical character. Six weeks of
unutterable gloom, during which he was bereft of every ray of spiritual
consolation, and an equal term of unusual enjoyment in religion and in
social intercourse, maintained an almost unvarying succession throughout
the two or three last years of his earthly pilgrimage. But he has
frequently said to his colleague, 'I know, my dear sir, it is all
physical. I know it--I have proved it; and I know God sees it needful
for me, or he would not permit it.'"
He died on Monday, the 10th day of November, 1834, in the 64th year of
his age; and it is said "that few public men, moving in a comparatively
quiet and unobtrusive sphere, have gone down to the grave accompanied by
such deep expressions of unequivocal regard, from all classes in the
circle where they lived and laboured, as did this devoted minister of
Christ."
Soon after Mr. Washbourn had left Wellingborough, Mr. Robert Jacomb, the
former pastor of the Church, came on a visit; and seeing the
uncomfortable state in which the people were, he kindly consented to
prolong his stay, and preached to them with his former acceptance. An
invitation was given him to resume his labours, which he accepted; and
after an interval of twenty years he again became the pastor of the
Church. His services were continued until repeated attacks of disease,
and the increasing infirmities of age, obliged him to resign his charge
in the year 1826. He continued to reside in Wellingborough until his
death, which took place in the year 1832.
Mr. Jacomb, we have heard, was a descendant from the early Nonconformist
ministers of that name. He always appeared to conduct himself with the
ease, affability, and politeness of the gentleman, and with the spirit
of the Christian. His temper was amiable, and it was his constant aim to
promote the spirit of piety and of peace among his people. In the spirit
of devotion, and with a sincere concern for the highest welfare of his
flock, he conducted the services of the sanctuary. He was highly
esteemed to the close of his days.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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