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
After a time they received information of Mr. John Carver, who was
pastor of a small Church in the village of Kirtling, Cambridgeshire, as
one that was very likely to suit them. He came and preached to them two
Sabbaths. General satisfaction prevailed in the Church and congregation;
without one dissenting voice they desired him to come and remain among
them. Mr. Carver accepted their call, and removed with his family to
Wellingborough, October 30th, 1770. The ordination took place June 20th
in the following year, which appears to have been conducted according to
the more general practice of the Churches. Mr. Smith, of Oundle, read
the hymns; Mr. Hayton began in prayer; Mr. Bond, of Toft, delivered the
introductory discourse, and asked the usual questions; Mr. Simmons, of
Bedford, gave the exhortation to the people, from Col. ii. 5, 6; Mr.
Ashpiner, of Poole, in Dorset, prayed; Mr. Gregson, of Rowell, gave the
charge, from Rom. i. 16; Mr. Walker, of Olney, concluded the service.
"And, blessed be the Lord!" it is added, "it was a very solemn day.
Every part of it was conducted with great order and satisfaction."
Then we have the covenant of the Church renewed; and another covenant
after revolt, partly given in the following terms:--
We, the members of the Church of the living God assembling at
Wellingborough, having greatly revolted from our dear Lord, in a
deep sense of both former and later miscarriages against his love,
blood, honour, crown, and dignity, as King of Souls and Churches,
&c.
This seems to be imperfect, as it breaks off abruptly here.
During Mr. Carver's ministry, we find three who became members of the
Church, that afterwards became pastors of Christian societies--viz.: Mr.
Perry, the first pastor of the Church at Wollaston; Mr. Hennell, its
second pastor; and Mr. Hillyard, the first pastor of the Church at
Brigstock, and afterwards for many years minister at Olney.
In the year 1791 the present Meeting House was built. We are informed
"that there was much conversation previously on the subject; and at
length the congregation agreed to do it, if the expense could be
defrayed among themselves, without dependence on others." This was a
noble spirit. A subscription was opened among them, and found to be of
sufficient amount to warrant their proceeding in the business. While the
building was going forward they conducted a part of their service in
Cheese Lane Meeting, by the kind permission of the stated congregation
there. On the 11th of September, 1791, they met for the first time in
their new place of worship. "The satisfaction arising from having a
commodious large place of worship for ourselves and our posterity,
without assistance from anyone, was great indeed."
The following account of Mr. Carver's life, character, and ministry, was
drawn up by the late Mr. Bull, of Newport, the friend of Newton and
Cowper.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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