The next minister who was placed over this people was Mr. John Hoppus, who accepted an invitation to the pastoral office, and was ordained in May, 1804. Mr. Hoppus was born in London, 1761; and becoming early acquainted with real religion, he joined the Church under the care of the Rev. W. Bennett, Moorfields, availing himself also, on suitable occasions, of the pulpit instructions of the Rev. Messrs. Newton and Romaine; and the Rev. Rowland Hill greatly attracted his admiration, on account of his fervent and zealous address. He sympathized with that school of Christians which sprung from the labours of Whitefield, whose letters, detailing his labours in Britain and America, were always perused by Mr. Hoppus with delight. The very name of their author was sufficient to animate him to earnest conversation, when oppressed by bodily affliction and declining years. Indeed, such was his admiration of the zealous spirit of Whitefield, as recorded in his history, that to feel and to express the same sentiment in the hearing of Mr. Hoppus was one of the readiest avenues to his friendship. While engaged in business, he became connected with the London Itinerant Society, preaching in many places in the vicinity of the metropolis; and his labours proved very acceptable and useful. The following remarkable instance is deserving of notice: "When he was preaching on one occasion at Lewisham, a lady who through domestic trouble was resolved on suicide, and was on her way to commit the deed, passed the door of the place where Mr. Hoppus was at that moment speaking of the sin of Judas, who "went out, and hanged himself." Hearing the preacher's voice, she entered, was much struck with his earnest manner, and applied the subject to her own case. She told him, in a subsequent interview, that he had been the means of saving both body and soul." Mr. Hoppus at length resigned his business, to devote himself entirely to the work of the ministry. He removed to Newport Pagnell, to avail himself of the advantages of the academical institution there, under the care of the Rev. W. Bull. While there, he was highly esteemed by his worthy tutor, his fellow students, and many of the good people in the town and neighbourhood. He had several invitations to the pastoral office, but declined the others to accept the one he received from Yardley, though the cause was then in so low a state that the Church consisted of only nine members, and the congregation of about forty hearers. But it was soon found necessary to erect a gallery, and remodel the interior of the Chapel; and as there was no house suitable for the minister, a commodious one was erected adjoining the Chapel, by the liberal permission of the Marquis of Northampton, the ground landlord.