Progress of Piety at Cambridge--Rowland Hill--Oxford--St.
Edmund’s Hall--The Six Students--Expulsion--Sir Richard
Hill--Dr. Horne, Bishop of Norwich--Mr. Godwyn--Charges against
Lady Huntingdon--Account of the Students, and the proceedings
against them--Letter from Lady Dartmouth--Lady Buchan--Letter
from Mr. Wesley--Cheltenham--Lord Dartmouth--Letter from
Mr. Venn--Mr. Wells--Mr. Trinder--Mr. Whitefield to Mr.
Madan--Mr. Madan to Mr. Wesley--Lady Huntingdon to Mr. Alderman
Harris--Gloucester Association--Lady Huntingdon to Mr.
Brewer--Chapels at Gloucester, Worcester, and Cheltenham--Lady
Huntingdon’s Letter concerning them.
At this period (1767–8) many students of the Universities were deeply
imbued with a sense of the value and importance of religion. The
Cambridge band was headed by Rowland Hill, whose whole soul was bent
on promoting the growth of piety in himself, and among his friends,
Pentycross, Simpson, Robinson, and others, who, imbued with his zeal
and spirit, possessed, perhaps, less fire, and energy, and unflinching
boldness. At the head of the religious youth of Oxford was Mr. Halward,
the constant correspondent of Mr. Hill, and whose letters became at
this period peculiarly interesting. Mr. Durbridge, a humble, but pious
friend of Mr. Whitefield, had lately suffered a triumphant death, and
at the house of his widow, Dr. Stillingfleet, Mr. Halward, of Worcester
College, Mr. Foster, of Queen’s College, Mr. Pugh, of Hertford College,
Mr. Gordon, of Magdalene, and Mr. Clark, of St. John’s, were wont
to meet for prayer and mutual encouragement in religion. To this
congregation were added the celebrated six students of St. Edmund’s
Hall, of whom we are about to speak more at length:--
“Faithful and devoted souls (says Lady Huntingdon), and active
in diffusing the light and love of which they are the happy
recipients. With some of them I have long been acquainted, and
have heard most interesting particulars of their proceedings
from dear Mr. Whitefield. O let earnest, ardent prayer ascend
from every gracious soul for the success of these young
witnesses, whom the Lord of the harvest hath mercifully raised
up to proclaim the Gospel of salvation. The hand of the
persecutor is upon some of them, and they have deep waters to
wade through; but, amidst every outward opposition, the little
flock continues to augment its numbers. I expect great things
from them, and hope and pray that these witnesses will rise up
and testify to the Gospel of the grace of God long after I am
numbered with the dead.”
Mr. Halward, in his letter to Mr. Hill, spoke of the meeting, and of
the excitement thereby created both in “town and gown.”
At length the storm which had so long been gathering, and which had
already given a few warnings of its violence, burst, and poured
the full torrent of its vengeance on the devoted heads of the six
students of St. Edmund’s Hall. They had been in the habit of meeting
Dr. Stillingfleet, then a fellow of Merton College, but afterwards
Prebendary of Worcester, a well-known writer, and the cherished friend
of Lady Huntingdon, at Mrs. Durbridge’s, where the doctor would
expound, and pray, and invite the students to do likewise. Their
unusual piety and zealous efforts, expounding at private houses and
preaching in the neighbourhood, had, as we have seen, excited the
jealousy of the Church and attracted the ridicule of the gay townsmen.
Mr. Higson, tutor of St. Edmund’s Hall, a person who was liable
to attacks of insanity, and who had been treated as insane, first
formally complained to the Principal, Dr. Dixon, of several students
in the Hall, “enthusiasts, who talked of inspiration, regeneration,
and drawing nigh to God.” The worthy Principal, who was thoroughly
acquainted with the right views and pure lives of the accused students,
looked upon the tutor’s complaint as an evidence of his recurring
insanity. Not so the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Durrell, to whom Mr. Higson
next applied. He considered that the tutor of St. Edmund’s merited,
by his zeal, the thanks of the whole University; and fearing that
these young men, who already imitated Wesley and Whitefield in their
piety, might, like them, “turn the world upside down and the Church
inside out,” he summoned a conclave, appointed assessors, and cited the
offending students before him.
The conclave consisted of Drs. Durrell, Randolph, Fothergill, Nowell,
and the senior proctor, Atterbury. Dr. Nowell took notes, which were
afterwards published in vindication of the Vice-Chancellor and his
junta. The students arraigned were Benjamin Kay, Thomas Jones, Thomas
Grove, Erasmus Middleton, and Joseph Shipman. Several heads of houses
warmly espoused the cause of the students, especially Dr. Dixon, who,
as Principal of their Hall, bore direct testimony to their admirable
conduct and exemplary piety, and defended them against Mr. Higson’s
charges, out of the Thirty-nine Articles themselves. His amendment was,
however, overruled, and sentence of expulsion was passed against them;
the Vice-Chancellor declaring that each of them deserved expulsion, and
adding, “I, therefore, by my visitorial power, do hereby pronounce them
expelled.” Such was the Oxford bull of 1768.
Mr. Whitefield immediately addressed an admirable letter, written in
his most forcible manner, to the Vice-Chancellor, which has been very
frequently printed, but is now extremely scarce. Sir Richard Hill wrote
a capital pamphlet, entitled “Pietas Oxoniensis,” dedicated to the
Earl of Lichfield, then Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Dr.
Horne, afterwards Bishop of Norwich, very ably defended the students,
and condemned the conclave in a powerful paper; and Mr. Macgowan and
several others severely lashed the Heads of Houses for their sentence.
On the other hand, there were a pamphlet by the Vice-Chancellor, an
answer to Sir Richard Hill by Dr. Nowell, and other vindicatory tracts
of great ability. The Rev. Charles Godwyn, one of the Fellows of
Balliol College, writing to Mr. Hutchins, the historian of Devon, says--
“A very odd affair has happened here. The Principal of Edmund
Hall has been indiscreet enough to admit into his Hall, _by
the recommendation of Lady Huntingdon_, seven London
tradesmen, one a tapster, another a barber, &c. They have
little or no learning, but have all of them a high opinion of
themselves, as being ambassadors of ‘King Jesus.’ One of them,
upon that title, conferred by himself, has been a preacher.
Complaint was made to the Vice-Chancellor, I believe by the
Bishop of Oxford, and he, in his own right, as Vice-Chancellor,
had last week a visitation of the Hall. Six of the preaching
tradesmen were found so void of learning that they were
expelled, and the tutor, with his pupils, not choosing to live
under such a Principal, are removing, I believe, to Christ
Church.”
In a subsequent letter Mr. Godwyn adds:--
“The Vice-Chancellor has done very well in removing from hence
some ‘ambassadors from Jesus Christ,’ who were made up of
ignorance and assurance, and were likely to do more harm than
good. There is a short sensible pamphlet published in defence
of him, relating barely the facts, and producing the reasons
upon which the Vice-Chancellor proceeded. It says just as much
as is proper, and nothing more. A person among us, of some
consequence, has shown his piety to his _alma mater_ by
publishing what he calls ‘Pietas Oxoniensis.’ It is in defence
of our Methodists, from whence you may judge of the odd turn of
the man. We are at a loss to find out who is the person; the
Vice-Chancellor knows. Nothing of any value has been published
against it.”
The expulsion itself was thus announced in the _St. James’s
Chronicle_:--
“On Friday last (March 11, 1768), six students belonging to
Edmund Hall were expelled the University, after a hearing of
several hours before the Vice-Chancellor and some of the Heads
of Houses, _for holding Methodistical tenets, and taking upon
them to pray, read, and expound the Scriptures, and singing
hymns in private houses_. The Principal of the College (Dr.
Dixon) defended their doctrines from the Thirty-nine Articles
of the Established Church, and spoke in the highest terms of
the piety and exemplariness of their lives; but his motion was
overruled, and sentence pronounced against them. One of the
Heads of Houses present observed that, as these six gentlemen
were expelled for having too much religion, it would be very
proper to enquire into the conduct of some who had too little;
yet Mr. Vice-Chancellor Durrell was heard to tell the chief
accuser that the University was much obliged to him for his good
work.”
We add in a note some particulars of the expelled students.[221]
In the public journals of the day Lady Huntingdon was accused not
only as Mr. Godwyn accused her, but of “seducing” several young men
from their respective trades and avocations, and sending them to the
University, where they were maintained at her expense, that they might
afterwards “skulk into orders.” Her Ladyship was at Bath during the
whole transaction, and she regarded not without anxiety the arbitrary
proceedings of the heads of the University against these young men--for
what? For maintaining the fundamental doctrines of the Reformation and
of the Church of England, viz., election, perseverance, justification
by faith alone, and the necessity of the influence of the Holy Spirit
to constitute every one a child of God--doctrines which lie at the
very foundation of Christianity, and have ever been esteemed the great
bulwark of Protestantism; insomuch that there is not a Reformed Church
in Europe but admits them to the chief place in her confessions of
faith.
“It is a grievous thing (says her Ladyship) to find men who
have solemnly subscribed to the doctrines of the Reformation
acting with such inconsistent cruelty, tyranny, falsehood,
and scurrility towards those who conscientiously adhere to
the tenets of our excellent Church and endeavour to propagate
her principles. Such conduct on the part of our Church rulers
and the heads of the Universities is a sad blow to the Church
to which they profess to belong, and strengthens the hands of
our Popish adversaries. Of what solemn perjury are those men
guilty who, for the sake of filthy lucre and creeping into high
places, swear to the belief of doctrines and principles which,
in their hearts, they disbelieve and detest? How will the Great
Head of the Church be avenged on such people as these; and how
he will reward their fidelity a future day will disclose to
the view of an assembled world! O, my soul, come not thou into
the secrets of such men! With the foul invectives of common
newspapers I have nothing to do, neither am I accountable for
the impudent falsehood of those who have maliciously asserted
that I have inveigled six ignorant young men from their trades
in the country and maintained them at the University. All these,
and many other absurd and ridiculous accusations, insinuations,
and statements, are utterly false, and without any, the least,
foundation of truth to support them; but the Lord God is witness
between me and my accusers in this matter; and woe unto them
that call good evil, and evil good; that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness. Dr. Nowell seems to be of opinion that
the expulsion of the students ‘is a seasonable interposition,
and has disappointed the hopes of those who were desirous of
filling the Church with their votaries.’ Bold assertion often
supplies the place of truth with some men. May the Lord pardon
him for the unjust part he has acted in this affair, and
convince him that his conduct, and that of the other members
of the University, has been utterly inconsistent with every
sentiment of truth, justice, conscience, religion, humanity, and
candour.”
We have dwelt at some length on the expulsion of these students on
account of the interest Lady Huntingdon took in the affair, because of
Mr. Whitefield’s zealous interference in behalf of the victims, and
because we hope and believe this Oxford bull will remain the last of
its race. _Now_ public opinion would expel from the University
of Christian fellowship any number of Heads of Houses who should
repeat this tyranny. That great tribunal has just pronounced the
sentence of unqualified condemnation against the late Popish “_Oxford
Tracts_,” and neither the Chancellor nor ex-Chancellor could now
obtain, were they inclined to try, any mitigation of the sentence.
The Tracts are unprotestant and therefore unpopular; and, by parity
of reasoning, the conduct of the persecuted students would have been
supported by popular opinion, had it occurred in our day, for their
conduct was eminently Protestant. The hisses and yells in which the raw
witlings of Oxford indulged against the Dissenters at the installation
of the Duke of Wellington were the mere ebullitions of political folly,
and proved nothing against the University but the want of good manners
on _gala_ days; whereas the Tracts proved the absence of good
theology--a defect of more importance in such an institution, and not
quite so easily supplied. It may tend to the purification of doctrines
and manners to preserve and keep before the world the names of the
conclave who expelled six Oxonians for extempore prayer and singing
psalms, and retained one who had been proved guilty of ridiculing the
miracles of Moses and Jesus Christ. But Oxford was never without her
_Abdiels_, and it gives us real pleasure to recall the names
of those faithful ones who protested against the outrages on truth,
decency, and consistency. Her cloud of witnesses is not great, but it
is sufficiently splendid to inspire high hopes, as well as hallowed
recollections. Middleton, in his “Ecclesiastical Memoir,” laments
that any decree so unsuitable to the spirit of a purely Protestant
institution, as this decree of the Vice-Chancellor, should continue
to disgrace the archives of Oxford; but it appears to us a fortunate
circumstance that the document has been preserved, for were it not in
the archives of Oxford, who would believe that it had ever existed?
Whilst Lady Huntingdon was thus deploring the effects of spiritual
wickedness in high places, hostile to that cause which more than life
she valued, there were, on the other hand, signs of blessedness to
rouse her to more vigorous exertion. The triumphant death of Lord
Buchan, and the impressions made on surviving relatives, were very
remarkable circumstances.
The Dowager Countess was a woman of strong natural understanding, and
of a highly cultivated mind. She now became the devoted Christian, and
consecrated her honours and her talents at the foot of the cross. It
was at this period that Lady Anne Erskine, her eldest daughter, took up
her residence with Lady Huntingdon. The young Earl also was valiant for
the truth, and Mr. Venn and Mr. Berridge were appointed his chaplains.
Mr. Wesley was honoured by a similar mark of regard, through the
intervention of Lady Huntingdon, which he acknowledged in the following
letter, dated London, June 4th, 1768, and addressed to the Countess, at
Bute:--
“My dear Lady--I am obliged to your Ladyship and to Lady Buchan
for such a mark of your regard as I did not at all expect. I
purpose to return her Ladyship thanks by this post.
“That remark is very striking, as well as just--if it is the
Holy Spirit that bears witness, then all speaking against that
witness is one species of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. And
when this is done by those who peculiarly profess to honour
Him, it must in a peculiar manner grieve that blessed Spirit.
Yet I have been lately surprised to observe how many, who
affirm salvation by faith, have run into this meaning--fall
into Sandeman’s notion, that faith is merely an assent to the
Bible, and not only undervaluing, but even ridiculing the
whole experience of the children of God. But so much the more
do I rejoice that your Ladyship is still preserved from that
spreading contagion, and also enabled plainly and openly to avow
the plain, old, simple, unfashionable Gospel. I am glad to hear
your Ladyship has thoughts of being soon in town, but sorry that
your health is not yet re-established. Yet certainly
‘Health we shall have, if health be best:’
for the Lord still ruleth in heaven and earth. Wishing your
Ladyship many happy years, I remain, my dear Lady, your very
affectionate servant,
“JOHN WESLEY.”
Mr. Shirley and Mr. Powling (of Dewsbury, in Yorkshire) were at this
time in Bath, and their ministry was attended by great crowds. Mr.
Daniel Rowlands repaired thither, to accompany her Ladyship and Mr.
Shirley on a tour into Gloucestershire. Proceeding through Stroud,
Painswick, and Gloucester, they arrived at Tewkesbury, where Mr.
Shirley preached from that passage--“Awake, thou that sleepest!” The
audience was exceedingly large and deeply attentive. In the afternoon
Mr. Rowlands explained and enforced those solemn words--“It is
appointed unto men once to die.” The congregation was more numerous
than in the morning, and there was not an inattentive hearer. “A
remarkable power from on high (observes her Ladyship) accompanied the
message of his servants, and many felt the arrows of distress. O may we
rejoice in a world of spirits that _we have not run in vain, neither
laboured in vain_, but that many in this populous town may be found
amongst the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord!”
From Tewkesbury, Lady Huntingdon proceeded to Cheltenham, where much
good had been effected through the instrumentality of those who
laboured with her in this honourable and glorious cause.[222]
Cheltenham was now well supplied with Gospel ministers, through the
interest and exertions of Lady Huntingdon and Lord Dartmouth. Mr.
Downing, his Lordship’s chaplain, obtained the pulpit of the parish
church two or three times; but the rector and churchwardens, envious of
the signal success of his preaching, and prejudiced against him, the
doctrines he taught, and the persons who crowded to hear him, refused
to admit him again. Thus excluded from the church, Mr. Downing preached
twice a week at Lord Dartmouth’s residence, and on Sunday evenings the
attendance was always very numerous. An enquiry was excited, and the
prospect of usefulness becoming daily more encouraging, his Lordship
wrote to Lady Huntingdon for further help.
“I wish (says he) your Ladyship would use your influence
with Mr. Whitefield and Mr. Romaine to pay us a visit. Mr.
Stillingfleet has been obliged to return to Oxford to attend
some indispensable duties, and I know not where to direct to
Mr. Madan or Mr. Venn. Mr. Talbot has promised to come as soon
as possible, and next month I expect good Mr. Walker, of Truro.
The rector was so displeased with Mr. Downing preaching, and the
great crowds that flocked to hear him, that he excluded him from
the pulpit after three or four sermons, and refused to admit
Mr. Stillingfleet, though I said everything I could to induce
him to do so. Since then I have opened my house, but find it
too small for the numbers who solicit permission to attend. I
hope shortly we shall have a large place, for I have no hopes of
again obtaining the use of the parish church.”
Just at that time Mr. Madan arrived in Cheltenham, and was soon after
joined by Messrs. Venn and Maddock.[223] Contrary to the expectations
of Lord Dartmouth, both Mr. Madan and Mr. Venn were several times
admitted to preach in the parish church. About ten days after, Mr.
Whitefield came to Cheltenham, and notice of his arrival having been
circulated by Lord Dartmouth, an immense crowd collected from all
parts, expecting he would preach in the church. At the time appointed,
Mr. Whitefield, attended by Lord and Lady Dartmouth, Messrs. Madan,
Venn, Talbot, and Downing, arrived at the church door, and finding
it closed, Mr. Whitefield stood upon a tombstone and addressed a
most attentive multitude from “Ho! every one that thirsteth,” &c. In
the evening the sacrament was administered by Mr. Whitefield at his
Lordship’s residence, after which Mr. Talbot gave a short exhortation,
and Mr. Venn closed the solemnities of the evening with a most
scriptural prayer.
On these subjects Mr. Venn writes to Lady Huntingdon in the following
terms:--
“To give your Ladyship any just description of what our eyes
have witnessed and our hearts felt within the last few days
exceeds my feeble powers. My inmost soul is penetrated with
an overwhelming sense of the awful power and presence of
Jehovah, who hath visited us with the blessed effusion of his
Spirit, on this occasion, in a very eminent manner. Under Mr.
Whitefield’s first sermon there was a visible appearance of much
soul-concern among the immense crowd that filled every part of
the burial-ground, so that many were overcome with fainting:
others sobbed deeply, some wept silently, and a solemn concern
appeared on the countenance of almost the whole assembly. When
he came to press the injunction in the text (Isaiah li. 1) upon
the unconverted and the ungodly, his words seemed to cut like a
sword upon several in the congregation, so that whilst he was
speaking they could no longer contain, but burst out in the
most piercing, bitter cries. At this juncture Mr. Whitefield
made an awful pause of a few seconds--then burst into a flood
of tears. During this short interval Mr. Madan and myself stood
up, and requested the people as much as possible to restrain
themselves from making any noise. Twice afterwards we had to
repeat the same counsel, still advising the people to endeavour
to moderate and bound their feelings, but not so as to resist or
stifle their convictions. O with what eloquence, what energy,
what melting tenderness did Mr. Whitefield beseech sinners to
be reconciled to God--to come to him for life everlasting, and
rest their weary souls in Christ, the Saviour! When the sermon
was ended the people seemed chained to the ground. Mr. Madan,
Mr. Talbot, Mr. Downing, and myself, found ample employment in
endeavouring to comfort those who had broken down under a sense
of guilt. We separated in different directions among the crowd,
and each was quickly surrounded by an attentive audience, still
eager to hear all the words of this life. Of such a season as
this it may well be said, ‘I have heard thee in a time accepted,
and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold!
_now_ is the accepted time--behold! _now_ is the day
of salvation.’
“The next day a like scene was exhibited to our wondering eyes,
when dear Mr. Whitefield preached to a prodigious congregation
from that passage--‘Seek the Lord while he may be found, call
upon him while he is near.’ In the evening Mr. Talbot preached
at Lord Dartmouth’s to as many as the rooms would hold. Hundreds
crowded round his Lordship’s residence, anxiously expecting Mr.
Whitefield to preach. Exhausted as he was from his wonderful
exertions in the morning, when he heard that there were
multitudes without, he stood upon a table near the front of the
house, and proclaimed the efficacy of the Saviour’s blood to
cleanse the vilest of the vile from the guilt and filth of sin
and iniquity.
“Intelligence of the extraordinary power attending the word
soon spread, and the next day we had Mr. Charles Wesley and
many friends from Bristol, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Rodborough,
and the villages in the neighbourhood; but all loud weeping and
piercing cries had subsided, and the work of conversion went on,
though in a more silent manner. For several days we have had
public preaching, which has been well attended, and much solid
good has been done.
“Mr. Whitefield and myself purpose leaving this for London the
day after to-morrow, and Mr. Madan and Mr. Talbot go in a few
days to Northamptonshire. I shall defer further particulars
till I have the honour of waiting upon your Ladyship. With many
thanks for all your kindness to a sinful man, and increasing
prayers for your eternal welfare, I remain, Madam, yours in the
Gospel of our adorable Lord,
“H. VENN.”
On leaving Cheltenham, Mr. Madan and Mr. Talbot itinerated through
Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire. At Winwick their
preaching was attended by great crowds, having been invited thither by
Mr. Hartley, the pious and useful rector of that place. From thence
they proceeded to Weston Favel, where they were most joyfully received
by Mr. Hervey. When writing to his excellent friend and correspondent,
the late Mr. Ryland, then of Warwick, but afterwards of Northampton,
he says, “I had, not long ago, the favour of a visit from your worthy
neighbour, Mr. Talbot. He came accompanied by Mr. Madan, and both were
like men baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, fervent in spirit,
and setting their faces as a flint.”
From Northampton they returned to Cheltenham, where they were allowed
the occasional use of the pulpit, though the rector still persisted in
excluding Lord Dartmouth’s chaplain, Mr. Downing. Not long after, Mr.
Walker, of Truro, arrived at his Lordship’s, on his way to visit Mr.
Hervey, in Northamptonshire, and during his stay he preached frequently
with much acceptance.
The late Mr. Samuel Wells then resided in Cheltenham, as head master
of an extensive public seminary: he was a man of deep piety, and
having tasted of the richness of the Gospel, opened his house whenever
the pulpit of the church could not be obtained. There many able and
faithful ministers, especially Mr. Talbot and Mr. Madan, preached two
or three times in the course of the week, and officiated occasionally
at several villages in the neighbourhood.
The late Mr. Thomas Trinder, the respectable deacon of the Baptist
Church at Northampton, was at that time a pupil at Mr. Wells’s school.
“On the 17th of July (says he) I first heard the Rev. Mr.
Madan. His discourse was founded upon the third chapter of
St. John’s Gospel and the first nine verses, containing the
conference between Nicodemus and our Lord Jesus Christ. I
do not intend to give any larger account of his sermon than
just to say, he showed what regeneration was not, but more
particularly what it was. The word was armed with power to
me. I was convinced I had never experienced the great change;
I saw the necessity of it, and that without it I should be
miserable to all eternity. When the service was over I came
home with my master and schoolfellows, but I think it was with
great difficulty that I could refrain from tears in going along
the streets. When at home, I retired into my chamber, upon my
knees, there to give vent to my tears, and prayed, if I could
pray, that I might be born again. I felt that I was a lost
creature.... My soul was now all on fire for the preaching of
the word, and about three of my schoolfellows got together after
school, in our room, and read the New Testament. The Gospel
according to John wrought most upon me, but chiefly the eight
or nine last chapters; these I read over and over privately to
myself. I, with some others who were most affected, were ready
to break through the rules of decency and good manners to hear
but a single word concerning salvation. I well remember that
whenever Mr. Madan came to Mr. Wells’s, as he commonly did two
or three times a week (Mr. Wells being the only religious person
that he and his brethren were conversant with in Cheltenham),
if we could obtain the knowledge of it, we should immediately
run down from school; and happiest was he who could obtain the
keyhole to hear the conversation.”
Mr. Madan appears to have continued at Cheltenham some considerable
length of time, making frequent excursions to various parts of
Gloucestershire and Warwickshire, and had the satisfaction of seeing
his labours blessed. Encouraged by the success he had met with, he
now made application for the use of the parish church for a week-day
sermon, which he soon obtained through the interest of Lord Apsley, to
whom he was chaplain, and who was at this time a visitor at Cheltenham.
As soon as he had accomplished this object he wrote to inform Mr.
Whitefield, from whom he shortly after received the following reply,
dated London, Nov. 3, 1757:--
“Your kind letter was very acceptable. Ere now, I trust, the
Redeemer hath given you the prospect of the barren wilderness
being turned to a fruitful field. Never fear; Jesus will delight
to honour you. Every clergyman’s name is Legion. Two more are
lately ordained.
“Satan lets and men object,
Yet the thing they thwart effect.
Thoughts are vain against the Lord--
All subserves his standing word;
Wheels encircling wheels must run,
Each in course, to bring it on.
“You need not remind me of praying for the noble pair; surely
they are not to be prisoners another winter. The kingdom of God
suffereth violence; and really if we would take it by force,
we must do violence to our softest passions, and be content
to be esteemed unkind by those whose idols we once were. This
is hard work; but, Abba, Father, all things are possible with
thee! Blessed be God for putting it into your heart to ask the
pulpit for a week-day sermon. Are we not commanded to be instant
in season and out of season? If dear Mrs. Madan will take my
word for it, I will be answerable for your health. The joy
resulting from doing good will be a continual feast. God knows
how long our time of working may last. This order undoes us. As
affairs now stand, we must be disorderly or useless. O for more
labourers! Go on, my dear Sir, and tell a sinful nation that
sin and unbelief are the accursed things which prevent success.
Thus, at least, we shall deliver our own souls, and be free from
the blood of all men. But I forget; I suppose you are preparing
for the pulpit: I dare not detain you. My best respects await
Mrs. Madan; your mother is well. That you may return to London
in all the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ is
and shall be the prayer of, dear Sir, yours, &c.,
“G. WHITEFIELD.”
In a letter to Mr. Wesley, Mr. Madan speaks thus of Lord and Lady
Dartmouth, whose conduct in opening their house for the preaching of
the Gospel at Cheltenham rendered them extremely conspicuous:--
“I have been this month (says he) at Cheltenham to drink the
waters, and have preached every Sunday. Some of the company are
much offended--others very thankful: the poor people of the
place are very desirous to hear, and those of all persuasions
flock to hear the word of life. Last time the Quakers and
Baptists made no inconsiderable part of the congregation; and
this confirms me in an opinion I have long had, that if the
truth was preached _in the Church_, few, if any, would
separate from it.
“Lord and Lady Dartmouth are here; we pass much time together:
and I have daily more and more reason to rejoice before God
in their behalf; all prejudice is taken out of their hearts,
and I verily believe their delight is in the saints that are
upon the earth, and in such as exceed in virtue, without any
party spirit, in narrowing their affection towards any of their
brethren in Christ Jesus upon account of any outward difference.
O, Sir, how extraordinary it is to see people of their rank,
youth, and property, joined by every qualification and endowment
of mind and body which can make them amiable in the eyes of the
world, desiring to become yet _more vile_ for Christ’s
sake--to see them breathing after inward holiness, as the
hart panteth after the water-brooks! Surely nothing less than
Almighty power could effect this. I trust you will remember both
them and me in your prayers, that we may not stop short of the
crown and prize.”
By the labours of these eminent persons considerable attention was
excited to the subject of religion in this resort of fashion and
dissipation. Lady Huntingdon also frequently visited Cheltenham, and
her active spirit diffused there, as in every other place, the savour
of that name which she loved. On one of her visits to Cheltenham her
Ladyship writes thus:--
“I sincerely hope that I may he enabled to pay much attention
to this interesting field of labour. There is certainly an
incorrigible apathy prevalent amongst the gay who frequent this
place, and it is difficult to prevail upon them to attend the
faithful preaching of the truth as it is in Jesus. Nevertheless,
much good has been done, and not a few have given manifest
proofs of the reality of their conversion to God, and of their
love to his ways. Over such we do and will rejoice as the fruits
of our humble efforts. Lord, give us the spirit of ardent labour
and of patient faith; for ‘neither is he that planteth anything,
neither is he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.’
To his name, then, be all the glory.”
Some time after her Ladyship’s college was established at Trevecca,
at the particular request of some of the leading members in
the Gloucestershire Association, she sent some of the students
to Cheltenham: those who laboured there and in other parts of
Gloucestershire were Messrs. Matthew and Mark Wilks, Boddily,
Richardson, Honeywell, Shenstone, and Brewer. Mr. Shenstone, having
adopted some opinions on the subject of infant baptism, drew away many
of the congregation, and acted in other respects so as to displease
his kind patroness and supporter. Many disagreeable circumstances
arising from some improper interference with the students, her Ladyship
wrote to Mr. Whitefield’s old friend, Gabriel Harris, Esq., one of the
aldermen of Gloucester, giving an ample detail of her proceedings. This
was in September, 1781:--
“My dear Sir--You will find by this how much I feel obliged by
taking your word, but before I have done I fear your patience
will be proved. My present difficulties oblige my confidence
in you, hoping to prevent any perplexities by so judicious
a friend, and that in the course which I account my only
happiness on earth. Your good opinion of Mr. Hogg, and your long
acquaintance with him, renders your access easy and natural
to find out matters so dark and obscure, as well as extremely
distressing to me. In March last I had a letter from Mr.
Butler, one of the principals in the Gloucestershire Connexion,
earnestly requesting me to take the chapel at Cheltenham into my
hands, as they had no ministers for it. I had no great ease upon
my mind on the subject, from the delicacy of appearing in so
wrong and unfaithful a light as entering into others’ labours.
I got Mr. Groves (one that often preaches for them) to write
me word if it was the _united desire_ of the managers; to
which, by letter, he replied in the affirmative. I then sent the
student I believe best calculated for that service. Mr. Hogg
wrote me the most thankful and Christian letter on the occasion.
Very soon after this ---- met with some of my students in our
work in various parts of Wiltshire, and told them that the old
man intended seducing the students I had sent to Cheltenham;
and in consequence of this the Wiltshire student, a very honest
young man, shocked at the duplicity that did appear in this
matter, came over to inform me of it. I said I could not give
credit to anything so unworthy; but as he seemed so uneasy,
being a student himself, and liable to much reflection upon
himself by any suspicion, I advised him, as he heard this said,
to go, as _from himself_, to the old man, and ask if there
was any truth in it. He went directly from Bath (where I then
was) and opened the matter. They positively declared such a
thing never entered into their thoughts; and after, he went to
his brother student at Cheltenham, who had not been (of his four
years) but one year and a half. He also denied the thought. At
this very time the acceptance of another student serving our
work in Staffordshire was transacting, and a letter was found
by the master of the college, with directions for him to go
and settle at Wootton-under-Edge. I called on Mr. Hogg on my
way here, and had the most Christian and friendly reception.
He wanted me to go to Rodborough; but I on no account could do
this, and gently said, ‘I don’t approve your ministers;’ and
that day I first heard that the student had arrived there from
my college. I let all pass, and coming home, found _that_
student gone, after labouring to divide and bring all confusion
into the college. I wrote to the Cheltenham student (Shenstone)
to order him to France, as having a more able one to employ
while the company was there. But he sent him back, and said
he would not go. I then repeated my orders to both to change,
and the France student went to Cheltenham; and again Shenstone
said he would not stir, sent his horse home to the college, and
refused even answering my letter. In this situation I am. They
want me to be angry and to turn him off, and so charge all this
on me, in order to have him leave me with appearance of some
face of justice; and I am bound to conclude they will take back
Cheltenham, and fix that student there. Their whole connexion of
preachers are those who have broken through every tie that could
hold an honest man in order. You may enquire this most fully
after them. This conduct I abhor, of entering into those blessed
men’s labours, and trying to bring every scandal upon the best
of men, who for near forty years I have known, loved, and
honoured, for the most disinterested services I have yet known
in the world or Church either. The point is now to seduce away,
by any means, those whom I, at much expense, labour, and care
for the poorest, and with the Lord’s blessing, have maintained.
After a year or two their gifts appear, and, while honest and
simple, are useful--these are the objects, as you see above, and
by these to raise a connexion to oppose and distress me. Four
years is their absolute engagement to labour in the place; those
from under my roof, * * * * they get as they can, without the
least information or the smallest civility to me. This is the
hopeful state of the Gloucestershire Connexion. The good old
man Hogg desired peace and union with me from his heart; but
still truant principles rule; I may be silent, but never will
approve. I send you articles of agreement under the strictest
equity I know. The wicked and most shameful confusion they have
made in Wales must be no longer continued; the Spirit of God
must be in all righteousness, goodness, and truth: the divisions
and distractions occasioned in God’s Church by those, prove this
is not their guide; and no peace can be made with my dear Welsh
friends and me but what has this for the foundation. ---- has
been in London to offer peace, and wanted to preach in our large
congregation, and by getting in, bring nothing but division. I
have avoided this with him, but upon these conditions, viz.,
that the Welsh work be instantly returned to the association,
and that my own ministers must have the lead through all the
work. There are nine or ten of the first clergymen in this
nation for abilities, disinterestedness, gifts, and grace; and
had their eyes been single they would have rejoiced in these,
in the room of such poor runaway boys as they only employ among
them.
“Matters go on ill in dear Mr. Whitefield’s places, and you must
judge, when the good old men drop in Gloucestershire, what these
poor honest souls must be left to, and which I have some reason
to believe does distress their poor old hearts. My intention
by this (trusting on your fidelity) is to come to these close
quarters of conscience with Hogg--how receiving these men can
be consistent with common justice, and if he thinks such who
have acted so unfaithfully can be good men, or men fit to be
trusted with the souls of simple, honest people? Take notice,
I mention this to prevent future robbery; as our work is so
immense, we want all hands that appear fit to be sent, and such
reproach brought upon the college by all honest men by this
means, that makes my heart ache, and often makes me, like him
under the juniper tree, say, ‘It is better for me to die;’ but
strength comes for the next day of trial, and hitherto the Lord
Jesus has kept my poor unworthy soul in his hands, and my weak,
foolish, and blundering labours as my only honour and happiness
through all in his dear divine services. Could any further
proceedings for such barefaced wrong be prevented, and I serve
them on any occasion, as a truly disinterested friend for the
Lord’s sake, I can say my heart is ready; but to be the dupe
for such evil practices I must make great distance and silence
my point, ever wishing to do my worst enemy any possible good,
so it does not essentially affect those my honour and justice
oblige me to defend. Perfect harmony and the most astonishing
success now follow our disinterested labours over England and
Wales; and unless this point is universally carried through
_by all_, I would suffer death rather than one dying moment
should convince me any part of my life had another meaning.
I know your love and faithful regard to dear Mr. Whitefield
would make you feel for these miserable threatenings. You will
be sure unceasing difficulties to me must arise did any know
of my communicating this to you--but you must assert the facts
without _my name on any account_; and if a possible evil
can be avoided for the future by your means, I am sure you
will rejoice. I should just mention ----’s conduct previous to
this, in taking possession of two congregations the college had
laboured in and raised to me, at my great expense; and trying
every means to reflect and bring disgrace upon us all, by
trying to divide my friends from me, and so taking us all up,
at times, as his merry Andrews, into the pulpit, and leaving a
bitter sting, as far as he could, through his evil jokes. All
this, though not fair or upright, I should have so far despised
as, for peace’ sake, to have passed over; but it is the worm
that yet lies at the bottom of the gourd in Wales, that no
honest conscience can put up with, that staggers all within
me, knowing the whole of this by the friends departed from the
association to me, with all particulars--ministers, and _the
true trustees_ for the place they possess.
“Boddily and Brewer have written to me very lately, as wishing
to give me no offence, and they have all my good wishes for
them. As I mean to hurt none by this, but save the cause from
offence, and to prevent the ruin of young men ignorant of the
world, and drawn in thus to their destruction, this is also
due from me by a means that cannot hurt the worst, and on this
account I could wish, on your being fully apprised of these my
simple and honest wishes, to prevent this falling into any hands
whatsoever, you would burn it. I am tired with thinking I tire
so severely my kind and worthy friend; but in this most faithful
relation my heart seems relieved, knowing that a single meaning
to hurt any creature is not intended by me, but one single
desire to prevent the evil of all, and the honour of our blessed
Lord’s Church among all his servants. The very, very meanest and
least he ever had, is, ever dear Sir, your truly faithful and
ever obliged friend,
“S. HUNTINGDON.
“P.S.--Let me hear soon that you have received this.
“The articles _intended_ to be proposed, and which never
were, I sent you; but since the proposals for peace were sent
from Mr. Keene and Mr. Hill, in London, I could not abide by
them universally, yet partially they might be considered as
having some utility in them.”[224]
At length the differences and divisions became so disagreeable that
Lady Huntingdon determined on giving up Cheltenham altogether, and
accordingly wrote to Mr. Brewer to that effect. Her letter is dated
from Trevecca, February 10th, 1782:--
“Mr. Brewer--Your principal situation in the Rodborough
Connexion obliges me to give you this trouble. You must be
well acquainted that at the request of others, and Mr. Butler
in particular, I undertook the services at Cheltenham, by no
means my choice, and that lest difficulties might arise in its
being in the midst of another Connexion, which I had never for a
moment interfered with, and so produce some consequences wherein
peace, the bond of all union, might in the end be miserably
wanting. The friendly appearances in this matter made me glad
at length to give any assistance, and I appointed one of my
students, Mr. Shenstone, a sober and serious young man, who had
long been ill at the college, hoping that the poor might be
profited by his labours and his health restored: in the last it
proved successful, but his whole conduct so reversed the meaning
of this college that I never mean to admit of his return here or
to labour in any part of this Connexion. I am obliged to be thus
explicit, as he has taken the liberty to order my student at
Worcester to change with him, while his own unfaithful practice
regarded no orders given to himself. This, with various other
instances of insolence most unfit for his own character, and
that while under obligations of his own making, and even quite
unsought by me, renders him the last kind of disposition I can
hope any good from myself, or recommend to others as a minister
of that Gospel which is in all truth and righteousness. The
warning I had of the intended imposition relative to Cheltenham
I gave no credit to, though now too clearly explained by the
event; as I had supposed it impossible that honest men, fearing
God, could mean to act so deceitfully by one kindly disposed
to serve them, and never having given them any offence, so on
that account I could not look to the warmth of any personal
resentment for the possible cause. The whole of this affair
obliges me to give up Cheltenham for any future care under this
Connexion. Should the united ill-usage of the managers have
been occasioned by Shenstone’s intended views of being joined
with them, the end is now most certainly obtained, yet on both
sides _most_ unworthy of honest men. I wish them all every
blessing connected for the future with the most upright conduct
towards God and man; but I am truly glad they are freed from one
they could use so ill, and adding this satisfaction to them, of
being sure of my never, on any occasion, troubling them for one
moment in future. Nevertheless, the Judge of the whole earth
will do right; and they must bear their burdens, whosoever they
be.
“As I never heard you were concerned in this affair, and
believing you a faithful servant of God, I thought you most
proper to give this information to the managers, Shenstone
and Ballinger, at Cheltenham; praying God a thousand-fold
of blessings may arise to the succeeding trust of that very
important stand for the Gospel, and most faithfully and
earnestly requesting every increasing honour upon your judicious
and upright services in the Church of Christ, and wherein you
may be eminently owned by the Lord in bringing glory to his
name, and abounding joy and peace to your own soul. Live in
peace, and the God of peace shall be with you. This is my motto,
as far as lies in us to maintain; and when this disposition is
wanting, distance and silence may remain the next best fruit of
divine charity to our worst enemies.
“Blessed be God, the offence of the cross does not sever us
from the world with so many threatenings, but love and harmony
unite us to each other. I am, Mr. Brewer, with great regard and
respect to your character, your much obliged and faithful friend,
“S. HUNTINGDON.
“P.S.--I hope to give you pleasure by assuring you your honest
porter promises well, and I hope you will have great cause to
rejoice in future for your recommendation.”
Thus, by the conduct of Mr. Shenstone, Lady Huntingdon was induced
to withdraw her valuable assistance from Cheltenham; and the narrow,
confined views of this gentleman ended in establishing a small
Baptist congregation, which, with a still smaller one, belonging
to the Wesleyan Methodists, and the parish church, constituted all
the places of worship at that time in the town--a poor provision
for the accommodation of a place containing three thousand resident
inhabitants, and which was the annual resort of many thousand persons,
who visited it for the benefit of the waters. For a number of years
the town continued increasing, and while Christians of various
denominations felt the inconveniency of having no place of worship
suited to their wishes, those which existed were not capable of holding
all that were disposed to attend.[225]
Lady Huntingdon’s attention was now directed to Gloucestershire and
Worcestershire, where a spirit of religious enquiry continued to
increase. This was not only apparent from the numbers who attended
the ministry of Mr. Andrews, and of those ministers who occasionally
visited Gloucester, but in the deep seriousness which they manifested
while sitting under the word. The labours of Mr. Alderman Harris had
been abundantly blessed. Through evil report and through good, this
excellent man held on the unvarying tenor of his way, and many, by his
instrumentality, experienced the grace of God in truth.
On Lady Huntingdon’s visit to Gloucester she was accompanied by Mr.
Shirley and Mr. Rowlands, both of whom preached several times in the
pulpits of the Established Church. A chapel was afterwards erected,
and supplied by the ministers and students in the Connexion. The late
Mr. Thorne, who had his education at Trevecca, was for many years the
resident minister at Gloucester. From Gloucester, Lady Huntingdon, and
the clergymen who accompanied her, proceeded to Worcester--
“Where (says her Ladyship) we have full employment in
ministering to a people not unwilling to hear the Gospel. The
labours of Mr. Glascott, Mr. Venn, and others, have excited a
disposition among the inhabitants of this city to attend to the
things which belong to their peace. Nearly two hundred persons
have been united in religious society, many of whom have given
decisive proofs of their conversion to God, and are encouraging
rewards of our disinterested labours for our great and gracious
Master. To spread the knowledge of his blessed name amongst
those who knew not God has been my chief desire for many years;
and I think that desire has suffered no diminution, but rather
gained strength, since I left Bath; and my daily prayers and
exertions are made with a view to an increased ability to
afford my fellow-sinners all the blessings connected with that
unspeakably precious Gospel which is the power of God unto
salvation.”
The vigorous and well-directed efforts of her Ladyship, and the
powerful preaching of Mr. Shirley and Mr. Rowlands, excited an
interest so lively and extensive, that her Ladyship was solicited by a
considerable number of persons to erect a chapel for the preaching of
that Gospel which they could not hear within the walls of their parish
churches. To this request she readily yielded, and the necessary steps
for this purpose were taken without delay.
“Thus have I been called (observes her Ladyship) to erect
another chapel for the service of the living God. May He deign
to bless it, and cause the cloud of his gracious presence to
rest upon it! It is his work; I can only plant: his Holy Spirit
will water, and give the increase. I leave all events with him.
Great difficulties and discouragements attend every effort to
spread the knowledge of divine truth; but those who labour with
me have been taught to feel that it is not by might, nor by
power, and that nothing short of the vital energy of the Holy
Ghost can give success to the preaching of the Gospel.”
About the year 1771 a chapel was erected in Bridport-street, partly by
subscription, and the interest of the remaining debt was paid by Lady
Huntingdon till the congregation was enabled to liquidate the whole.
This chapel was opened by the Hon. and Rev. Walter Shirley, in 1773.
“It will afford you unspeakable pleasure (writes Lady
Huntingdon) to hear of the amazing success which hath attended
our labours at Worcester. The chapel was crowded, and multitudes
went away unable to gain admittance. We had a glorious display
of the power and grace of our adorable Immanuel, and dear
Mr. Shirley was enabled to testify of the salvation which
is provided for the guilty and the lost with great boldness
and fidelity. I know not which way to turn, I have so many
applications from the people in various parts of the kingdom for
more labourers. Pray mightily to the Lord to send forth a host
of holy devoted souls to proclaim the glory of his righteousness
and blood to an unbelieving and degenerate world. I feel that
if I had a thousand worlds and a thousand lives, through grace
assisting, that dear Lamb of God, my best, my eternal, my only
Friend, should have all devoted to his service and glory. O
pray for me, that I may be more extensively useful in promoting
the extension of his kingdom upon earth, for it is matter of
unceasing grief that I have done so little for so good a Master.”
For several years the chapel continued to be supplied by the students
from Trevecca, amongst whom we find the names of Green, Hayes, English,
Jones, Merror, Winkworth, Newel, and French. The congregation having
increased, it was determined, in 1804, that this chapel should be
taken down, and a more capacious one erected on its site, capable of
containing about a thousand persons. It was opened by the Rev. John
Brown, of Cheltenham. Under the ministry of the respected pastor,
the Rev. Edward Lake, the Lord “added to the Church,” and the chapel
became so thronged by the increasing congregation, as to render it
necessary to make considerable enlargement. On the completion of these
alterations, in 1815, the chapel was re-opened by the Rev. Rowland
Hill. The building, which is capable of containing more than 1,500
persons, was soon well filled by an overflowing congregation. Attached
to the chapel are Sunday-schools, first established by the Rev. Mr.
Harris, in 1791. They were regulated and re-organized in 1799, by
the late Rev. Robert Bradley, of Manchester; and there are now ten
schools in the city and suburbs belonging to the chapel, and nine in
the villages. The number of children under instruction is about twelve
hundred. The whole of the teachers act gratuitously in this important
sphere of labour.
Several schools in the western part of the county, bordering on
Herefordshire, were taught and supported by the congregation at Lady
Huntingdon’s chapel; but as there are three chapels now erected,
whose congregations support their own schools, they are not numbered
among the children of her Ladyship’s chapel at Worcester. There are
also nine stations in the country, at various distances from the city,
for village preaching, which are rendered a great blessing to many,
the power of the Holy Ghost having evidently accompanied the simple
declaration of the truths of the everlasting Gospel.