“That on this Thirtieth Anniversary of the residence of our beloved
Pastor in Norwich, we are devoutly grateful to God for having first
directed him hither, and for having permitted him to labour so long
and so successfully amongst us: that we affectionately thank him, for
his constant and faithful devotedness to the work of the ministry and
the welfare of his people; and that we earnestly pray, that for yet
many years to come, he may be spared to enjoy richly the blessings of
the gospel, which he dispenses to others.”
III. Moved by Mr. Frederic Pigg, seconded by Mr. Charles May and Mr.
Josiah Fletcher,
“That an increased acquaintance with the doctrines and influence of
the gospel of Christ, deepens our conviction of the importance of
steadfastly adhering, in our Christian profession and practice, to
the great and essential truths of evangelical religion, as declared
by this church at its formation; and of promulgating them
universally, in connection with those principles of ecclesiastical
polity, which we believe to be alike in accordance with sacred
scripture, and with religious liberty.”
The speeches delivered on this interesting occasion were reported in the
_Norfolk News_ of April 10, 1847, and the following account of the
meeting is extracted from its columns:—
“On Tuesday evening the congregation of Prince’s Street Chapel,
Norwich, held a Soirée in St. Andrew’s Hall, for the purpose of
celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the ministry of the Rev.
John Alexander. About eight hundred persons of all ranks, and
including some of various religious bodies, were present, in
testimony of one who has earned in no common degree, the esteem of
his fellow citizens. We may refer to this tea party as an admirable
example of the mode in which occasions of public interest may be made
the means of stimulating social sympathies, and of promoting that
harmony between the wealthy and the poor, which in England has been
so long and so unhappily interrupted. We may refer also to the
review of the history of Prince’s Street chapel, and of the church
and congregation assembling there, which was read by Mr. Alexander,
as a narrative not only full of interest to all who desire the
advancement of religion, but full of instruction to all who question
the power of the voluntary principle. Here we have an account of a
chapel raised, of a church formed, of a congregation collected to the
number of 1000 persons, of missions planted in two neighbouring
hamlets, of a large Sunday school established, and of the active and
efficient maintenance of all these during thirty years, by a
comparatively poor body of persons, at an expense altogether of
upwards of twenty-two thousand pounds. Such a result is no mean
proof of the efficacy of willinghood, when called into exercise by
the ministry of a faithful and zealous pastor, and exerted by an
affectionate and devoted people.”
The history which our esteemed minister read at the meeting, and which is
now printed from his manuscript, it is hoped will be an interesting and
useful document, especially to his own church and congregation, because
it will call to their remembrance “all the way which the Lord their God
hath led them” these thirty years; and, as a few additional copies will
be published for the use of the public, it may serve to show to persons
in general, the principles and working of a congregational church, during
a long and varied period of its existence.
Some beautiful verses composed for the occasion, are inserted at the
conclusion of the history.
JOHN VENNING,
Chairman of the Meeting.