Bible, and then we see the fact explained. "The man who approaches the Word of God, in his own wisdom, shall not find what the fool shall discover, under the teaching of Divine wisdom." (Cecil's Works, vol. iii. p. 483.) One reason why Christians do not understand the truth, as it is in Jesus, with greater clearness, and enjoy more comfort from it, is a secret dependance on their own wisdom; they do not sufficiently consider the native blindness of the mind, and the absolute necessity of divine illumination. God hath said, "them that honour me, I will honour;" from which maxim he never departs; you must, therefore, honour him by seeking his assistance, in under

your reading with prayer, for the teachings of the Divine Spirit of promise. David was not unacquainted with the contents of the Bible, and had experienced the effects they produced when he wrote the 119th Psalm; yet in the 18th verse he prays, 'Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." The scripture is not to be understood by a careless survey; it must be a search, a humble, diligent, sincere, and persevering enquiry, attended by the blessing of God, or nothing can be understood to purpose. "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou under-standing his word, and he will stand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Past light will not do for future guidance; you must be continually looking to him who makes his word a lamp to guide to a city of habitation. It is not always necessary, on this occasion, to go into your closet, or to fall upon your knees; an ejaculatory petition offered to God, when you peruse his word, may be of great use to bring light into your mind. If you feel your ignorance, your need of perpetual instruction, and come to the fountain of knowledge with godly sincerity, it will not be in vain. "A very extraordinary thing," said one, "if I, who have read the Bible over and over in the original languages, have written criticisms and comments upon it,-a very extraordinary thing, that I should not be able to discover that meaning in the scriptures, which is said to be so plain, that a way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err in discovering." And so it is extraordinary till we open this

honour you by " enlightening the eyes of your understanding, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believe according to the working of his mighty power?"

Denham.

HISTORY

OF THE

G.

BAPTIST CHURCH

AT

ALCESTER,

WARWICKSHIRE.

WE regret that the earliest records of this church seem to be lost; but, amongst its law papers, is a transaction relative to the ground on which the present meeting-house stands, bearing date 1640, in the 16th year of Charles I.; at which time, it is evident, that a Baptist church ex

isted at Alcester. One of the members living in 1712, was baptized at Aleester, as early as 1655, and stands at the head of a list, taken in the former year, as the oldest member.

who were baptized at Alcester; and of John Beddome, received, by letter, from Mr. Keach's church, in London, September 19, 1697. In the same year as the above list, we find that brethren Beddome, Foskett, and John Ryland, sen. were appointed messengers to the association, held at Leominster; and on the following year, 1713, the former two were messengers to the association at Bromsgrove. From the change of hand in the church. book, after this, it should seem that Bernard Foskett, removed about the year 1714.

About that time, seven of the inland Baptist churches "agreed to hold fellowship together, for their mutual comfort and edification;" and after agreeing on certain articles of faith, as their bond of union, which were sent to each church for approbation, their first meeting was held at Morton-inMarsh, on June 26, 1655. Two years afterwards, this association was held at Alcester; namely, on From the minutes of 1712, we the 15th, 16th, and 17th of Sep- find it was agreed to break bread tember, 1657, at which meeting, at Bengworth, and Henley-inthe circumstances of the church Arden, the two branches of this at Leominster, formed the pre-church, every two months; and, ceding year, were canvassed, it was acknowledged as properly constituted, and received into the association.

The ministers and officers of the church, at this period, are entirely unknown; but when the general assembly of the Baptist denomination was held in London, September, 1689, the church at Alcester sent, as messengers, John Willis, their minister, and a private brother, John Higgins, whose name appears in the list of members, as baptized ten years before this appointment.

ནཱ་

agreed further, to introduce singing of the praises of God, into public worship. The following year, "as a means of keeping up communion with one another, and demonstrating to the world our union and peace;" it was resolved, that once in the year, as many members, at Alcester, as possible, should visit Bengworth and Henley branches, to commune with them at the Lord's Supper; and that there should be annually a general meeting of the whole church, at Alcester, at which its most distant members were expected to attend.

The present church book commences in 1712, with a list of From this time to 1724, the members, at that time, in the minutes of the church are of a hand-writing of the celebrated private nature; but on the 30th Bernard Foskett, who was re- of May, in this year, four deacons ceived, by letter, from Mr. Pig-were ordained, by the laying on got's church, London, April 29, of the hands of their elders, Mr. 1711, and who probably officiated Beddome and Mr. How. The as pastor, or elder, of the church. following day, Mr. Beddome was The members, in this list, amount dismissed to the church in the to upwards of one hundred, Pithay, Bristol, and it seems Mr. among which are the names of How was removed, by some the grandfather, and great grand-means, soon after; for in 1726, father of the present Dr. Ryland, while destitute of a pastor, it was

at

In the spring of 1803, the mem

resolved that Robert Dorsett | ter that by Mr. J. Biggs, now of should be authorized to adminis- Devizes, until March, 1796. In ter the Lord's Supper to either the same month, 1797, Mr. of the branches as often as re- Sprague, of Tiverton, came among quired, till they obtained a proper this people; but being dissatisofficer for that service. fied with the situation, he returnSoon after this, Mr. John Over-ed to Tiverton the following Nobury, received by letter, from Tet-vember. In March, 1798, Mr. bury, Oct. 20, 1729, became pastor James Smith, minister of the first of the church at Alcester; and in church at Pershore, came on in1731, brother Belcher was allow-vitation, and remained as pastor ed to administer the Supper at until 1812. Henley. On April 30, 1732, brethren living in and about Eves-bers of this church living at Henham, were dismissed to form a ley, were dismissed to form a seseparate church, at Bengworth, parate body, and their present having Mr. Jacob Mower for their pastor, Mr. Stephen Barker, was. minister. About the same time, ordained in the September folthe three persons last mentioned, lowing. assisted at the formation of the In the month of August, 1787, church, in Cannon-street, Bir-a place of worship was opened mingham. Astwood, Worcestershire, After a long and respectable about five miles distant, and reservice of the church, Mr. Over-gularly supplied by the Alcester bury died at Alcester, May 28, minister. Mr. Smith residing at 1764, and lies buried under a Astwood, and finding the labours stone, in the middle of the meet- of both congregations too much ing-house. In December, 1766, for his health, resigned the pastorMr. Thomas Skinner was received ship of Alcester, in 1812, with a into the church, and ordained view of presiding over the people pastor, September 7, 1768. He in his own neighbourhood. A remained highly esteemed among friendly dismissal was therefore them till his death, February 15, given to the late pastor, and twen1782. A large marble tablet, inty-five members, to form a sepathe meeting-house, records his memory and worth. Mr. Benjamin Spencer, a member of the church in Grafton-street, London, then a student at Bristol, was in-lued and excellent minister. vited to visit Alcester, and was In consequence of these changes, ordained in August, 1785. But Joseph Price, a member of Cansoon afterwards, he gradually ma- non-street, Birmingham, then asnifested his having embraced cer-sisting at Oxford, was invited to tain sentiments, contrary to those Alcester, and ordained pastor, which are believed by this so- September 15, 1813, (see Baptist ciety, to be scriptural. His mi- Magazine, Vol. VI. p. 85.) Since nistry was therefore no longer ac- that time, a large and promising ceptable, and a separation took Sunday-school, of nearly 200 place. children, has occupied the attention of the congregation. Last year, a small piece of ground joining the meeting-house, was

The greater part of the following year, the church was served by Mr. William Pendred; and af

rate church, in September, 1813. This is the third church that has happily arisen from Alcester, over which Mr. Smith is still their va

purchased by voluntary subscrip- Wainsgate, assisting. Mr. Coltions; and this year, two school-linge was originally a member of rooms, opening into the meeting- the Baptist church at Bacup, house, have been erected, which whose pastor was the Rev. Joseph answer the double purpose of Piccop. Mr. Collinge abode at enlarging the place of worship, Shipley not more than two years and affording very comfortable-changed his views—became an accommodations for instructing Independent minister-settled at the children, both in public and Kendal, and died there a few private. The meeting-house was years since. re-opened, after this addition, on July 9, 1817. "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon

us."

HISTORY

OF THE

BAPTIST CHURCH

AT

SHIPLEY.

In 1774, the church at Shipley was favoured in Providence to receive Mr. George Haines as its pastor. He was previously a member under the Rev. B. Francis, of Horsley, and dismissed from that church to Shipley, July 10, 1774. He was a man eminent for godly simplicity in his manners, and in all his conduct. It pleased God abundantly to bless his labours-many were added to the Lord-the congregation grew rapidly, and great grace was upon them all. Though this good man has been dead thirty-eight years, his name and memory are still precious to many. After Mr. Haines, Mr. Robert Gaze. Previously to his coming to Shipley, Mr. Gaze was settled at Dunstable, Bedfordshire. He removed from thence to Shipley, in Nov. 1781, and in May,

JOSEPH GAWKRODGER was baptized at Rawden, by the Rev. Jonathan Brown, 1750; began to preach in a private house, at the Holt, in Windhill, 1752; A Baptist church was formed in 1758, at Shipley, composed of members from the Baptist church at Raw-1782, took the small-pox and den, and persons baptized at Shipley.

Ground was bought and a chapel built at Shipley, October, 1758. In this chapel Mr. Gawkrodger preached till 1767, and then removed to Bridlington. The church did not increase much during his ministry.

died. Mr. Gaze gave every evidence of sterling talent and piety; but "his sun went down while it was yet day." It is believed that he was originally a native of Norwich.

December 22, 1782, the Rev. John Bowser was settled at Shipley: a native of Sunderland. He April 21, 1769. After the had been preaching for some church here had been destitute time at Sunderland, Whitehaven, of a pastor about two years, Mr. and at Bolton, in Lancashire, Luke Collinge was settled here: previous to his removal to Shipthe Rev. James Hartley, of Haley. At his coming, he was neworth; William Crabtree, of cessitated to follow his former Bradford; John Oulton, of Raw business to support his family; den;, and John Fawcett, of the congregation, however, in

creased, galleries were put up, and some years afterwards a side wall was taken down, and the chapel enlarged to its present size, 13 yards by 14 inside, and galleried on three sides. Mr. Bowser laboured here, with vari-lowing, Mr. Crabtree was ordain

ed over them: Messrs. Smith, Hartley, and Lord, assisting. Mr. Crabtree had been a member under Mr. Smith, at Wainsgate, and dismissed thence to Bradford. 1755.-Left the cock-pit, and re-built a chapel capable of holding 400 or 500 hearers. Ministry very much blessed: 60 joined in two years, and soon grew in number to 130.