Francis's elegy on Samuel Pearce is here.
The full title is An elegy on the death of the Rev. Samuel Pearce A.M. who finished his course Oct. 9 1799 Aged 33. Bristol: printed by Ann Bryan, Corn-Street. Sold by Button in London, and James in Bristol,
[1799]
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Ivimey on Francis
The most distinguished of its pastors was the excellent Mr. Benjamin Francis, who entered upon his labours at Shortwood October 1757 - On the 12th of October, 1758, he was ordained to the pastoral office by Mr. J. Tommas, and Mr. Hugh Evans, of Bristol; Mr. Davis, of Fairford; and Mr. Bowen, the late pastor; between whom and the church, Mr. Francis had interposed his good offices, and renewed the feelings of Christian love. On this interesting occasion Mr. Tommas gave the charge, from Colossians iv. 17; and Mr. Evans addressed the church, from 1 Thessalonians ii. 19.
"Under the ministry of Mr. Francis, both church and congregation rapidly increased in numbers and respectability, so that, in April, 1760, only eighteen months after his ordination, it became necessary to make some addition to the size of the meeting-house.
"The labours of Mr. Francis were not confined to his own church, - the towns and villages around engaged much of his attention; - Minchin-Hampton, Aveniug, Uley, and Nympsfield, in particular, called forth his exertions; in the first of these places, in the year 1765, he undertook the erection of a place of worship, which, including the purchase of the ground, cost four hundred pounds, which was opened in the month of September, by Mr. Hugh Evans, of Bristol. From this time, also, Mr. Francis, whose popularity was now considerable, visited, and preached frequently in, most of the churches of our denomination, within a circuit of about thirty miles.
"Mr. Francis had the happiness to see a continued and progressive increase in the church and congregation; though, at this time, he had his trials, as well as comforts, from some of his flock, who, in their own estimation, were wiser than their teacher, and from others, whose immoral conduct rendered their separation necessary.
"Of Mr. Francis, as a man, or as a minister, it is not necessary for me to say much. His character has been drawn, his talents displayed, and his labours delineated by those who had the advantage of an acquaintance more intimate than any to which I can pretend. Yet a few observations may not be altogether impertinent.
"In contemplating the character and labours of this almost invaluable minister of Christ, the mind is naturally impressed with the peculiar adaptation of his talents to the station he was called to occupy. He was not learned, nor did his situation require it. His address was popular, his language plain, and his style simple and unadorned. His voice was clear, harmonious, and impressive; and the tears which frequently accompanied the exhibitions of a Saviour's sufferings and grace, when beseeching sinners to be reconciled to God, rendered his exhortations often truly impressive; while the animating and heavenly glow which rested on his countenance, when speaking of the beauties of holiness, and the joys of another world, was such as kindled the warmest emotions of heavenly mindedness in the pious hearts of his converted hearers. His sermons were never laboured; short notes were all he ever committed to paper, - mere outlines of a general plan, - everything else besides depended on the Divine assistance he might receive in the pulpit. Living near to God, as he eminently did, his plan was, perhaps, the best that could be adopted among a plain people; but it would have been far otherwise in a minister whose mind and feelings were less habitually under this influence.
"The features, also, of his ministry, deserve notice; warmly attached, as he was, to the doctrines of Free Grace, there was yet nothing in his sermons of a controversial or disputatious kind; - nothing calculated to form the noisy and contentious sectary, but everything to call forth the spirit of a humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, the taste and religious feeling of the church, at his death, exhibited the best monument of his worth as a minister, and excellency as a preacher.
"That his labours were eminently successful, will appear evident, when we consider, that, from 1758, when he was ordained, to 1799, when he died, there was only one year in which the church did not experience a considerable addition to its numbers; and that the number of members united to the church, while under his care, was four hundred and thirty-two, only thirteen of whom were received from other churches.
"The importance of Mr. Francis to the church at Shortwood was not, however, confined to his exertions at home; his labours in other places were so abundant, his usefulness so great, his talents so admired, and his character so revered, that he shed a lustre over the Society to which he belonged, and created a general interest throughout the denomination, on behalf of a church, which, from the peculiarity of its local circumstances, would, under another minister, have been comparatively un. known.
"The popularity of Mr. Francis, and the high estimation in which he was held, while it exposed the church to the frequent hazard of losing his labours, in consequence of the temptations and allurements which were held forth for his removal to the metropolis and other places, were highly beneficial to the poor of his charge. He became the secret almoner of many a rich and pious follower of the Redeemer; and, however scantily his own purse might be supplied, that which he carried in trust for others was seldom, if ever, empty. The fact was, and I here speak within the range of my own knowledge, that, while every thing exhibits his unwearied solicitude for the welfare of his charge, when at home, he never lost sight of them, or forgot to plead their cause, while abroad. He was always the pastor of his church, wherever he was, or however he was engaged: his poor people, their excellencies, their privations, sufferings, and wants, were always prominent, when aught could be obtained for them; and the manner in which this bounty was doled out, undoubtedly gave him an influence, powerful indeed, but always exerted for the benefit of the church.
"I have glanced, in an expression above, at Mr. Francis's temporal circumstances, as scanty and limited; and I conceive it no censure on him to say, this was the case for a great part of his life. His family was large and afflicted; and, amidst the concerns of the church, he lost sight of himself, and preferred his
labours here, on a limited income, to offers which would have placed him above inconvenience and want.
"On his assumption of the pastoral charge, his salary was not more than forty pounds per annum; and it was only a few years before his death, that it was made up to one hundred pounds.
"The day which witnessed the death of Mr. Francis, December 14, 1799, saw the church over which he had presided covered with a gloom which few beside himself had anticipated, and for which none were prepared. His mind, indeed, seemed to have realized its approach. He felt it, in anticipation; and often suggested to his friends the importance of being prepared for it. But in them, fond hope triumphed over all those forebodings, and thus contributed to render the stroke more afflictive when it was actually felt. There was, indeed, something in the time and circumstances in which the event took place, which tended much to aggravate the loss; nor can I better express my own views of it, than in the language of him whose situation rendered him most capable of estimating the magnitude of the evil sustained. 'It was,' says Mr. Flint, 'at the time when the meeting-house was greatly enlarging, - the day for its being reopened almost fixed, - the auditory much increasing, - myself gradually stepping forth into public labours, and needing a friend so discreet and affectionate to lead me forward to larger services and greater acceptance.'
"Every usual mark of respect was shown to the memory of this faithful servant of our blessed Lord. His deacons bore his mortal remains to the adjoining grave-yard. The ministers around attended the solemn scene, and Dr. Ryland delivered on the occasion a serious address, and further improved his death, on the following Lord's-day, in a sermon, afterwards printed by the desire of the church. - A monument was erected over his grave, where the eye still weeps over departed excellency, and the heart feels the flutter of joy at the hope of one day meeting him again.
"At the death of Mr. Francis, the number of members in church fellowship amounted to two hundred and forty-one; scattered through a number of parishes; many at a considerable distance, poor and afflicted, and the far greater part requiring a degree of watchful superintendence, of which none can judge who are unacquainted with the nature of manufacturing districts. These, together with the congregation, constituted a heavy charge, when devolving on a young man hardly acquainted with his own powers, and less acquainted with the world or the church.
"After the death of Mr. Francis, Mr. Flint, his son-in-law, who had been chosen his assistant at the beginning of the year, occupied the pulpit, regularly, till February the 16th, when, the enlargement of the meeting-house being completed, it was formally re-opened with two sermons, by Dr. Ryland; after both of which, collections were made towards defraying the expenses incurred: forty-six pounds were contributed, which, together with fifty pounds presented by a family present on the occasion, was all the church received towards an expense of six hundred and eighty pounds, the remainder of which was cheerfully defrayed by themselves within a few months. On the 12th of March, the church held a solemn day of prayer, to implore the Divine guidance and blessing; and, on the 16th of the same month, they gave Mr. Flint a call to assume the pastoral office, which, being present at the meeting, he must have accepted at the same time, as, at this meeting, the ordination service was fixed for the 16ih of the following month. "If any thing can justify the hasty manner in which Mr. Flint engaged in this arduous undertaking, it must have been the almost unanimous feeling with which the invitation was given; there being but one voice opposed, and that more to the hastiness of the measure, than to the union itself. Both parties were evidently carried forward rather by their feelings than their judgments; for, if reflection had been exercised on a variety of circumstances obvious to every observer, the period of this interesting union would have been more distant; but the union itself would, probably, have been more enduring. As it was, however, the ordination took place at the time appointed; and few anticipated the painful results which followed.
"Mr. Wilkins, of Bourton-on-the-Water, originally a member of the church, and called by it into the ministry, opened the business of the day, and received the confession of faith. Mr. Enoch Francis, then at Wantage, offered the ordination prayer. Dr. Ryland gave the charge, from Proverbs xxii. 17, 18. Mr. Burchell, of Tetbury, preached to the church from 2 Peter iii. 1.
"Under the ministry of Mr. Flint, the church and congregation continued gradually to increase; yet his situation soon became very paiofa!.—A feeling of dissatisfaction early manifested itself, which continued to increase, until June, 1803, when he saw it right to relinquish his pastoral labours, and to retire from further services in the pulpit. "It would be no difficult task to portray the causes which led to this painful event, or to delineate the circumstances by which it was effected: let it, however, suffice to say, that whatever they were, they were nothing derogatory to Mr. Flint's character, as a man, a Christian, or a minister.
"Mr. Winterbotham succeeded Mr. Flint, in April, 1804, and is lately deceased. This church is now one of the largest in the denomination: it is at present destitute of a pastor; and, on account of the poverty to which the bulk of the people are reduced, unable to provide for the suitable support of a minister. Mr. John Reynolds, afterwards of Cripplegate, London, was with this church from 1750 to 1761. From that time, till the settlement of Mr. William Dore, in August, 1776, the church was in a very uncomfortable situation. Mr. Dore was a brother of the late Mr. James Dore, of London. He was baptized by Mr. Stredling, at Lymington, in 1772, and sent by that church to Bristol Academy. When Mr. Dore became the pastor the church was reduced to seven members; but in September, 1786, they had increased to thirty-seven. Mr. Dore died in 1791. He was succeeded by Mr. White, who is still pastor (1804).
"On his assumption of the pastoral charge, his salary was not more than forty pounds per annum; and it was only a few years before his death, that it was made up to one hundred pounds.
"The day which witnessed the death of Mr. Francis, December 14, 1799, saw the church over which he had presided covered with a gloom which few beside himself had anticipated, and for which none were prepared. His mind, indeed, seemed to have realized its approach. He felt it, in anticipation; and often suggested to his friends the importance of being prepared for it. But in them, fond hope triumphed over all those forebodings, and thus contributed to render the stroke more afflictive when it was actually felt. There was, indeed, something in the time and circumstances in which the event took place, which tended much to aggravate the loss; nor can I better express my own views of it, than in the language of him whose situation rendered him most capable of estimating the magnitude of the evil sustained. 'It was,' says Mr. Flint, 'at the time when the meeting-house was greatly enlarging, - the day for its being reopened almost fixed, - the auditory much increasing, - myself gradually stepping forth into public labours, and needing a friend so discreet and affectionate to lead me forward to larger services and greater acceptance.'
"Every usual mark of respect was shown to the memory of this faithful servant of our blessed Lord. His deacons bore his mortal remains to the adjoining grave-yard. The ministers around attended the solemn scene, and Dr. Ryland delivered on the occasion a serious address, and further improved his death, on the following Lord's-day, in a sermon, afterwards printed by the desire of the church. - A monument was erected over his grave, where the eye still weeps over departed excellency, and the heart feels the flutter of joy at the hope of one day meeting him again.
"At the death of Mr. Francis, the number of members in church fellowship amounted to two hundred and forty-one; scattered through a number of parishes; many at a considerable distance, poor and afflicted, and the far greater part requiring a degree of watchful superintendence, of which none can judge who are unacquainted with the nature of manufacturing districts. These, together with the congregation, constituted a heavy charge, when devolving on a young man hardly acquainted with his own powers, and less acquainted with the world or the church.
"After the death of Mr. Francis, Mr. Flint, his son-in-law, who had been chosen his assistant at the beginning of the year, occupied the pulpit, regularly, till February the 16th, when, the enlargement of the meeting-house being completed, it was formally re-opened with two sermons, by Dr. Ryland; after both of which, collections were made towards defraying the expenses incurred: forty-six pounds were contributed, which, together with fifty pounds presented by a family present on the occasion, was all the church received towards an expense of six hundred and eighty pounds, the remainder of which was cheerfully defrayed by themselves within a few months. On the 12th of March, the church held a solemn day of prayer, to implore the Divine guidance and blessing; and, on the 16th of the same month, they gave Mr. Flint a call to assume the pastoral office, which, being present at the meeting, he must have accepted at the same time, as, at this meeting, the ordination service was fixed for the 16ih of the following month. "If any thing can justify the hasty manner in which Mr. Flint engaged in this arduous undertaking, it must have been the almost unanimous feeling with which the invitation was given; there being but one voice opposed, and that more to the hastiness of the measure, than to the union itself. Both parties were evidently carried forward rather by their feelings than their judgments; for, if reflection had been exercised on a variety of circumstances obvious to every observer, the period of this interesting union would have been more distant; but the union itself would, probably, have been more enduring. As it was, however, the ordination took place at the time appointed; and few anticipated the painful results which followed.
"Mr. Wilkins, of Bourton-on-the-Water, originally a member of the church, and called by it into the ministry, opened the business of the day, and received the confession of faith. Mr. Enoch Francis, then at Wantage, offered the ordination prayer. Dr. Ryland gave the charge, from Proverbs xxii. 17, 18. Mr. Burchell, of Tetbury, preached to the church from 2 Peter iii. 1.
"Under the ministry of Mr. Flint, the church and congregation continued gradually to increase; yet his situation soon became very paiofa!.—A feeling of dissatisfaction early manifested itself, which continued to increase, until June, 1803, when he saw it right to relinquish his pastoral labours, and to retire from further services in the pulpit. "It would be no difficult task to portray the causes which led to this painful event, or to delineate the circumstances by which it was effected: let it, however, suffice to say, that whatever they were, they were nothing derogatory to Mr. Flint's character, as a man, a Christian, or a minister.
"Mr. Winterbotham succeeded Mr. Flint, in April, 1804, and is lately deceased. This church is now one of the largest in the denomination: it is at present destitute of a pastor; and, on account of the poverty to which the bulk of the people are reduced, unable to provide for the suitable support of a minister. Mr. John Reynolds, afterwards of Cripplegate, London, was with this church from 1750 to 1761. From that time, till the settlement of Mr. William Dore, in August, 1776, the church was in a very uncomfortable situation. Mr. Dore was a brother of the late Mr. James Dore, of London. He was baptized by Mr. Stredling, at Lymington, in 1772, and sent by that church to Bristol Academy. When Mr. Dore became the pastor the church was reduced to seven members; but in September, 1786, they had increased to thirty-seven. Mr. Dore died in 1791. He was succeeded by Mr. White, who is still pastor (1804).
Ivimey on the Shortwood Church before Francis
CHURCH AT SHORTWOOD
The origin of this church is thus stated by Mr. William Winterbotham, in a discourse made on the centenary of its establishment, 1805:
"About the year 1705, two individuals, William Harding, and John Howard, then in the habit of attending on the ministry of Dr. Giles, pastor of the Paedobaptist church meeting at Forest Green, became dissatisfied with his ministry, principally on account of his views of the person of Christ - communicating their sentiments and feelings to each other, they withdrew their attendance, and visited together the different places of worship in the neighbourhood. They soon, however, became more particularly attached to the ministry of Mr. Jonathan Davis, then pastor of the Baptist church at King-Stanley; and here, for a time, they constantly attended. Howard, from some cause now unknown, subsequently withdrew from his companion, who afterwards became a decisive advocate of Believers' Baptism, and was, at length, with his daughter, baptized, and united to the church at King-Stanley.
"Previously to this event, Dr. Giles, at an appointed interview, seems to have entered with him into a controversy on the subject of Adult Baptism, on a profession of faith, but found him fixed and determined as to the change of his sentiments. The Doctor was led afterwards to address his congregation, for fourteen Lord's-days successively, in the afternoon, in defence of Infant Baptism.
"The wisdom of this effort, or the ability with which it was conducted, forms no part of my plan to investigate; but the result enters deeply into it, and was precisely what might have been foreseen by any man conversant with human nature. Many, from this time, gave up attendance on the Doctor's ministry, and went to Stanley; so that, on the Lord's-day, the number who accompanied each other to that place amounted, on an average, to fifty persons, many of whom were soon baptized, and united in the fellowship of the gospel with that church.
"
"About the close of 1707, or the beginning of 1708, at the suggestion of one Edward Essex, several of those persons licensed the house of William Harding, of Walkley Wood, in the parish of Horsley, and entered into an agreement with each other to hold meetings for prayer in the week, and on the evenings of the Lord's-day; - an agreement arising out of their distance from the church with which many of them were united, and the want of a gospel ministry near them, on which they might occasionally attend.
"At this house Mr. Davis, their pastor, and Mr. Joseph Matthews, of Malmesbury, occasionally preached to them; and here they continued their prayer-meetings for about six years, until the increasing attendance became such as rendered it too small and inconvenient, and, consequently, they turned their attention to building a larger place, for the exclusive purpose of divine worship.
"A plan of this nature was more easily conceived, than realized, by a poor people, unknown, and unconnected with any but those as poor as themselves. They were, however, determined to make the attempt; and were much encouraged by Mr. Henry Allen, a member of the Baptist church at Frome, and a Mr. Bull, who appears to have been his intimate friend - These persons, visiting this county on business, and occasionally meeting with them, entered into their views and necessities; and, by a donation of ten pounds, and other contributions, obtained among their friends, greatly assisted them, and forwarded the completion of the proposed object. A Mrs. Keene, also, though not professedly one of their number, but who worshipped with them, greatly encouraged them by the assistance she afforded.
"Thus encouraged, in 1714, a piece of ground, part of that on which the present building stands, was purchased; and, in the following year, a contract was entered into for the building, with a person of the name of Newth, and for which, through the kindness of friends, they were enabled to discharge all claims as soon as erected. The building was, however, the mere shell, without any ceiling, gallery, pews, or pulpit. These were, as yet, articles too costly for their circumstances, and to which their ambition did not therefore aspire.
"For this building a license was obtained at the Michaelmas sessions, 1715; and, on the Tuesday in the Easter week of the following year, it was opened by Mr. Joseph Price, pastor of the Baptist church at Tewkesbury, by a sermon from the Gospel by John, 1st chapter, and 12th verse.
"The prospect of possessing a place of worship had naturally awakened the desire of being more closely united, by entering into a church-state; hence, when the foundation of their meetinghouse was laid, thirteen persons, four men and nine women, all of whom had been previously baptized, were united together in the fellowship of the gospel, as a church of Christ; on which solemn occasion they enjoyed the assistance, advice, and prayers, of Mr. Benjamin Britain, pastor of the church at King-Stanley, and of Messrs. William Freeman, and James Lowell, of the church at Cirencester. This to them must have been a memorable year, as in it they laid the foundation of a house for the stated worship of God, and formed a union among themselves, destined, on a future day, to realize their fondest hopes and expectations.
"After the meeting-house was opened, Mr. Freeman and Mr. Lovell appear, for some time, to have supported the ministration of the gospel in it; on what terms, or in what character, we know not. They were succeeded by a Mr. Seville, a young man, who is said to have suffered considerable persecution from his friends, on account of his joining the Baptist denomination. He was removed, after a short illness, by death, in August, 1719. and interred just within the door of the meeting-house, where a stone, with his initials, attests the resting place of his mortal remains. Whether Mr. Seville was ever united to the Society,
we possess no means of ascertaining. Great expectations were, evidently, formed from his labours; and his death .spread a gloom over the Society, which was dispelled with difficulty. That he was cordially united with the people, and that they, in turn, cherished a sincere affection for him, appears evident, by a legacy of ten pounds which he left towards the erection of a vestry, and the interest with which some of our aged members still dwell on the records of ancient times respecting him.
"After the death of Mr. Seville, there was no preaching for five months; at the termination of which a union was formed, to supply the pulpit, by Mr. Foskett, of Bristol; Dr. Ingram; Mr. Thomas Jones, of Fairford; Mr. Ketterel; Mr. Ludlow; Mr. Plomer; and Mr. Price, of Tewkesbury
"This united effort appears to have been continued between three and four years; after which the pulpit was occupied by a Mr. Read, of whom we know, at this time, only, that he continued to officiate for nearly four years more. He was succeeded by a Mr. Caleb Brooks, who remained about a similar period, and was then succeeded by a Mr. John Ballinger, who remained only about nine months.
"During this period of fifteen years, from the death of Mr. Seville, it appears evident, that the church was in a very low condition. No regular administration of the Lord's Supper had taken place, till the time of Mr. Ballinger, and twelve persons only were added to their number; while the extreme poverty of the church and congregation seemed to exclude the hope of a settled pastor, and a more prosperous condition. During the time Mr. Ballinger occupied the pulpit, two neighbouring pastors, Mr. Flower, and Mr. Parks, engaged for the regular administration of the Supper every two months; and, after Mr. Ballinger left, Mr. Flower, Jun. a son of the above, became the most constant supply, till September, 1732, when he received an invitation, apparently unanimous, to supply the pulpit every other sabbath, and for which the church offered him a salary of twelve pounds per annum; five pounds ten shillings of which were supplied by the London and Bristol funds.
"Mr. Flower accepted the invitation; and, in December, 1734, he was invited to the pastoral office, which he refused;
notwithstanding which he steadily continued his engagement, until March, 1736, when he accepted a call from the church in Unicorn Yard, in the Borough of Southwark, and removed to London.
"The period of Mr. Flower's residence and labours was the most prosperous era the church here had seen: forty members were added to their number, thirty-eight of whom were baptized on profession of faith in the Redeemer, and two received from other churches, by letters of recommendation. Some of these also appear to have been valuable for their prudence and energy of character, particularly William Harding, who, though he had contributed so much to the formation of the church, had continued his connexion with the church at Stanley, till about the period when Mr. Flower accepted the invitation given him in 1732. The letter of his dismission, and the intermediate election of him by this church, to the office of deacon, speak much for the character of the man and the Christian.
"The intermediate sabbaths, on which Mr. Flower was not engaged, were supplied by neighbouring ministers, among whom we find the names of Mr. J. Flower, Sen. of Cirencester; John Read, their former minister; Robert Major; John Ballinger; John Beddome, of Bristol; Mr. Parks; Hugh Evans, of Bristol; Morgan Harry; Edward Cooke; and others.
"The average allowance made by the church to these supplies was, from five to ten shillings, according to the distance they had to travel.
"After the removal of Mr. Flower, for the next half-year, the ministry was carried on by some of the above individuals, who had previously assisted; among whom we now find also the names of Mr. John Wilkins, Mr. Bennicke, and Mr. Humphries; in the last quarter of this year, we find them also visited by Mr. Haydon, of London, who subsequently became their pastor. He appears to have returned to London, after this first visit; to have accepted a further invitation on probation, early in 1737; and, in the month of July, of the same year, he accepted the invitation of the church to become its pastor.
"Mr. Haydon had lately been called into the ministry, by the baptized church, in Prescott-street, Goodman's-fields, then under the pastoral care of Mr. Samuel Wilson.
"On the 27th of September, he was ordained over the church, as its pastor. On this occasion, Mr. Hugh Evans, of Bristol, began the service with prayer, reading, and expounding the scriptures. Mr. Flower, of Cirencester, asked the questions, and offered up the ordination prayer, in the usual way, which was accompanied by laying on of hands. Mr. Foskett, of Bristol, gave the charge, from John xxi. 16. 'Feed my sheep.' Mr. Thompson, I believe, of Clapham, preached to the church, from Ephesians ii. 21. 'In whom all the building fitly framed,' &c. and closed the service.
"Mr. Haydon, in accepting' the pastoral office, does not appear to have covenanted for any particular salary. On an average of the accounts, while he remained, he appears to have received twenty pounds per annum, besides the London and Bristol funds; and four pounds, four shillings, annually, from Abingdon; - averaging, together, about thirty pounds.
"In consequence of ill health, Mr. Haydon was, at his own request, dismissed to the church at Tewkesbury, on August 23, 1752, between which, and himself, a friendly connexion had long subsisted. He printed two sermons on original sin, of which the late Mr. Benjamin Francis presented a new edition to the public in 1779. There is a good portrait of him.
"In September, 1753, the church invited Mr. Samuel Bowen, a member of the church in Prescott-street, London, and lately called into the ministry, to supply, as a probationer, for six months; with which request he complied, and, in January, 1754. he was invited to the pastoral office; - to this invitation, in the following month, he replied, postponing a definitive answer for twelve months, for reasons which he states to be well known, and which were, evidently, the then distracted state of the Society, arising out of the late connexion with Mr. Flower. To this proposed delay all parties assented, and Mr. Bowen continued his labours until the 20th of February, 1755, when the church renewed their invitation to him to exercise among them the office of pastor, and to take the charge and oversight of them in the Lord.
"Mr. Bowen was, accordingly, dismissed from the church to which he was before related, on the 22d of June, and ordained to the pastoral office, July 16th, 1755, by Dr. Stennett, of London; Mr. Hugh Evans, and Mr. J. Tommas, of Bristol; Mr. Davis, of Fairford; Mr. Parsons, of Bath; and Mr. Haydon, their former minister."
"The period of Mr. Flower's residence and labours was the most prosperous era the church here had seen: forty members were added to their number, thirty-eight of whom were baptized on profession of faith in the Redeemer, and two received from other churches, by letters of recommendation. Some of these also appear to have been valuable for their prudence and energy of character, particularly William Harding, who, though he had contributed so much to the formation of the church, had continued his connexion with the church at Stanley, till about the period when Mr. Flower accepted the invitation given him in 1732. The letter of his dismission, and the intermediate election of him by this church, to the office of deacon, speak much for the character of the man and the Christian.
"The intermediate sabbaths, on which Mr. Flower was not engaged, were supplied by neighbouring ministers, among whom we find the names of Mr. J. Flower, Sen. of Cirencester; John Read, their former minister; Robert Major; John Ballinger; John Beddome, of Bristol; Mr. Parks; Hugh Evans, of Bristol; Morgan Harry; Edward Cooke; and others.
"The average allowance made by the church to these supplies was, from five to ten shillings, according to the distance they had to travel.
"After the removal of Mr. Flower, for the next half-year, the ministry was carried on by some of the above individuals, who had previously assisted; among whom we now find also the names of Mr. John Wilkins, Mr. Bennicke, and Mr. Humphries; in the last quarter of this year, we find them also visited by Mr. Haydon, of London, who subsequently became their pastor. He appears to have returned to London, after this first visit; to have accepted a further invitation on probation, early in 1737; and, in the month of July, of the same year, he accepted the invitation of the church to become its pastor.
"Mr. Haydon had lately been called into the ministry, by the baptized church, in Prescott-street, Goodman's-fields, then under the pastoral care of Mr. Samuel Wilson.
"On the 27th of September, he was ordained over the church, as its pastor. On this occasion, Mr. Hugh Evans, of Bristol, began the service with prayer, reading, and expounding the scriptures. Mr. Flower, of Cirencester, asked the questions, and offered up the ordination prayer, in the usual way, which was accompanied by laying on of hands. Mr. Foskett, of Bristol, gave the charge, from John xxi. 16. 'Feed my sheep.' Mr. Thompson, I believe, of Clapham, preached to the church, from Ephesians ii. 21. 'In whom all the building fitly framed,' &c. and closed the service.
"Mr. Haydon, in accepting' the pastoral office, does not appear to have covenanted for any particular salary. On an average of the accounts, while he remained, he appears to have received twenty pounds per annum, besides the London and Bristol funds; and four pounds, four shillings, annually, from Abingdon; - averaging, together, about thirty pounds.
"In consequence of ill health, Mr. Haydon was, at his own request, dismissed to the church at Tewkesbury, on August 23, 1752, between which, and himself, a friendly connexion had long subsisted. He printed two sermons on original sin, of which the late Mr. Benjamin Francis presented a new edition to the public in 1779. There is a good portrait of him.
"In September, 1753, the church invited Mr. Samuel Bowen, a member of the church in Prescott-street, London, and lately called into the ministry, to supply, as a probationer, for six months; with which request he complied, and, in January, 1754. he was invited to the pastoral office; - to this invitation, in the following month, he replied, postponing a definitive answer for twelve months, for reasons which he states to be well known, and which were, evidently, the then distracted state of the Society, arising out of the late connexion with Mr. Flower. To this proposed delay all parties assented, and Mr. Bowen continued his labours until the 20th of February, 1755, when the church renewed their invitation to him to exercise among them the office of pastor, and to take the charge and oversight of them in the Lord.
"Mr. Bowen was, accordingly, dismissed from the church to which he was before related, on the 22d of June, and ordained to the pastoral office, July 16th, 1755, by Dr. Stennett, of London; Mr. Hugh Evans, and Mr. J. Tommas, of Bristol; Mr. Davis, of Fairford; Mr. Parsons, of Bath; and Mr. Haydon, their former minister."
Letter from Francis to Sutcliff
This letter was written by Francis while at Northampton, to [John] Sutcliff at Olney in Buckinghamshire. He had arrived in Northampton at about 12 o’clock that day, where he received Sutcliff’s letter of the day before (the 20th). He intended to be with Sutcliff on Thursday the 26th, which left enough time to attend preaching in the morning. He intended to be in Northamptonshire at Kettering and Walgrave, etc over the next week as he had been invited to preach three Sundays in a row at Northampton. His love was to be passed to Mrs Andrews and Sutcliff should tell her that he slept last Tuesday and Wednesday night at good Mr Palmer’s house and all the family were well. The letter was written 21 September, 1793, and can be seen here.
Letter of thanks to the PB Fund 1792 (and 1790)
See here for the image of a one page letter Francis wrote to the fundees of the Particular Baptist Fund in London in 1792. In it he apparently wrote how very grateful hew as for the previous year’s financial assistance and indeed for all their help over the previous thirty-five years. He hopes that in the future, notwithstanding the cost of his preaching the gospel in different places, to be able to support himself and his family without recourse to the fund. It is dated 21 August 1792 .
A very similar letter dated April 9, 1790 can also be found here.
A very similar letter dated April 9, 1790 can also be found here.
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Some hymns by Francis
Hymntime lists some twenty hymns by Francis, six of which are in his native Welsh. They reproduce three of the English hymns (*) elsewhere on the site.
1. Arglwydd grasol, clyw fy nghri - a’m griddfanau (Gracious Lord, hear my cry - and set me free)
2. Be Thy Kingdom, Lord, Promoted
3. Before Thy Throne, Eternal King
4. Clod i’r bendigeg Oen - a oddefodd (Praise to the Lamb wonderful - and enduring)
5. Deffro ’nghalon, deffro ’nghân - i ddyrchafu (Wake heart, wake song - to lift up)
6. Glory to the Eternal King
7. Great King of Glory, Come*
8. Great King of Zion, Now Arise
9. Gwyn fyd y dyn a gred yn Nuw (Blessed is the man who believes in God)
10. In Sweet Exalted Strains
11. My Gracious Redeemer I Love*
12. O King of Glory, Come
13. Our Head Is One
14. Pa Feddwl, Pa ’Madrodd, Pa ddawn (What thought, what phrasing, what talent)
15. Praise the Saviour, All Ye Nations*
16. See How Beauteous on the Mountains
17. Wele gadarn sylfaen Sion (Behold a firm foundation Zion)
18. While the Heralds of Salvation
19.With My Substance I Will Honour
20.Ye Objects of Grace and Enjoyments of Time
1. Arglwydd grasol, clyw fy nghri - a’m griddfanau (Gracious Lord, hear my cry - and set me free)
2. Be Thy Kingdom, Lord, Promoted
3. Before Thy Throne, Eternal King
4. Clod i’r bendigeg Oen - a oddefodd (Praise to the Lamb wonderful - and enduring)
5. Deffro ’nghalon, deffro ’nghân - i ddyrchafu (Wake heart, wake song - to lift up)
6. Glory to the Eternal King
7. Great King of Glory, Come*
8. Great King of Zion, Now Arise
9. Gwyn fyd y dyn a gred yn Nuw (Blessed is the man who believes in God)
10. In Sweet Exalted Strains
11. My Gracious Redeemer I Love*
12. O King of Glory, Come
13. Our Head Is One
14. Pa Feddwl, Pa ’Madrodd, Pa ddawn (What thought, what phrasing, what talent)
15. Praise the Saviour, All Ye Nations*
16. See How Beauteous on the Mountains
17. Wele gadarn sylfaen Sion (Behold a firm foundation Zion)
18. While the Heralds of Salvation
19.With My Substance I Will Honour
20.Ye Objects of Grace and Enjoyments of Time
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