Congregationalism in the Court Suburb

ROBERT VA

5–1

d to the influence of circumstances, which in my own view and that of the more judicious of my friends, fully warrant the step which I now take in freely stating my acceptance of your call. I do, however, wish you, my dear friends, to be fully aware that I have not dared to proceed thus far without confiding greatly in your deeper sympathies, a

additional and curious resemblance, that whereas a lion rejoices in having two cubs at a time, so the leonine Bristol pastor never had but two pupils under his care, and they came both at once-Robert Vaughan and John Jukes. The latter presided over John Bunyan's Church at Bedford; and I have heard him and his friend at Kensington crack obvious

ft. He largely overcame early defects in education; and by dint of extraordinary diligence, acquired large stores of historical learning. His tastes did not lie in the same direction as Dr. Leifchild's, and he never became the popular preacher which his predecessor was; though o

nd a friend of Leifchild-who wrote interesting memoirs of his life-opened the service with Scripture reading and prayers. Dr. Winter, of New Court, one of the leading city ministers, "stated the nature of a Gospel Chur

mpact. Beyond the turnpike road, then bordered by only single lines of houses, there spread out north and south a wide border country of market gardens and orchards; and my predecessor told me of his dreary walks in winter, from his residence on Nott

ngle line; whilst before and after, secular concerns are the chief subjects of entry. Now the appointment of new managers, then the retirement of a secretary, next the letting of p

g in connection with Hornton Street just before the close of Dr. Leifch

Blanket Society, for the gratuitous distribution of blankets to the poor during the severity of the winter season. The Infants' Friendly Society,-a female institution, which provides clothing and nourishment for poor women and their children during their confinement. An Auxiliary Missionary Society, to assist in the propagation

, who-with their father, a deacon in the Church, and their mother, who was indeed "a mother in Israel"-held a foremost place, not only in this respect, but in other works of faith and labours of love. Being warmly attached to Dr. Vaughan, they all, parents and children, held up his hands and cheered his heart. One of Mr. Newton's daughters, in my time, was married to the Rev. J. H. Budden, a valuable missionary at Mirzapore; and it was during Dr. Vaughan's administration that this excellent man, then I think a member of the Church, had devoted himself to the London Missionary Society, of which, down to the present day, he has remained a distinguished agent. The young lady

istence, and was energetically taken up by Dr. Vaughan and his friends; meetings used to be regularly held, when the visitors at

, either as teachers or scholars; the mother being a model teacher, whose praise in the congregation, amongst some of the old members,

re seen crowding within the doors to take part in the yearly festival. The boys occupied the gallery on one side, the girls filled the other. The little maidens on these occasions wore white caps, of which they were rather p

with the Church, outside of it stood two institutes of a thorough

heir support, but the latter were foremost. Elementary education at that period was largely promoted by the voluntary efforts of the British and the National School Societies; the first of these rall

, the district narrowed; certainly in Dr. Vaughan's time the auxiliary had formed itself into distinct branches, and the Kensington one was wont to hold its own meetings. The King's Arms, by the palace gates had an assembly room in which the friends of the Bible Society used to meet in Dr. Vaughan's days, and there he did not fail by his sonorous eloquence impressively to commend the circulation of the Holy Scriptures throughout the world, as equally a

in the new academical institute, he did good service. All these laurels served to attract thoughtful and cultivated people to Hornton Street. Inferior in numbers to many, the congregation, perhaps, in reference to the educated class, was inferior to none. Some of the aristocracy might now and then, during the latter part of his ministry, and afterwards, be seen within the humble walls. The Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Mary Fox were, I know, great admirers of the Doctor; and the former of these ladies-so queen-like in her appearance and manners-was once, I am told, present at a prayer meeting in the little Kensingt

ch a treasure went beyond all pride. The youth won the praises of such men as Sir James Stephen and Charles Kingsley, and had he been spared he would have proved a great blessing to the Church of God. But his "sun went down whilst it was yet day," and this bereavement proved the greatest trial and

Principal of Lancashire Independent College. Immediately afterwards a spec

nd to others which went to give a strong claim to the call from Manchester. It was intimated in conclusion, that the meeting had been called, not for the purpose of giving expression, at that time, to any opinion on either side of th

essed; but, with a noble unselfishness worthy of imitation, they thought as much of the welfare of t

mmunication to deal faithfully as those who fear God, the God of Truth, and we must therefore acknowledge, dear sir, that while we are deeply pained at the possibility of your leaving us, we are conscious that you possess moral and intellectual qualities which eminently fit you to occupy the very

uld trust to their disinterestedness, whilst they trusted to my attachment. The result was, after much anxious conference, and the advice of two eminent brethren who happened to be on a visit to Windsor, [68] that I consented to preach at Kensington, with a view to the pastorate. I had no desire to leave Windsor. Far from it. I longed to remain, if it were the will of God, and in that spirit prayed for direction. After preaching a few times, I received a cordial and unanimous invitation to Kensington, and the Windsor Church agreed to my acceptance of it with expressions of unabated af

acceptance was written o

ar Bre

h of duty to remove from my present charge to the Church at Kensington. Had I not been gradually prepared for this step, I do not think I could have found it in my heart thus to sever the tie which has pleasantly bound me fo

leased to express, and above all, looking up to the Fountain of all good,

ssor of one whose eminence in the Christian world might well provoke, in relation to myself, humiliating comparisons. But I rest on Him who can successfully employ the humblest instrumentality in His service. Let me hope that the spirit of prayer I have already referred to may continue, and that you will earnest

his removal to Lancashire, the Rev. N. Jennings, M.A., F.R.A.S., became associated with him as assistant minister, and in that capacity he render