Congregationalism in the Court Suburb

LEXANDER R

5–1

had done so, steps were taken for calling the Church together. On the 13th of May a meeting followed, when it was resolved to invite Mr. Barrett to succeed Dr. Stoughton. The invitation was conveyed in the form of unanimous and cordial resolutions, to

gton." The idea of securing so eminent a man animated all who became acquainted with it; and previously to laying this matter before the Church, the deacons and committee communicated with Dr. Raleigh. Delicacy and caution marked the communications on both sides, and

of August, were presented to me on the following morning by your deacons

two congregations to whom it has for years been my privilege to minister have proved to be unexpectedly strong, and the mutual trial of affection in the thought of parting has been sometimes almost more than I could resist. Yet steadily, if slowly, the guiding light of God's good providence has seemed to lead westwards. The reasons which made it possible for me to entertain the proposal from the time when it was mentioned to me have continued, as I knew they would do, and now, without specifying them particularly, it is my duty to ann

but I believe I agree with him pretty closely in doctrinal sentiment, in holding firmly 'the faith once delivered to the saints,' and in cherishing a generous and charitable temper towards al

ing been now for many years in the heat of the great strife, I must allow those years of toil now past to speak for me concerning what will be ('if the Lord will') the aims and labours of the future. May the bles

of November, when Dr. Stoughton presided, and Dr. Allon, Dr. Punshon, Dr. Edmon

could testify that Dr. Raleigh would find at Kensington a united and peaceful Church, a people bound together by mutual affection, trained to work and accust

ce made way for his successor, he did so by handing over the seals of office. He had nothing of that sort to offer now, but if Dr. Raleigh would accept his predecessor's hand, there it was, not emp

on,-the last being son of the late senior deacon, whose death just before Dr. Stoughton's retirement was a heavy loss, deeply lamented by his old friend and by the Church at large. Messrs. Fordham, Cozens-Hardy, and George White declined the office, from inability

e was conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. Raleigh, D.D., suggested b

pers. The Church wish, moreover, to record their deep sympathy with Dr. Stoughton, in his sad bereavement, and cherish the memory of Mrs. Stoughton as one who, during her husband's

h from the beautiful sermon delivered by Dr. Raleigh on th

g father and mother in Divine ways, and into the Church of God; and then she strove to extend the blessedness to as many other homes as possible. I know not that we could have a much nobler ideal and pattern of a woman's life. I have it on the best authority, that of a ministerial friend who was like a brother in the house, that many and many a poor minister's home in the country was made warmer and brighter, and more what home ought to be, by her generous persistence of care for them, and by the gentle importunity of her letters to others on their behalf. Her power of letter-writing was unique; all who were privileged to receive these letters, on any subject, but especially on Divine and spiritu

ound afterwards in

my hand; quick

ven's gate

desired, the gate was opened; and th

Kensington, I cannot do better than quote

the fervour of his zeal kindled theirs, and as he spoke of the great harvest to come, earthly honours seemed to grow poor compared with the honour of bearing and sowing the precious seed of God. 'By kindness, by love unfeigned,' he won his way to the affections of his people. And he gave them as he had promised, 'good work,' work which cost him laborious days, and to which he brought all the treasures of his long experience. His sermons were l

sound of his fervid utterances of heavenly truth seem still to linger on the ear. We bless God that He sent him to us, a

s strong. But especially was this a very pronounced feature of his latest ministry. He h

nsed, and love claims her own.' Or of 'the open pathway, stretching upward and afar, for home-going saints and holy angels.' Or of 'the banquet' where, 'in its earthly beginning we may wet our bread with tears

interest in public and passing events continued unquenched. Yet, and this is no fancy, a deep peace seemed to have come down upon him, with silent expectancy in it, as if he stood at the meeting-place of the tw

1879, a resolution was passed expressive of gratitude for the goodness of God, and of a conviction that the time had come for making a vigorous effort to extend to one of the newly-peopled districts in the neighbourhood some of the privil

the close of the year 1875, early in 1880 he was laid aside. On the 1

Indeed, I may say I have but one serious care, the care that arises in my heart when I think of you and of your interests in the Gospel, which I can at present do little or nothing to promote. I know you are being well instructed by other servants of the Master, and that the Chief Shepherd Himself never ceases to ha

me, even more than to you, a happy return to my work. Of course all waiting of this kind must have reasonable limits; but I think you may be assured that I am not likely to forget them. I thank God that I have so much reason to wish, I hope before very long, to be able to put my hand again to a wor

word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance

r Lord Jesus Chr

thus described by his wife in

esitated, saying, 'I do not want to alarm them, and it looks as if I were of such importance if I send a message.' He consented, however, and dictated a few words. Many things were talked over, and last words spoken during the day. The wrench of parting was still hard to him, and the spring sunshine seemed too glad for dying eyes. 'Everything is as bright as if I were well,' he said; but looked an earnest assent when reminded t

responsive to the light, grew dim, unconsciousness fell gradually over him, and before we knew it he was away beyond reach of loving word or touch of ours; but we believe he was not beyond the reach of higher ministries. As the long night passed, and the

d its solemn way to Abney Park. "When the cortége approached, all were hushed to silence and many an eye was wet with tears. The line of spectators stretched from the Church Street entrance gates, past the open grave, and overlapping but not surrounding it. Hardly a sound was heard but the grating of the footsteps of the bearers of the coffin and the procession on the gravel. Preceded by the Rev. Henry Allon, D.D.; the Rev. J. Guinness Rogers; the Rev. Mr. Glyn, Vicar of Kensington; and the Rev. W. M. Statham; an

ensington Chapel on the following

t, through absence from England, I was unable to take any part in these solemnities. I was not aware of his serious illness until the fact was communicated to me in Rome, and scarcely ha