About the time of his death, Mr. M. began to speak in the name of the Lord
in several workhouses in the metropolis, and soon after at Dartford, in Kent
; but as the opposition there to the Gospel was very great, preaching was
for that time relinquished. Mr. M. shortly after came to reside at Wilmington,
and preached statedly in his hired house, which being but a short distance
from Dartford, several attended from that place, and the prospects of usefulness
increased. Here, though he endured great persecution, he not only was enabled
to persevere in his labours of love for several years, but introduced the
preaching of the word of life into several benighted villages around. His
disinterested labours were successful, so that ¡n 1792, Mr. M. and four
others formed themselves into a church of Christ, and soon after he was ordained
over them as their pastor. Several other persons were added to this infant
church. At Wilmington Mr. M. continued to preach the unsearchable riches
of Christ until 1798, when it was considered of greater importance to maintain
stated worship at Eynsford, a village about five miles from the former. Here
the word was multiplied, and grew exceedingly, but in 1802, be thought it
right to resign his pastoral office, and. afterwards settled with the Baptist
church at Croydon, in Surry, and in 1809, preached at Seal and Igtham ; at
the latter place a Baptist church was formed, and he accepted a call to become
their pastor. Here he laboured with acceptance for some time : others were
added to them, so as to lead them to purchase a piece of freehold ground
at Borough Green, and to erect a neat place of worship thereon. Here Mr.
M. continued to hold forth the word of life for twenty-one years, when, finding
his strength and faculties decline, he resigned his charge, but still
administered the Lord's supper, and occasionally preached the word among
them.
On Lord's day, July 18, he had a stroke or paralysis, which was followed
by others, until his Lord called him home. During these visitations, his
mind was generally calm and stayed. The truths he had so long preached to
others were his support and comfort. He frequently exclaimed, the Lord was
his portion, and that he knew whom he had believed, and was persuaded He
was able to keep what he had committed to his hands.
His earthly remains were interred in the burying ground adjoining the meeting,
on Monday, Sept. 6. Mr. Rogers, of Eynsford, delivered the address, and the
following Lord's day, Mr. Shirley, of Sevenoaks, preached a funeral sermon
from 2 Cor. xii. 11. "Though I be nothing." " Be ye followers of them who
through faith and patience inherit the promises."
Farningham.
I.R.
The Baptist Magazine 1830 Vol XXII, George Wightman, London
1830, pages 522-523.
• The details of the very first Ordination at Eynsford are recorded
about the second Pastor are as follows;
"SEPT. 29 Mr. John Rogers (late of the Kent Itinerant Seminary) was ordained
over the Baptist church, at Eynsford, in Kent. Mr. Arnold, of Sevenoaks,
read a psalm and prayed ; Mr. Stanger senior, of Bessel's Green, introduced
the ordination service, asked the usual questions, and received Mr. Roger's
confession of faith ; Dr. Jenkins, of Walworth, Surry (to whose church Mr.
Rogers formerly belonged) prayed the ordination prayer, accompanied with
the laying on of hands, and then gave the charge from Matth. xvi. 24. ; Mr.
Upton, of Blackfriars, preached to the people from Eph. v. 8, 9; Mr. Knott
of Chatham, concluded in prayer, and preached in the evening. There was a
pleasing degree of solemnity, and those evident tokens of the Lord's presence,
through the whole of the opportunity, that it is hoped will be long remembered."
Details from The Evangelical Magazine for the year 1802 Volume 10,
T. Williams, London 1802, page 510.
• Pastor John Rogers attended the the Ordination of Pastor William Coleman
at Lessness Heath Baptist Church 26th of April, 1810, where he had assisted
in the setting in of the new Pastor following the sad death of the Church's
first Pastor Mr. B. S. Lloyd. The Reverend William Coleman had been
a supply Preacher up to then (from
"A Brief History of Free
Grace Baptist Church"). Also in the early 1830s the Pastor John
Rogers was instrumental at the creation of a Particular Baptist Church in
Maidstone, who assisted in the opening of the Church on the 26th June 1831
- The Baptist Magazine George Wightman, London 1831, page
431.
• John Rogers involvement in the Matfiled Green Church in 1815. On
April 26, 1815, Mr. Thomas Gladwish was ordained Pastor of the Particular
Baptist Church, at Matfield Green, near Brenchley, Kent. Mr. Martell, of
Burwash, commenced the service of the day. Mr. Stanger, of Bessels Green,
offered the Ordination Prayer, and addressed the Minister from Titus, ii.
1. Mr. Rogers, of Eynsford, preached to the people, from. Psalm cxviii. 25.
Mr. Martell preached in the afternoon, from Luke, xiv. 17. And Mr. Rogers
again in the evening, from Numb. xiii. 27. The Baptist Magazine Vol
VII, W. Button & Son, London 1815 - June 1815, Page 263.
• Eynsford Baptist Church was a founding member of what became the
Baptist Union, under the leadership of Pastor John Rogers; "The number
of the Baptist Magazine for June 1812 contains the following notices, under
the head Baptist Mission and Union. ' Since the meeting for the benefit of
the above mission was announced to take place on the 24th of June, it has
been thought necessary to procure a larger place of worship. It had been
fixed at Elim Chapel, Fetter Lane. The Dutch church, Austin Friars, has been
kindly granted for that purpose ; Mr. Fuller, the secretary, will make a
report of the state of the mission after each sermon. The services will commence
at eleven in the forenoon and six in the evening. The next morning, at eight
o'clock precisely, a meeting will be held at Dr. Rippon's meeting-house,
Carter Lane, to take into consideration the proposed measure for an annual
general association of the Particular Baptist Churches'." - A History
English Baptists: Comprising the Principal Events of the History of the
Protestant Dissenters During The Reign Of Geo. III And of the Baptist Churches
in London, with Notices of Many of the Principal Churches in the Country
during the Same Period. By Joseph Ivimey. Vol. IV. London: Isaac Taylor Hinton,
Warwick Square; and Holdsworth & Ball, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1830 London,
pages 123-124.
• A Report on the state of the Baptist Union in 1832, where John
Rogers was one of the main speakers: In 1832 the Union took a new lease
of life. A meeting was called to consider the outlook. It met just before
William Knibb delivered his address upon slavery in Jamaica. A chronicler
of the time says : " The extraordinary excitement of this meeting unfitted
most persons who were present for subsequent services." It was agreed to
ask for a return of the Churches and a comparison of their condition in 1790
and 1831. The speakers were Messrs. Smith, of Hford, Rogers, of Eynsford,
Shirley, of Sevenoaks, Thompson, and Upton. There was a deep note of
dissatisfaction when the return was published. It was clear that the denomination
had suffered much from the lack of necessary means of communication and
co-operation between the Churches. In 1790 there were three hundred and
thirty-four Churches and sixty-five pastors ; in 1831 there were nine hundred
and twenty Churches and two hundred and eighty-four pastors. The report adds
: "It is obvious that such a list as this can furnish but a very uncertain
criterion of the degree in which the Baptist denomination has been enlarged
during this term. In some cases the multiplication of Churches is an actual
diminution of strength. In many country places there were forty years ago
large and prosperous Churches, a considerable proportion of whose members
dwelt in surrounding villages, where now in each village there is a distinct
Church, but not an increase in the aggregate of members at all proportioned
to the increase in the number of Churches ; while, on the other hand, in
some districts in which the additional number of Churches is small, the increased
magnitude of each Church is very important." Mr. Hinton delivered an eloquent
address upon the gains of union, and the ministers passed resolutions pledging
themselves to support the attempt at federation. Rev. Alexander Maclaren,
D.D. , The Story Of The English Baptists, Related By John C. Carlile. James
Clarke & Co., 13 & 14 Fleet Street London, 1905, Pages, 219 - 220.
• Pastor John Rogers - working to the very end. Months before
he died, John Rogers was found involved in the setting in of new pastors,
according to this report;
WOOLWICH. On Wednesday, May 13. 1840, Mr. Chas. Box, was publicly recognized
as pastor of the first Baptist church, High Street, Woolwich, over which
Mr. Robert McGregor and Mr. William Culver had presided upwards of seventy
years, the former having been the honoured instrument of introducing the
gospel into this populous town. The services of the day were commenced with
the reading of the Scriptures and prayer by Mr. Williams of Grafton Street.
Mr. Bowes, of Blandford Street, described the nature of a Gospel Church.
Mr. Rogers of Eynesford asked the usual questions and received the confession
of faith of Mr. Box, who also briefly stated his Christian experience, his
call to the ministry, and his cheerful acceptance of the invitation of the
church. One of the deacons gave a statement of the leadings of divine providence
relative to the church from its formation to the present time. Mr. Cox of
Woolwich, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Shirley of Sevenoaks, delivered
the charge, and Mr. Woodland, (Independent) of Woolwich, concluded in
prayer.
In the evening, Mr. Francis, of Waterloo Road, commenced with reading and
prayer; Mr. Lewis, of Chatham, addressed the church; and Mr. De;Franc, of
Lutterworth, concluded in prayer. The attendance at both services was numerous,
upwards of twenty ministers were present, and it was hoped that the solemn
and interesting services will long be remembered with pleasure. The
Baptist Magazine, Volume XXXII (Series IV. Vol. III) George Wightman July
1840, page 371.
• The death of John Rogers and his wife. John Rogers died in
1840 (noted in; The Gospel Herald; or, Poor Christian's Magazine,
1865, Vol XXXIV, page114 - the date is recorded in Part
1 as September 20th). The news of his wife's death was given
as follows; April 6th, at Sutton-at-Hone, Kent aged 73, Mrs Rogers, relic
of the late Rev. John Rogers, many years pastor of the Baptist church, at
Eynsford. Her end was peace. She died as she lived, in the enjoyment of the
truths of the Gospel, which she had long known, advocated, and honoured
(from the Baptist Reporter and Missionary Intelligencer page 204 New
Series-Vol. V.
1848).
• The recollections of May Anne Hearn, known as Miss Marianne Farningham
(1834-1909) of Pastor John Rogers. Although but a child of 6 when John
Rogers died, her autobiography mentions the great influence he had;
"My father and mother were both members of the Baptist church at Eynsford,
a pretty village about a mile from Farningham. They were both Sunday school
teachers ; indeed, the life of the chapel was their life, and it became mine.
I have been told that when I was a month old, and my mother was able for
the first time to go to chapel, she took the baby too. It was customary to
have tea in the vestry. After tea the friends went into the chapel, and I
was laid, happily asleep, on the table in what was known as the " singing
pew," in which at the ordinary services the choir sat. As those who formed
the tea-party were interested in the new baby which had come to Joseph and
Rebecca, they held a prayer-meeting for the child. I have always had the
feeling that no baptismal service in any church, though performed by a priest,
assisted by godfathers and god-mothers, could have been a more real consecration
than that simple prayer-meeting in the village chapel. I was a "child of
many prayers," and delight to think friends prayed for me when for the first
time I entered a chapel.
The influence of this little dissenting church and its associations, not
only on my own early life, but on that of our neighbours, was very great.
Eynsford, through its agency, touched many other villages. It was a "Particular
Baptist Church," founded in 1775, and consisted at its formation of five
members, who were baptized in the Darent on a profession of their faith in
the Lord Jesus. |
Miss Mary Anne Hearn |
The influence of this little dissenting church and its associations, not
only on my own early life, but on that of our neighbours, was very great.
Eynsford, through its agency, touched many other villages. It was a "Particular
Baptist Church," founded in 1775, and consisted at its formation of five
members, who were baptized in the Darent on a profession of their faith in
the Lord Jesus. Its first meeting-house was a stable fitted up for the purpose.
Much opposition and persecution attended its inception, but the little cause
grew and flourished in spite of that. In 1802 a young Baptist minister became
its pastor, whose name, John Rogers, will be revered through all generations,
for he was one of the most distinguished of the Nonconformist ministers of
the time, a man of remarkable ability, of noble character and great power
and influence, richly endowed by the Spirit of God. Two years later a new
chapel was erected, which for a hundred years was the home of devotion and
love. The wife of Mr. Rogers was the sister of my Grandmother Hearn ; they
were both strong, sweet women, of considerable culture and striking mental
powers, both women of unflinching principles and strong convictions. I have
said that my grandmother was deaf, but she always attended the services,
and Mr. Rogers said she was his great helper, for while he preached she prayed,
"Save Thy people. Bless Thine inheritance." The church was absolutely
Calvinistic, as well as Particular Baptist. Other churches were judged to
be in error ; but Mrs. Rogers wanted to tell the people that every one who
would might be saved. It is curious to-day to remember what fierce fights
were once fought under the two banners of Calvinism and Free Will. I am ashamed
to say that the only recollection I have personally of Mr. Rogers is that
of his giving me some plums, pushed through his garden gate one at a time.
" Farningham, Marianne, "A Working Woman's Life, An Autobiography"
James Clarke, London 1907, pages 14-16 |
• Eynsford Baptist Church - and its involvement in the
abolition of slavery.
Under Pastor John Rogers, the Church at Eynsford was so concerned
about the issue of slavery, and the continued encouragement to that unjust
institution by some Baptist Churches in America, that they readily consented
to a meeting to be held at Eynsford Baptist Church. The minutes from the
meetings are as follows;
"At a Meeting of the Ministers and Messengers of the Kent and Sussex
Association of Particular Baptist churches, held at Eynsford, Kent, June
8, 1836, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :-
1. That deeply sympathizing with British Christians of every denomination
in the attention they feel compelled to give to the present state of slavery,
and the condition of the free people of colour in America, we deem it our
duty to avow our sentiments and feelings on that subject.
2. That, having learned with surprise and regret that slavery in its worst
forms is encouraged by many of the churches of America, and that ministers,
deacons, and private members of Baptist churches in that country equally
participate in this flagrant abomination and fearing that the intercourse
recently opened between those churches and our denomination in this country,
may be considered as implying our sanction of such inhuman and unholy conduct,
we feel it our duty to record our public protest against the iniquity, as
utterly at variance with every principle of Christianity.
3. That while we feel deeply interested in the prosperity of the American
churches, and would gladly co-operate in any measures calculated to promote
a more intimate union with them on scriptural principles, we feel it to be
our painful duty strongly to discountenance a participation in the hateful
crimes of slave-dealing and slave-holding, and in the practice of those churches
which make a difference of colour or condition a term of exclusion from the
Lord's table.
4. That we feel it to be our duty to afford every encouragement to the friends
of the abolition of slavery in America, and fervently to pray that those
churches which have partaken in the abomination may be convinced of their
sin, and be purified from offences so opposed to the spirit and injunction
of Him who came to give liberty to the captives.
5. That these resolutions be published in the circular letter, and advertised
in the Patriot newspaper.
WILLIAM SAVORY, Moderator."
Preserved in "Slavery in America", The Reverend Thomas Price D.D.
G. Wightman, London 1837, page 44. |
• The creation of Foots Cray Baptist Church. On the 25th October
1807, Mr William Hardiman Colyer first attended a Baptism at Eynsford and
responded to the Gospel. He then moved to the village of Foots Cray in 1811,
where he rented a house. He licensed the house for public worship. He also
preached at Mary Cray in an aged Deacon's House. When the Deacon died in
1813, the Paper Mill (Nash's) at Footscray was opened for "the Lord's service".
The Pastor of Eynsford, John Rogers, preached the first sermon there on the
occasion of the deacon's death. There Mr Colyer continued to preach for many
years beloved an honoured by his little flock until a Chapel was built. It
was on the death of his mother (circa 1830), he returned to Farningham. He
served at Eynsford Baptist Church, taking occasional turns to preach for
the Pastor. He opened his own house up for public worship in the Evening,
as then there was no Evening Service at Eynsford. His last sermon was on
the 12th May 1845 at Foots Cray, for their anniversary. He suffered a number
of strokes, which did not debilitate him too much, and he died on the 10th
September of that year (from The Gospel herald; or, Poor Christian's magazine,
1865, Vol XXXIV, pages 112-114). On the 24th March 1836, on that
land, the foundation stone of the Foots Cray Baptist
Church was laid, and the building opened for worship in August that year
(Foots Cray Baptist Website - no longer in existence).
• On Wednesday, August 24, 1836, a very neat new-built Baptist
Chapel was opened at Footscray, in Kent, when three Sermons were preached.
In the Morning, by Mr. W. H. Colyer, of Farningham ; in the Afternoon, by
Mr. W. G. Lewis, of Chatham ; and in the Evening, by Mr. Rogers, of Eynsford.
The services were well conducted; and the Chapel was crowded. There were
several lovers of truth from London; and it proved a refreshing season to
many of the Lord's family. The collections were handsome. The Spiritual
Magazine or Saints' Treasury Vol XII E. Palmer and Son, London September
1836, page 288.
• The third Pastor to Eynsford appears to have been the Reverend
W. C. Lewis. For the end of June 1841 he is listed as giving a donation to
the Baptist Missionary Society on behalf of Eynsford (Baptist Magazine
Vol XXXIII for August 1841 on page 432). Of Pastor Lewis there is
little in the way of recorded material, apart from a mention which states
he split the Church at Eynsford. There is a note in the biography on William
Hardiman Colyer which states; "In 1840, Mr Rogers died, and Mr C. did not
cordially unite with his successor, who soon divided Eynsford Church"
(from The Gospel herald; or, Poor Christian's magazine, 1865, Vol
XXXIV, page 114).
• The forth Pastor to Eynsford was in post by 1843; G .H. Whitbread.
The information in the Eynsford Church archives gives the name "G.
H. Whitehead", but the Baptist Magazines for 1843 and 1844, records
this as "G. H. Whitbread" and so this name is used in this
history (see Baptist Magazines; Vol XXXVI, November 1843, Houlston
and Stoneman London, page 583, and Vol XXXVI (Series IV. Vol. VII) Houlston
and Stoneman, London. September 1844, page 468). In 1854, G. H. Whitbread
is noted in a list a Baptist Ministers in England (Baptist Magazine
1854 Pages 791 - 800) as being the Pastor for
Ashford Baptist Church.
The Baptist Magazine, Houlston and Stonemen, Volume XLVI (Series IV.,
VOL. XVII) December 1854, Supplement 1854, page 800, and Volume XLVII (Series
IV., VOL. XVIII) December 1855, Supplement for 1855, page 788.
• The Reverend William Reynolds, who became Eynsford's fifth Pastor
in 1846, possessed a chequered history. He was born on the 19th of February,
1788. At 25 years of age, he was baptised by the Pastor Keeble, of Blandford
Street, London, and received into the fellowship of the church on the first
Lord's day in April, 1813. In the year 1811 he had married Miss Mary Mason,
who had also become a member of the same church. She was a person of great
discernment, eminently spiritually minded, and proved a very valuable companion.
In the month of July, 1817, he began to speak in the name of the Lord. The
church having invited him to speak before them with a view to the public
ministry. He continued to preach to them twice or thrice every month, to
the end of November, when they gave him a cordial and unanimous call to the
ministerial office, saying, 'Go. preach the gospel wherever the Lord shall
send you.'
In the month of February, 1818, he was called to preach at Ipswich, Suffolk,
to a few members from each of the Baptist Churches there (Stoke Green and
Salem), who were united in church fellowship, and met for worship in a chapel
originally built for the Methodist body. In the month of November following
he was unanimously elected to the pastoral office, and was publicly set apart
on the tenth of that month, when Mr. Keeble delivered a very impressive charge
from 2 Tim. ii, 7. For a short time the church prospered ; nine persons were
baptised, three of whom were given as seals to his ministry; but a prospect
fair was blighted, discord entered, which ultimately proved the overthrow
of the church. The doors were closed, and the chapel converted into dwelling
houses. A lamentable fact!
At this time the Baptist Church at Wattisham, Suffolk, was without a pastor,
and invited Mr. Reynolds to supply for them four Lord's days, in December,
1819. The cause of Christ there, at that time, was very low, the congregation
consisted of only fifty or sixty persons, the church was divided, and the
chapel very dilapidated. Through his work because the congregation had greatly
increased, in the summer of 1820 the Church cordially and unanimously invited
Mr Reynolds to the Pastoral office which he accepted. The old chapel became
too straight to contain those who flocked to Zion's holy gates, and,
consequently, it was resolved to remove the old building and erect a new
one on the same site, which was done, and opened for divine service, August
2nd, 1826, when the late Mr. John Stevens of London, and Mr. C. Elven of
Bury, preached.
Now related is an important part of Mr. Reynolds's history: In
the early part of the year 1829 he received a letter from the Baptist Church
at Hull, inviting him to supply them for a month. He offered three Sundays,
to this proposal they assented, and Mr. Reynolds named the arrangement to
one of his deacons, who acquiesced. When the time came for him to go to Hull,
he found all the deacons, except the aforesaid, unacquainted with his intention,
he having forgotten to name it to his brethren in office. They, consequently,
were much surprised, and one of them strongly opposed it. This gave rise
to much misunderstanding and contention. Mr. Reynolds felt his mind wounded
and hastily came to the conclusion that the Lord was saying unto him,
'Depart hence'. Then from the church at Hull he received a pressing
invitation to go and preach the gospel to them, and on the 29th of December,
1829, he started from Wattisham for that place. When he calmly considered
the past, he felt convinced that he had greatly erred in removing from that
place, where his labour had been so signally blessed, and greatly feared
the Lord would chastise him for the same ; nor were his fears groundless,
as he was never again so happy in his work, nor his ministry so useful. How
needful is it that the Christian, and especially the minister of the gospel,
should act with caution, as one wrong step, although overruled for some good,
may prove a lasting source of sorrow.
In the beginning of the year 1832 he removed to Willingham, Cambridgeshire,
having received an invitation from the church there. He found them in a very
divided and unhappy state. Hoping, however, that a brighter scene would dawn,
he continued until May 1833, when he left, not without having had some tokens
of the divine blessing on his ministry. In the month of July following, the
Lord directed his steps to Sudbury, Suffolk, where the church was very low,
the people had been scattered, and there was a debt of two hundred pounds
on the chapel. Everything looked gloomy, but to prevent the chapel from being
closed (which was then feared), he determined, in dependence on the Lord,
to go there, and continue until the Michaelmas, which he did; the congregation
increased during that time, and signs of usefulness appeared. He continued
to labour there until the year 1837, and during the four years twenty-eight
persons were baptised, the pewing of the chapel was completed, a vestry added,
a small burying ground purchased, and the old debt reduced to one hundred
and fifty pounds. Pecuniary circumstances, however, induced Mr. Reynolds
to remove from this sphere of labour, as he found if he continued there he
must be prepared to make further sacrifices, which he was unwilling to do,
having already expended a considerable sum, which he had received from a
private source.
The Baptist Church at Clare was it that time without a pastor, and in the
summer of 1838 they gave Mr. Reynolds a unanimous invitation to the pastorate,
which he accepted, and continued there until the summer of 1841. During the
early part of his ministry at that place, the preached word was greatly blessed,
sinners were born of God, and believers greatly edified and established in
the great truths of the gospel ; but the spirit of contention entered the
church, and after a stay of just four years, Mr. Reynolds resigned his office
as pastor.
On his removal from Clare, he was called to preach the gospel at London Street,
Greenwich, and afterwards at Eynsford, Kent. At both these places for a time
the word was blessed. At Greenwich he was called to sustain a severe loss
in the decease of his wife, who died November 3rd, 1843. In the year 1846,
when at Eynsford, he again married, and his new young wife proved a great
comfort to him in his long affliction and declining age, but who was left
with an infant charge to mourn his loss. In the year 1851 he removed to Otley,
in Suffolk, but after a very brief stay there he removed to March, in the
Isle of Ely, Cambs. Here he preached in the old chapel, called 'The Tabernacle,'
where he found the prospect very gloomy. The church consisted of only nine
persons, and the congregation reduced to fifty. He was favoured there to
gather a congregation, and to see a Lord's-day school established, numbering
seventy children. But in the commencement of the year 1855 he was taken with
loss of memory whilst preaching, which his medical adviser treated as apoplexy.
It being now evident that a long time must elapse before he would be able
again to resume his public duties, in the month of June he resigned the pastoral
office. He then removed to Stowmarket, Suffolk, where one of his daughters
resided, hoping that change of air, and rest, would be the means of restoring
his health. The Benevolent Society, for the relief of aged ministers and
their widows, in that county, having kindly voted him the sum of forty pounds
towards his support. For a time he appeared to rally. He was enabled to preach
several times at Wattisham, Rattlesden, and other places in the latter part
of the year 1855, and the commencement of the year 1856. The last Lord's
day he was publicly engaged was at Wattisham, on the 4th of May, when in
the morning he preached from John xiv, 6 ; in the afternoon administered
the Lord's Supper ; and in the evening preached from Rev. xxii, 5. The last
sermon he delivered was on the evening of the 7th of May, at Stowmarket,
from Rom. xiii, 11, when he felt very unwell, and quite unfit for the service.
Thus ended his ministry, after being upheld for thirty-eight years as a faithful
preacher of Christ's gospel, having delivered nearly nine thousand sermons
! From that time his health rapidly declined; disease had taken a strong
hold of him, which baffled the skill of his medical advisers. His affliction
was a very painful one; at times his pains were distressing. His nervous
system, also, was much affected, so that his mind was often beclouded, which
was a source of great sorrow to him. However, he frequently enjoyed the
conversation of Christian friends, and often testified the truths of the
gospel he had so long preached were the solace and support of his mind, and
although he had not that amount of enjoyment he desired, he felt satisfied
of his interest in the Great Redeemer. During the latter part of August the
symptoms of his complaint became much more alarming, and after being confined
to his bed rather more than a week, he fell asleep in Jesus on the 6th of
September, 1856 (from The Gospel herald; or, Poor Christian's magazine
Vol XXV. Vol III New Series Houlson and Wright London, MDCCCLVII, pages
17-20).
• One report of William Reynolds' ministry in Eynsford is as follows;
Eynsford, Kent,—Mr. W. Reynolds baptized four persons on Lord's-day,
October 4th, in the presence of a large and devout congregation, when the
following hymn was sung:—
1. Jesus in this thy house of prayer,
Thy humble followers see;
In thy dear name assembled here,
To shew their love to thee. |
2. Thy love to us did freely flow,
When suffering on the tree ;
Then may onr hearts with ardour glow,
And shew our love to thee. |
3. May each with holy rapture say,
" O, why such love to me ?"
By this constrained, without delay,
We shew our love to thee. |
4. Drawn by thy lore we upward rise,
From legal bondage free ;
Thy holy precepts now we prize,
And shew our love to thee. |
|
5. May body, soul, and spirit too,
To thee devoted be ;
Rejoicing, may we onward go,
And shew our love to thee. |
|
To hear the hymn tune click on the speaker
below
|
Frater. The Baptist Reporter and Missionary Intelligencer new
Series—Vol. III (whole Series—Vol. XX.) Edited by Joseph Foulkes
Winks 1846 Simpkin, Marshall and Co., London. page 500.
• The sixth Pastor to Eynsford was Jonathan Whittemore: EYNSFORD,
KENT. On Tuesday, July 6th, the Rev. J. Whittemore, late of Rushden,
Northamptonshire, was publicly recognized as the pastor of the Baptist church
meeting at Eynsford, Kent. The interesting services of the day were introduced
by reading the scriptures and prayer, by the Rev. J. Cox, of Woolwich, Kent;
the Rev. G. Hall, of Ipswich, delivered a very lucid discourse on the nature
and constitution of a christian church, and proposed the usual questions;
the Rev. C. H. Hosken, of Crayford, Kent, offered the recognition prayer;
the Rev.J. Peacock, of Spencer-place, London, delivered the charge to the
minister, from Rev. ii. 10 j the Rev. W. A. Blake, of Shoulham-street, London,
addressed the members of the church; and the Rev. R. Hammond, of Town
Malling.Kent, preached in the evening from Matthew xxiv. 14. The Revs. Messrs.
Wallis, of Bexley Heath, Pearce, of Lessness Heath, Kent, and Geary, of London,
assisted in the devotional exercises of the day.
The Church. Vol. VI. M.DCCC.LII (1852) London: Simpkin, Marshall,
& Co., Arthur Hall & Co., Page 252.
Here is the story of Rebecca Hearn who joined the Sunday School under
the ministry of Pastor Jonathan Whittemore; The young friend, of whom
I would give you a brief memoir, resided at Farningham, Kent. At a very early
age she was a scholar in Eynsford baptist sabbath school, and continued so
until her declining health prevented. About fifteen months before her death,
she became very anxious for her soul's salvation, and was led to the footstool
of the Saviour, where she sought and obtained mercy. In a letter to a very
dear friend she says, " I trust I have been enabled to decide for Christ;
I do feel willing to give up all for him. The world has many temptations,
but there is nothing in it worth fixing our love upon. No, all my love shall
be the .Lord's, for he alone is altogether lovely to my soul; and it is my
desire and prayer that I may always feel as I do now."
She had been the child of many prayers, and this change was hailed by her
friends with much thankfulness ; for they looked forward to the time when
they should have the joy of seeing her devoted to the cause of Christ, and
a blessing to his church. But He, whose thoughts are not as our thoughts,
had appointed otherwise ; for in the early part of the year, which began
with so many bright hopes for the future, symptoms of consumption
(Tuberculosis or TB) appeared - the disease which had before
removed her dear mother and brother to the eternal world.
She had a very strong desire to be united with the Lord's people, and her
name was introduced to the church, when the friends expressed their willingness
and desire to receive her, should her strength ever be equal to the ordinance
of baptism. But it never was; and when next it was administered, she had
joined the church above. During her long illness she was not heard to express
a desire to recover. " I am willing either to live or die, as best pleases
my father in heaven," was language often on her lips; and sometimes she added,
" but I think I would rather go."
The day before her death, many friends called to see her; several of whom,
in prayer, commended her departing spirit into the hands of the Lord Jesus.
She was too weak to talk much, but the little she said proved her to be resting
on the Rock of Ages. She sent her love to her class-mates, with the hope
that she might meet them in heaven. She requested her friends to read to
her from Drummond's " Peace for the Dying Christian," and seemed much to
enjoy it. Her breathing now became very difficult; and the restlessness of
death was upon her. " This is hard work," she said; "but there is rest in
heaven." A few hours afterwards, on Oct. 26, 1853, she entered that glorious
rest, aged 17 years ; and is now, we hope and believe, " absent from the
body, but present with the Lord." - The Baptist Children's Magazine
and Youth Missionary Repository Vol III New Series, Piper, Stephenson &
Co London 1853, pages 120-122.
• Jonathan Whittemore, pastor to Eynsford Baptist Church died
on Wednesday, 31st October 1860, whilst still serving in his ministry. His
remains were interred in the Abbey Park Cemetery, on the 5th November. The
Rev'd W. A. Blake of Shouldham Street conducted the service. On the following
Lord's day a service was held at Eynsford where he had laboured for so long.
Psalm xlvi: 10 was chosen by his widow [from The Primitive Church
(or Baptist) Magazine, Vol XVII, Arthur Hall & Co. London, 1860, page
282]. Before becoming Pastor to Eynsford he had been Pastor to the
Old Baptist Church, Rushden, Northamptonshire [The Church Vol VIII,
M.DCCC.LIV, J Heaton & Son, Leeds, page 196].
• J. M. Camp the seventh Pastor of Eynsford accepted the pastorate
of the Church at Parson's Hill, Woolwich in 1871 (Baptist Magazine
1871, page 256).
• Pastor George Brooks Richardson who had been Pastor from 1882
- 1892, had been previously Pastor to Charlbury and Chadlington see under
Richardson;
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~malcolm/genuki/big/eng/OXF/Charlbury/kibble.txt
• In the November of 1895, the Rev. George Brooks Richardson
accepted the charge of the
Battle Baptist Church
[East Sussex] for 12 months, not, however, removing into
the district from Hastings. Mr. Richardson was at Chadlington and Charlbury
1876-82. Eynsford 1882-92, and after leaving Battle, at Arlington 1900-1908.
He was educated at the Metropolitan College.
A
History of Battle Baptist Church by The Rev F W Butt-Thompson and Others
Page 22. |
Eynsford Christian Fellowship
(Baptist)
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