CHAPTER X.

BUILDING A CHAPEL CONTEMPLATED, COMMENCEMENT OF CHURCH OF ENGLAND SERVICES AT THE COMMON,

CHAPEL COMPLETED, AND OTHER INFORMATION.

THE spiritual state of the poor at the Common having so much improved, and their attendance on public worship having become so regular and full, it became manifest that better religious outward accommodations were urgently wanted. The cottage in the afternoon (though large) was crowded almost to suffocation. The chapel in Bread-street was in some respects exceedingly inconvenient and uncomfortable, being always very damp and cold. It also did not belong to us, it was borrowed-so that we never knew how long we might be permitted to hold it. Moreover, a most pressing application was made for the use of it, when most wanted, namely, Sabbath afternoons, there being only about forty school children then occupying it, which was refused us. [I have before stated that no religious denomination felt disposed to help us yet.] For years I had applied to the clergy of the established church, stating the imperative call which had long been existing for more religious instruction among the numerous poor at the Commonbut all in vain-nothing was done by them. The whole work therefore exclusively devolved on us: it appeared that we alone must act, and thoughts began to arise in our hearts that we must have a chapel of our own. The population was supposed to be continually increasing, and everything shewed that a powerful permanent ministry should be established there. But first, before any new step was taken, I thought it advisable

to adopt the following plan. A new vicar having been recently appointed to this parish, I felt it my duty immediately to communicate to him my views on the subject, the same as I had often done to his predecessors; stating that such was the urgency of the case, if he did not immediately attend to the spiritual wants of the poor of Warminster Common, he would surely be "provoked to jealousy by a foolish people."

"Feb. 15th, 1826, I received the following answer. 'Mr. D. desires his compliments to you, he fully intended to have called this morning, but is obliged to leave the town, will call as early as possible to thank you for the great good which he has heard you have done, and are still endeavouring to do, at the Common. As soon as he comes to reside here, he intends to turn his attention more immediately to the spiritual improvement of the Common.' This was

the first minister of the establishment that ever responded to the important call. My heart greatly rejoiced, and immediately I gave humble and hearty thanks to God Almighty, and prayed thus,- Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, grant, I humbly beseech Thee, that this man may come here anointed with the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, and be endued with great power from on high. Let him be Thy true ambassador,-Thy living epistle, known and read of all men. And then I hope that I shall receive him into the arms of my affection, with no small degree of christian joy and gratitude, and be always ready to assist him to the uttermost of my power in thy blessed work.'

"April 2nd, 1826. The said new vicar (Rev. Mr. D.) began to preach at the Common in the evening, at the workhouse, at nearly the same time as we had our service, and not far distant. (I was not consulted). I am bold to affirm that this was the first church of England service ever performed on a Sunday at Warminster Common, from the foundation of the world. A good congregation attended-some of his

hearers went from the town, and great joy was produced in all. This kind and prompt attention to the said call, gave at once an entire new and pleasing aspect to spiritual affairs at the Common, and we began to question in ourselves whether, now, there being such efficient help at hand, we ought not to leave the whole management in his able and zealous hands, and henceforth desist from what we had been accustomed to do. Great searchings of heart were felt on this occasion, much prayer offered, and the best advice taken thereon from the most judicious and pious of both churchmen and dissenters. Their united answer was-'Go on as you did before, if the people will come and hear you it is your duty to preach to them; if they all leave your chapel and go to hear Rev. Mr. D., your work is done-your call is ended.' I took this advice as the Lord's message to me, and again went forward in the work as well as I could, feeble enough of course, but still advancing: and strange to tell, our cause instead of being weakened by this new movement was actually strengthened and confirmed thereby the two services helping each other greatly and causing a new, general, and laudable religious excitement throughout the Common and neighbourhood, and great good appeared to be doing: therefore our previously-concerted plan as to obtaining a chapel of our own, received no check hereby, but rather a confirmation. Moreover, be it known herein, that the new church service was only once on the sabbath, and the people's wants required it three times at least. This fact was unquestionable

The church service at the workhouse having been found to answer exceedingly well, it was thought advisable on the part of the vicar and his friends, to apply to the parish authorities for leave permanently to use the said workhouse for the said purpose; or, at least, till a better place of worship could be provided. I was at the vestry-meeting when the subject was brought forward, and strange to tell, when a motion was made "that the vicar be permitted to go on to use the

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workhouse at the Common, for a place of worship,' no one would second the motion ! Astounded at the apathy, if not enmity, manifested on the occasion, and fearing that the motion would be lost, notwithstanding every one present excepting myself was what is called a churchman, I instantly addressed the meeting almost or quite indignantly, (although I was their servant at the time and perhaps ought to have held my peace,) and said, 'What, is there no one present that will second the motion that Mr. D. might have the workhouse to preach in?' All were silent! 'Then,' said I, 'I will second it!' and so I did, and it is entered in the vestry order-book by myself, May 3rd, 1826. 'But remember,' said they, whatever alterations he may make, he shall alter back again, when called by the vestry so to do.' And alterations in very deed were needed, for the place he had to preach in was scarcely fit for a stable; it was so dismally low, dark, and damp, that it is a wonder how he or his hearers could escape injury whenever they attended there. Be it also further known that all that was done by him here was pure christian charity there was no earthly compensation ever desired or awarded for this important labor of love. My prayer is and shall be "The Lord grant that he may find mercy for it in that day.' Truly it may be said he was no hireling here; verily he never ate the bread of idleness at Warminster Common."

"August 31st, 1826. This day Mr. Cox and myself finished another perambulation of the whole parish, to see what bibles and testaments were wanted amongst the poor. We distributed about thirty-five testaments, chiefly at the Common; and now we can say again that we believe there is not a poor family in the whole parish but has a good bible or testament in it. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! The poor were all thankful for our visit-several are beginning to subscribe for bibles: we cannot therefore doubt of their still further improvement. We universally found that where the scriptures were most plentiful, there

cleanliness and good order appeared. Those families who were entirely destitute, were generally in a most wretched state as it respects outward circumstances."

"He that makes it his business to watch providences, shall never want a providence to watch."-FLAVEL.

"Arise, get thee to Zarephath-behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."-1 KINGS xvii. 9.

"And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come to draw water: let it come to pass that the damsel to whom I shall say, let down thy pitcher I pray thee, that I may drink; let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac. And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that behold Rebekah came."-GENESIS xxiv. 12-15.

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DIARY. "The latter part of this year I was called upon to survey a large quantity of oak timber intended for the use of government. occupied six weeks of my time. Never in all my life had I greater reason to acknowledge and adore a kind and gracious providence. Before I entered on the said employment, as it was likely to last for some time, it was very desirable of course, for me to procure private lodgings, more especially as this was the first time in my life of being so long absent from my home; and a residence at an inn would have been both expensive and highly disagreeable, if not dangerous to my spiritual welfare. My business was chiefly confined to a nobleman's park and his estates in that neighbourhood. Every effort to obtain private accommodation seemed fruitless: my employer, a gentleman of great influence, could not succeed. So far, therefore, as human discernment could extend, the case seemed altogether hopeless. As usual, I at once carried the matter to my long-known and neverfailing friend and refuge-the great and adorable Lord of heaven and earth. A way was soon opened.