Robert Piper.' Three other memorandums of public interest occur, and with them the record closes-' July 17, 1755. Six of the trustees being dead, the undermentioned persons were nominated and appointed trustees of the meeting, viz. Mr. Brice Wakeford, Mr. Jere Bunny, Mr. Jos. Smith; appointed by us, the surviving trustees : Jac. Bunny, Henry Overton, Robert Piper, Jos. Wakeford, Joseph Waight.'-' Aug. 24, 1761. This day delivered to Mr. Joseph Wakeford, the writings of ye house Mr. Cummin now inhabits, which house was purchased for a dwelling-house, for ye minister (for ye time being of ye Desenting Congregation in And') and to continue as such for ever, or as long as there shall be any minister to ye Desenting Congregation formerly known by the name of Independent. The purches money was £182. J. Bunny.' -July 18, 1788. Seven of the trustees being dead, the undermentioned persons were nominated and appointed trustees of the meeting: Mr. Wm. S. Wakeford, Mr. Jere Bunney, Mr. Bayley Silver, Mr. James Matthews, Mr. Benjamin Bezer. Appointed by me, the surviving trustee, July 18, 1788. Jos. Smith.'— Dr. Cumming was succeeded in the pastoral office, by the Rev. Thomas Eisdell, now of Twyford, Berks. He remained here for sixteen years, during which period no records are preserved. In a note addressed to the compiler of this narrative, bearing date Jan. 19, 1830, Mr. Eisdell thus writes: 'by a concurrence of circum stances, I was induced to settle at Andover, in Sep. 1790. The state of religion was then exceedingly low; the congregation varying in number from thirty to fifty; the number of church members, eight; the want of pious feeling more to be lamented than the want of numbers. The little of ecclesiastical business that had been done, had been done according to the presbyterian habits of their preceding pastor, Dr. Cumming. I thought it right to introduce, gradually, the Congregational plan, that the people might be induced to feel an interest in the general good. Some apparent revival followed, which was soon after checked by the flagrant inconsistency, and subsequent apostacy of some individuals.' Since then, I trust the cause of truth and godliness has been progressive. The Rev. Lewis Winchester, now of Worthing, from the academy at Gosport, was the next pastor. He settled in January, 1807; was ordained August, 1808; and resigned Nov. 1813. During his residence, a considerable revival of religion took place, and twenty-three persons were added to the church, which at the time of Mr. W's. settlement, consisted of but ten members. 'About this time, a small chapel at Ludgershall was erected, and regularly supplied with lay agents from Andover.' After Mr. W's. resignation, the pulpit was variously supplied till September, 1814, when a unanimous call was given to the Rev. Wm. Seaton, who shortly afterwards removed hither. His labours were attended with con siderable success; two side galleries were erected in the meeting-house, in addition to the front gallery, which had been previously put up; the gospel was successfully introduced into several of the neighbouring villages, especially Abbott's Ann, where great opposition was encountered; and in the space of four years, forty-four members were added to the church. Mr. Seaton resigned the charge at the close of 1818." CHAPTER VI. Memorials of the Congregational Church at Andover, in its connexion with the persecution of 1815. Signal rescue from threatened destruction demands a corresponding remembrance. Even heathen mariners of antiquity were wont to commemorate escape from shipwreck, by suspending some votive tablet, together with their moist garments, in the temple of their supposed deliverer. As an expression of gratitude for divine interposition during a conflict for the truth; as a stimulus to confide in Him who has promised ever to break in pieces the oppressor; and to preserve from oblivion, among the children of the con gregation, the sufferings of their ancestors; the following momento of the persecution at Abbott's Ann is given.* * Nearly all the persecutors are now dead, and of those living, the writer is not aware that any reside in the village. About this time, a member of the congregational church at Andover, who carried on the business of a blacksmith, at Abbott's Ann, feeling for the spiritually benighted state of his village, determined to open his house for the preaching of the gospel. He obtained the assistance of Mr. Seaton and other pious friends from Andover, to conduct the service. So unusual an event was not likely to pass unnoticed. Irrepressible curiosity was soon excited as to who attended this 'gospel shop,' as it was termed, what was the nature of the service, and above all, what was the religion taught. Gross darkness covered the people. Some who attended were unable to fathom the simple preaching of the word, and, on coming out, would ask what it could mean. So true is it, that the natural man understandeth not the things of the Spirit. The saying of the inquisitive Athenean was on many a lip, "may we not know what this new doctrine whereof thou speakest is? for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean.” Whilst this curiosity drew overflowing audiences, and led to happy results in some individuals, it aroused the worst of passions in others. These meetings were the commencement of a scene truly tragic. 66 Let the smith speak for himself. People until now that had been friendly did not speak to us. Tramps and sailors were sent to our house to abuse us |