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MINISTERS.
REV. ABRAHAM BOOTH, (1734-1806), was a framework-knitter, school-master and preacher, at Sutton in Ashfield, but his residence is also given as Huthwaite, Blackwell, and Annesley, He became famous as a preacher among the Baptists, and would walk to Nottingham, preach twice, and return walking (24 miles). He, in 1768, wrote a book called "The Reign of Grace," which passed through thirteen editions and is still extant, and has a beautiful flowing style. He became a minister in London, where he laboured thirty-five years, and wrote other books. A man with a large head, clear thought, and strong constitution.
REV. GEORGE WALKER, (d. 1807, aged 72). He, in 1774, became minister of High Pavement Chapel, Nottingham, and so continued twenty-five years. Having written some scientific works he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He took an active part in literary matters, political movements in favour of liberty, the abolition of religious tests in England, and slavery abroad. He was distinguished as an eloquent pulpit orator, having extensive knowledge and a strong understanding. He published four volumes of sermons on the Great Truths and Principles of Christianity. He compiled "a collection of Psalms and Hymns.", He helped to form the High Pavement Charity School.
In 1798 he removed to Manchester where he became Theological Professor at New College.
REV. WILLIAM CAREY, (1761-1834), D.D., was not a Notts man; he was born at Paulers Pury, in Northamptonshire, but "The Authoritative Biography of the Founder of Modern Christian Missions—William Carey—by his great-grandson, S. Pearse Carey, M.A." describes the conference of seventeen ministers who journeyed to Nottingham on horseback, and put up at "The Angel," "the largest inn in the wide marketplace," and assembled at the Baptist Chapel, in Friar Lane, on May 30th and 31st, 1792. William Carey preached "The Deathless Sermon," from Isaiah LIV, verses 2 and 3, "Enlarge the place of thy tent," to the words, "Fear not," his leading thoughts being (1) "Expect great things from God;" (2) "Attempt great things for God;'' which discourse resulted in the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society, and the author says, "What was said and done that week in the humble meeting house has had profounder issues for God and man than even the French Revolution, and is acclaimed by the discerning as the glory of Nottingham." p. 86.
William Carey, the village shoemaker, became a local preacher, a village pastor, and later a minister at Leicester, and when he was thirty-three years of age he went as a missionary to India, and there, after a five months voyage, he spent forty years, during which, in addition to his missionary work he translated the most precious portions of God's Word into thirty-four languages (p. 410) and became Oriental Professor at Fort. William College, Calcutta.
He was small in stature, but a giant in work.
REV. RICHARD ALLIOTT, (1769-1840), was in 1794 appointed minister of Castle Gate Chapel, Nottingham, where he remained forty-six years, during which the membership rose from forty-one members to three hundred, and the congregation to one thousand. He was active in promoting the London Missionary Society and the Nottingham Sunday School Union. His son, the Rev. R. Alliott, Junr., LL.D., became assistant minister in 1830.
REV. JOSEPH BEAUMONT, (1794-1856), M.D., was born at Castle Donington. As a youth he spent some of his time in a chemist shop, but decided to become a Wesleyan Minister, and while stationed at Edinburgh he obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He laboured in two circuits in succession in Nottingham, and was one of the preachers at the opening services of the big Wesley Chapel in 1839. He published a Life of Mrs. Mary Tatham of Nottingham. He suffered from an impediment in his speech, which he overcame by having a false roof to his mouth, and by great pains and persistency his voice became powerful and agreeable. To a lively imagination he added much literary culture, a thorough knowledge of his Bible, and with an impassioned eloquence his sermons went right home, and were remembered for many years.
He was conducting a service at Hull, and while announcing the lines,
"Thee while the great archangel sings
He hides his face behind his wings,"
as the people were singing the second line he sank, dropped, and without a sound passed away, in his sixty-first year.
"They looked ! he was dead !
His spirit had fled,
Painless and swift as his own desire.
The soul stript of her mortal vest
Had stepped on the car of heavenly fire,
And proved how bright
Were the realms of light
Bursting at once upon his sight."
REV. J. A. BAYNES, B.A., (1822-1884), was the first minister of Derby Road, Nottingham, Baptist Chapel, and for his ministry the building was erected, (1849-1850) costing with the school rooms when completed £9,439. He was born at Wellington, Somerset, and trained at Stepney College. The congregation to which he ministered when he came to Nottingham was a split off, or swarm, from the George Street Chapel, and included a number of thoughtful, active, and prominent men, assembling in hired buildings. Mr. Baynes was a man with wider outlook and sympathies beyond the average minister. With great fluency of speech, with enthusiastic energy, with a smiling manner, and with an extraordinary memory, it was a charm to hear him. He could repeat psalms, and chapters, and prayers without turning to a book. His prayers were not cold or formal, or limited to the congregation there assembled, but warm and wide, and as he was very fond of the prayers in the Book of Common Prayer, he incorporated with his own the Prayer "for all conditions of men," or the "General Thanksgiving," or a collect, without break or book. He was a friend of Charles Kingsley, who visited him. He lectured extensively in Nottingham and far distant towns. Layard's "Discoveries in Nineveh," was one of his favourite subjects, illustrated with many charts, and halls were filled by audiences held by his illuminations. But he worked and travelled excessively, and after five years service in Nottingham the light went out, and in thirty-one years afterwards was never recovered.
REV. BENJAMIN CARPENTER, (d. 1860, aged 64) in 1822 became the Minister of High Pavement Chapel, Nottingham, and so continued thirty-eight years. One of his students was Philip J. Bailey, author of "Pestus." In 1861 he published "Some account of the original introduction of Presbyterianism in Nottingham and the neighbourhood, with a brief history of the Society of Protestant Dissenters assembling on .the High Pavement of that Town." He was a man of kindly spirit, cautious, thoughtful, helpful, without bitterness, disliking controversy, exalting character in the individual and service in the community.
REV. SAMUEL McALL, (1807-88) was Minister of Castle Gate Chapel, Nottingham, from 1843 to 1860, during which time schools were built, and Albion Chapel, Sneinton, established. The Scots Greys were stationed in the Barracks, and Mr. McAll, as their Chaplain, preached to them every Sunday in the Riding School, until they, in 1854, went to the Crimean War. He gave monthly lectures at united services, a volume of which was published in 1850. These were deeply impressive to young people, and long remembered. He knew all the poor people of the district where he lived, and was very generous to them, being an assiduous pastor. He left to become theological tutor of Hackney College.
REV. W. R. STEVENSON, M.A., (1823-1889) was educated at Nottingham Grammar School, and at University College, London, where he took his B.A. and M.A. degrees. He also studied at the Baptist Theological College, then in Leicester. He was Minister of Broad Street Baptist Church, Nottingham, 1851-1876, and of Chelsea Street 1878-1885. He was also Classical and Mathematical tutor at Chilwell Baptist College, 1858-1875. A man of cultivated mind and wide sympathies, a lifelong abstainer, and the first minister in Nottingham to adopt and aid the Temperance and Band of Hope movement.
He was a Hymnologist and edited "The Baptist Hymnal," and "The School Hymnal," and was a contributor to Julian's "Dictionary of Hymnology." (Bonner).
REV. CLEMENT CLEMANCE, (1829-95), B.A., D.D., was the minister of Castle Gate Chapel, Nottingham, from 1860 to 1875. He organized an extensive committee of workers for visitation, cottage services, etc., the result being that the building erected in 1689, and repeatedly enlarged, was soon found too small. A new one was opened in 1864, costing £7,362, and a large number of persons were added to the church. His health gave way, and he resigned, but continued his ministry elsewhere. He died in London, and was buried in Abney Park Cemetery.
REV. EDWARD MEDLEY, B.A., was born at Liverpool, and early became a Sunday School teacher, and preacher in Mission stations, at the same time gaining a business experience. In 1865 he entered Regent's Park College, took the London B.A. degree, and in 1867 became pastor of a church in London, and a member of the Baptist Missionary Committee. In 1876 he became the minister of Nottingham Derby Road Chapel, and so continued fifteen years, during which he took part in various philanthropic undertakings, such as The Refuge, The Orphanage, The Hospital, etc. He afterwards removed to Clapton, and later occupied the chair of Apologetics and Church History, at Regent's Park College. His wife was Miss Emily Grey Birrell, sister of the Right Hon. Augustine Birrell, M.P., Q.C., and she took an active part in the Young Women's Guild, and secured the services of many able lecturers.
It was during the ministry of Mr. Medley that the high water mark in regard to the number of members at Derby Road Chapel was reached, there being in 1887 442. There were in 1881 in the Sunday Schools 56 teachers, and 764 scholars, including 185 in the Young Men's classes, and a useful mission work was carried on at Independent Street.
REV. ROBERT DAWSON, (1836-1906), was a Congregational Minister at Devizes, in Wiltshire, who seeing a circular issued by Dr. Paton stating that he wanted a minister to come to a place where there was great need and a great opening, but no church, or building, or salary, and five years work required without fee or reward, was, it is said, so impressed that he gave up what was equal to £500 a year and volunteered, for he had private means, and began preaching in the open air in Nottingham. St. Ann's Well Road Chapel was built for him, and he continued twenty years. The Secretaryship of the London City Mission became vacant, and Mr. Samuel Morley nominated Mr. Dawson, who, however, declined to leave his church. Mr. Morley replied that there would be no application needed, no testimonials, and asked,—if he was elected would he submit? To this he agreed, and went and served the London City Mission with vigour for many years. (L.C.M. cir.).
He was accustomed to hire a cab, drive to the place he wanted, mount the driver's seat, and preach therefrom.
REV. JAMES FLANAGAN, (1851-1918), West Bridgford, was the son of a wild Irishman, a clay pipe manufacturer, at Mansfield, who shortened his days by intemperance. His mother was an Edwinstowe girl— nee Robinson—a gentle soul, who upon her husband's death was plunged in poverty. James was her sixth child, and in early years he was sent to work in a coal pit, and took to evil ways, but attending a service at the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Ilkeston he was converted, and his conversion was vital and thorough. He had now (aged twenty-one) actually to learn to read and write, and till late at nights he studied grammar, and books of an elevating tendency. He then joined a mission band for out door preaching, learned how to give his testimony, and became a local preacher, holding short missions, which were successful. He was engaged for a year in the Melton district conducting missions, and, in 1885, became a Town Missionary for Narrow Marsh, Nottingham. After acquiring such power as a preacher that the Albert Hall was filled on Sunday nights with his hearers (1887) he entered the Primitive Methodist ministry (1891) and was sent to form a slum mission in South London, where he laboured hard and long, laid hold of the people with all kinds of helpful agencies, secured a band of workers with several assistants who were wholly engaged in the work. In 1900 St. George's Hall was built, and in going throughout the provinces holding missions he begged £12,500 for this purpose. He was then sent by the Conference throughout England as the advocate of Home Missions (1905) and later he went on the same errand through New Zealand and Australia; his visit to New Zealand being repeated in 1913, followed by a mission tour to South Africa, Everywhere his missions were a great success, both spiritually and in financial results for the causes advocated. He was appointed to Canaan Church, Nottingham in 1909, superannuated in 1914, and was smitten with cancer and died in 1918. A visit to him in his last illness reminded the visitor of the words of Young in his "Night Thoughts,"—
The chamber where the good man meets his fate,
Is privileg'd beyond the common walks
Of virtuous life,
quite on the verge of heaven."
He was the author of several books. (See "The Life of James Flanagan," by R. W. Russell, London: Holborn Publishing House).
REV. GEORGE PACKER, D.D., (1843-1920), was a Methodist Minister from 1865, and so continued fifty-five years. He was the son of Mr. J. W. Packer, the Master of the Lancasterian School on Derby Road, Nottingham. He received training at the Rainmoor College, and ministered in twelve of the principal towns in succession. In addition to his ministerial work he was for thirty years secretary, or head, of some department of work, filling the highest offices in his denomination, and being President in 1895. He took an active part in the Union of the three branches of Methodism, and was made Secretary of the united body, and, in 1911, its President, when he represented his church at the Ecumenical Conference at Toronto, where the University conferred on him the D.D. He aided in the larger union, but his health failed. Business-like, yet cultured, "he did a full day's work, was charmingly human, with a genius for friendship, and the child-heart was there to the end."
REV. H. GIFFORD OYSTON, (1879-1921) was the minister of the Albert Hall Wesleyan Mission, Nottingham, and his name is included here because of the work done during the Great War for the benefit of the young fellows who in some way connected themselves with the Mission. Ministry seems to run in the Oyston family blood, for the Oystons have been local preachers for generations, and the deceased's father, uncle, and two brothers, are or have been in the Methodist ministry.
Mr. Oyston being a practical musician wrote the words, while Mr. Bernard Johnson wrote the music of "Ecce Homo," a sacred cantata. He had a splendid baritone voice, and in his mission services sang as well as preached. His rendering of "Hallelujah! what a Saviour!" was a favourite solo, carrying a gospel message with deep pathos.
The War came, and at once Mr. Oyston adapted the work to the spiritual and temporal benefit of the young men who had to render military service. His war time sermons were full of encouragement and comfort, and thousands of copies were printed. Nearly one thousand young men connected with the Hall joined the army, and he, and his workers, kept in touch with them. Throughout the whole four years of War regular correspondence was maintained. Eight Military Secretaries and one hundred and thirty-two voluntary letter-writers wrote letters, many monthly, which he signed, carrying words of aid and comfort, for by the end of the war nearly thirteen hundred men and women were on the Albert Hall Roll of Honour, one hundred and fifty-three of whom are named on the War Memorial as having made the great sacrifice.
The Institute at the rear of the Hall became a War Hospital, and work was carried on under disadvantages. There was out door preaching and work done in the slums. In some way Mr. Oyston caught tubercular trouble in the throat. He went to Jersey, and later to Torquay, during six yeans vainly seeking to shake off the disease. In this calamity he was cheered and sustained by the sympathy of his people, and by the kindness of Sir Jesse and Lady Boot. Of his wife he wrote, "It has been a Godsend to have a wife so ready to brace us all up when things were dark." (Rev. G. H. Taylor).
REV. JOHN E. WAKERLEY, (1858-1923), was President of the Wesleyan Conference, and died a few weeks after his year of office expired. Born at Melton Mowbray, he had a business career at Leicester. A local preacher at sixteen, he was afterwards trained for the ministry at Didsbury College, and graduated at Handsworth College. His first circuit was Nottingham, where he worked four years, and he became a great Mission Preacher, spending twenty-four years at three London Missions. From 1917 he was four years Secretary of the Conference, and in 1922 its President. Great success attended his work as an evangelist, and he won thousands of men to Christ. He was a pillar in the Brotherhood movement, and became its President, surrounding himself with workers. "A breezy, buoyant, frank, great-hearted leader." He was a capable administrator, and an all round man. The day before his death he preached at Burton Joyce on a centenary occasion, his subject being the influence of the sanctuary on national life; the text being "He loveth our nation, and himself built us our synagogue." The next night he fell into the arms of God. (Meth. Rec).
Mr. J. W. Wakerley, has published a History of Wesley Chapel, Nottingham.
REV. JOHN CLIFFORD, (1836-1923), M.A., D.D. LL.D. with honours; B.Sc. with honours, etc., Minister of Praed Street and Westbourne Park Church, London, President of many societies, author of many books, and at one time editor of several magazines, was born at Sawley, but removed to Beeston. When his father died, his mother was very poor, the schooling was at that time of moderate quality, and at eleven years of age the boy worked in a lace factory at Chilwell, the hours of labour being from six to six. Then for a year he worked in Chilwell nursery gardens, where, on account of his good handwriting, he was taken into the office to assist in the book-keeping. Here his studies began, with evening work and Cassell's Popular Educator. He attended at the old Baptist Chapel in Beeston, where at thirteen he dated his conversion, and at fifteen preached his first sermon. He qualified himself to enter the Baptist College for training students for the ministry, which was removed from Leicester to the third avenue on Sherwood Rise. He was ordained, and in 1858 became a minister in London, and continued to serve over fifty years.
For some years he spent much time at London University College improving his education by study and extensive reading, and thus acquired the possession of something to say, and the power of saying it in the best possible manner, combining an impassioned delivery with choice language. He matriculated at the London University in 1859, and in succeeding years obtained his scholastic distinctions.
He made a great effort to lay hold of young people, and succeeded so well that the church had fifteen hundred members, and its operations extended through sixty classes for all kinds of spiritual, educational, and social objects. He helped a large body of men into the ministry. He was president of the Baptist Union in 1888, and again in 1889. He supported the union of the two branches of the Baptist denomination, and the establishment of the Free Church Council. He was a strenuous Noncomformist, and with great energy threw himself into the Passive Resistance Movement, which was of very doubtful tendency, was not responded to by the class affected, and failed in its object. He strongly opposed the South African War.
In 1909 he celebrated his ministerial jubilee, and three years later his golden wedding. He attributed much of his old age vigour and cheerfulness to the care of his wife.
He died in harness. Attending a meeting of the Baptist Union, he had made a sympathetic speech with regard to a friend, when his head fell forward, and he was gone.
There are several aspects in which his example may be usefully followed. He triumphed over poverty and limited schooling. He determined to get knowledge, not only in early life but continued far on in age, and what he obtained he gave to others, with interest. He was always hopeful; as an old man he loved like a boy, was fond of writing letters to children, and retained a keen sense of humour. His eye twinkled, and at a good joke he laughed outright and his sides shook again. His outlook was wide, and wherever there was sin and suffering his interest was aroused. With him "an opportunity perceived was an obligation incurred." He retained—and with vigour to the last preached the gospel of Christ as the power to lead to a better life, and as God's remedy for man's sin and misery.
Rev. J. B. Paton, (See "Teachers").