THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
The Croft Street Chapel, or New Jerusalem Church, is both structurally and intellectually, the most recent developement of Nonconformity in Horncastle. The founder of this community was a personality so remarkable that it may be well here to give a brief sketch of him.
Emanuel Swedenborg, son of a Lutheran bishop, was born at Stockholm, in 1689. During more than the first half of his life he was distinguished as a hard worker in the field of science, and from his many clever inventions, and valuable public services, he was ennobled by his sovereign. But in the year 1743, after a serious illness, accompanied by brain fever, the result of excessive mental labour, he threw up all work of this kind, declaring that he had received a “call” from the Lord, who manifested Himself to him, by personal appearance, and commissioned him to devote further life and strength to holier purposes.
Being a man of strong will, albeit, not improbably, with a touch (as was thought by several) of mental aberration, the result of his illness, he threw himself, with characteristic energy, into the work of religious proselytism, in support of the special views with which he was now inspired. He became a kind of religious clairvoyant, living an ecstatic existence in communion with angels and spirits. He printed accounts of various “Arcana,” as he termed them; visions granted to him of heaven and hell; the state after death, the true worship of God, the inner spiritual sense of the scriptures; and so forth. He held spiritual intercourse with the dwellers in other planets, conversing with Apostles, with Luther, Calvin, Melancthon, &c. “Things hidden since the days of Job (he declared) were revealed to himself.”
Followers gradually gathered round him, inspired by his own enthusiasm. He visited England frequently; and before his death, in London, A.D. 1772, he had established congregations in England, Ireland, Wales, France, Holland, Sweden, Russia, and even in Turkey and America. It is said that several Anglican clergy adopted his views, though still retaining charges in their own church.
The special tenets of the sect, which he founded, seem to have been, that, while believing in one God, they held that He was the Christ; that Christ always existed in human form, but not in human soul; and that in His Person there was a real Trinity; that the bible was to be understood in a spiritual sense, which was first revealed to Swedenborg. Their ritual, which was based on that of the Anglican Church, included a splendid priesthood and an elaborate ceremonial.
Swedenborg’s very numerous writings included a number of mystic works, especially connected with what he called the “Spiritual Influx,” which was not limited to locality but pervaded everywhere. Translations of all his works have been issued by the Swedenborg Society, located at No. 1, Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C., and at Horncastle they may be borrowed from the New Church Free Library in Croft Street. The Horncastle branch has also its own monthly magazine, The New Church Advocate.
The following is a brief account of the Society’s origin and progress, in Horncastle, from particulars furnished to the present writer, by the esteemed minister, Rev. R. Mayes, in 1903 (the second year of his ministry), and by Mr. Edwin Townell, who has been secretary for a quarter of a century. The Society was inaugurated on August 9, 1869, when Messrs. Bogg, Moore, Hall, Cook, Austin, and Bellamy, met at the house of Mr. E. J. Moore, 19, Queen Street; Mr. Moore being appointed Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Bogg and Mr. Hall Trustees, and Mr. Bogg nominated as first Leader. Mr. Cook offered the use of a room in his house, rent free, and the first service was held on the following day, Sunday, the 10th of the same month.
As Mr. Bogg resided at Benniworth, nine miles from Horncastle, he could not undertake a service every Sunday; and, at first there was only an evening meeting, weather permitting.
There was a good deal of opposition for a time, especially from the Congregationalists, under their minister, Mr. J. E. Whitehead; this, however, served rather to increase the general interest in the new movement, and the evening congregations grew in numbers. The first tea meeting (which ultimately became an established monthly institution) was held March 14, 1870, in a room in the alley named “Tinker’s Entry,” there being then 14 members on the roll; when addresses were given by Mr. J. S. Bogg, Chairman; and by Messrs. Cook, Moore, T. Wemyss Bogg, and others.
In May of the same year Mr. Richard Gunton, of the Lincolnshire New Church Association, visited them, followed by Rev. John Hyde in October, Mr. Gunton coming again in December of the same year. We may here observe that this connection with Mr. Richard Gunton became, as will be hereafter shewn, a most valuable asset in the Society’s favour, in more ways than one. He took up his residence in London, first in Oseney Crescent,
Camden Road, N.W., and afterwards in Tufnell Park Road, N., but he never lost his interest in the Horncastle branch; visiting the town year after year, to preach or give lectures, in the Corn Exchange, on behalf of the Society. His last visit was in October, 1896; his death occurring on the 5th of the December following, after (as was fitly stated) “40 years of faithful service as Superintendent Missionary,” as well as having been Treasurer of the New Church Conference.
In 1871 Mr. Moore left Horncastle, the room in Tinker’s Entry was given up, and the meetings were held in the house of Mr. W. Hall, where a library was also opened for the members. Subsequently, with a view to the erection of a suitable place of worship, Mr. Hall bought a piece of land in Croft Street and presented it to the Society, the project being also warmly supported by Mr. R. Gunton. A subscription list was opened, plans and estimates obtained, and the foundation stone of a fabric was laid, Sep. 16, 1872. The appeal for support concluded with these words: “This will be the first house of worship constructed in the County of Lincoln, for the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only God.” This was signed by W. Hall, Treasurer, and Edwin Dawson, Secretary.
The Chapel was opened Jan. 29, 1873, being dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, Minister of the Chapel in Argyle Square, London; who had given a series of lectures in aid of the Society four years before (November, 1869) in the Corn Exchange; and, after the dedication, he again gave addresses, which were continued by Revs. P. Ramage, R. Storry, C. H. Wilkins, Mr. R. Gunton, and others, usually morning and evening.
We will now describe the Croft Street fabric, opened under these favourable auspices. It consists of a square oblong, standing north and south, 40-ft. by 20-ft.; the architect was Mr. Gosling of London, the builder Mr. Chas. Blyton of Horncastle, the material being red and white brick. There is accommodation for 150 persons; the cost of the structure was £350. The fittings, which had formerly belonged to a chapel in Cross Street, Hatton Gardens, London, were presented by Mr. William Pickstone. At the south end there is an apsidal recess with three lancet windows, the central one having coloured glass, with the figure of the Good Shepherd and an inscription at the bottom stating that it was “Presented by J. W Fishleigh and Fanny his wife, in memoriam, Feb., 1901,” being in memory of their only daughter, who died in London, the mother having been brought up in this connection.
Within this apse there is a platform, with polished oak rail in front, resting on carved pillars. On this is a Reading Desk and Communion Table. The carpet and communion cushion were presented by the late Mr. T. Tapling, carpet manufacturer, of London, who was a native of Lincolnshire. In the centre of the apse is a carved oak chair, having the monogram I.H.S., which was given by Mr. C. Blyton. In front, standing on the Chapel floor, is a harmonium by Alexandre & Sons, of Paris; it is a fine instrument, having four sets of vibrators and 14 stops. It was obtained partly at the cost of the congregation, and partly by a donation of the late Mr. John Jobson, from Mr. Thomas Gunton (son of Mr. Richard Gunton of London), who resided at Bunnyfield House, Hatfield Park, and was for many years private secretary to the late Marquis of Salisbury. The instrument originally cost £84. Mr. William Hall presided at this harmonium from the first.
We have mentioned Dr. Bayley of London as the earliest preacher in the new chapel; there was no resident minister till 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Hall
entertained during the whole of the first year (1873) the preachers above named. Others of note who followed were Mr. Layland of Nottingham, Leader of the Society in 1876; followed, 1877–8, by Mr. J. R. Boyle; to whom succeeded, 1878–9, Mr. W. A. Bates (afterwards of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia); Mr. W. J. Adcock, 1879–80; Mr. A. E. Beilby, 1880–1; Mr. W. Hall, 1882; and Mr. William Robinson, October of that year. At various dates the preachers were Rev. R. Storey of Heywood near Manchester, Rev. Mr. Wilkins of Nottingham, Mr. Skelton of London, Mr. Pulsford of Leicester, Mr. Cameron of Edinburgh, Mr. Fairweather of London, Mr. Ashby of Derby, Mr. Best of Hull, Rev. T. Prestland of London, Rev. Joseph Deans in 1899, and Rev. J. R. Rendell, President of the Conference; Rev. Lewis A. Slight of Northampton, 1900; Rev. J. T. Freeth of Bolton, President, 1901. From time to time preachers were sent by the New Church Conference, and later by the East Midland and Lincolnshire Association.
Three marriages were solemnized in the Chapel by Rev. L. A. Slight, viz., that of Miss Townell and Mr W. Chapman of Oundle, Dec. 11, 1900; Miss Elizabeth Hall and Mr. Edwin White, both of Horncastle, May 21, 1901; and Miss Florence Smith to Mr. Alfred Storton of London, July 9, 1901.
The Rev. Richard Mayes, the first resident Minister, came from Leicester, first preached here Feb. 23, 1902, and entered on his ministry in October of that year. Other preachers during that interval were Mr. Fairweather of Loughborough, Mr. L. A. Slight, Mr. Layland, Mr. W. Hall and Mr. H. Deans.
A Sunday School was opened with the Chapel in 1873; this was, at a later date, temporarily closed, but re-opened by Mr. Mayes. Under him, ably supported as he is by members the Townell and Blyth families, and others, the services, which are short, bright, and musical, are being attended by increasing numbers. Mr. Edwin Townell is still Secretary, as he was in 1880; and with Mr. Mayes’ ministry Mr. H. Freeman succeeded Mr. W. Hall as Treasurer.