In 1836, the Rev. John Young was recommended and at their invitation settled among them, but after about twelve months’ residence, owing to some unpleasant affair of a personal nature, he deemed it advisable to retire. Recourse was then had to ministerial friends far and near, and that for the space of about five years; during which they enjoyed comparative quietness and prosperity. In 1841, those who preferred a resident ministry to the dissipating mode of mere supplies (which, however pleasing to such as admire variety, is not the best for promoting true genuine piety and a steady progress in the path of holiness; nor is it calculated to foster some of the sweetest and tenderest of associations—those between pastor and people), made an effort to realize their wish; when the Rev. J. S. Gilbert was chosen to be their minister with very encouraging prospects; but the fairest day may have its clouds. A misunderstanding arose relative to his ordination; and although every means were used to overcome the difficulties—much as his friends regretted the issue, seeing he was not likely to be comfortable, they advised him to withdraw, and with great reluctance he complied. The managers, for by that name the officers were known, opened a correspondence with the Rev. C. P. Hobbs, of Highbury College; though at first he manifested a disinclination to accept the call to the pastorate, eventually he agreed, and was ordained in the year 1842. During his ministry the cause rose to a very respectable position, but the varying atmosphere became again overcast and agitated from a quarter unexpected and unlooked for. Mr. Hobbs’s views of church polity which he publicly professed at his ordination underwent a complete revolution; he therefore resigned in the early part of 1849, and conformed to the Established Church: he settled at Liverpool, but has since removed to the neighbourhood of London; and our hope is he may be made an extensive and lasting blessing. At the close of the year the Rev. C. B. Holder took the charge and remained until 1853, when, from some unexplained cause, he followed in the wake of his predecessor; and after for a time vacillating between the Establishment and Dissent, as the fane of interest varied, he at last accepted the office of Scripture Reader under the Bishop of Manchester, with the promise of eventual ordination.
The secession of these successive pastors, after solemn averment of having well considered the opposite principles of Church government, and selecting that from conviction of its scriptural truthfulness, was very naturally calculated to shake and overturn the faith of many, and give cause for rejoicing to their enemies. The removal and death of some of their warmest and best friends about the same time tended very much to depress the Church and engender a state of languor. But hopes are entertained that the tide has turned, the crisis passed, and an amendment commenced. The present number of members is fifty. It had been the wish of many of the friends for a considerable time past to improve the singing, and if possible to avoid those fruitful sources of evil which many a devout mind has had to deplore and too often caused discord, by the erection of an organ. The promising appearances which have arisen since the settlement of the present minister (this took place at the fall of the year 1853), seemed to afford a favourable opportunity for its accomplishment. A committee was accordingly formed for this express purpose; and after a general canvass so much encouragement was experienced, that terms were entered into for one every way suitable for the sum of £40. Steps were immediately taken for its erection, and it was opened in December of the same year, when sermons from Psalm xlvii. 7, were preached by the pastor. The ladies of the congregation exerted themselves to provide new cushions for the pulpit and desk, and curtains for the organ gallery and windows. About the same time a pupil of the minister’s, by the productions of his pencil, not only gratified the friends with drawings of the interior and exterior of the chapel, but by the sale of these purchased a hot-air stove, which he presented to the Church.
On Good Friday, April 6th, 1855, a balance remaining as a debt for alterations necessary, and the period of a little over fifty years having elapsed from the first establishment of the Church, a jubilee tea-meeting was held, which was very numerously and respectably attended: a great many friends came from Devizes and the neighbourhood around. The place was tastefully decorated with evergreens for the occasion. At the back of the pulpit was placed a perpendicular rectangle, in the centre of which was suspended the quotation of Scripture, Heb. xiii. 7, 8. On either side of the pulpit were arches with similar inscriptions, taken from Ps. cxxii. 7, and Ps. lxxxiv., 1. In front of the pulpit was hung a drawing of the shepherd, on the frame of which was:—“The memory of the just is blessed,” the date of his birth and death with his age. In front of the organ, was a double arch with single mottoes of “Fear God,” “Honour the King.” The pillars of the gallery having branches of laurel were surmounted with similar inscriptions of,—“Love the brotherhood,” “Honour all men,” “Unity, and dwell in love.” About 200 sat down to tea at four o’clock; after ample justice had been done to the abundant repast provided, a public meeting was held, when George W. Anstie, Esq., of Devizes, was invited to preside. The pastor read the history now given, which was received with marked approval; he also exhibited the pocket bible of the shepherd and two manuscript letters lent for the occasion; after which several persons addressed the meeting.
CONCLUSION
May the Great Head of the Church, whose gracious Providence has so long watched over this interest, and through the fires of persecution—the troublous waters of discord—the agitation of envy and prejudice—brought it to its present position, vouchsafe His high and holy benediction, that Pastor and People in all their works of faith and labours of love may combine in the unity of the Spirit a holy brotherhood, contend not for Diotrephian supremacy, but for the “faith once delivered to the saints,” and aim to perpetuate the cause of the Redeemer, whose beginning though small has in its progress received marks of His divine hand, that generations yet to come, while they do honour to the memory of the Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, may be folded by each under pastor, and at last owned by him the great Shepherd of the Sheep, when each local society of believers shall, by the powerful and purifying influence of “the Truth,” lose each minor peculiarity which now marks them, and generate a spirit of separation, unite in one universal, redeemed, and glorified Church, to place upon the head of their adored Redeemer the diadem of many crowns, uniting in the hosanna of a happy universe, saying, “Thou art worthy, for Thou hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood. To Him be glory, honour, majesty, and power for ever.”
THE END.
Frederick A. Blake, Printer and Bookbinder, Salisbury.
FOOTNOTE.
[13] 1 Cor. i. 27–29.