This good man kept a record of important events which had transpired in Battersea. From a manuscript of his, entitled "The Antiquities of Battersea," the following extract is taken—it will be read with interest.
"There is also a Wesleyan Chapel and Society here, which originated at a small house in Bridge Road, near the Bridge, after which it was removed to Mr Steadman's yard, in which a large room was fitted up for Divine Worship, and a School formed under the fostering care of Mr. Lark and Mr. Bridge, assisted by other zealous female teachers. In conformity with the principles of Mr. Wesley the Society has, under God's blessing, increased from one Class to three Classes, besides a Sunday School which is in a flourishing condition. Mr. T. Boughton, the present Superintendent, is assisted by twelve male and female teachers who still persevere in the good work of instructing the young. The present Chapel was built in King Street and was considered necessary both from the fact that there was not room for the persons who assembled for worship and other circumstances relative to the Society at that time. The Chapel was opened by three sermons being preached on Sunday, October 11, 1840, by the Rev. W. Atherton, Rev. J. P. Haswell, and the Rev. J. Scott. And on Monday evening, October 12, a meeting of the Friends connected with the Chapel was held, at which the Rev. J. P. Haswell presided, one of the chief friends to the cause at this place. The object of the meeting was to excite a spirit of enquiry with respect to the ministry of the Word and Christian instruction of youth in order to benefit the morals of the neighbourhood and salvation of souls.
"There is connected with this Chapel a Stranger's Friend Society, whose object is to search out the most forlorn and distressing cases of poverty and sickness. Its plan is carried out by Visitors who read to the sick a portion of the Holy Scriptures and engage in prayer with them, and by conversation and tracts endeavour to instruct so as to lead the heart to the Saviour, and relieve their temporal wants by affording them food, &c. rather than money. Many instances of good have been the result, and the conversion of some to the truth. Its founders were Messrs. Cooper and Stanley, Wandsworth; its present officers, Messrs. Stedman and Evans, Secretary and Treasurer, Cullum, Bridge, Winter, &c., Battersea. There is a small Branch of the Wesleyan Missionary Society carried on here—a Tract Society, &c. May the Lord prosper the work that many may be enlightened by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and made partakers of his great Salvation."
METHODISTIC CHRONOLOGY.
1703, June 17. The Rev. John Wesley born.
1725, Sept. 19. Mr. Wesley ordained by Bishop Potter.
1735, Oct. 14. Mr. Wesley sailed as a Missionary for America.
1739. The Wesleyan-Methodist society established.
1744, June 25. The first Methodist Conference held in London.
1751, April 24. Mr. Wesley preached his first sermon in Scotland, at Musselburgh.
1769. Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor sailed for America.
1784. The "Deed of Declaration" enrolled in the Court of Chancery.
1785, Aug. 14. The Rev. John Fletcher died.
1786. The Methodist Missions in the West Indies established.
1788, Mar. 29. The Rev. Charles Wesley died.
1791, Mar. 2. The Rev. John Wesley died.
1814, May 3. Dr. Coke died on his passage to Ceylon.
1821, Feb. 16. The Rev. Joseph Benson died.
1832, Aug. 26. Dr. Adam Clark died.
1833, Jan. 8. The Rev. Richard Watson died, in the 53rd year of his age.
1834. The Wesleyan Theological Institution established.
1838. Members in the Methodist society, 1,062,427.
1839. Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism.
The first Œcumenical Methodist Conference held in London September, 1881.
WESLEYAN CHAPEL, QUEEN'S ROAD.—The following is a brief account of the rise and progress of Wesleyan Methodism in this neighbourhood. In the year 1871, in the order of God's providence, a good man and his wife removed from the Great Queen's Street Circuit to Frederick Street, now known as Newby Street, Wandsworth Road. On October 17, 1871, they very kindly opened their houses for a class meeting, to be held in connexion with the Society of which they were members. Here on Sunday, December 3rd of the same year, the first preaching Service was conducted. As the room became inconveniently crowded at the Sunday Services it was felt that a more suitable place was needed, so after a short time a Billiard Room capable of holding 150 persons, situated at No. 588, Wandsworth Road, was secured, and on April 21, 1872, was opened for Public Worship. On June 2nd, about 30 children were garnered in and a Sunday School commenced. Notwithstanding the unsuitableness of the place and other difficulties which had to be surmounted, the work of the Lord was carried on in this place until February, 1879; in the meanwhile however, strenuous efforts were made in order to obtain an eligible piece of ground on which to erect a more commodious building. In 1878, the freehold site situated in Queen's Road, was purchased for £1,140, and a temporary Iron Chapel erected, with seats for 500, at a cost of about £600, this temporary Sanctuary was opened February 14th, 1879. This Structure while making ample provision at first was soon found to be inadequate to meet the requirements of a neighbourhood where the population was large and rapidly increasing, hence the Trustees and Friends endeavoured to raise £4,000, by means of grants and loans from the late Sir Francis Lycett's Fund, the Metropolitan Chapel Fund, etc., towards the entire outlay of about £7,000, (the estimated cost of the permanent building etc.) leaving about £3,000, to be raised by funds in the Lambeth Circuit. On August 28th, 1881, the New School-Room which holds about 320 persons, was opened for Public Worship and Sunday School purposes. The Iron Chapel having been sold to make way for the New Chapel now in course of erection which is expected to be opened for Divine Service about May 1882.
On Friday July 15th, 1881, the Memorial Stone was laid at 3 o'clock, by Lady Lycett, when the Rev. G. W. Olver, B. A., gave an address.
By express desire of the Local Committee the Italian Style has been adopted, and the building will be erected in Bath Stone and Picked Stocks—Sitting accommodation for 1,000 will be provided, on the ground floor 650, and in the galleries 350. Adjoining the Chapel large School-Rooms have been erected with Vestry, Class-Rooms, and the usual offices. The Architect is Mr. James Weir, of the Strand. James Holloway, Builder, Marmion Road, Lavender Hill. "That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night." 2. Chron. vi. 20.
Christ is our corner stone,
On him alone we build;
With his true saints alone
The Courts of heaven are filled;
On his great Love Our hopes we place
Of present grace and joy above.
O! then with hymns of praise
These hallowed courts shall ring;
Our voices we will raise
The Three in one to sing;
And thus proclaim in joyful song,
Both Loud and Long, that glorious Name.
Here gracious God do Thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh,
In copious shower on all who pray
Each holy day Thy blessing pour.
Here may we gain from heaven
Thy grace which we implore:
And may that grace once given,
Be with us evermore:
Until that day, when all the blest
To endless rest are called away.