“That on this Thirtieth Anniversary of the residence of our beloved Pastor in Norwich, we are devoutly grateful to God for having first directed him hither, and for having permitted him to labour so long and so successfully amongst us: that we affectionately thank him, for his constant and faithful devotedness to the work of the ministry and the welfare of his people; and that we earnestly pray, that for yet many years to come, he may be spared to enjoy richly the blessings of the gospel, which he dispenses to others.”
III. Moved by Mr. Frederic Pigg, seconded by Mr. Charles May and Mr. Josiah Fletcher,
“That an increased acquaintance with the doctrines and influence of the gospel of Christ, deepens our conviction of the importance of steadfastly adhering, in our Christian profession and practice, to the great and essential truths of evangelical religion, as declared by this church at its formation; and of promulgating them universally, in connection with those principles of ecclesiastical polity, which we believe to be alike in accordance with sacred scripture, and with religious liberty.”
The speeches delivered on this interesting occasion were reported in the Norfolk News of April 10, 1847, and the following account of the meeting is extracted from its columns:—
“On Tuesday evening the congregation of Prince’s Street Chapel, Norwich, held a Soirée in St. Andrew’s Hall, for the purpose of celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the ministry of the Rev. John Alexander. About eight hundred persons of all ranks, and including some of various religious bodies, were present, in testimony of one who has earned in no common degree, the esteem of his fellow citizens. We may refer to this tea party as an admirable example of the mode in which occasions of public interest may be made the means of stimulating social sympathies, and of promoting that harmony between the wealthy and the poor, which in England has been so long and so unhappily interrupted. We may refer also to the review of the history of Prince’s Street chapel, and of the church and congregation assembling there, which was read by Mr. Alexander, as a narrative not only full of interest to all who desire the advancement of religion, but full of instruction to all who question the power of the voluntary principle. Here we have an account of a chapel raised, of a church formed, of a congregation collected to the number of 1000 persons, of missions planted in two neighbouring hamlets, of a large Sunday school established, and of the active and efficient maintenance of all these during thirty years, by a comparatively poor body of persons, at an expense altogether of upwards of twenty-two thousand pounds. Such a result is no mean proof of the efficacy of willinghood, when called into exercise by the ministry of a faithful and zealous pastor, and exerted by an affectionate and devoted people.”
The history which our esteemed minister read at the meeting, and which is now printed from his manuscript, it is hoped will be an interesting and useful document, especially to his own church and congregation, because it will call to their remembrance “all the way which the Lord their God hath led them” these thirty years; and, as a few additional copies will be published for the use of the public, it may serve to show to persons in general, the principles and working of a congregational church, during a long and varied period of its existence.
Some beautiful verses composed for the occasion, are inserted at the conclusion of the history.
JOHN VENNING,
Chairman of the Meeting.
THIRTY YEARS’ HISTORY.
Thirty years are an important period in the history of an individual, and even in the history of the world; and during the last thirty years, many events have occurred, especially in this country, by which society has been materially and extensively affected. Civil and religious liberty has been advanced; parliamentary representation has been reformed; Test and Corporation Acts have been repealed; Catholics, and Protestants of all denominations, have been rendered equally eligible for civil offices, and for senatorial seats; slavery, throughout the British Colonies, has been abolished; commerce has been brought into fellowship with freedom; the power of steam has increased the facilities of manufacturing and of travelling a thousand fold; and various institutions, for benevolent and religious purposes, have been established in our land. But, during these thirty years, while these remarkable changes and improvements have been taking place, a whole generation of human beings, not less in number than eight hundred millions, have finished their earthly course, and have passed into eternity!