The deacons just mentioned survived their excellent pastor. Two of the silver cups still used by the church in the celebration of the Lord’s supper, had been marked, at an earlier date, with a faint, perhaps with a trembling hand,—
“FOR YE CH: A. H. E. F R.”
This somewhat enigmatical inscription was afterwards interpreted by adding in deeply cut letters, upon one of the cups,
“To the use of the Church. Francis Haylock, Deacon, 1690.” [154a]
and upon the other,
“To the use of the Church. Edmund Artist, Deacon, 1690.” [154b]
CHAPTER VI.
Subjection of events to the designs of Providence—Joseph Tate—Death of Augustine Gregory—John Killinghall—“Mr. Green”—Members received—William Nokes—Edmund Spencer—Deacons ordained—Thomas Tingey—William Lincoln—John Hurrion—Nicholas Phené—John Fell—Baxter (?) Cole—Declining state of the interest.
The wisdom of Providence is often exemplified in the disappointment of hopes, in themselves worthy to be indulged. He who turns the devices of his enemies to the accomplishment of his will, thus teaches his servants the insufficiency of all that they can do, independently of his aid and guidance, for the promotion of his glory. God does not forsake the work of his own hands; but he retains to himself the high prerogative, to choose the period and the instruments of its accomplishment. This consideration should reconcile the Christian to alternations of prosperity and adversity in the history of the churches, and should cheer the heart, and invigorate the hand, under circumstances the most discouraging.
For a long series of years after Mr. Ottee’s death the church and congregation at Beccles were, from a variety of causes, in a declining state. It will be well, if the contemplation of this period lead to a grateful feeling of mind under present prosperity, and induce, for the future, watchfulness against all departures from the faith and practice of the gospel, by which alone a church of Christ can be really injured.