He was born at Cockermouth, in Cumberland, August 22nd, 1735. From his father, a pious schoolmaster, he received an education suitable for the station of a humble tradesman, for which he was intended. But the son afforded an example of natural talent, and indefatigable industry, combining with providential circumstances, to surmount all the difficulties which lie in the path to useful and honourable distinction. Removing to London that he might improve in his business, he happily connected himself with a master who could appreciate his solid abilities and literary taste. It was soon discovered that his highest ambition was to become a christian minister; and with the assistance of some gentlemen of wealth and philanthropy, he was placed at the Independent academy at Mile-end. He there applied to study with such incessant diligence, that his progress soon excited the admiration of his tutors and fellow-students. Quitting the academy with an unusual share of attainments, but having no immediate prospect of settling with a congregation, Mr. Fell became assistant in a school at Norwich. There he probably remained until he was invited, in 1762, to remove to Beccles to supply the vacant pulpit. He found the congregation few in number, but affectionate in private, and serious and attentive in public.
During his residence in Beccles, he was cordially received into what is termed “the best society.” He evinced the greatest charity and candour towards those whose views of religion he could not approve; and while he associated with the advocates of the Established church, he never hesitated to avow his ardent and unalterable attachment to the interests of civil and religious liberty. His manners were frank, easy, and unaffected, and his conversation cheerful, interesting, and instructive. He did not allow his quick penetration and his readiness of utterance to betray him into dogmatism or parade: and he knew how to defend himself, with point and humour, from such an imputation. Falling accidentally into company with Dr. King of Harecourt, London, that serious, but cheerful minister rallied him upon his alleged sprightliness of wit and acuteness of criticism. “Well, young man,” said he, “I hear you are a critic;—pray, sir, how do you define a critic?” “Doctor,” replied Mr. Fell, “I never did define a critic; but if I were to attempt it, I think I should say, he is one who labours to make easy things difficult.” An answer which is said to have occasioned some amusement at the expense of the aggressor.
Mr. Fell had a lively, energetic delivery; and his sermons, though always the result of hard study, were extempore. He received an invitation to become the settled pastor of the congregation at Beccles. But as they had long been without any regular church government, were few in number, and the prospect of an increase not, at that time, very encouraging, he declined the proposal.
In May, 1770, he visited, with a view to the pastoral charge, the Independent congregation at Thaxted, in Essex. There he was ordained in the following October, and soon made himself useful and beloved. But he was calculated for a sphere of usefulness wider, or at least more difficult to fill, than the charge of a country congregation. After several years’ residence at Thaxted, he was prevailed on to become the resident classical tutor at the academy in which he had been educated for the ministry, and which had been removed, in 1770, to Homerton. He had not been long there, before a misunderstanding occurred which terminated in his dismissal. In this affair, the conduct of his adversaries appears to have been not unmingled with severity. Several highly respectable persons who were of this opinion, raised an annual stipend of £100, for which he was to deliver a course of twelve lectures on the evidences of Christianity. He entered zealously upon this task in the year 1797, but had only delivered four lectures, when death interfered with the completion of the plan. He expired on the 6th, and was interred in Bunhillfields on the 15th September in that year, his remains being followed by a train of fourteen mourning coaches and several carriages.
Besides the four lectures before mentioned, (which were continued by Dr. Henry Hunter,) and several other publications, he was the author of answers to the Rev. Hugh Farmer’s Essays on the Demoniacs and on the Idolatry of Greece and Rome; in which productions he displayed much acuteness and learning. [184]
After Mr. Fell’s removal to Thaxted, Mr. Newton of Norwich, Mr. Harmer of Wattisfield, and other ministers; continued to preach at Beccles; and the congregation had for rather more than half a year preceding midsummer, 1771, the services of a Mr. Cole. It is surmised that this must have been the learned Baxter Cole, who, prior to 1765, was morning preacher to the congregation in Rope-makers’ alley, London, of which the Rev. Thomas Towle was pastor. In that year he went to Wymondham, in Norfolk, where he preached till May, 1766. He never undertook any pastoral charge; but was a close student, and superintended the printing of an edition of Dr. Lardner’s Works. He also revised some of the publications of the truly great Howard. Mr. Cole died at Sible Hedingham, in Essex, his native county, Oct. 13th, 1794, at an advanced age. He was a firm dissenter and Independent, a strenuous assertor of civil and religious liberty; and a man of considerable attainments, of the strictest integrity, and true piety. [185]
But although the preaching of the gospel had been maintained with little intermission during the long period which had elapsed from Mr. Tingey’s decease, the church had suffered much for want of a stated pastor. Member after member had been removed by death, and none were added. In the meeting-house, where the remnant of the people usually worshipped, the Lord’s supper had not been administered for more than twenty years. No regular discipline had been kept up; and the interest itself seemed on the point of expiring. But it pleased God in answer to many prayers, to shine upon the decaying cause, and to unfold a new and more cheering era of its history.—“Happy assembly above, which knows no diminution, but rejoices in perpetual accessions to its numbers, perhaps in continual additions to its knowledge and consolations too!” [186]
CHAPTER VII.
Joseph Heptinstall—Early life—Settles at Beccles—His ministerial usefulness and character—His death—Isaac Sloper—Residence at Cheltenham—Acquaintance with Rev. Cornelius Winter—Studies for the ministry—Accepts the pastoral office at Beccles—His ordination—Afflicted—Visits his distant friends—Death of Mr. Winter—Meditation and prayer at the beginning of a year—Acquaintance with Mrs. Siddons.
Joseph Heptinstall, pastor of the Independent church at Beccles from 1773 to 1802, was born at Walsall, in Staffordshire, January 26th, 1742. He was blessed with a pious and tender mother, who often took him into her closet, and on her knees prayed fervently to God on his behalf. Her supplications were not immediately answered. At the early age of twelve years, her son manifested the depravity of his nature, by avowing himself an atheist. But being providentially led to contemplate a flower in his father’s garden, he was convinced that its beautiful structure must have been the work of a First Cause, that created and sustains all things. Conscience, in conjunction with the sacred Scriptures, impressively taught him that this Being was holy and just, and therefore would approve and reward holiness, and abhor and punish sin. These convictions led him to seek salvation “by the works of the law;” but he mentions that about this time, he read Law’s “Christian Perfection,” and imbibed more correct views of the purity and spirituality of the divine commands. Comparing his conduct with them, he was convinced of the awful state to which sin had reduced him, and greatly alarmed at the consequences of rebelling against God. With a mind thus depressed and agitated, he repaired to the throne of grace, imploring the mercy of God, and pleading his promises through the Mediator. He derived much consolation from that important passage of Scripture, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Being enabled by the Holy Spirit to receive the gospel, he enjoyed peace with God, and the happiness of those to whom iniquity is not imputed. He now began to consider how he might best glorify God, and serve him in the world; and determined, in the strength of God, to devote himself to the christian ministry. This resolution met with the warmest approbation of his parents. They were zealous advocates of the religious establishment of this country, and had the means of amply providing for their son within its pale, through an aunt, who readily promised him a living of which she had the patronage.