After his ordination his ministry created considerable attention; the congregation gradually increased; and through the divine blessing, his preaching was rendered effectual to the conversion of some, and to the improvement and comfort of many.
Previously to Mr. Sloper’s pastorate, it was usual in this, as in many other Congregational churches, for persons desiring to unite with the society, to send in a written account of their christian experience. And it was also customary to hold three church meetings before the reception of a candidate. In December, 1803, as prudence did not appear to require a rigid adherence to these regulations, it was agreed, at a church meeting, that the writing a paper should be left to the inclination of the candidates, and that they should in future be proposed at one meeting, and received, or rejected, at the next. [207a]
In 1804, a secession of a few members took place. They formed the nucleus of the Baptist church which has since existed in Beccles. [207b]
Mr. Sloper was visited in the same year with an indisposition, which occasioned his absence for six weeks. During this affliction he had ample proof of the affection of his people. Prayer-meetings were held for the special purpose of imploring the blessing of God on the means employed for his recovery, and upon his ministry when he should resume it. These supplications were graciously regarded, and he was enabled again to preach very frequently, and with much success, till October, 1806, when it pleased God to afflict him with typhus fever. This illness lasted till the middle of December, and at times was attended with considerable danger. He observes, “It produced a great dejection of spirits, and dread of death; but goodness and mercy attended me every moment. My affliction excited in the minds of my people, and fellow-townsmen, general concern; and, I believe, was the means of strengthening the mutual affection that exists between my charge and their minister. The kindness of my congregation and friends on this occasion, I trust, will not soon be erased from my recollection, or my heart.” He makes no allusion to the cause of his illness. It originated from his attention to an afflicted individual. The house of sickness and mourning was never forsaken by him; and there was a tenderness of sympathy in his manner, and a glowing affection in his heart, which were very soothing to the afflicted. He regarded visiting the sick as an important duty, and expressly consulted his friend, Mr. Winter, on the best mode of discharging it. “I generally,” said that excellent man in his reply, “endeavour to be very serious in prayer;” [209] and Mr. Sloper did not fail to profit by this suggestion. His prayers in seasons of trial were peculiarly touching and appropriate.
In the summer of 1807, he took a journey for the purpose of visiting his distant relations and friends. He met again, at that time, his early and venerated friend, Mr. Winter. The tie which connected them had been doubled by Mr. Sloper’s alliance with one who in early life had been much with that holy and benevolent man—one of his numerous “children by adoption and kindness.” About two months previous to the attack which terminated his useful life, he wrote to her as follows:
“My very dear daughter,
I sit down purposely to write something to you. I wish it may be something profitable; for otherwise a letter is nothing worth . . .
I am disappointed at not seeing more genuine religion produced by my labours. Some I hope fear God, and walk before him, but many are so irregular in their walk, that I fear for them. I hope matters are different at Beccles. I find the short time since I was there has produced changes. Some have quitted the stage of life, and left vacant seats in the house of God; . . . yet our dear friend has a considerable number by which his hands are strengthened. Oh that they may be his present joy, and his future crown of rejoicing! . . . I need not say, consecrate yourselves to God; keep the mind heavenwards; let your friends see that you live upon the suburbs of the heavenly kingdom. Do not let the world engross you in any degree. Whether it smile or frown, be alike indifferent to it. Conceive of it as it is, fleeting and uncertain. Take the refreshments provided for and suited to the pilgrim; but do not set up your rest where you should only bait. Prepare to meet your God. . . . My good wife is as well as may be expected, and so is Mrs. Tyler, to whom we are much indebted for her kind exertions. They unite in salutations to you and my son, from whom I shall ever be glad to receive a line. If he will commission you to use his pen, and you will accept the commission, it will be equally and very acceptable to
My ever dear daughter,
Your very affectionate father,
Cornelius Winter.” [211]“Painswick,
Oct. 16, 1807.”
To the death of this greatly esteemed friend, Mr. Sloper thus tenderly refers in his private papers. “January 10th, 1808, that excellent man, that eminent Christian and minister, Rev. Cornelius Winter, was removed by death to his eternal home. His decease seriously impressed my mind, and drew from me the tear of selfish regret, that I should receive no more instruction from his lips, nor ever more be delighted with his pious conversation, fervent prayers, and affectionate intercourse. Oh may the son who now writes concerning his honoured father and friend, possess a measure of his spirit and imitate his holy example. His image is impressed upon the hearts of all who knew him; and his heavenly portrait, painted by the hand of his adopted son, the worthy and eloquent Mr. Jay, will be held up for the admiration and regard of succeeding generations.”
The following interesting reflections and solemn prayer, found among the same papers, under the date of January 3rd, 1809, deserve to be introduced here.
“By the grace of God I am spared to the commencement of another year. I would begin it with serious reflection on the past, and with humble prayer as it concerns futurity.
“Many of my fellow-creatures have commenced this year in the world of spirits. They have done with time and with all its concerns. Their season for gaining and doing good is closed for ever. But God has prolonged my existence, and, during the past year, distinguished me with his goodness and mercy. Upon the whole my health this year has been much improved: as a minister, I have been enabled to exert myself considerably in the preaching of the gospel: the congregation has been large; and a few, the fruit of my ministry, have been added to the church.
“My domestic comforts have been great. My house has been the seat of health, affection, and peace. Here I would raise my Ebenezer,—‘Hitherto the Lord hath helped me,’—and turn my reflections into prayer to the great Preserver of my being.
“O thou God of grace, in whom I live and move continually, help thy servant to prostrate himself before thy throne; and hear the faithful acknowledgments which he desires to offer.
“I thank thee for all thy favours which thou hast bestowed upon me ever since I came into the world: for preservation in the midst of dangers; for restoration from sickness to health; but, above all, for a religious education; for the wise conduct of thy superintending providence, and for thy distinguishing grace in calling me from the follies of the world into the family of thy children, and into the ministry of thy dear Son. I thank thee, O God, for all the privileges of the past year, for all my exemption from affliction and pain, for the strength which I have possessed for the performance of every duty as the head of a family, and as the minister of a congregation. I thank thee, O Lord, for the happiness I enjoy at home, and for the peace that prevails among the people of my charge.
“But whilst thou art worthy to receive the warmest returns of gratitude for thy goodness towards me, I would, on a recollection of my conduct, with contrition humble myself before thee. Merciful God! forgive my pride and vanity of heart; forgive my levity of speech and behaviour, my lukewarmness in thy service, and every error and defect which have been found in the exercises I have performed. From a consciousness of my many imperfections I would throw myself entirely on thy compassion, praying with the publican, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’
“Shouldst thou spare me, O God, through the year upon which I have entered, O spare me for the benefit of my own soul, for the good of others, and for thy glory. Enable me to read thy word, and to study it with attention and delight: help me to maintain the spirit and practice of devotion in my closet, in my family, and in the public assembly: assist me to deal faithfully with the souls of my people when conversing with them in friendly intercourse, and when addressing them from thy holy word. May I be instant in season and out of season for the conversion of the irreligious, and for the comfort of those that already believe. May the people committed to my charge be preserved from every error in sentiment, and irregularity in conduct, injurious to themselves and dishonourable to thee. May many be added to the church, and may great prosperity attend us.
“Shouldst thou, in thy infinite wisdom, see fit to afflict me in my own person, family, or friends, enable me to meet the visitation with a full dependence on thy all-wise providence, and with humble resignation to thy righteous will. And shouldst thou call me from time into the eternal world before the close of the present year, Oh may I die in the faith of that gospel which I preach to perishing sinners, and in the possession and enjoyment of that hope which I have recommended to others, which has heaven for its glorious object, and the atonement and intercession of thy Son Jesus Christ for its firm foundation. Amen.”
In the autumn of 1810, Mr. Sloper spent some time at Lowestoft, a distance from home, which allowed him the enjoyment and advantage of the sea air, without seriously interfering with the performance of his pastoral duties. There he became acquainted with the celebrated Mrs. Siddons, who had escaped from the excitement of public life, to the unmolested retirement and invigorating breezes of the same watering-place. That extraordinary woman had a talent, rather than a taste, for the vocation she pursued. Her natural character was marked by extreme diffidence, and a “benignant singleness of mind.” What was said of her, could have been said, even in poetry, of few actresses: