The following record we find respecting Mr. Robertson's affliction, and the views entertained by the people under it:—
In the month of January, 1838, it pleased God to visit with a painful mental affliction the Rev. James Robertson, the pastor of the Church, so as totally to disqualify him for conducting the services of the sanctuary, or holding any intercourse with the people of his charge. Several months after the commencement of his illness, the pulpit was generously supplied on Sabbath-day by neighbouring ministers. The friends, however, at length deeply feeling their destitute condition, and perceiving the congregation on the decline, were led anxiously to deliberate on the course which a due concern for their own spiritual improvement and the welfare of Zion required them to take; at the same time keeping in view their obligations to their honoured and afflicted pastor. After frequent consultations among themselves and with various ministers in the county, and much prayer, it was suggested, that as no symptoms of returning health appeared, the connexion ought to be dissolved. It was with great regret that the friends perceived that such a proposal must come from them, rather than from their pastor himself; but the state of his mind being such as to unfit him for the transaction of business, it became, on their part, a matter of necessity and painful duty. Accordingly, in the month of September, 1838, a letter to this effect, approved by the Church and congregation, was addressed to Mrs. Robertson, after which other correspondence took place, which it is unnecessary to detail, and the relation terminated.
In the beginning of the year 1839 the Rev. E. T. Prust, of Northampton, introduced to the notice of the friends the Rev. G. Taylor, who, in consequence of severe indisposition, had been obliged to resign a previous charge in the vicinity of Manchester, but whose health was so far restored as to enable him to resume his ministerial labours. He was accordingly invited to preach for a few Sabbaths in the month of April. At the expiration of this time, he was invited to the pastoral office; which, after proper consideration and advice, he accepted. A recognition service was held on Thursday, October 24th, the order of which was as follows:—"Reading and prayer, Rev. J. Renals; questions, Rev. E. T. Prust; designation prayer, Rev. T. Toller; address to Mr. Taylor, Rev. T. East, founded on John xii. 26, last clause; address to the people, Rev. J. Blackburn; concluding prayer, Rev. R. Davis.
"In connexion with the above service, special united meetings were held at the three Chapels in the town: those for prayer, on Monday evening, Wednesday and Thursday morning. On Tuesday evening, Rev. Thos. Milner preached; on Wednesday evening, Rev. T. East; and on Thursday evening there was a united communion service. The whole of the services were well attended, and great interest was excited."
After a short but active, affectionate, and faithful ministerial course here, Mr. Taylor's health again began to decline, which soon brought his labours in the ministry to a final close. He was under the necessity of resigning his office. His letter of resignation was dated June 24th, 1845, having scarcely completed six years of pastoral labour in this place. He died at Birmingham in 1846, at forty-two years of age, in the faith and hope of the Gospel, leaving a widow and rising family especially to mourn his loss.
Mr. Taylor was born in Birmingham, February 10th, 1804. His parents were eminent for their piety, and his father was for many years a deacon of the Church assembling in Ebenezer Chapel, under the pastoral care of Mr. Timothy East. He received an excellent classical education at the school of Mr. J. Hammond, Independent minister, at Handsworth, of whom he always spake with much respect. He was called in early life to the knowledge of the truth, under the powerful ministry of Mr. East. The grace which he had received soon made him a decided Christian, and pointed him out as one likely to be useful in public service. His thoughts were soon directed to the work of the ministry; he pursued a course of study at Highbury College, where his attainments were respectable, and where he gained the affectionate attachment of his fellow students. His first situation as a pastor was at New Windsor, near Manchester. Here he continued until, after eight years' service, he was obliged by the state of his health to resign his charge, and preached his farewell sermon from the words of the Apostle, "I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you," &c., which was listened to with the deepest interest; and many sorrowed, "that they should see his face no more" as their beloved pastor. After an interval of two years, his health appeared to be sufficiently recovered for him to resume his stated labours, and he then accepted the invitation to become the pastor of this Church. Here he ministered with considerable success for a short period, the Church and congregation increasing; but the interest at first excited was not sustained until the close of his ministry, which might partly arise from the weakness of his constitution rendering him incapable of the continued mental and physical effort which the stated engagements of the pastor for a series of years demand. After about six years spent in this situation, symptoms of decline appeared. He sought relief by spending six months on the southern coast, but it proved in vain; his disorder increased. It become necessary for him to resign his second charge; and he retired to end his days amongst his friends in his native town, where he closed his course, in the possession of the peace and hope of the Gospel. Mr. Taylor was amiable, honourable, and affectionate; he had a strong principle of piety towards God, a deep vein of devotional feeling, a firm reliance on the merits of the Saviour. His great aim was to be useful in the conversion of sinners and advancing the kingdom of the Redeemer.
Some months after the death of Mr. Taylor, the Rev. J. Watson, then tutor of Newport Pagnell Academy, introduced to the notice of the Church the Rev. J. F. Poulter, of Queen's College, Cambridge. When Mr. Poulter had supplied the pulpit for some weeks with acceptance, he was invited to take the pastoral charge, which invitation he accepted, and was ordained Thursday, December 17th, 1846, when the Rev. J. Watson, of Newport, delivered the introductory discourse; Rev. T. Toller proposed the questions; Rev. E. T. Prust offered the ordination prayer; Rev. W. Forster, of Kentish Town, delivered the charge.
Mr. Poulter is the present minister of this Church and congregation. In the year 1850 new school-rooms were erected, at the cost of rather more than £300. The site was presented by Mr. W. Warren, and the design given by Mr. E. Sharman. At the opening services the Rev. H. Allom, of Union Chapel, Islington, preached; Rev. Samuel Martin, of Westminster, in the evening, from Proverbs xx. 11.
Mr. John Gibbs, of Wellingborough, who died May 19th, 1813, left by will the sum of £100 in the hands of his executors, to be by them invested in the funds or other good security, the interest of which is to be paid annually on St. Thomas's-day, December 21st, to the minister of this place, independent of the salary paid him by the congregation.