John Beadley, who died July 20th, 1827; funeral sermon from 1 Cor. vii. 29, 30. Jonas Rhodes, who died Oct. 11th, 1832. Samuel Clapham, who died March 24th, 1833. (There is a short account of each of the two latter in the Baptist Tract Magazine, for 1833.) Joseph Milner, who died April, 1834; and who had been deacon from the formation of the church.
The present deacons are,—Mr. John Town, Turkey-Mills; Mr. Joseph Laycock, Knowl; and Mr. Joseph Hall, North-street.
STATE OF THE BAPTIST INTEREST AT LYNN.
From our personal knowledge of Mr. Poile, and of the circumstances of the following case, we respectfully recommend the perusal of it to all who feel the necessity, and who are in any measure enabled to assist in the support of a sound evangelical exhibition of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
W. H. Murch, Stepney College.
W. Brock, St. Mary's, Norwich.
It is extensively known that the Baptist interest at Lynn Regis has been for many years in a depressed condition—a fact which has been much deplored by the friends of the denomination on the spot, and by those who have been acquainted with the circumstances of the case. In presenting it to the notice of the friends of the Redeemer, with the hope of securing their Christian sympathies and assistance, a brief outline of the case will not be deemed unnecessary.
The Baptist church at Lynn appears to have been formed about the year 1760, by Mr. Chesterton, who was succeeded in the pastoral office by the Rev. W. Richards, M.A., and afterwards by Mr. Durrant, who gratuitously laboured among the people for several years. The place of worship, occupied until nearly the close of Mr. Durrant's ministry, was a small hired chapel in Broad-street, which was afterwards purchased. About this time it was deemed advisable by the friends to erect a new meeting-house; and for this purpose a piece of land was bought adjoining the old place. The purchase of the ground and the erection of the building, capable of seating 300 persons, amounted to £1269 8s.; to the reduction of which, Messrs. Durrant and Brindley gave £200 each; £47 16s. were collected in Lynn; leaving a debt on the place of £821 12s. The pulpit having been occupied for a short period by different ministers, the church was induced to invite one of respectable talents to become their pastor, whose connexion with them, in consequence of his adoption of doctrinal errors, extended to no longer a period than twelve months. During that period a large and respectable congregation was attracted; the greater part of whom, however, having imbibed the errors which have been referred to, left the place with the minister, and erected a Socinian chapel; thus giving occasion for regret, not only that error was propagated, but by those to whom the Baptist cause was looking for support. From that period to the present many efforts have been made to revive the cause; and the debt, in 1812, by means of an appeal to the friends at Lynn, Dereham, Yarmouth, and Norwich, was reduced to £702 9s. A great variety of ministers have laboured, with more or less success, some of whom are now occupying important stations in different parts of the country.
A combination of causes occasioned the removal of many, apparently well suited to raise the interest; but that which seems more than any thing else to have deprived the church and town of the labours of devoted servants of Christ, was the legal and pecuniary embarrassments of the place. It will easily be conceived that, amidst events thus adverse, the church was frequently threatened with extinction, and the cause nearly given up for lost by those who hoped even against hope.
In September, 1832, the writer of this article acceded to the request of the church to pay them a visit, by the advice of his tutors, and received, at the expiration of a month, an unanimous invitation to spend a longer period, with a view to a settlement. An assurance that the legal difficulties would speedily be settled, and the hope that his labours might be blessed, induced him to comply. Various efforts were made to hasten this, without avail, until July, 1833, when it was thought by the friends generally, that it would be much to the advantage of the cause if a new place could be erected in a more eligible part of the town; and it was determined, by the advice of the Rev. W. H. Murch, president of Stepney College, to ascertain its practicability. The smallness, however, of the resources at home, and the promises from abroad, rendered such an attempt unjustifiable; so that nothing could be done, but either to use every effort to secure the old place, or to give up the cause entirely. The former step was finally decided on; and the writer consented to struggle, with the church, until a faithful God should answer the prayers of his people. After much trouble and anxiety, the legal business was settled on February 19th, 1835, and £100 was paid, which had been collected in the town. Lord's-day, 21st, was held as a day of thanksgiving, and the season improved by sermons from Ps. cxv. 1, and Ps. cxviii. 25. It was a day that will long be remembered by many present.