The Baptist Church now worshipping at this chapel was originally formed at a small chapel or meeting-place in Silver-street, Kensington Gravel-pits, in the year 1823. Its first settled pastor was the Rev. W. Southwood, who laboured with it from 1826 to 1830. The Rev. John Broad succeeded in 1831, who occupied the post for ten years; and was followed by the Rev. John Berg in 1841, the Rev. F. Wills in 1843, and by the Rev. W. G. Lewis, the present pastor, in 1847. Mr. Lewis preached his first sermon April 11 in that year, and was formally ordained in the following September. The progress made through these years—and especially under the latter pastorate—is sufficiently told by the fact that the first list of members appearing in the church book in 1826 included only seventeen names, whilst the list in December of last year (1870), numbered as many as 725. The small chapel in Silver-street becoming too strait for the growing cause—after considerable research—the prominent and important site of the present chapel was obtained and built upon in 1853, at an entire original cost of 5,500l. Since then galleries were added in 1859, at a cost of 579l., and in 1866 a considerable enlargement took place, at a further grand outlay of 5,895l., so that the chapel as it now stands represents an expenditure of about 12,000l. Thus, apparently by a course of uninterrupted progress, within the last quarter of a century has grown up a very large and powerful church, which takes rank with the first of West London churches for numbers, for wealth, for influence, and for its multifarious Christian labours. There are few finer instances of the effect of the Voluntary principle in religion to be found, whether we look for them in the Established Church or in Nonconformity. In the year 1870, 668l. 5s. 6d. was received for pew-rents, and the weekly offerings amounted to 198l. 16s.; collections at the Lord’s Supper, 106l. 2s. 8d. There are large Sunday-schools, with 632 scholars of both sexes and all ages, and a capital school library of 500 volumes, to which 371 of the scholars subscribe. Towards the expenses of the school the church contributed 32l. 2s. 5d., and from this and its other sources of income, after paying its expenses, the school contributed 53l. 6s. 7d. to the Baptist Missionary Society, in addition to 100 dresses which were made and sent to a mission station in Western Africa. An “Evangelical Mission,” the object being tract distribution, sick visitation, &c., obtained from the congregation to assist its work 24l. 3s.; the London City Mission, 88l.; Baptist Missionary Society, 165l. 8s. 2d.; a Soup Kitchen, coals and bread, 23l. 10s.; Children’s Friend Society, 10l. 5s. 4d.; Maternity Society, 4l. 1s. 10d.; a “Ladies’ Working Society” produced 27l. 9s. 7d.; a “Mother’s Meeting,” by which nearly 200 poor women were assisted in providing clothes for themselves and families, 115l.; and a “Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society” raised 84l. 2s. 7d. Besides all these, and independently of them, the congregation contributed 524l. 5s. 1d. towards the reduction of a debt still remaining upon the chapel, the whole representing an income and an appropriation of 2,469l. 19s. 11d. In connexion with the Children’s Friend Society there is a penny-bank, which received in the year 224l. 3s. 8d. deposits. It must be evident to all, that great and sustained effort, and some self-denial in the moving spirits of these various operations, can alone account for such results. The Rev. W. G. Lewis might well be congratulated upon the health and energy he has been enabled to bring to bear on this work, and upon the most efficient aid he has found ready to his hands in the numerous and zealous church and congregation over which he presides. As to the general character of his pastorate and ministry, their abundant acceptableness and usefulness are sufficiently manifest from their duration, and from the present aspect of affairs at Westbourne-grove. Twenty-five years’ continuous ministry to the same church, and things all round still healthy, vigorous, and flourishing, places a minister almost beyond criticism, if any were disposed to indulge it. Mr. Lewis appears to be an earnest and affectionate pastor, and calculated to govern a church without destroying it, and to its building up in the unity of faith and love. He is undoubtedly an able and gifted minister of the New Testament, discerning the spiritual requirements of his charge, and skilful in meeting them by bringing out of the treasury “things new and old.” Speaking from our own observations and information, the whole of his service, from beginning to end, is religiously profitable and instructive in a very high degree. Having a good voice, capable of elocutionary effect, under the control of a well-furnished mind, his sermons are refreshing in their originality of conception and their terseness, yet completeness of expression and illustration, so that the hearer, at the close, feels that he has neither had too much or too little, but has been fed with intellectual and spiritual food “convenient for him.” Mr. Lewis is well known as Editor of the Baptist Magazine, which has been for twelve years under his management. The subject of discourse was Mary of Bethany and the alabaster box of ointment (Matt. xxvi. 13). The force of the Divine love working in the human heart, and illustrating the effects of the Saviour’s love to the world, was appropriately set forth. Its power, its freedom, its breadth, inventiveness and self-sacrifice in devotion and doing good, were set out in vivid contrast to the narrow bonds of worldly conventionality and of a cold-hearted time serving religious profession. The good work which Mary did against the Saviour’s burial was symbolical of his own “good work” which he did by giving himself for us. “Very costly, and embodying all that he could give.” The hours and order of service at this chapel are: Sundays, 7 a.m., prayer-meeting; 11 a.m., public worship; afternoon: 3 p.m., Bible classes; 6½ p.m., public worship; 8 p.m., prayer-meeting. Monday evening at 6, prayer-meeting for females only; 7, general prayer-meeting. Baptism by immersion administered as occasion arises. The Lord’s Supper on the evening of the first Sabbath in each month at 8. Church meetings on the Friday before the first Sunday in the month, at 7 p.m.
The deacons are Messrs. Fenn, W. B. Head, Rabbeth, W. Dearle, J. R. Philips, G. Lindup. The city missionary attached is Mr. J. Browne.
THE FREE TABERNACLE, NOTTING HILL.
The name of the “Free Tabernacle” and Mr. Varley are indissolubly united in Notting-hill. The Tabernacle is a very plain brick structure, in Norland-square, or rather in St. John’s-place, leading out of the square. It admits of no architectural description; but on entering one is impressed with the idea that it has been built with an object. It has the appearance of a large hall, with a platform pulpit at one end, and a choir gallery behind it. There is no other gallery at present; but the ground floor is thoroughly pewed, and the whole is capable of accommodating 1,000 persons, and, if necessary, 1,200 could find a place. The original cost of the building was 2,200l., the responsibility of which was entirely borne by the present minister and his father-in-law, Mr. Pickworth, who undertook the work solely in the interests of the spiritually destitute poor of the neighbourhood. Mr. Varley, who was at the time and has ever since been engaged in business, first began to preach nine years ago in the Potteries, in the Notting-dale Schoolroom, where he speedily collected a congregation from the poor people of that district, so large and overcrowded that he was compelled to find another place. This led to the building of the Tabernacle, and to one of the most valuable voluntary religious efforts that we have yet had the pleasure of recording. Upon this basis, at the present time, an average congregation of 800 in the morning, and 1,000 in the evening, assemble for public worship. Upon special occasions the number is increased to 1,100 and 1,200, and it is interesting to note the respect and affection with which Mr. Varley is regarded by all this people. He has succeeded in establishing an influence undoubtedly for good over a class not to be founds in many of the congregations we have yet had under review. It is notorious that, as a rule, our poor do not attend our churches and chapels, but the “Tabernacle” supplies an exception to the rule. In this case the minister himself is an active tradesman, and appears to possess that kind of talent which adapts him to the mind and circumstances of the class to whom he ministers. Without even the shadow of lowness or vulgarity Mr. Varley has a certain colloquial style and manner which impart both pleasure and profit to his hearers, while it wins and retains their respect. His preaching is to a large extent expository, as on the morning of Sunday, the 23rd of September, the text (Heb. viii. 6) was illustrated by frequent references to other portions of Scripture. There was a peculiarity which we have not observed so fully carried out anywhere as here, a great proportion of the congregation had their Bibles in their hands, and regularly followed the preacher in his references with manifest interest, very much after the manner of a Bible-class following the teacher. They had evidently been well trained to this, and did it as from established habit. Mr. Varley also expounds in the reading of the lessons, and in so doing on this occasion denounced all assumption of a priesthood by men, and the pretended sacrifice of the Mass, as a sin against God and a complete contravention of the Scriptures. The hymns used are entitled “Hymns of Grace and Glory,” arranged especially for the service of this congregation, and are sung to simple melodies in which all can join. The singing is universal, lively, and devotional, and appears to realise the great object of music in public worship. The harmonium, however, it may be observed, is a little too much heard. It is, perhaps, what some would term noisy, and is too apt to drown instead of assist the congregational voice. The church, which now numbers about 550 members, is Baptist by profession, but what maybe termed an “open” Baptist Church, freely admitting Christian people of all denominations to its communion. Amongst other peculiarities at the Tabernacle there is a communion every Sunday morning after the public service, except on the first Sunday in the month, when it is after the evening service. It is the only case in a Nonconforming place we have yet had to notice in which there is a weekly celebration. Mr. Varley believes this to be the Scriptural order; and from the large number that tarry to that service it would appear that his people are one with him in this belief. The public services are on Sundays at eleven and half-past six; Monday evening prayer-meeting at seven, and on Wednesday evening a sermon at seven. There is a good Sunday-school attached, with about 500 children and a staff of 30 teachers. The church derives all its financial support from voluntary effort. Weekly offerings are taken at the doors, and all the sittings are free. Up to the present time, Mr. Varley’s labour has been gratuitously bestowed. It is with some surprise we learn that he has never yet received any earthly reward or testimonial whatever for his valuable services. We do not know whether it would be approved by Mr. Varley himself, but we would suggest that it is one of the first duties of the church at the Tabernacle to set their minister free from the concerns of worldly business, that he might devote all his time to study and the discharge of his pastoral duties. Having, under God, raised the church, he surely is its natural and fitting pastor; and one cannot but think that his separation to the work would prove a blessing to that people. At present, his Sunday labour is supplemented by that of a missionary (Mr. Ashdown), supported by the congregation, who does much pastoral work through the week, visiting the people and striving to keep alive their interest in public worship. Although the present building is a large place, it is thought not to be adequate in space to the demands; and is, therefore, now about to be closed for some weeks, pending important alterations. After these are effected there will be an area of 74 ft. by 94, and galleries all around, affording accommodation for over 2,000 people; and in addition to this there will be several class-rooms, and one large room for general service, calculated to hold 500 persons. It will easily be conceived that in “Mr. Varley’s Tabernacle” (as it is now commonly called) there must be a centre of powerful influence in dealing with a great mass of people not reached by other agencies, and which circumstances have caused to congregate around it. The exterior will be greatly beautified by the alterations—a view of which, by favour of the architects, Messrs. Habershon and Pite, we are enabled to produce.
THE CORNWALL ROAD BAPTIST CHAPEL.
This is situated near the point where the Cornwall-road crosses the Ladbroke-grove-road, with a low, single-arched looking front, approached by a flight of steps from the footway, and inclining towards the latter road. It is a wooden structure, but protected by a coating of lath, with an outside covering of Portland cement; and when on the other side the whole building is in view, it looks a long, dark, narrow object, which would not be readily taken for a place of worship, reminding one of a huge ironclad lying at anchor in a quiet harbour. It may be explained that the shell was formerly a part of an annexe belonging to the Exhibition building of 1862; and having been made a present, by the contractors, Messrs. Lucas and Co., to Sir Morton Peto, was presented by that gentleman for its present good purpose in the Cornwall-road. It was set up in 1863, including a large, commodious schoolroom, deacons’ and minister’s vestries all included. The chapel itself is a spacious oblong, fitted with an organ gallery behind the pulpit, and another gallery of similar dimensions at the opposite end, but having no side galleries. The organ was also the gift of Sir M. Peto, and built by Willis, of the Albany-road, Regent’s-park, at a cost of 300l. There is a plain pulpit, sufficiently elevated, and the floor is plainly pewed; but the woodwork in the roof is tastefully coloured in light blue and white, which gives a light and pleasing aspect to the interior. The place will accommodate about 800 persons.
The Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, brother of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, was the first minister of the chapel. He laboured very successfully for four years—collecting an excellent congregation and a goodly body of church members. He was, however, unfortunately for his people, removed to assist his brother in the duties of the college which he had founded in connexion with his South London enterprise. Previously to his departure, however, the church gave substantial proof of the esteem in which it held him, by presenting him with a purse containing 50l., and a handsome gold watch and key, by Bennett, of Cheapside, which cost 24l.
The successor was the Rev. Charles White a minister who can scarcely be said to have settled in the church. At his inauguration the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon preached an appropriate sermon, at the close of which he hoped, and in fact predicted, that the Rev. Mr. White would prove the “right man” for the congregation. It, however, almost immediately after transpired that a serious feeling of estrangement, and of something beyond, sprung up between several of the principal members and deacons and the new minister. It need not be surmised which side was most to blame. Probably it is safe to omit all conjectures on the subject. This “letting out” of the waters of strife became painful in its consequences. The church was completely rent; and in about nine months after his appointment Mr. White left the chapel, and betook himself, with a large number of the congregation, to the Ladbroke Hall near, where he continued to minister for another year. In the meantime the chapel was well nigh forsaken and the church severely tried. It was at this juncture that the present minister, the Rev. R. H. Roberts, B.A. (of London University), was invited, and undertook the charge. Under the difficult circumstances he appears to have acted the part of a wise man, resolving and avowing his resolution not in any way to interfere with Mr. White, or harbour any feeling of hostility towards him or his friends, but, on the contrary, to evince towards them an amicable disposition. There was, however, not long the need for this display of Christian temper in that direction, as very soon Mr. White removed from the neighbourhood. From that time the church has been gradually revived and the congregation visibly increased, many of the old members returning, and some new being added; and at present it looks as though it must shortly recover its former strength. Mr. Roberts, who has now been two years with the church, is an intelligent and thoughtful preacher, and from the discourse to which we listened, founded on the parable of the pounds, we should think he is aiming at inspiring his people with a high sense of their responsibility. There were some pointed and pregnant utterances in the sermon which are apt to fix themselves in the memory. As for instance, in regard to the constancy of Christian service: “Let not this be a work for ‘saints’ days,’ for all days are, or ought to be, saints’ days in the calendar of the kingdom of heaven.” As to the Saviour’s second advent: “The best way of waiting for Christ is to continue working for him. With the nearness or distance of his coming we have nothing to do; the word says ‘Occupy till I come.’” As to the proper use of our talents: “Some men prosper and come into the front by accident; but the outward seeming will be pierced through in the day of account, and the very heart of whatever reality there is about us will be got at.” Then, again, as to human attainments: “All human attainments are only divine endowments developed and magnified.” These and similar terse remarks, thrown out in passing, added effect to various parts of the subject.
The service of song is well provided for here. “Psalms and Hymns” for use in Baptist congregations is the book used, in which it is satisfactory to observe the name of every author drawn upon appended to his composition. The Bristol Tune-book is distributed, and the name of the tune is given out with the hymn. There is also Allen’s Book of Congregational Chants and Anthems; and that grand and universal hymn Te Deum Laudamus was not omitted, but was sung in the midst of the service with much propriety and spirit by the whole congregation.