This was sung by the congregation to a lively tune and with good devotional effect. At the close of this, the preacher read a number of requests for special prayer from members of the congregation for specific objects stated on the paper, connected with their personal or family experience, and some of thanksgiving for former prayers answered. This took considerable time, and was followed by a brief petition, giving a general utterance to these supplications. The sermon was extempore, and founded upon Psalm xxiii. Probably it should be termed a free address, intended to bring out, by scriptural illustration, the character of the Redeemer as the “Great Shepherd.” Mr. Forlong does not appear to believe in the ordinary style of sermonising, or “philosophising” on distinct portions or mottoes of Scripture; and has adopted the plan of turning his audience into a great Bible class. They follow him systematically through chapter and verse from beginning to end, and the preacher simply connects the sense of the passages, and pauses here and there to enforce a passing thought. The expositor, however, is animated (as most Scotchmen are), and familiar in his illustrations; and as to Scripture itself his system is highly instructive. The sermon lasts about forty minutes. There were about 400 present, on a very inclement morning. There is a Sunday-school attached, with a good voluntary staff of teachers, conducted morning and afternoon in the Golborne-Hall, having 200 children of both sexes. The public services are, Sunday morning at eleven; evening at seven; and prayer-meeting on Thursday evening. Communion service on the first Sunday in the month at the morning service, and the second Sunday at the evening service. This service is administered without written form, and by handing round the bread and wine to the communicants in their seats. All religious persons are admitted to it by introduction to the minister.
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, FOWELL-STREET, NOTTING-HILL.
A small plain brick edifice, built in the old, familiar Grecian style, and situated in Fowell-street, in the Potteries, Notting-hill. The building is a square; and has in the interior on three sides a gallery, the other being occupied with a platform for the preacher. In all, ground floor and galleries, there is accommodation for about 200 people. On a memorial stone outside is the following: “This stone was laid August 2, 1864, by J. Fowell, Esq., who kindly gave the land, Rev. J. Phillips, Superintendent Minister. J. Carrud, Architect and Builder.” The chapel is connected with what is called the “Second London” Primitive Methodist Circuit, in which there are about a dozen different localities associated, and of which the Rev. Mr. Toulson is the present superintendent minister, having with him four colleagues. As one of the earlier branches from the old Wesleyan body—dating as far back as 1812—the “Primitives,” as their adopted name implies, conceive that they follow more closely in the steps of Mr. Wesley than the parent body. Nevertheless their doctrines and their practices are precisely the same, except in a few minor matters, which it would seem impossible to trace to a Wesley origin. Camp-meetings was the question upon which they first separated from the conference, which disallowed them; but this peculiarity has much declined of late years. Female preaching was another peculiarity, and at one time female preachers were frequently found upon their plans; but this, too, may be said to have well nigh passed away. In general church arrangements and working they assimilate to the old body in everything, except in the constitution of their Conference, in which there is a considerable difference. The Conference proper of Wesleyanism is composed entirely of ministers, but preceded by “General Committees,” where the laity are admitted. In the Primitive Methodist Connexion, the Conference itself is composed of both ministers and laymen, and the latter are in the proportion of two to one of the former. The two bodies, however, work side by side without antagonism, but it may be said also without much fraternising. The social status and monetary power of the two communities are widely different. The Primitives are poor, their chapels are of the least costly kind, and their ministers have barely a subsistence, yet are they highly respectable in their order, and exert themselves with vigour and enthusiasm in their calling. One of the junior ministers, the Rev. Mr. Knipe, was officiating in Fowell-street, and offered extempore prayer with an ardour, read with a homely emphasis, and preached with a demonstration of manner that can seldom be heard except in a Primitive Methodist chapel. His congregation consisted of about 70 or 80 of the adult population, respectable-looking poor people, by no means the lowest class to be found in the Potteries. The latter is not the class that attend either church or chapel. The society, or the church proper, consists of from 50 to 70 persons, recognised as members of class. There is a Sunday-school with about 80 children, held in the morning and afternoon. The services are on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.; prayer-meetings, Sunday morning at 7, and on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings at 7. The society, according to Methodist custom, contributes its quota towards the support of the ministry by the weekly pence of the members, quarterly contributions, and collections.
UPPER WESTBOURNE-PARK BAPTIST CHAPEL.
The place of worship known by this name is situated in the Bosworth-road, Upper Westbourne-park, or, more properly, in Kensal New Town. It is in the midst of a mass of new houses, either completed or in progress. It was opened for worship in June, 1870. The Rev. H. W. Meadows, a minister from Mr. Spurgeon’s College, first instituted services in a room in the neighbourhood, from which he progressed to the building of this chapel, at an entire cost of 360l. The place is far larger and more commodious than this sum would seem to indicate; and it impresses one with how much can be done for 360l. Of course, the structure is not imposing, but of a plain and useful type, having more the appearance of a public hall, but the interior is solidly fitted with benches. There is a good platform pulpit, with a gallery behind it, flanked on one side with a minister’s vestry. It is comfortably warmed by a stove in the centre, and well lit by a set of neat gas-pendants from the beams of the roof. A debt of 200l. remains, which it is hoped will shortly be liquidated. Accommodation is given for 400 persons; but the attendance, when largest (in the evening), does not as yet generally exceed 150; and there are about thirty members in church fellowship. Mr. Meadows and his friends have had difficulties to contend with on the spot, as one or two small preaching-rooms near conducted by persons of the same persuasion would seem to show. He has evidently had uphill work; and it was not until the 18th of January, 1872, that a church was finally formed and a settlement of his pastorate arrived at; and on January 28 in the evening he held his first ordinance of baptism by immersion. The cause is regarded as a branch from Westbourne-grove Baptist Church, and as under the particular notice and care of the Rev. W. G. Lewis. The financial support is from pew-rents and weekly offerings, with occasional aid; but the minister has never yet derived the benefit of a salary. The services are, on Sundays: Prayer-meeting, 7.30 a.m.; preaching at 11 and at 6.30 p.m. A Sabbath-school is held, in which there are about eighty scholars, at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. There is a service also on Wednesday evening at 7.30. The deacons are Mr. W. S. Hook and Mr. C. Heard. This is not a Strict Baptist church, but adopts the open communion.
THE SOUTH KENSINGTON BAPTIST CHAPEL.
The memorial stone of this edifice was laid on June 23, 1868, by James Harvey, Esq., Treasurer of the London Baptist Association; when an address was delivered by the Rev. W. Brock, D.D., of Bloomsbury Chapel. A meeting followed in the evening, presided over by J. H. Tritton, Esq., when most of the principal ministers representing Nonconformity in West London were present; and among them the Rev. J. A. Aston, M.A., the then catholic-spirited Incumbent of St. Stephen’s Church, which is situated close to the chapel. The immediate site is in the Cornwall-gardens, Gloucester-road, and near the Gloucester-road Railway-station, one of the most eligible sites that could be selected, in the midst of one of the newest and choicest suburbs of the metropolis. The neighbourhood included between the Brompton-road and Queen’s-gate in one direction, and the Cornwall and Fulham-roads in the other, has few rivals in or around London. It includes the vicinity of South Kensington Museum, Cromwell-road, Onslow-square, Onslow-gardens; Gloucester-road, Queen’s-gate, Victoria-road, &c. It was here that the Rev. Samuel Bird, after having laboured for some time at the Hornton-street Tabernacle, and subsequently at the Avenue-place Room, Kensington, conceived the idea of erecting a chapel. Having taken a lease of the land, with a right of pre-emption after a specified period, he proceeded to build. Messrs. Searle and Sons were the architects, and Mr. W. Higgs the builder, and in due course it was opened for Divine worship. At first it seemed as though Nonconformity in South Kensington was about to make an onward movement; but whether from any social peculiarity in the locality, or personal peculiarity in the minister, or from the circumstance of the opening and enterprising of two or three more new churches in the same part, we cannot pretend to say; but certain it is that the new Baptist church, ere yet it was scarcely formed, suddenly collapsed. After about two years’ effort, the minister departed and the chapel was closed. It has remained closed to the present time (Feb., 1872); and is now announced to be sold by auction at the City Mart, by Messrs. Fox and Bousfield, on the 14th inst. Its future history therefore cannot for the moment be predicted. It is an affecting sight to see so handsome a building deserted; and on visiting it for the purpose of a survey, an aged person, formerly, as we learned from himself, a member of the congregation, and who now seemed not far from the better world, was pensively whiling away the quiet morning in the fresh air around the silent temple. He was sadly deploring the desolation and abandonment of his Zion; and seemed to have his own theory as to the cause of the failure, of which he made no secret. The building is one of the completest, most commodious and effective chapels to be met with around London. It is in brick with Bath-stone dressings, and designed generally in the early geometrical Gothic style of architecture; and has been greatly beautified by the mortgagee, since it was closed to the public, by the erection of a handsome tower and spire; and the facilities of the interior have been also increased by the erection of a gallery. It now affords accommodation for 1,000 persons. It is substantially fitted with modern pewing and pulpit, and has an excellent baptistry, vestry, large schoolroom, and apparatus for warming and lighting. There are three front entrances with lobbies, two communicating by staircases with the gallery, and the centre one with the body of the building. There are also two side entrances; and three handsome lamp-posts adorn the frontage. It must have been heart-breaking to be the instrument of rearing such an edifice, and so soon to be compelled to relinquish it. For some time past the Incumbent of St. Stephen’s has been using the spacious schoolroom underneath the ground-floor of the chapel for a day-school.
THE WORKHOUSE CHAPEL.
Divine Service is held at the Kensington Workhouse, for the inmates, on Sundays, at 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. At present there are no other services; but a new code is now being introduced which will effect a very desirable change in this respect. At a recent meeting of the Guardians, the “Visiting Committee” made the following report and recommendation to the Board: “The Visiting Committee having in consideration the resolutions passed by the Board on the 1st of February inst., and having also considered the letter from the present Chaplain of the 14th inst., in which he states his inability to devote a much larger portion of his time than he has done for the last twenty five years, resolve that it is desirable that the Chaplain of the Workhouse and Infirmary give his whole time to the spiritual care of the inmates in the same way as the clergyman of a parish, and that, considering the numbers of this house and the work to be done, the least salary should be 150l. per annum.” This resolution is adopted by the Board, and will henceforth be acted upon—an urgently necessary improvement, although it may come to involve a further change in the chaplaincy. The Rev. Dr. Frost, formerly of the Kensington Grammar School, has held the appointment for a quarter of a century. When he first began he had the spiritual care of less than 150 inmates. The number gradually rose until two years ago they amounted to 800. At the present time, March, 1872, the house contains 760. It will be seen, therefore, that the religious requirements of this large number are quite beyond the provision made under the old system; and the Guardians have acted under a strong sense of duty in bringing about a thorough reformation. It was not until two years ago, when the inmates were 800, that any increase of salary was asked for on behalf of the Chaplain. Previous to that it stood at 50l. per annum; since then it has reached 65l. Double this sum will enable a chaplain to give a principal part of his working time to the objects of his calling in the house, and to bring a more decisive moral influence to bear upon the inmates. The paucity of religious service in this workhouse up to this time can be looked upon in no other light than a calamity; and may serve in some measure to explain the fact that there are so many refractory and misbehaved paupers taken hence to the magistrate at Hammersmith for correction. We cannot but think there might have been, there ought to have been, at least one week-night service instituted long ago; and if the Guardians were not in a position to pay for this, among the numerous clergy in Kensington some one might have been found who would occasionally have taken duty gratuitously. But we fear that up to the present time it has occurred to few to reflect that the souls of inmates required a fair amount of attention as well as their bodies.