UNION-STREET.Independent.

Translation.

Beneath this tomb lies interred all that was mortal

Of JAMES WATSON, D. D.

Who was born in the county of Aberdeen, A. D. 1:13.
He was educated in the University of Aberdeen,

Where he became thoroughly initiated in polite literature, in the languages,
And in Philosophy,

But not least of all in Theology.

He married in 1743, Anne, the daughter of John Hanchett of Chrishall-Grange In the County of Essex, Esq.

He was near 20 years the faithful pastor of a congregation in the same county, And for more than 20 of this congregation.

He was a man

So entirely devoted to the practice of religion,

As to be wanting in nothing that belonged to the duties of his profession. He was sincerely pious towards God,

Wise and zealous in the defence of the truth,

And in his public preaching exhibited with great clearness and precision
Those things which relate to the eternal salvation of souls.
He greatly excelled

In an unreserved openness of behaviour,
And a gravity that bespoke wisdom.

He was a loving husband,

An affectionate parent,

And of great affability, charity and benevolence to all.
Having nearly accomplished 70 years,

And detached from worldly objects,

With tranquillity of mind,

And the hope of a better world,

He departed this life in the year of human redemption 1787.
His sorrowful widow, who,

Together with 8 mourning children, survived him,

As a testimony of duty and affection,

Has caused this monument to be erected.

WINCHESTER-HOUSE-Particular Baptist, Extinct.

JOHN HUMPHRIES.-Dr. Watson was succeeded, after an interval of a few months, by the present pastor, Mr. John Humphries. He is a native of Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, and received his education at Homerton academy. For about five years he was settled at West Bromwich, where he succeeded the late Rev. Thomas Robins. Being recommended to the church in Deadman's-place by several ministers in London, he received a call to settle there in October, 1783; and on the 3d of March, 1784, he was set apart to the pastoral office there. Dr. Fisher began the service with prayer, Dr. Addington delivered the introductory discourse, Dr. Gibbons prayed, Mr. Barber preached, and Mr. Towle concluded. A short time after Mr. Humphries' settlement, a new meeting-house was built for him in Union-street, where he now preaches. A few years ago he opened an academy at Newington, where he teaches classical learning.

WINCHESTER-HOUSE.

PARTICULAR BAPTIST.-EXTINCT.

WINCHESTER-HOUSE, near St. Mary Overies Dock,

was originally a palace belonging to the Bishops of Winchester. It was erected about the year 1107, by William Giffard, bishop of that see, who transmitted it to his successors for their town mansion. In process of time they transferred their residence to the court end of the town, when this ancient building was converted into warehouses and dwellingbouses. After the Revolution, a part of it was formed into a place of worship, for the use of a society of Particular Baptists. In 1692, we find this church united with the

WINCHESTER-HOUSE.-Particular Baptist, Extinct.

general assembly in London; at which time, Mr. Richard Baxter, and Mr. David Towlers, were the joint elders. Of these persons we know nothing, excepting that they appear to have been fifth monarchy men, and to have been far gone in enthusiasm. The former published a book with a quaint and disgusting title, which we mention because it has been attributed falsely to the famous Mr. Baxter of Kidderminster, who, notwithstanding the apology made for him,† would never have descended to so much vulgarity.

Some circumstances connected with the people at Winchester-house are noticed in the proceedings of the Associa tion in London, March 25, 1705. "We further signify," say the Association, "that this Assembly being informed that there are several persons who call themselves Baptists, and meet at Winchester-house, near St. Mary Overies Dock in Southwark, who pretend to have formed themselves into a church of Christ different from the baptized churches in London, and are composed chiefly, in not only of persons who were under the censure or dealing of some churches; or after a disorderly manner rent themselves from sundry churches in this association, and from other baptized churches; and that they receive persons into their said society, without due recommendation from, or satisfaction to the respective churches, to which such persons did belong; and do take a liberty to reflect upon and revile the baptized churches, and their ministers, and all these allegations being fully proved to the satisfaction of this assembly; agreed 1. That it is the opinion of this assembly that the said persons meeting at Winchester-house are not, nor ought to be esteemed or owned as a church of Christ. 2. That it is the opinion of this assembly, that it is irregular and disorderly for any members of a baptized church to join themselves to them, or to frequent, or in any way encourage or counte

"A Shove for the Heavy ....d Christian."

+ Cooksey's Life of Lord Somers, p. 12.

CARIER-LANE, TOOLEY-STREET.-—Particular Baptist.

nance the said meeting at Winchester-house. 3. And we do recommend it to all the churches of this association to dissuade their members from any such practices, and to mark them that attend such an irregular meeting, as walking disorderly."*

We know nothing further of this people or place, excepting that it appears to have been registered as a meetinghouse when Maitland wrote in 1738. An aged member of the Baptist persuasion informed us some time since, that a Mr. Holdridge preached there about fifty years ago, and was counted a Sabellian.

CARTER-LANE, TOOLEY-STREET.

PARTICULAR BAPTIST.

THIS church was formed about ninety-four years ago, in consequence of a division that took place in an ancient society that met for many years in Goat-street, Horsleydown. Mr. Stinton, the pastor of that church, dying in 1719, the late Dr. Gill was invited to preach as a candidate to succeed him in the pastoral office; but a difference of opinion arising in the society as to the propriety of electing him to that situation, a division ensued, when the majority who were against him kept possession of the meeting-house. (A) Upon this, Mr. Gill's friends withdrew, and assembled for a time in

* Crosby's Baptists, vol. iv. p. 11, 12.

(A) A rhapsody lately published under the title of " A Brief Memoir of the Life and Writings of Dr. Gill," says that Mr. Gill" was chosen by a very great majority." If that was the case some of his friends must have fallen off, as the majority certainly remained behind, and kept possession of the meeting-house.

CARTER-LANE, TOOLEY-STREET.

Particular Baptist.

Crosby's school-room upon Horsleydown. They formed themselves into a church March 22, 1719-20, and on the same day, Mr. Gill was ordained their pastor. In November following, Mr. Arnold was chosen pastor of the people who remained behind at the old place, and a few years after his settlement they built a new place of worship in Unicornyard. Upon their removal, Mr. Gill's people returned back to the place in Goat-street, and continued to assemble there till 1757, when they erected the present meeting-house in Carter-lane. It was opened by Dr. Gill on the 9th of October in that year, when he preached from Exod. xx. 24. Upon the Doctor's death, and the choice of the present minister to succeed him, another division took place, and gave rise to the church in Dean-street, in the same neighbourhood. About five and twenty years ago the church had formed a design of building a new meeting-house upon a more extended scale, and were looking out for a piece of ground with that view; but not suiting themselves readily, they were satisfied with enlarging their own place, which they did very considerably. The church and congregation are considered to be the most numerous of the denomination in London. The meeting-house is an oblong building, with galleries entirely around. There is also a large baptistry, with every conveniency for baptizing. In the vestry there is a large three quarter painting of Dr. Gill, from which his best portraits are taken. Of the Doctor we will now present the reader with a brief account.

JOHN GILL, D. D.-This learned and celebrated Divine was born on the 23d of November, 1697, at Kettering in Northamptonshire. His father was a deacon of the Baptist church in that town, and discovering in him very early an uncommon capacity for learning, sent him to a neighbouring grammar-school, where he soon outstripped his companions. By the time that he was eleven years of age, besides having gone through the common school books, he