MARKET-STREET, MAY-FAIR.-Independent.

Joseph Proud, who formerly preached in connection with the Particular Baptists. Having already given an account of this sect, and its founder, under a former article,* it will be unnecessary to enlarge upon it in this place.

MARKET-STREET, MAY-FAIR.

INDEPENDENT.

PRIOR to the formation of the present society, perhaps few parts of the metropolis of so extensive a circuit as MayFair, were so entirely destitute of the blessings of a gospel ministry, few that were likely to manifest a more inveterate opposition to the introduction of pure and undefiled religion. The purlieus of a court have never been overburdened with the means of religious instruction, nor have there been many LATIMERS to counteract the baneful influence of those downy preachers, who, in the language of the prophet, too commonly sew pillows under the arm-holes of courtiers. It is not surprising, therefore, that a society of religious persons should find some difficulty in establishing itself in this neighbourhood. Nearly twenty years ago, a few young men of this description engaged a room in a private house, from whence, after a short time, they were turned adrift. Not dismayed, however, at this rebuff, they quickly engaged other apartments in the same neighbourhood, which they duly licensed according to law. There they continued for the space of five years, and were favoured with the assistance of various ministers, who had the satisfaction of seeing their labours attended with success. During this time, they re

See Vol. ii. p. 165-171.

PALACE-STREET, PIMLICO.-Independent.

ceived some accession from Mr. Gwennap's congregation in Piccadilly, which had dissolved. They were, at length, directed to their present place of worship, which was opened January 2, 1801, under the name of EBENEZER CHAPEL; the Rev. Rowland Hill, and the late Rev. James Moody, of Warwick, preached upon the occasion. The number of worshippers now began to increase, and feeling the importance of church-fellowship, they were formed into a church on the congregational plan, April 27, 1802, and in January following, the union was publicly recognized. Two sermons were preached upon the occasion, by Mr. Moody, before-mentioned, and Mr. Ford of Stepney. The church still continued to be supplied by various ministers; but contemplating the advantages of a stated ministry, they directed their attention in May, 1805, to their present pastor, the Rev. SAMUEL HACKETT, who was then assistant to Mr. Miller, of High-Wycombe, Bucks. Mr. Hackett visited the people in Shepherd's Market, in September following, and receiving an unanimous invitation to the pastoral office, was ordained over them June 12, 1806. Since then, the church and congregation have considerably increased, and the place has been twice enlarged.*

PALACE-STREET, PIMLICO.

INDEPENDENT.

THIS is a large substantial building, and used to pass by

the name of BUCKINGHAM CHAPEL, which is still inscribed on the front. It was many years in the occupation

• From the information of Mr. HACKETT.

PRINCES-STREET, WESTMINSTER.English Presbyterian.

of the Methodists, and Mr. Obadiah Bennett preached there a considerable time under that denomination, but left it in the year 1800. In the beginning of 1801, a regular independent church was formed here, and deacons ordained in the presence of the following ministers, viz. Messrs. Brooksbank, Stollerie, Duncan, Wall, and Maurice, the last of whom preached upon the occasion. In a short time, the Rev. E. A. Dunn, who had been educated at Hoxton academy, was invited to settle here, and is the present pastor.

PRINCES-STREET, WESTMINSTER.

ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN.

IN

IN the early stages of nonconformity, when talent and respectability characterised its leaders, and an attachment to principle the people, this was one of the most flourishing societies amongst the English Presbyterians. It was first collected in the reign of Charles II. not long after the act of Uniformity, by the learned Mr. Thomas Cawton, one of the ministers ejected by that infamous statute. His congregation met first at a place in Tothill-street, and continued to assemble there till the time of Dr. Calamy, in the early part of whose ministry a larger and more commodious meetinghouse was erected at a place then called Long Ditch, but now Princes-street, a short distance from Westminster Abbey. In this building, which contained three capacious galleries, the congregation continued to meet till the time of Dr. Kippis, when the present place was erected upon a much more contracted scale, in consequence of the diminution of the society. It is a very neat and elegant building, of the VOL. IV.

PRINCES-STREET, WESTMINSTER.English Presbyterian.

rotunda form, and fitted up in a superior style; but without galleries. As this meeting-house is situated in a quarter of the town where Dissenters are but little encouraged, and even less so than formerly, it is no wonder that the interest is in a low state. To this some other causes have likewise contributed. Under the earlier ministers, the congregation was both numerous and wealthy; and many persons in high life were not ashamed to unite with them in upholding the despised cause of nonconformity. This gave them considerable influence with those in power, and it was often beneficially exerted in the great cause of civil and religious liberty. Of this, some instances occur in the life of Dr. Calamy, who was many years at the head of the Dissenting interest. There are few places amongst the Dissenters that can boast such a succession of learned and exemplary ministers as this at Westminster;-men, who in their day and generation were instrumental in building up the great cause of christianity, as well as of Protestant dissent. Prior to Dr. Kippis, the ministers of this society were Trinitarians, and may be considered moderate Calvinists; at present the church ranks with what are called the Heterodox Dissenters. Since the death of Dr. Kippis, the people, who are but few in number, have been in rather an unsettled state with regard to a pastor, none having continued with them for any length of time. Indeed, the purposes of religious worship seem scarcely answered in keeping open the doors to so few persons; nor can it be very encouraging to a minister to preach to empty benches. Notwithstanding the pains that are taken by some zealous persons to uphold the cause of what is, by a perverseness of language, called "Unitarianism," their success is by no means apparent in our old Presbyterian churches, which seem fast hastening to a dissolution. A good specimen of the style of preaching amongst the Presbyterians fourscore years ago, shall be adduced in the life of Dr. Calamy. Happy would it be for the cause of nonconformity, as well as for that of our common christianity, were

PRINCES-STREET, WESTMINSTER.-English Presbyterian.

the same truths taught with similar faithfulness in some modern congregations. Ichabod would not, in that case, be written upon the walls of so many of our meeting-houses. The following is a list of the ministers who have officiated to this society, both as pastors and assistants.

THOMAS CAWTON, B. A.-It is in some measure a reproach on our nation, that while many of our countrymen are admired for their talents abroad, their names are scarcely known at home, or at least their performances but little attended to. This has been the fate, amongst many others, of the learned Mr. Thomas Cawton. He was born at Wivenhoe, near Colchester, in Essex, about the year 1637;