8
1822.
Statistical View of Dissenters:-Cumberland.
385
vided worthy preaching ministers for these, and allowed generously for their support, himself residing at Greystoke, where he had a Society of Communicants prepared by the foregoing efficacy of the word on their minds and hearts, and manifested in a new life; and to deserve this, each person, in order to admission, passed under some proper examinations. For the better ordering of particular societies, the ministers generally desired such as the Apostle seems to call, helps, &c, 1 Cor. xii. 28; in which the two assemblies at Westminster and the Savoy agree therein, and called them ruling elders; that is, some of the most judicious, pious, prudent, and exemplary persons noted in the church, and chosen by the brethren to help the ministers in inspecting the manners of all, &c.-Whether Mr. Gilpin had such called by that name, I find not; but several deacons he had. And in the year 1656, John Noble was judged worthy to bear that character, according to the holy rule in that case, 1 Tim. iii. 3, 8; so remarkable was his growth in religion and esteem in the church. This young man and such others, set up the exercises of religion in their families, by prayer, praises, and reading the Scriptures, morning and evening, and teaching their households. At the King's return in 1660, Mr. Moreland, the old incumbent, surviving, Mr Gilpin soon gave way to him, so that we find this godly man no more in his parish church, but among the saints, in and with whom is God's delight."
Dr. G seems to have remained but a short time in this neighbourhood after he had established the church at Penruddock ; he removed to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and, of his successors here, a detailed statement may be expected under the account of PENRUDDOCK.
HENSINGHAM - had the honour, in 1519, of giving birth to Edmund Grindall, Archbishop of Canterbury ; and who, in his latter and wiser days, was undoubtedly a friend of the puritans. It is well known that this circumstance occasioned his suspension from his archiepiscopal office, by an unwarrantable exercise of prerogative on the part of Queen Elizabeth. He said of his native village, that it was "of all that shire, the ignorantest part in religion;' and he accordingly exerted himself for its spiritual improvement. It has latterly been favoured with the kind attentions of some dissenters in Whitehaven, and the promotion of Sunday schools, and the enjoyment of the preaching of the Gospel, have proved the happy consequences.
HUTTON.-Mr. JOHN JACKSON was ejected from hence in 1662, according to Palmer, which is confirmed by the following notice in Hutchinson's List of Incumbents:- "Thomas Todd, ejected by Cromwell's sequest - Jackson, an usurper. - 1689. Nich. Thomlinson, Pres. Dean and Ch."
HESKET, New Market-is a neat little market town in the parish of Caldbeck, and may not be unworth of notice, as containing some ecclesiastical information relating to Nonconformity. Hutchinson (ii. p.396.) says- "Mr. Tunstall was ejected by the commissioners of Cromwell, and died before the restoration. In 1657, RICHARD HUTTON was rector, who probably was deprived in this turn by the Bartholomew Act; for, in 1663, Arthur Savage, A.M. was collated by Bishop Sterne." Again, in p. 392- "Wood Hall, in this parish, was famous for the residence of GEORGE FOX, the founder of the Quakers, when he established his religion." in p. 393 - "Philip, Lord Wharton, by deed bearing date July 12th, 1692, appropriated certain lands in the country of York, as a perpetual fund for the purchasing yearly of 1060 Bibles. Of these, sixteen were to be given, every year, to this parish." And, p.394 - " Three Quaker meetings-house are in the parish: it does not appear, however, that their numbers increase." The Methodists have a flourishing Society here; and are numerously attended at their various preaching places in the neighbourhood.
ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL - is a chapelry in the parish of Crosthwaite, the inhabitants of which have the alternate right, with Lord Lonsdale, of electing the minister. It is conjectured, that the mr. JAMES CARR noticed here by the Noncon. Mem., was no other than Mr. James Cave mentioned under Crosthwaite of the same work:- the names, from their similarity, might very easily have been misunderstood. This highly picturesque and beautiful vale has been occasionally favoured with the pastoral attentions of the dissenting minister at Keswick.
KESWICK.-(The following references to this place appear in the Register of the church at Cockermouth.) "On the 24th day of the 4th month, 1657, the two sister churches, viz. that of Keswick and this of Cockermouth, met at Thornthwaite Chappel, where the two pastours preached: our pastor from the 1 Pet. i. 22; the pastour of their Society, Mr. JAMES CAVE (or Carr,) from the 1st epistle to the Corinthians, 15th cap. 58th verse. The meeting was comfortable."----"This day (Oct. 31st, 1660) Brother Geo. Benson, Teacher, was, by an order under the hands of five Commissioners sitting at Keswick, ejected unjustly from his publike place, for denying (as was alleged) the baptisme of children-a known falsehood."----"In
CONG. MAG. No. 55.
3 D