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1822.] 389
Religious Intelligence:-Miscellaneous
Unfortunately here is a blank in the register from Mr. D.'s settlement, and during the ministry of his two immediate successors; RICHARD PAXTON and GAVIN HENDERSON, who remained here but a few years. The next entry is, November 7, 1796, Andrew Carnson came; and left in 1805. Mr C. had been for a short time the minister of a Burgher congregation at Annanshire, prior to his coming to this place; he came originally from the North of Ireland. During his stay here, the congregation is said to have declined very considerably; and in 1805, he removed to the charge of a people at Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle. The congregation were happily and speedily favoured with the services of Mr. JAMES SCOTT, a native of the North Riding of Yorkshire; and who, though he had not enjoyed the advantages of an academical education, was, by native genius and self-improved talents, exeedingly well adapted for the office of an 'Evangelist.' A decade of years he laboured, 'in season and out of season,' supplying his own people with the faithful administration of Christian ordinances, and spreading the Gospel in every village and district around him. It was his conviction, that ministers should not restrict their pastoral regards to their immediate flock, but should imitate the Apostles and the Saviour, 'who went about doing good.' This worthy and successful minister exchanged worlds at the house of his friend the Rev. Timothy Nelson, Salkeld, on the morning of January 6, 1815. The circumstance was awfully sudden, as he had suffered no previous indisposition; but there were satisfactory reasons for believing, that, in this case, 'a sudden death was sudden glory'. As a proof of the high estimation of his character, his associated brethren promptly exerted themselves on behalf of his family; and were successful in procuring a comfortable subsistence for the support of his bereaved widow and numerous children. This interesting station has been since occupied my Mr JOHN HADDOCK, who received a preparatory education from the Rev. James Jackson of Green Hammerton, Yorkshire."
( the following is extracted from a letter of the last gentleman.)
"We have about 35 communicants. Our hearers vary much according to the season of the year. When the weather is favourable, we have frequently, I believer, nearly 200 people, and sometimes we have not less than 50 or 60, so that I scarcely know what number to fix as stated hearers. The villages I preach at regularly are the following: Kirkoswald, Renwick, Scalehouses, Groglin, Newbiggin, Albyfield, Glassonby, Gamblesby, besides Salkeld and the chapel at Parkhead.
(Mr Nelson has given the following as the list of ministers at Huddlesccugh or Parkhead.)
"Rev. Messrs. George Nicholson, Hope, Caleb Threlkeld, Thomas Walker, Adam Dean, Richard Paxton, Gavin Henderson, Andrew Carnson, James Scott, John Haddock.
II. MISCELLANEOUS.
Port of London Society - Monday, May 6 the Members and Friends of this Society assembled at the City of London Tavern, to celebrate their Fourth Anniversary. The Right Hon. Lord Gambier, on taking the Chair, remarked that it was a truly delightful and joyful sight to see so many supporters of this excellent and highly useful Institution collected together to celebrate their Fourth Anniversary; and also, under Divine Providence, to assist in promoting the spiritual and eternal happiness of that valuable body of men, the British Seamen, whose long and tried services justly merited their utmost gratitude and most affectionate regards.
The Rev. Dr. Newman then shortly implored the divine protection and favour, in a suitable address to the Throne of Mercy.
The Report commenced with adverting to the preaching on board of ship, and proceeded to inform the Meeting that "at most of the out-ports of the United Kingdom, Seamen have now chapels devoted to their use. Preaching on board of private vessels has also greatly increased; and in various ways the moral and spiritual welfare of this interesting class of men has been promoted.
A letter is quoted, reciting the like measures adopted in the United States of America - particularly at Boston.
The unwearied exertions of " the British and Foreign Seamen's Friend Society." in establishing Devotional Meetings of Seamen under the Bethel Union Flag, is then honourably mentioned; and a small Society of the same nature said to be established at Gibraltar.
The Floating Chapel continues to be well attended, and an annual service has been established on the 4th of June, in honour of his late Majesty. Several anecdotes are then quoted to shew the effects of religion upon Seamen, and the great moral change now taken place among them.