Chapter VII: Three Short Pastorates

Chapter VII.
Three Short Pastorates THE next pastor of our Church was Mr., now Doctor,

JOSEPH ANGUS, a gentleman whose career since he left us to become secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, and afterwards the tutor of Stepney Academy, now Regent's Park College, has rendered his name most honourable among living Baptists. He is one of the foremost classical scholars, and is a member of the committee for producing a revised version of the Holy Scriptures. He is the author of those standard books, "The Bible Handbook," "The Handbook of the English Tongue," and "Handbook of English Literature" We cannot better describe his coming to New Park Street than by quoting a part of the paper in the church-book, which was read by Mr. Gale, one of the deacons, at the ordination service, held December 27th, 1837.

"With so aged a minister as Dr. Rippon, declining in mental energy and bodily strength, it was not to be wondered at that, during his latter years, the church should be reduced in numbers, as well of members as of general hearers—but when there is added the circumstances of our having been turned out of the place in which we had worshipped for upwards of seventy years, and that for about three years we had to seek accommodation from the kindness of other churches, assembling at different times in Unicorn Yard, in Miles's Lane, and in Dean Street—such of the friends present as are acquainted with our history, will readily believe that those who have taken a management in the affairs of the church have often felt their hearts sinking within them at the fear of its entire dissolution.

"For several years we laid various plans, but they were frustrated. We had set our minds on various ministers, but we were not allowed the opportunity of inviting them. We felt for our section of the church as though that were the most important; but by our disappointments and by the placing of those ministers over other sections of the church which required to be provided for, we were taught that the great Head of the Church watched over the whole flock, and under this consideration we were encouraged to hope that the time would come when we also should be cared for, and we were led to believe that his care would be manifested to us in the most suitable time.

"As the most effectual way of obtaining our wishes a special Prayer Meeting was appointed to be holden every alternate week. 'Prayer made the darkened cloud withdraw.' The name of our dear brother, Joseph Angus, was in a short time mentioned to us as that of a zealous and studious young minister; and what was of most importance, as of a young man of ardent piety. He was at that time pursuing his studies at Edinburgh, where he was expected to continue till the end of April. He was written to with a request that he would supply for us during the month of May. His reply to this request did not arrive for several days, but when we received it we were encouraged by the words in which it commences. They were these: 'My unwillingness to make even the most trifling movement until some effort had been made to ascertain the Divine will has prevented my answering your letter earlier.' "The church had sought by prayer—the answer was given after prayer; and the letter concluded by leading us to expect him on the second or third Sabbath in May.

"A severe illness arising from a winter session at the University of more than usual labour, and the subsequent illness and death of a dear sister, compelled him to postpone his visit, and he did not arrive amongst us until the first of October. We, however, continued our special Prayer Meetings for Divine direction, under our peculiar circumstances. Mr. Angus was not known to any of us; we had, therefore, no personal predilections in his favour. We had sought a pastor from the great Shepherd of the church, and we trusted to him to supply us with one.

"On the 1st of October Mr. Angus came among us as a stranger, but he was no stranger at the close of the next week. We had heard good reports of him, and we had the gratification of finding all our expectations more than realized. Having been favoured with his labours on two Sabbath-days and also at our weekly and special prayer meetings, we hesitated not to request that (after he should have been at Oxford, where he had promised to supply for a month) he would renew his visit to us for three months. His discourses to us, however, on the third and fourth Sabbaths in October, and his visits among the people so convinced us that our prayers had been heard, and that God had sent us a 'Pastor according to his own heart, who should feed us with knowledge and understanding,' that we could no longer content ourselves with our previous invitation, but determined before he went to Oxford to call a special meeting of the church. It was numerously attended, and after solemn prayer and serious deliberation, it was resolved without a dissentient voice, and we believe with an entirely unanimous feeling, to invite him to become the pastor of this church." The union thus formed was confirmed by the divine blessing, and cemented by mutual esteem. During Mr. Angus' pastorate the privilege of communing at the Lord's table was extended to members of other churches, whether baptized or not, and this was done quietly and without division, though a considerable minority did not agree with it. The church remains a community of baptized believers, and its constitution will not admit any persons into its membership but those immersed upon personal profession of faith in the Lord Jesus; but it does not attempt to judge the order and discipline of other churches, and has fellowship in the breaking of bread with all churches which form parts of the mystical body of Christ: thus it endeavours to fulfil at the same time the duties of purity and love. In December, 1839, the Baptist Missionary Society invited Mr. Angus to become its Home Secretary. The members were deeply grieved, and passed a resolution expressive of their indignation, mentioning among other reasons why they should not be robbed of their pastor that "when this meeting contemplates that within twelve months nearly fifty members have been added through their pastor's instrumentality, and that from the number of enquirers there is a prospect of still larger additions, they cannot but appeal to the Christian feelings of their brethren on the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society, requesting them to consider whether they are not inflicting a wound on the church which no circumstances can justify." Corporations, however, have few bowels of compassion, and so after various interim arrangements the beloved minister was removed from his people. A sense of the importance of the Missionary Society, and the fact that after much deliberation the committee could not discover any one else about whom they could be at all unanimous, were the motives which led him to leave the church, to the deep regret of all the members.

After the removal of Dr. Angus the church was happily directed to hear MR. JAMES SMITH, whose useful ministry in Cheltenham was an abundant guarantee that he was likely to prove the right man to collect a congregation in New Park Street. He was pastor for about eight years and a half, from 1841 to 1850, and then returned to Cheltenham, from which many of his best friends are of opinion that he ought never to have removed. He was a man of slender education, but of great natural ability, sound in the faith, intensely earnest, and a ready speaker. He is the author of a very large number of little books, which are published at a cheap rate by Milner and Sowerby, of Halifax, and have been the means of numberless conversions, as well as of the comfort and edification of believers. Few men have ever been more useful than he. Happily for us he kept a diary of his own inward experience, and we cannot better illustrate the course of his ministry than by quoting from it those passages which have a direct reference to his labours in London.

"1841. Nov. 9th.—Having received an invitation from the church at New Park Street, London, after much prayer and searching of heart, I have this night resigned my office as pastor of the Church in Salem. This is a painful crisis in my history. I feel it deeply, but I trust I am acting in accordance with the will of God."

"1842. April 10th.—When I left Cheltenham and came to reside in London, I found the church in a very low state, and the congregation very small. I trust the Lord brought me here. Many more attend the word, and the people profess to profit; some are impressed, but the place does not fill as Salem did. O for a revival! My path has been outwardly prosperous, but inwardly painful. I never was tried with a small congregation before, but I am now. Lord, how long? When I look around me I see a beautiful chapel, a dense population, but no spirit of hearing. When I look forward there appears to be a mist before my eyes, and I cannot see my way. The people are greatly encouraged, but I often feel perplexed, I will therefore wait upon my God."

JAMES SMITH.

"1842. Nov. 19th.—My fortieth birthday.... In the church we are at peace, and the affection of the people appears to increase. I hope that their spirituality grows also. The good work goes on, though not so rapidly as I could wish. But if God is with us, if we simply aim to please him, he will bless us, and crown us with success."

"1843. Feb.—During the past year, sixty-six members were added to the church, and the congregation increased three-fold. The Lord's people say they are profited, and they appear to be much attached to my person and ministry. The prayer-meeting is crowded, and some souls are converted. But I want to see greater things. I am by no means satisfied."

"1844. Nov. 19.—The church now increases faster than it has done since I have been its pastor, but not so fast as I wish to see it. I try a variety of means, and feel determined to leave no stone unturned for its welfare and advantage. I am surrounded by a great many young people, very hopeful characters. This encourages me, and I continue to plead with God for many of them by name, and I preach to them monthly. O to have many of them given unto me as my joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord!"

"1846. Nov. 19—We have had many converted to God under the preaching of the word, and the church now numbers 450. To God alone be all the praise!"

"1847. Nov. 19.—The church increases, the congregation is larger than it has been since I have been in London, and my ministry is blessed to the conversion of sinners, especially my monthly sermons to the young. I bless God that I ever began this practice, and that I have persevered in it until now."

"1848. July.—We have had many removals of late and not so many additions, so that I begin to feel sad and somewhat unsettled, for I feel as if I could not live, much less be happy, if souls are not constantly brought to God. I have spoken to the church on the subject from Psalm lxxiv. 9. 'We see not our signs.' After noticing God's condescension in granting signs and tokens under the former dispensation, and the design of them, I endeavoured to set forth the signs we desire to witness. Signs of life imparted to those who are dead in sin, liveliness in the saints, and a revival of religion in the church and congregation. Observing, 'we see not our signs,' for few are added to the church, few are found deciding for God, few are enquiring the way to Zion, few are found properly affected with the state of the world and the church. Our prayer-meetings are not thronged. The spirit of wrestling prayer does not appear; the Lord's arm is not laid bare. The language of my soul must now be, 'I will wait for the Lord, who hideth himself from the house of Israel, and I will look for him.' O that he would soon appear, and put forth his power with the word!"

"1849. October.—For a considerable time I have felt an oppression on my chest, and great difficulty in breathing; last week I consulted a doctor upon it. He advised me to leave London as soon as I could, and get into the country, as my lungs require a purer air. This puts an entirely new face on my circumstances. I am seeking wisdom from God: I cannot doubt but he will guide me."

"1850. February.—I have written my resignation of office, and laid it before the deacons. It is a serious and important step which I have taken. I trust I have taken it in a proper spirit, and from a right motive. My mind is now calm and peaceful, the agitation from which I have long been suffering is at an end, and I feel as if I could now leave the matter with the Lord."

"When my resignation was accepted, the church passed a very kind and affectionate resolution, regretting that I felt it necessary to take such a step, but as I had rested it pretty much on the state of my health, they did not feel that they could refuse to accede to my wishes. I cannot say that I have laboured in vain here, for many souls have been converted, some backsliders have been restored, and between 400 and 500 members have been added to the church during my pastorate of eight years. Many of my poor people deeply feel the step which I have felt it my duty to take, and I have received very affectionate letters from several of them. May they soon be favoured with a pastor more suitable and efficient than I have been."

Mr. Smith built up in Cheltenham the strong working church now meeting in Cambray Chapel, which was erected by his exertions. When he was lying upon his dying bed the church at the Tabernacle sent him a heartily affectionate letter, and gratefully reminded him of all the blessing which the Lord had bestowed upon many souls by his means. To this we received a delightful answer assuring us that our words had greatly cheered him. He died in 1861, and an account of an interview with him is contained in No. 491 of the "Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit." It may interest the reader if we include it in our pages. "I saw this week the former pastor of this church, Mr. James Smith, of Cheltenham. About a year ago, he was struck with paralysis, and one half of his body is dead. But yet I have seldom seen a more cheerful man in the full heyday of strength. I had been told that he was the subject of very fearful conflicts at times; so after I had shaken hands with him, I said, 'Friend Smith, I hear you have many doubts and fears!' 'Who told you that?' said he, 'for I have none.' 'Never have any? why, I understood you had many conflicts.' 'Yes,' he said, 'I have many conflicts, but I have no doubts; I have many wars within, but I have no fears. Who could have told you that? I hope I have not led anyone to think that. It is a hard battle, but the victory is sure.' Then he said in his own way, 'I am just like a packet that is all ready to go by train, packed, corded, labelled, paid for, and on the platform, waiting for the express to come by and take me to glory. I wish I could hear the whistle now.'" In July, 1851, the church invited the Rev. William Walters, of Preston, now of Birmingham, to become the Pastor, but as he understood the deacons to intimate to him that his ministry was not acceptable, he tendered his resignation, and although requested to remain, he judged it more advisable to remove to Halifax in June 1853, thus closing a ministry of two years. These changes sadly diminished the church and marred its union. The clouds gathered heavily and no sunlight appeared.