Chapter XL: Section II

_Brief account of the different dissenting chapels in this town_.

Of all our present sects the _Jews_ and the _Catholics_ seem to claim the precedence in point of antiquity. The former composed a part of the population of Lynn at a pretty remote period; and the treatment they here experienced ought to be spoken of only in terms of the utmost reprobation. They were pillaged and massacred in the most brutal manner, and had their very habitations burnt and destroyed, as has been related in a former part of this work. {1103} There are still some Jewish families resident here; and we believe they have always had a synagogue in the town. It was for many years in Tower Street; but that has been lately pulled down, being part of the premises which the _Methodists_ have purchased for the purpose of erecting there their intended magnificent and capacious temple. We have not learnt that the Jews have yet been able to procure another synagogue; but we may suppose that they will not be long without it. At present they probably meet in some private apartment fitted up for the purpose, till a more suitable place can be obtained.

As to the CATHOLICS, they were formerly our predominant sect, and constituted the established church of England and of Lynn, for near a thousand years. They have long been reduced here to a small society, and are not at present likely to become more numerous or considerable. They have generally a priest stationed among them. Their present chapel is a small room in Ferry Street, and those who attend are, of course, but few in number. The present minister is a French emigrant, of fair character, and very well respected in this town, to whom many of our townsmen are indebted for the proficiency they have made in the knowledge of the French language. The Roman Catholic religion being no longer the religion of the state, it has ceased to be oppressive or formidable to our other religious communities; and it is supposed to have lost (at least in these kingdoms) much of that intolerant and sanguinary character which distinguished its professors in former times. By many the Catholics in these realms, and especially in Ireland, are thought an oppressed people; and it is much to be wished that every just reason for such an opinion might entirely be done away.

3. That respectable body of protestant Dissenters, who have assumed the name of FRIENDS, and are by others called _Quakers_, have long had a place of worship in this town, and formed a reputable part of its population. It seems that some of our townsmen have been of that denomination ever since the year 1655. _George Fox_ himself visited this town in the course of that year, and preached here with considerable effect. A Person was sent about the town to apprize the inhabitants of his arrival, and invite them to give him a hearing, especially the more sober and pious part of them, together with the officers of the garrison. A large congregation appears to have assembled, many of whom were much affected by the sermon: consequently, as we learn from Fox’s Journal, a fine meeting or congregation was formed here, “_who had come from the hireling teachers to sit under the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ_.” From that time to this it is supposed that there has always existed here a society of Friends or Quakers. Fox, however, was not the first of that Denomination who visited Lynn. It was visited, as _Sewel_ informs us, by _Thomas Briggs_ two years before, who warned the people to repent, but appears not to have been much listened to, and even to have met a very unchristian reception—“a great mastiff (says Sewel,) was set upon him; but the dog coming near, fawned upon him, and would do him no harm:” so that the poor brute behaved to him much better than those of his own species. But it has often so happened to those who endeavoured to reform the world and turn mankind from the errors of their ways. Fox visited Lynn again in 1662, when some of his Friends were confined here in prison. We find that he preached here then with acceptance; which was, probably, what excited the magistrates to have him apprehended and imprisoned; but before they could effect their cruel purpose, he escaped out of their jurisdiction. Where those of his persuasion held their meetings here in those troublesome times does not appear, but they afterwards met in the Cross Yard near Lady Bridge, which continued to be their place of worship till the erection of their present place in New Conduit Street. This is a neat, but small place; though quite large enough for their congregation, which is supposed to be now much smaller than it has been in former times, as is also the case in most parts of the kingdom—the modern Quakers having but a small portion of that zeal in disseminating their principles which was manifested by their early ancestors. This is to be regretted, as some of those principles are certainly very excellent, and deserve every possible exertion to disseminate them throughout the world. Of the particular tenets of the Quakers a full account may be found in _Barclay’s Apology_, and also in _Clarkson’s Portraiture of Quakerism_. They have no preaching among them, here except when a stranger comes, as they have no public friend or minister among themselves. They have three burying places in this town, which may indicate that they have had here three different meeting houses.

4. PRESBYTERIAN _Chapel_. Though the Presbyterians seem to be of somewhat longer standing in this town than the Quakers, yet it does not appear that they had here a separate place of worship as early as they. They appeared here as a distinct sect soon after the Restoration, in consequence of the ejection of _Mr. Horne_ from the vicarage of Lynn Allhallows, and from the established priesthood. His acknowledged piety, learning, and respectability of character, were likely to gain him adherents as an ejected minister. The number of those who adhered to him on that trying occasion we have not been able to learn; but it is certain that they soon formed themselves into a separate society, and report has said, that they met for some time at a place fitted up for the purpose in a certain yard or alley in Black-goose Street. They afterwards removed to Spinner Lane, behind the house now inhabited by Mr. _Dennis_, where they fitted up and converted into a decent chapel, a round house, originally erected for a Glass-house. Here the congregation assembled during the whole ministration of the _two Rastricks_, and part of that of _Mr. Mayhew_. After he had been here some time, the old chapel falling into decay was given up, and the congregation then removed to a new and neat chapel which they had erected in Broad Street, which was a more eligible situation. Mr. Mayhew about the 70th year of his age resigned the ministry, and was succeeded by _Mr. Warner_, who was the minister of this chapel from 1777 to 1801, when he resigned his charge and removed to _Hapton_. Before his removal the congregation had been for sometime declining, not for want of abilities in him, but rather for want of a larger portion of sectarianism and proselytism. Several of the principal members were removed by death, some before his departure, and others soon after. Of the remainder, those of them who might be expected to retain some attachment to the cause, fearing the expense which might attend any exertion on their part to revive and support it, now dastardly quitted their post, and ingloriously sneaked back into the bosom of the established church, and have ever since, as might be expected, constituted some of its most useless members. In consequence of that defection and desertion, the Calvinian Methodists, under the name of Independents, thrust themselves in, and got possession of the chapel, to which they could apparently have no more right than the other Methodists, or even the Quakers. Indeed it would seem that they had less right to it than those, as the Lynn Presbyterians had always been _Arminians_ from the beginning. It was always said by Mr. Warner, that the place, in the event of the extinction of the Presbyterian interest here, according to the chapel deeds, would become the property of the Presbyterian board, in London. As to the Trustees, if they knew their business, they could not suppose that they had any right transfer to another and hostile denomination the possession of the property with which they were entrusted. This we notice as what we conceive to be due to historical truth, and to the memory of the Presbyterian congregation, which existed so usefully and reputably in this town near 150 years, and whose ministers were in general among the chief ornaments of the place for learning and respectability of deportment.—The Presbyterian chapel was about 40 feet by 25, with a gallery fronting the pulpit. It has been since lengthened to about 58 feet, with the addition of very narrow side galleries. It is but ill planned, and supposed not capable of containing so many people as either the Methodist or Baptist chapels.

5. BAPTIST _Chapel_. This also is situated in _Broad Street_, and not far from that of the Presbyterians. It has been lately rebuilt, and is a neat handsome place, about 46 feet by 26, with deep galleries in the front and at both ends. The dissenters of this denomination are not of so long standing at Lynn as those treated of under the two last articles. They were gathered and formed into a society here in the reign of James II, by the ministry of the worthy and memorable _Thomas Grantham_, who was indefatigable in his endeavours to enlighten and reform his countrymen, and establish them in what he deemed to be scriptural christianity. Till a proper place of worship could be procured, it is understood that he was allowed to preach in the Townhall; and he appears to have been treated here with much respect, owing perhaps to his respectable connections, the Granthams being then one of the first families in Lincolnshire. He was what is called a _general_ Baptist, and therefore not what was then, or would be now, deemed orthodox. He never settled here, but went mostly about, as an apostle or reformer, to promote what he conceived to be the pure religion of the New Testament. He succeeded in gathering and establishing many congregations in different parts of the country, but chiefly in Lincolnshire and Norfolk. The latter part of his time he resided mostly at Norwich, where he gathered a congregation, in spite of the intolerance and bitter enmity to dissenters, which continued to rage there, even after the revolution: and there he died at the beginning of 1692, at the age of 58. {1109} About that time or a few months earlier, the congregation at Lynn became the objects of persecution from the ruling powers here. They were proceeded against upon the _conventicle act_, although both their place of worship and their minister had been regularly licenced. An account of this dark and disgraceful business has been given before at page 861. How long the congregation was enabled to withstand this persecution we have not been able to ascertain. Perhaps it was soon after borne down and crushed. We are sure that it had become extinct long before the denomination was again revived here about the commencement of the present reign by the ministry of Mr. _Chesterton_. The society then formed was _calvinistic_, and so more orthodox than the former, and so it still continues. It was dissolved about the time of Mr. Chesterton’s death, but again revived and reorganized about the year 1777; since which time it has been kept up, though not always without some difficulty. Their present minister is a person of good report, and it is hoped he will be long comfortable and very useful in his situation.

6. METHODIST _Chapel_. This place, situated in the _North Clough Lane_, is very well contrived and neatly fitted up. It is about 42 feet by 30, with very deep galleries in front and at both ends. It is so constructed as to be capable of accommodating, perhaps, a greater number of hearers than any of our other chapels; yet such has been the late increase of Methodism here, that it is now become too small for the audience; and therefore for their better accommodation, a new and very capacious, as well as elegant and splendid place is now about to be erected in _Tower Street_, which is expected to be completed by next Michaelmas. The expense of this intended erection is estimated at 4000_l._ or more. As to the old place, it is likely to be soon desecrated and converted to a granary or warehouse, or place for some such secular and unhallowed use: and though it would be a very commodious place of worship for any other description of christians, yet it is understood that it would not be obtainable for such a purpose, from, as it would seem, the low and tradesman-like consideration, that it would not be quite safe to have it occupied in the same line, lest it should prove detrimental to the trade of the new shop. The present writer remembers the Methodists a persecuted sect, classed among the heretics of the day, and much spoken against every where. They were then meek and passive, and not apt to brand those of other denominations with bad names, or fix upon them the odium of heresy. The case is greatly altered since: they were then weak, but are now powerful; they were then few, now they are numerous, and their numbers daily and rapidly increasing. They consequently assume a high tone, and join in the cry of _heresy_ as loudly as any of our persecuting sects—especially against _anti-trinitarians_, or _unitarians_, and _universalists_: and yet it is certain that the public mind, or national opinion is no more inimical to persons of those denominations at present, than it was to the Methodists fifty years ago. Let the Methodists think of this, and learn a becoming measure of moderation and good neighbourhood.—What has happened to themselves may also happen, in a course of time, to those whom they now so very bitterly and violently decry, and so unmercifully stigmatize and anathematize.

7. SALEM _Chapel_. This is a new place of worship, erected the latter pact of last year, (1811,) in consequence of the dismission of _Mr. Finch_ from the pastoral office in the Baptist congregation, on account of some difference of opinion about _satanic influence_, and some other speculative and abstruse points. The place is about 50 feet by 30; and so larger than any of the other chapels here: and when galleries are erected, (a measure already in contemplation,) it will be capable of containing a larger audience than any of them. It is at present well attended, and supposed likely to continue so.—Mr. Finch’s dismission from his late situation in the Baptist chapel, {1112} and especially the manner in which it was transacted, being disapproved by many of the hearers, who were much attached to his ministry, measures were soon adopted to retain him still in the town, by erecting for him a new chapel, where things should be conducted on a more liberal plan, and in the true spirit of protestantism, to the exclusion of all human creeds and formulas, and the admission of the scripture as the only religious directory, or sole rule of faith and practice. In a society so formed, the essence of christianity, it was _hoped_, would be exhibited as consisting in the imitation of Jesus of Nazareth, a submission to his authority, and reliance on him, arising from the firm persuasion or belief of his Messiahship, or that he is indeed the Christ, the Son of God—of which the New Testament affords such clear and ample evidence. Whether or not that hope will be realized, must be left for time to determine. The persons chiefly concerned in this new undertaking are not anxious to identify themselves with any one of our religious parties or denominations, though they wish to maintain peace and good neighbourhood with them all. If they ever connect or identify themselves with any one party, it will probably be a liberal, though small body of those called _general Baptists_, {1113} one of whose ministers, the worthy and respectable author of the _Sketch of the Denominations of the Christian World_, was unanimously invited to assist at the opening of this new chapel, when his services gave entire and abundant satisfaction. The first sermon he preached here, being also the first that was delivered in this new place, has been since published, with an _Appendix_, containing an account of a late very curious correspondence between him and _Mr. Berington_, a learned _Catholic priest_, which it is supposed must render this publication very interesting. Except the stated minister, _Mr. Evans_ is the only one that has yet preached in this new chapel; but it is understood that the occasional service of any worthy minister, of whatever denomination, whether reputed orthodox or otherwise, who passing this way may be disposed to address this congregation, would not be here rejected. It may therefore be expected that ministers of different views on many religious subjects will be found sometimes officiating in this new pulpit; which seems very well to accord with the avowed principles of these people, who profess a readiness to hear what any serious and pious religionist may have to say, and then to judge for themselves of its reasonableness and accordance with the scriptures. It is hoped they will carefully persevere in this laudable course, trying all things, and holding fast that which is good, however unfashionable such a mode of proceeding may appear to have now become in the religious world.

Having now finished the account of places of worship, it may not be improper to add here a few supplementary observations before we close this section. First then it may be remarked, that religion at Lynn exhibits the appearance of considerable diversity; which diversity is allowed by the higher powers, for which they are certainly not to be censured, as religious liberty is one of the first and most undoubted rights of man. Accordingly there are here Jews and Christians, Catholics and Protestants, Churchmen and Dissenters, and the latter of various orders and descriptions—all at present quite unannoyed and undisturbed, _except what may be occasioned by the bigotry and malevolence which some of them too often manifest towards others of a different way of thinking_. This is disgraceful enough to our sectarian bigots, and shews how little they have yet learnt of Christ, and how ignorant they still are of the spirit of his religion, notwithstanding their loud pretensions to superior knowledge.

Each of the great bodies or sects, with which most of our religious communities here are connected, has its particular constitution, which is its law of confederation and great bond of union, and may be said to be no less definable than our boasted and admired English Constitution. All these sectarian constitutions answer pretty well the end of their formation; but do not all discover equal legislative capacity, or profoundness of judgment in the different framers of them. Some of them are such as can reflect but little credit on the skill or judgment of their constructors, while others discover such profound sagacity, deep penetration, and accurate knowledge of mankind as would not have disgraced a Solon or a Lycurgus. Of this latter sort is the constitution of those respectable sectaries called _Friends_ or _Quakers_, as appears from _Barclay’s Apology_, and _Clarkson’s Portraiture_. Of this sort too is _the constitution of the Arminian or Wesleyan Methodists_, of which the fairest, and fullest, and best account this writer has seen, or knows of, is in _Nightingale’s Portraiture of Methodism_; which is a moderate size octavo volume, and well worth the perusal of all who wish to become more intimately acquainted with the history and character of this rapidly increasing sect, which is said to be likely soon to swallow up all the rest. However that may happen, it seems very certain that Methodism, from the nature of its constitution and organization, is calculated for a wide and rapid increase, far beyond any otter existing sect now within the British dominions. What may render this more credible to the reader is, that there are now about 30 preachers of this denomination, (including those called _local_) belonging to this town and circuit, all in very constant employ here, or in the surrounding villages; which seems a pretty fair specimen of their present state throughout the realm. This is not mentioned to disparage their exertions. If they think their cause of superlative importance to mankind, let them persevere, while they use no other, or worse means to insure success, than pious persuasion and fair argument. If they succeed and become the most numerous body of religionists in the country, let them by all means be the _established church of England_. Where would be the harm of that? We know of none: at least, if they were to be constrained at the same time to renounce and quit forever every remnant of a bigoted or intolerant spirit towards their dissenting neighbours. {1116}