The following history was read to the congregation of the Rev. John Alexander, at a tea party in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on Tuesday evening, April 6, 1847, which was held for the purpose of celebrating the thirtieth year of his ministry. It is now published in compliance with their request, and in the same style of personal address in which it was originally delivered. After it had been read, several members of the congregation addressed the meeting; and the following resolutions were unanimously passed:—

I. Moved by Mr. Thomas Banks, seconded by Rev. J. Bryan.

“That the history of the Church and Congregation connected with Prince’s Street Chapel, during the last thirty years, which has now been read, should awaken in our minds devout gratitude to God for graciously enabling us to overcome the various difficulties which have arisen in our course; for the enlargement, peace, and prosperity which have been granted to the Church, and to the Institutions associated with it; and for bringing us together at this time under circumstances which are calculated to awaken encouraging hope for the future.”

II. Moved by Mr. Joseph Colman, seconded by Mr. Thomas Brooks.

“That on this Thirtieth Anniversary of the residence of our beloved Pastor in Norwich, we are devoutly grateful to God for having first directed him hither, and for having permitted him to labour so long and so successfully amongst us: that we affectionately thank him, for his constant and faithful devotedness to the work of the ministry and the welfare of his people; and that we earnestly pray, that for yet many years to come, he may be spared to enjoy richly the blessings of the gospel, which he dispenses to others.”

III. Moved by Mr. Frederic Pigg, seconded by Mr. Charles May and Mr. Josiah Fletcher,

“That an increased acquaintance with the doctrines and influence of the gospel of Christ, deepens our conviction of the importance of steadfastly adhering, in our Christian profession and practice, to the great and essential truths of evangelical religion, as declared by this church at its formation; and of promulgating them universally, in connection with those principles of ecclesiastical polity, which we believe to be alike in accordance with sacred scripture, and with religious liberty.”

The speeches delivered on this interesting occasion were reported in the Norfolk News of April 10, 1847, and the following account of the meeting is extracted from its columns:—

“On Tuesday evening the congregation of Prince’s Street Chapel, Norwich, held a SoirÉe in St. Andrew’s Hall, for the purpose of celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the ministry of the Rev. John Alexander. About eight hundred persons of all ranks, and including some of various religious bodies, were present, in testimony of one who has earned in no common degree, the esteem of his fellow citizens. We may refer to this tea party as an admirable example of the mode in which occasions of public interest may be made the means of stimulating social sympathies, and of promoting that harmony between the wealthy and the poor, which in England has been so long and so unhappily interrupted. We may refer also to the review of the history of Prince’s Street chapel, and of the church and congregation assembling there, which was read by Mr. Alexander, as a narrative not only full of interest to all who desire the advancement of religion, but full of instruction to all who question the power of the voluntary principle. Here we have an account of a chapel raised, of a church formed, of a congregation collected to the number of 1000 persons, of missions planted in two neighbouring hamlets, of a large Sunday school established, and of the active and efficient maintenance of all these during thirty years, by a comparatively poor body of persons, at an expense altogether of upwards of twenty-two thousand pounds. Such a result is no mean proof of the efficacy of willinghood, when called into exercise by the ministry of a faithful and zealous pastor, and exerted by an affectionate and devoted people.”

The history which our esteemed minister read at the meeting, and which is now printed from his manuscript, it is hoped will be an interesting and useful document, especially to his own church and congregation, because it will call to their remembrance “all the way which the Lord their God hath led them” these thirty years; and, as a few additional copies will be published for the use of the public, it may serve to show to persons in general, the principles and working of a congregational church, during a long and varied period of its existence.

Some beautiful verses composed for the occasion, are inserted at the conclusion of the history.

JOHN VENNING,
Chairman of the Meeting.