Cross-roads chapel—Ebenezer chapel—Fourth pastor—Chancery suit—Debt paid—Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth pastors—Improvements—Jubilee.
It was about this time and in some measure owing to the above proceedings that the chapel at Littleton (known as the Cross-roads meeting) was erected upon the site of a cottage and grounds purchased for that purpose, which was put in trust for the use of the Independents, and though never actually attached to the cause at Market Lavington, yet mainly dependant upon the friends of that place and occasionally supplied by the minister, its chief reliance is upon lay agency. A proposal was made to take it under the direction of the church here (in 1854), as it was thought likely to promote its success, but as opposition was made thereto by one of the trustees, the attempt was relinquished, and they are left to their own resources.
From this, in the year 1839, a party seceded and formed themselves into a distinct body embracing Baptist views, and built Ebenezer chapel upon ground given by the Earl of Radnor. They have never been able to maintain a minister, but are dependant upon lay agency.
In the year 1829, an invitation was sent to the Rev. Thomas Sturgess, then settled at Melksham, requesting him to supply the pulpit at Lavington; at the termination of his probationary visit, he was requested to settle over them. He complied and took up his abode among them. Alas! how varied are the forms of evil, and how diverse are the phases in which it can appear; just as are the dispositions of the human mind so will there be found an adaptation in error, in perfect accordance with the nature of the reptile so fitly chosen as an emblem of the author of all evil, “The serpent,” as one of our poets has expressed it, “takes a thousand forms to cheat our soul to death,” compression or dilation, the assumption of any device or colour, just as suits his purpose, so that the progress of truth be impeded. We have before noted how one after another of the servants of Christ have been constrained, by sinful perversity of their people, with wounded hearts and streaming eyes, to vacate their post; but now the scene somewhat changes, and the cause is to be assailed in a more vulnerable point. Ruin hovers over it, and how deliverance is to be obtained or from what quarter it is to come is a mystery. The debt arising from the enlargement in the time of the first pastor, and which had been suffered to continue, presses upon them, and assumes the form of a Chancery law suit: the property is attached, and the people are quite inadequate to combat it; but as all who are acquainted with law well know that as far as the defendant is concerned, it admits of no delay, but if allowed, like a leech, will glut itself with the very vitals of life. The people put forth their utmost efforts, and then made application to the Wilts Association of Independent or Congregational Churches for assistance. Having no funds available for this purpose at their disposal, they recommended the case to the Churches of Christ generally—the minister of the place travelling the county to solicit their aid. It was his privilege soon to realise the object which enabled him to discharge the debt by which the suit was stayed. He remained till 1834, when he removed to Marlborough, where he continued some time, then left for Sidmouth, and afterwards for Collumpton. In a few years he relinquished the stated ministry, and removed to the North of England. For the space of two years they remained without a shepherd, in a great measure arising from the diversity of temperament the human mind everywhere exhibits, and in no case more so than in matters of religion, especially in the democratic cast of the Dissenting Churches, which is an evil to be deplored, as too often affording to one individual the opportunity of governing a Church through the power of influence exerted over minds incompetent to a just discrimination of things; yet, when compared with the other evil resulting from the concentration of power in one individual, in the form of patronage is much to be preferred, as less likely to be injurious to truth. To the reflecting mind, the fact herein advanced will receive abundant confirmation in the diversity of creeds and professions with which the Christian world abounds, causing more animosity and heart-burning than any thing else, and from which very few Churches have escaped. During this interregnum their reliance was chiefly upon neighbouring ministers and what lay agency could be made available, which, unless judiciously employed, will of itself be productive of evil, by exalting some aspiring mind beyond his proper sphere.
In 1836, the Rev. John Young was recommended and at their invitation settled among them, but after about twelve months’ residence, owing to some unpleasant affair of a personal nature, he deemed it advisable to retire. Recourse was then had to ministerial friends far and near, and that for the space of about five years; during which they enjoyed comparative quietness and prosperity. In 1841, those who preferred a resident ministry to the dissipating mode of mere supplies (which, however pleasing to such as admire variety, is not the best for promoting true genuine piety and a steady progress in the path of holiness; nor is it calculated to foster some of the sweetest and tenderest of associations—those between pastor and people), made an effort to realize their wish; when the Rev. J. S. Gilbert was chosen to be their minister with very encouraging prospects; but the fairest day may have its clouds. A misunderstanding arose relative to his ordination; and although every means were used to overcome the difficulties—much as his friends regretted the issue, seeing he was not likely to be comfortable, they advised him to withdraw, and with great reluctance he complied. The managers, for by that name the officers were known, opened a correspondence with the Rev. C. P. Hobbs, of Highbury College; though at first he manifested a disinclination to accept the call to the pastorate, eventually he agreed, and was ordained in the year 1842. During his ministry the cause rose to a very respectable position, but the varying atmosphere became again overcast and agitated from a quarter unexpected and unlooked for. Mr. Hobbs’s views of church polity which he publicly professed at his ordination underwent a complete revolution; he therefore resigned in the early part of 1849, and conformed to the Established Church: he settled at Liverpool, but has since removed to the neighbourhood of London; and our hope is he may be made an extensive and lasting blessing. At the close of the year the Rev. C. B. Holder took the charge and remained until 1853, when, from some unexplained cause, he followed in the wake of his predecessor; and after for a time vacillating between the Establishment and Dissent, as the fane of interest varied, he at last accepted the office of Scripture Reader under the Bishop of Manchester, with the promise of eventual ordination.
The secession of these successive pastors, after solemn averment of having well considered the opposite principles of Church government, and selecting that from conviction of its scriptural truthfulness, was very naturally calculated to shake and overturn the faith of many, and give cause for rejoicing to their enemies. The removal and death of some of their warmest and best friends about the same time tended very much to depress the Church and engender a state of languor. But hopes are entertained that the tide has turned, the crisis passed, and an amendment commenced. The present number of members is fifty. It had been the wish of many of the friends for a considerable time past to improve the singing, and if possible to avoid those fruitful sources of evil which many a devout mind has had to deplore and too often caused discord, by the erection of an organ. The promising appearances which have arisen since the settlement of the present minister (this took place at the fall of the year 1853), seemed to afford a favourable opportunity for its accomplishment. A committee was accordingly formed for this express purpose; and after a general canvass so much encouragement was experienced, that terms were entered into for one every way suitable for the sum of £40. Steps were immediately taken for its erection, and it was opened in December of the same year, when sermons from Psalm xlvii. 7, were preached by the pastor. The ladies of the congregation exerted themselves to provide new cushions for the pulpit and desk, and curtains for the organ gallery and windows. About the same time a pupil of the minister’s, by the productions of his pencil, not only gratified the friends with drawings of the interior and exterior of the chapel, but by the sale of these purchased a hot-air stove, which he presented to the Church.
On Good Friday, April 6th, 1855, a balance remaining as a debt for alterations necessary, and the period of a little over fifty years having elapsed from the first establishment of the Church, a jubilee tea-meeting was held, which was very numerously and respectably attended: a great many friends came from Devizes and the neighbourhood around. The place was tastefully decorated with evergreens for the occasion. At the back of the pulpit was placed a perpendicular rectangle, in the centre of which was suspended the quotation of Scripture, Heb. xiii. 7, 8. On either side of the pulpit were arches with similar inscriptions, taken from Ps. cxxii. 7, and Ps. lxxxiv., 1. In front of the pulpit was hung a drawing of the shepherd, on the frame of which was:—“The memory of the just is blessed,” the date of his birth and death with his age. In front of the organ, was a double arch with single mottoes of “Fear God,” “Honour the King.” The pillars of the gallery having branches of laurel were surmounted with similar inscriptions of,—“Love the brotherhood,” “Honour all men,” “Unity, and dwell in love.” About 200 sat down to tea at four o’clock; after ample justice had been done to the abundant repast provided, a public meeting was held, when George W. Anstie, Esq., of Devizes, was invited to preside. The pastor read the history now given, which was received with marked approval; he also exhibited the pocket bible of the shepherd and two manuscript letters lent for the occasion; after which several persons addressed the meeting.