-
William Button: The Other Successor Of John Gill
The meeting-house in this street, which is on the south side of Tooley Street, was erected in the year 1774, for the people who separated from the church, which had been lately under the care of Dr. Gill, upon the choice of Dr. Rippon to succeed that eminent minister. They met for a short time in the meeting house in Maze Pond, until they were formed into a new church, January 13, 1774. The ministers engaged on that occasion were Dr. S. Stennett, Mr. Benjamin Wallin, and Mr. (now Dr.) Rippon. The sermon preached by Mr. Wallin was published, entitled, “The Church an Habitation of God through the Spirit.” To this is prefixed the introductory discourse by Dr. Stennett. It thus commences: "As separation has…
-
The Life And Death Of William Button
Mr. William Button, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Dean Street, Tooley Street, upwards of forty years, died August 2, 1821, aged 67 years. Head Stone E. and W. 21,—N. and S. 28,29. Mr. Button’s father (Mr. John Button) was a deacon of the church under Dr. Gill. The Doctor preached a most admirable funeral sermon for Mr. Button’s mother, who died in 1766, which was printed, entitled, “The dejected believer’s soliloquy,” from Psalm 40.11. Mr. Button lies buried in the same grave with his father (who died in 1812) and mother; and, subsequently, his widow, Mrs. Button, with her youngest son William, and only daughter, Mrs. Joseph Dare.
-
The Life And Ministry Of William Button
The Rev. William Button was born at Peasmarsh, near Rye, Sussex, March 5, 1754. His grandfather, the Rev. John Button, was a Presbyterian minister at Rye, and also a farmer; but, towards the close of his life we believe he became a Baptist. His father was a respectable farmer and grazier. His mother was the daughter of Mr. Viney, a gentleman of considerable fortune at Tenterden in Kent. She was an accomplished and truly pious woman. Her funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Gill from Psalm 42:11, Why art thou cast down, O my soul, &c. It was afterwards printed under the title of “The Dejected Believer’s Soliloquy.” Soon after the birth of the subject of this memoir, his father removed to Portsmouth; and subsequently,…
-
The Life And Legacy Of Joseph Swain
This useful and worthy Baptist minister died very young, like the immortal Toplady, but the work of many years was pressed into a few, and the Lord used and honoured his instrumentality to the conversion of many souls; and though a century has elapsed since his death, his seraphic poem on "Redemption," with many of his precious, animating hymns of praise, with other works, serve to keep his memory fresh in the minds of God's people. He was born at Birmingham in 1761, and left an orphan at an early age. He was apprenticed to an engraver in his native place, but before he had finished his term he left and removed to London, where he had a brother in the same business. Here he…
-
The Life And Ministry Of Richard Conyers
The name that heads this short article is worthy of a place amongst our former Christian leaders, from his intimate acquaintance with such men as Berridge, Newton, Thornton, Romaine, and others. He was born at Helmsley, in Yorkshire, on February 13th, 1725. He was early deprived of both parents, and was brought up by his aged grandmother. He was first sent to school at Coxwold, and afterwards, at a suitable age, to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was unwearied in his studies; and when still quite young, was appointed to a curacy at Overcarr, twelve miles from Helmsley, which he served for five years, when, on the death of the vicar of Helmsley, he was presented to that living. Like many others of his own…
-
The Life And Ministry Of Samuel Medley
“Samuel Medley was born at Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, on the 23rd of June, 1738, and was educated under his grandfather, Mr. Tonge, at Enfield. About the age of 14 he was apprenticed to an oilman in London; but this calling does not appear to have suited his active turn of mind, and he resolved to quit it as soon as possible. Accordingly, when the war broke out in 1755, amongst other offers held out as an inducement for young men to enter into the navy, there being one that apprentices might finish their time in the king's service, he resolved to leave his master, and turn sailor; so he entered as midshipman on board the Buckingham, 74-gun ship. His two brothers were already at sea.…
