ing more ample space for purposes of worship than the residences of individuals would allow, purchased premises in Cowl-street, and constructed their present meeting-house and burial-ground there. 435 The meeting-house is approached from the street by a paved court-yard, and exhibits those features of antiquity that pertain to the timber-framed erections of the Stuart age. Entering beneath its low-browed portal, a glance round the unadorned interior impels the imagination backward to the cradle of christianity itself: to that early period when the Galilean fishermen flocked round their divine Master in that "large upper room, furnished and prepared," where they hung upon his gracious words, till their minds participated in that sacred influence which imbued himself. But, to advance nearer toward the present time, the ancient character and almost rude simplicity of the apartment are in keeping with the era of George Fox himself: and as we stand silent and alone within its area, it requires no very fervid fancy to pourtray that primitive assembly, which during the infancy of the society here worshipped in unoffending silence, while exposed to the abrupt disturbance of the rude persecutors of that period. The burial-ground adjoins the meeting-house toward the south; and is an unadorned enclosure of uninterrupted greensward, where, unnoticed even by a single stone, the departed members of the community-as well as of others whose views respecting the simplicity of christian burial accord with theirs "each in his narrow cell," await the final summons. The genius of the immortal Elegist seems prevalent within the March 1678, by Stephen Pitway-unto trustees their heirs and assigns; "for such purposes only as between the parties and other persons concerned were formerly agreed upon and no otherwise." The property is described as a small piece of garden-ground in Bengeworth, adjoining the Parsonage close, and behind the dwelling-house of the said Edward Pitway; with way or passage through the yard-gates on the south side of the said dwelling-house. In 1703 a fresh appointment, upon the same trust, was made; again in 1728, and again in 1774. The present is by lease and release, Jany. 26th and 27th, 1802. 435 By indenture of lease, dated 1st January 1676, Elizabeth Young of Hampton, in consideration of £52, demised to James Wall of Evesham and his assigns, two messuages, with cherry-orchard and garden in Cowl-street Evesham, from December 21st, for 2000 years. Out of one of these messuages the present meeting-house was formed; the orchard being converted into a burial ground and the other messuage divided into two. enclosure, while his own exquisitely expressed sentiment echoes from its walls— "Nor you, ye proud, impute to these the fault, If memory o'er their tomb no trophies raise Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault The pealing anthem swells the notes of praise. "Can storied urn or animated bust Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Or Flattery soothe the dull cold ear of Death?" These premises were in 1723 assigned to John Beaufoy and others; to the intent that one messuage should be used for a public meeting-house for the people called quakers, and that the other, with the orchard and garden, should be applied only to such purposes, as were agreed between the parties and others. This trust was renewed in 1746, and again in 1784; and lastly by assignment of 14th March, 1821. The local endowments pertaining to this society, in addition to their late grave-yard in Bengeworth, are noticed below.436 436 I.-Funded proceeds of a messuage, garden and close, conveyed in 1722 by the legatees of Richard Russell of Broadway, for the remainder of a term of 900 years; upon trust for certain charitable uses, with power to appoint fresh trustees. In 1809 the surviving trustees, by direction of the Evesham monthly-meeting, sold the above property, under certain conditions: and by indenture of August 11th 1810, the united proceeds, being £485 nett, were invested in government funds, in the names of trustees, who have settled the same upon trust, to distribute the dividends among "poor protestants commonly called quakers, dwelling in the county of Worcester." II.Six acres of land at Little Hampton, purchased with gifts and bequests to the society, conveyed in 1798 to trustees, upon trust to let or demise the same, not longer than 21 years, and to pay the nett rents to the clerk of Evesham meeting, to be applied by him as the monthly meeting shall determine. III.-Funded proceeds of a messuage in High-street, together with four acres of land in the then open fields of Little Hampton, since exchanged by allotment under the Enclosure Act for 1A. 1R. in the same parish, conveyed to trustees in 1716 by the devisees of Benjamin Pierce, of Bengeworth, paper-maker, upon trust to charitable uses, with power to appoint new trustees. In 1732 a new appointment was made, and again in 1756; and in 1794 the trusts of the messuage in High-street, as also the allotment at Hampton, were renewed. In 1822 the survivors of that trust, by direction of the monthly-meeting, sold the messuage for £400 and by indenture of 8th March 1825, this £400 and the securities thereof are vested in trustees, who are to distribute the nett proceeds to "such poor people inhabiting the county of Worcester," as they shall think fit. The same indenture also conveys the allotment at Little Hampton upon the like trust. This £400 is now PRESBYTERIAN MEETING-HOUSE.-The earliest notice of the present sect of "presbyterians" here, occurs about the year 1720; at which time they met for worship in a room in High-street. Their present meeting-house in Ode-street was erected in 1737, upon ground in that year conveyed by Mr. Thomas Bovey of Evesham, dyer, to the Rev. Paul Cardale and others therein mentioned; upon trust "that they should suffer the buildings so to be erected, so long as by law they lawfully might be used, to the use of, and to be enjoyed by, the protestant dissenters commonly called presbyterians.437 Mr. Cardale was a native of Derbyshire, and was educated with a view to the ministry by the eminent Dr. Lathom. His character stands high for learning, devotion, zeal, and charity. He published in 1740 a series of discourses preached in this meetinghouse, entitled "The Gospel Sanctuary;" and was author of other works, among which are "The true New Testament doctrine of Jesus Christ considered," and "An Enquiry whether we have any Scriptural warrant for a direct Address of supplication, praise, or thanksgiving, either to the Son or to the Holy Ghost." He died in 1775, and is buried in the north aisle of All-saints' church, where is a marble tablet to his memory. On part of the above premises a school-house has since been erected, in addition to the chapel; the trust as to the whole having been renewed in 1759, and again in 1811.438 This place of worship is very properly placed back from the public street; from whence placed out on mortgage, the interest being applied according to the trusts; and the allotment, now forms one close with the six acres purchased in 1798. IV.-A messuage, yard, garden, and appurtenances, in Cowl-street, Evesham, purchased in 1823 with funds of the society, and conveyed upon trust, that the same and the rents thereof should for ever after be disposed of as the bargainees, or the trustees for the time being, or the major part, with other recognized inhabitant members, should in writing direct.' 457 It is at present a popular supposition, that the title of "presbyterian" is unwarrantably assumed by any body not adhering to that peculiar form of church government practised in the north. It will, however, be seen, by reference to our history during the Long Parliament, that even while this religion was established as the religion of the state, presbyterian discipline and synodical government were very partially introduced. So much so, that, according to Mr. Hallam, the presbyterian church of England" was rather an assemblage of congregations, than a compact body; having little more unity than resulted from their common dependancy on the temporal magistrate."-Constitutional History, ii. 427-8. we pass to it through a garden-like enclosure, spread with turf that here and there swells gently over the remains of those who sleep beneath; while flowering shrubs, shaded by the drooping branches of the mournful willow, that waves above the lettered stones, stamp order, quietude, and seriousness, upon this avenue to the house of prayer. There is something, too, appropriate and time-honored in the aspect of the building. It lacks that prim and staring frontage which modern meeting-houses usually present. There is repose and mellowness in the tincture of its walls, and sedateness even in the leaded lights that occupy its window-frames. We enter: and the character of the interior harmoniously corresponds; it tells us that the fathers of the living generation worshipped here. The place is well-proportioned, airy; not smothered in with galleries, 438 The last conveyance is to trustees, that they "permit and suffer the premises to be at all times used by the protestant dissenters commonly called Presbyterians, as a meeting-house or place for the exercise of religious worship: the minister or person officiating being from time to time appointed by the said trustees or by a majority of them, to be testified in writing under their hands and seals." but roomily pewed with oak. The organ-loft, the pulpit with its characteristic sounding-board, and even the dial with its ancient face, are all in unison: they speak to us of bygone years. : The gallery was added in 1820; at which time other additions were made, at a cost exceeding £200; the whole of which was defrayed by the late Mr. Anthony New, woolstapler and in 1829 a well-built organ was liberally presented by the same individual. The present minister is the Rev. Timothy Davis, who was appointed in the year 1819. No interments take place within this meetinghouse; but there is a marble tablet against the eastern wall, to the memory of the late Mrs. Richard Ashwin and her infant son, which we copy below.439 In the burial-ground there are inscriptions commemorating members of Mr. John New's family, and of Mr. Timothy Davis's; with other stones severally inscribed with the names of John and Sarah Timbrell, John New, currier, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elizabeth Payne. There is a Sunday and dayschool connected with this meeting, in which about sixty children are instructed and partially clothed. The present endowments of the foundation are stated beneath.440 439"In memory of Ann the wife of Richard Ashwin of Aldington, and daughter of Anthony and Ann New of Evesham, who died February 16th 1842, aged 21 years, and was buried near this spot. "A happy childhood innocent and gay, Youth bright and stainless as a summer's day, Loving and loved, in peacefulness she trod Let faith and hope our sorrowings reprove, Heaven claimed its own, and called her soul above. "Also of Richard New Ashwin, her infant son, born Jan. 19th, died March 16th, 1842." 440 The Rev. Paul Cardale bequeathed by will the sum of £200, which he directed to be placed out by trustees with other money at that time belonging to the protestant dissenters of the borough of Evesham, going under the name of " Presbyterians;" to be applied for the same purposes as the said money. With the above sums the trustees, in 1776, purchased freehold lands at Woodmancote, in the parish of Bishop's Cleeve, for the endowment of this meeting. In 1811, the endowment was increased by a leasehold messuage in Ode-street, given by Mr. John New, sen'. woolstapler, since converted into two cottages; together with a freehold messuage in High-street, given by Mr. Anthony New, sen'. since converted into two cottages. These endowments now stand, by the conveyance of 1811, in the names of the trustees then appointed. |