DYERS'-HALL, THAMES-STREET.-Extinct. JOHN RAE, a native of Scotland, and educated for the ministry in the University of Edinburgh. Being licensed to preach the gospel, he was admitted to the pastoral charge of a congregation belonging to the Secession, at St. Andrews. From thence, in consequence of a deed of translation by the associate synod, he was introduced Oct. 21, 1805, to the pastoral charge of the church in Miles's-lane, after there had been a vacancy of nearly five years. Mr. Rae is the present pastor; and the congregation not very large. DYERS'-HALL, THAMES-STREET. EXTINCT. DYERS' YERS'-HALL, before the fire in London, was situated near Old Swan-lane, on the south side of Upper Thamesstreet; but being destroyed in the great conflagration, in 1666, a number of warehouses was erected on the site. After this, the company converted one of their houses in Little Elbow-lane, into a Hall, where they have continued since then, to transact their business.* In the reign of Charles the Second, Dyers'-Hall, or, as is more probable, an adjoining building belonging to the Company, was used as a meeting-house for Nonconformists; but a particular history of it is not now to be obtained. It appears from Calamy,+ that Mr. Thomas Lye, ejected from Alhallows, Lombard-street, had some property in this place, and pro+ Continuation, p. 945. Maitland's London. JOINERS'-HALL, THAMES-STREET.-Particular Baptist, Extinct. bably preached to a congregation here. According to Wood, he held forth in conventicles" at Clapham; where he was buried in 1684. These accounts seem inconsistent; but it is possible both may be true. Calamy also informs us, that Mr. Jeremiah Marsden's church, from Founders'-Hall, met some time, by Mr. Lye's permission, at Dyers'-Hall. This little is all we know concerning this place. Of Mr. Lye we shall have to speak more particularly under the article CLAPHAM. JOINERS'-HALL, THAMES-STREET. PARTICULAR BAPTIST.--EXTINCT. JOINERS' OINERS'-HALL, situated in Joiners'-Hall Buildings, formerly called Friars'-lane, and before that Greenwich-lane, was used as a meeting-house, towards the latter end of the seventeenth century, by a congregation of Particular Baptists. The origin of this society, like that of many others, is involved in obscurity. Though it is probable this was one of the early churches of that denomination, yet we can trace it no farther back than the reign of Charles II. when a Mr. John Harris was the pastor. In the time of his successor, the congregation removed to Pinners'-Hall, vacant by the removal of Dr. Watts's church to Bury-street, in 1708. There they continued to assemble in the afternoon of the Lord's-day only, till 1723, when they removed to Devonshire-square, where the church became extinct under Mr. • Athenæ Oxon. vol. ii. p. 761. + Calamy, ubi supra. JOINERS'-HALL, THAMES-STREET.- -Particular Baptist, Extinct. Clendon Dawkes, about the year 1751. In its early state, this was one of the most considerable churches of the Baptist denomination, on account both of the number of members, and the many wealthy persons who belonged to it. But in aftertimes it greatly declined, so that there were but few members left at the time of its breaking up The elders and ministers of this church, from the earliest period we can trace it, were as follows: * JOHN HARRIS.-Of this gentleman our information is extremely brief. He was pastor of this church in 1679; and died about 1691. His name is affixed to the Confession of Faith put forth by the Particular Baptist churches in 1689, denying Arminianism. Crosby has no account of him, nor does he even mention his name. He was succeeded in the elder's office by Mr. Maisters. TOBIAS RUSSEL, and THOMAS MARIOT, were ministers in this society, at the same time that Mr. Harris was elder. It should be remarked, that these offices were perfectly distinct, and prevailed very generally among the Bap • Private Information. JOINERS'-HALL, THAMES STREET.-Particular Baptist, Extinct. tist churches in the seventeenth century. The office of elder was equal in diguity and power, and somewhat similar in nature, to that of bishop, or pastor, in the most strict Dissenting churches in the present day. It was his office to dispense all Christian ordinances, and to preside in all matters that related to the welfare of his flock. The office of minister resembled, in some measure, the modern one of assistant. He was generally chosen from the congregation, and his business was to preach, and to visit the flock. If he possessed talents for the ministry, and proved an acceptable preacher, it often happened that he was called to the pastoral office, either in his own church, or in some other society. The names of both the above ministers are affixed to the Baptist Confession of Faith, in 1689. JOSEPH MAISTERS.-This worthy minister was born at Kingsdown, near Ilchester, in Somersetshire, Nov. 13, 1640. He received his education at Magdalen College, Oxford, under the tuition of the celebrated Dr. Thomas Goodwin, and continued there about four years, till the Restoration. The ceremonies then introduced, inclined him to remove to Magdalen Hall, being at that time standing for his degree of B. A. which was denied him purely for his refusing conformity. After such usage he had little heart to stay at the university; he therefore quitted it, and followed his studies in private, preaching occasionally as he had opportunity. At length he settled with a society of Christians at Theobald's, in Hertfordshire, being ordained Oct. 30, 1667. He continued to preach to them for a number of years, and at length accepted an invitation to become elder of a Baptist congregation, at Joiners'-Hall, in the city of London. His church in the country was then reduced to a very small number, and met in the Presbyterian meetinghouse, the ministers of the two congregations dividing the work between them. As he was not willing to desert his little flock, it was agreed upon his removal, that they should JOINERS'-HALL, THAMES-STREET.-Particular Baptist, Extinct. join his church in London; and he went down once a month to preach, and to administer the Lord's-supper to them in the country. In this connexion he continued till his death, which happened April 6th, 1717, in the 77th year of his age. He was interred in Bunhill-Fields, and his funeral sermon preached by Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Jeremiah Hunt, on Prov. xiv. 32. Mr. Maisters, in early life, became the subject of those religious impressions which had a happy influence upon his conduct in more advanced years. The force of his principles enabled him, at a critical period, to relinquish a station which promised considerable profit and applause. His good natural abilities qualified him for extensive service; and he was blessed with a native modesty and mildness of temper, which were improved by care, and heightened by religion. His fancy was clear and lively, and continued with him to an age, when usually it takes its flight; and he regulated it with so much judgment, as not to outrun correctness of thought. His memory was so strong that, though he lived to an advanced age, any abatement of it was scarcely discernible. He was a very plain, serious, and judicious preacher; in doctrinal sentiments a professed Calvinist; and though he never used a pompous style, or fervent delivery, yet his preaching was generally acceptable, and admired by many serious and judicious Christians of different persuasions. He wrote down in his study the chief part of his discourses, which he committed to memory; and as it was very retentive, he forbore the use of notes. As a Christian, he maintained an unblemished character; was mild and gentle, temperate and humble, to a degree not commonly attained. His candour was remarkable; and his love extended to all who bore the image of God, however they differed from him in opinion. "In a word, (says Dr. Hunt,) he was so happy as to pass a life of almost seventyseven years without a blemish. Blessed saint! Uncommon VOL. I. 3 Y |