Midland Churches: A History of the Congregations on - General ...

In 1820 T.D. (i.e. Timothy Davis, minister at Eveshain q.v.) wrote a
very short account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Old Presbyterian Aleetin,o House ot Alcesfcr, which
he sent to <strong>the</strong> editor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Monthly R@ositovy; for a time it was mislaid,
<strong>the</strong>n fortunately recovered, and inserted in <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong> March, 1823. To
it we are indebted for <strong>the</strong> preservation <strong>of</strong> some details embodied in this
account.
The ejected minister at Alcester was Samuel Tickner, described* as-
a very holy, self-denying, peaceable man ; an hard student, and <strong>of</strong> a
tender spirit. He continued with his people, who were some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most
wealthy in <strong>the</strong> parish, after he was turned out in 1662, preaching constantly
to <strong>the</strong>m, but rarely in time <strong>of</strong> public service. His moderation however did
not secure him from <strong>the</strong> spite <strong>of</strong> invidious neighbours, who informed against
him. This forced him to confine himself, and to preach more privately.
Hereupon, though he was <strong>of</strong> a strong constitutiotl, he quickly fell into a
deep consumption. An eminent physician affirmed that this confinement
was <strong>the</strong> cause. The old informers represented him to <strong>the</strong> magistrates as
only pretending sickness ; but an <strong>of</strong>ficer who came to apprehend him, found
him under <strong>the</strong> arrest <strong>of</strong> death.
By his ministry, doubtless, <strong>the</strong> foundation was laid <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> coilgregation
<strong>of</strong> Presbyterian Dissenters established in this place. From <strong>the</strong> records <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> meeting-house we find that a congregation was worshipping in a house
on <strong>the</strong> site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present building in <strong>the</strong> year 1693.
Joseph Porter is <strong>the</strong> next minister whose name was met with by T.D.
How long he was at Alcester-, where he educated young men for <strong>the</strong>
ministry, as well as <strong>of</strong>ficiated as pastor to <strong>the</strong> congregation, does not
appear. He is mentioned in "Dr. Evans's list." He died in 1721, aged
62. The present meeting-house was built in that year, and Porter was
expected to preach at its opening, but death disappointed <strong>the</strong> hopes <strong>of</strong>
his congregation. On <strong>the</strong> right hand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pulpit, 011 a neat marble slab,
is <strong>the</strong> following incription to his memory :-
M. S.
Clariss. viri Josephi Porter V. D. M.
Qui magna virtutis et scientiae laude
Singrllari pariter, aninli modestia
Inclaruit.
Auditores fidei suae commissos
Literarum cognitione auxit,
"Nonccn. Mem. ii., 479.
Integris moribus imbuit,
S.S. scripturae preceptis
Sedulo instituit.
Et Ipse ita nioratus, ut illa postulant
Disciplinam etetliin suam
Non ostentationem Ingenii sed legem vitae
Putavit.
Summae fuit Pietatis in Deuni,
Suavitatis in suos,
Fidelitatis in amicos,
Huminatatis in Omnes.
In Christo obdormuit Aug. 2q0.
A.D. 1721. Aetatis 62".
Thes. iv. 14, (in Greek).
Not being able to satisfy myself in <strong>the</strong> trallslation <strong>of</strong> this inscription,
Dr. Martineau most kindly sent me <strong>the</strong> following*-
Sacred to <strong>the</strong> Memory
<strong>of</strong> a most distinguished man, Joseph Porter,
Minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Word <strong>of</strong> God,
who gained a brilliant repute for his
great merits <strong>of</strong> character and knowledge,
and not less for <strong>the</strong> singular modesty <strong>of</strong> his mind.
The hearers committed to his trust he enriched with literary culture, imbued with
sound morals, and diligently grounded in <strong>the</strong> precepts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Scriptures, and his
own personal will he conformed to <strong>the</strong>ir requirements ; for he thought <strong>the</strong> true law <strong>of</strong>
life was found in moral self-subjection, not in intellectual display.
He evinced <strong>the</strong> utmost piety towards God, sweetness <strong>of</strong> temper to <strong>the</strong> companions
<strong>of</strong> his home, faithfulness to his friends, and kindness to all.
He fell asleep in Christ, August 24th, 1721,
aged 62.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so <strong>the</strong>m also which sleep
in Jesus, will God bring with him. Thess. iv., 14.
Porter's successor was Richard Rogerson, from Coventry, where he
had been, from 1717, minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Great Meeting. He remained at
Alcester until 1733, when he removed to Newcastle-on-Tyne, as minister
"He says, writing froill The Polchar Aviernolz N.B., AzL,~. 2, 1895: Denr MT. Evalzs,
I do not zuonder that you cozdd not get to <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> Jose@ Porter's record without long-ing to
telegrajh to his bio,o~,apher for an ex-lanation <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> qztestionnble clause. Zhe eszclosed translati<strong>of</strong>i
will show yoz~ nzy ittterj?*etatio/z <strong>of</strong> it. There is not much a?niss with <strong>the</strong> lutinity ; but <strong>the</strong> thoztght
itsew dozs vat seem yuite clew. . Yozrg*s very t~zcb, Janzes Martineau.