Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

26 PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
months have a good suit of clothes, goods in your home, money in your pockets,
and comfort in your families.' This got hold of their minds; and I held them
fast while I preached Jesus unto them. I had to preach that same morning in
the room [in Salford]. When I had finished in the street I invited all to go
with me just as they were. Many yielded, so I gave them a second edition.
But while I had been engaged outside a man came up, and calling one of the
members to him, he said :
'
I'm glad I've met with you this morning.
Your singing
attracted me ;
for I was on the way to the old river, where, in some secret spot,
I might end my miserable life by cutting my throat. Take this,' said the man,
'
handing forward a razor, for if you have it I shall have one temptation less
to grapple with.'" (p.. 41).
But even before the establishment of the Salford mission there already existed
another mission-centre in Oxford Road. First a small cottage, then a small cellar,
then a room over some stables, next a larger room once used by the Tent-Methodists.
Such was the order. On the opening of this room, while Thomas Sugden was leading
the love-feast, the floor fell in, and the story goes that the mishap occurred while all
were lustily singing, "We are going home to glory." One man was injured, and
many were frightened. The next remove was to a building in Ormond Street, vacated
by the Wesleyans for their new chapel in Oxford Road. Ultimately this was exchanged
for Rosamond Street Chapel, which for many years stood as the head of Manchester
Second Circuit, now Moss Lane.
Yet a third mission was begun in these formative years, in a room over three houses in
Ashton Street, London Road now swept away by the London Road Station. The
friend who had leased the room to the society at a low rental, at his death left the sum
of 130 for a new chapel, "if a new chapel should ever be required by the Primitive
Methodist denomination in Manchester " ! another proof of the doubt as to the perpetuity
of the Connexion that crossed arid troubled the minds at that time, even of those
who were friendly disposed. Mr. Chadwick's legacy came in useful as a kind of nestegg.
More chapels ivere built in Manchester, as our full-page illustration shows, and
there are more to follow. Ogden Street Chapel, opened in 1850, superseded Ashton
Street room, and from this has grown Manchester Fourth and Ninth Stations, with the
exception of Droylesden, taken from Stockport Second and attached to Manchester
Ninth, on its formation in 1893. Good Mr. Chadwick's doubts as to whether the
Primitives would ever build a new ch.apel in Manchester, have had their answer in
Higher Ardwick Church, opened in 1878 ;
and there was a natural sequence between
the 15,000 expended on that stately pile and the 130 he somewhat timorously put
down in his last will and testament. Thus, while a survey of the denomination's
advance in Manchester during recent years, especially in its relation to ministerial
education and training, will naturally challenge our attention later on, it was right
that we should, even at this stage, at least indicate the thread of continuity running
through our Connexional life in this great city.
What we now see is largely the ,
outcome of the missionary efforts carried on so vigorously during the first period.
We began with Manchester at the New Cross, and, so far as Manchester itself is
concerned, we may fittingly end there. " The New Cross "
(open air) stands as the
second place on a plan for 1832, and a Sunday afternoon service was held where the old