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

68 PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
the experiences he met with during these pioneer visits made a deep impression on his
mind and were often recalled. He knew what it was to endure privation and suffer
inconvenience. At first accommodation was poor and not always available, except when
paid for, and it behoved him to be careful in spending the circuit's
money, in view of possible embarrassments. Hence, he was sometimes
in straits and had to lodge where he could occasionally in
rather strange places.
But a change for the better soon took
place, and we find him thankfully recording: "I now had my
home with Mr. Smith at the top of Kirkgate, whose family
offered to shelter me at all times of my need. I cannot help
reflecting on the change that I have experienced in
these circumstances.
When I first came to Leeds I lodged in public-houses,
and went supperless to bed."
Still, Mr. Clowes' visits to these parts, though pretty frequent, REV, JOHN HOPKINSON.
were only flying ones, and, unless there had been some reliable men
on the ground, a permanent interest could scarcely have been built up. But there were
such reliable men who, as' personal factors in the upbuilding of Primitive Methodism
in Leeds and around, demand recognition. Messrs. Verity and S. Smith almost
immediately entered the ministry, but their places were taken and their work carried
on by others. Two of these also became travelling preachers John Hopkinson and
John Bywater but not until they had rendered effective service locally, while John
Reynard remained on the ground until his death in 1854, and was a tower of strength
to the societies.
John Hopkinson, born at Ardsley near Wakefield, in 1801, was the son of the
Mrs. Hopkinson in whose house W. Clowes enrolled the members of the first class.
He received his first spiritual good amongst the Wesleyans, but when John Verity was
expelled for complicity with " Ranterism," he joined the new community.
His reasons
for doing so, as stated by himself, are worth giving. They were: (1) His strong
attachment to J. Verity, who was his guide, philosopher, and friend. (2) The simple,
pointed style of their preaching was congenial to his taste. (3)
Their open-air movements he cordially approved. (4) Their
field of action found employment for talents of the humblest
order. So, under the stress of these views and considerations,
he became a Primitive Methodist. He undertook the leadership
of the society at Dudley Hill, though
it was eleven miles
from his residence. In 1820 he began to preach, and three
years after he entered the ministry, and for thirty-five years he
continued in active service. In summing up his character and
work his biographer has stated " : He was an exemplary Christian
and a laborious-vminister. . .
REV. JOHN
.
BYWATER.
He was connected with the
admission of 3700 members into society; his prayers were pointed;
his sermons well arranged and powerful; he travelled on twenty
-five stations. He
faithfully served God and his generation, and his end was peace."*
* Memoir in the Magazine for 1859, p. 391.