Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/104

Rh are legible, they are "Mary Markwell, died March 28th, 1776, aged 29. Prepare to meet thy God." This was, doubtless, one of the earliest interments. The second is "In memory of Thomas Lamb, who departed this life June 7th, 1811, aged 82.

Also of Frances, his wife, who departed this life April 2nd, 1810, aged 79." He was a watchmaker. The third is as follows: "Sacred to the memory of Eliza, daughter of William Parker, Solicitor, and Elizabeth, his wife, who died 1st April, 1835, aged 20 years. Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." Mr. Parker occupied part of the premises now forming the shop and residence of Mr. Bryant, shoemaker, in the High Street.

There is little doubt that the house adjoining the chapel, on the north west, was once the minister's residence. On the stairs leading to the present rostrum there is still a doorway, which evidently led to the house. There is a stone tablet over this door, and in 1892 an exact copy of this was made, and placed on the north wall. The inscription reads "John Hill, departed this life Oct. 16th, 1779, aged 48, Pastor of this Church 13 years."

There are some tablets on the wall within, but the Rev. F. Samuels, who was Pastor when the Chapel was renovated, about 1882, unfortunately allowed the inscriptions to be obliterated.

It is interesting to know that the Mint Lane Baptist Chapel, at Lincoln, was founded in 1767, by worshippers at Horncastle. Curiously it was not till 1892 that the Horncastle Chapel was "registered" as a place of worship, the omission being only then discovered, when application was made for a licence to solemnize marriages.

In 1893 the Chapel was thoroughly restored, at a cost of £80; the interior being modernised, the walls painted, the old high pews removed and replaced by neat seats, the old box-shaped pulpit taken down, and a rostrum and platform erected. There is a good organ, with special seats for the choir.

We may add that the Baptists are now a very numerous and influential body. At the Baptist World Conference, held at Exeter Hall, London, July 10 and following days, 1905, the first ever held as an united community. Dr. Maclaren of Manchester presiding, a message was received from the King and Queen, thanking for a loyal address from the Conference. The President also stated that he had informally received a greeting of good will from the Established Church, as well as from the Free Churches.

On that occasion ministers and delegates attended from various parts of Great Britain and the Colonies, from America, France, and other countries. A meeting was held under "The Reformer's Tree," in Hyde Park, Miss Burroughs, a coloured lady, being on the platform, also Mr. Britto, a coloured vocalist, and the singing being led by a coloured choir. The President, Dr. Clifford of London, stated that there were present 4,000 delegates, from all parts of the world, representing some seven millions of Baptists, and 5,700,