Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/87

68 was thrice dragged out of his bed because he would not promise not to visit the place (Wrangle) again. Wesley himself, in his journal (May 10, 1757) says "I preached to a mixed congregation, some serious, others drunk;" but on the other hand, in 1764, he preached, when the chapel "though having its galleries, was too small."

We have named John Barritt among the early Horncastle ministers. He was preaching on one occasion at Boston, when a band of roughs forced their way into the chapel and interrupted the service, driving some of the congregation away. He had, however, a more serious experience, from exposure to the roughness of the elements. He was riding to Boston, apparently by a somewhat circuitous route, and a violent storm arose at sea. When he was not far from the coast the sea bank gave way, the country was inundated, vessels were even carried some distance inland, Boston itself was deluged, and he might have been drowned, but that he managed to reach some high ground, and arrived safely at Sibsey.

About this date, we are told, the progress of Wesleyanism excited the jealousy of the clergy, not so tolerant as they are now, and a meeting was held at the Bull Hotel, Horncastle, at which it was argued that the "spread of Methodism was one of the causes of the awful irreligion" prevalent, that the ministers were "raving enthusiasts, pretending to divine impulse, and thus obtained sway over the ignorant."

John Barritt was re-appointed to Horncastle in 1801, as Superintendent, his colleagues being Thomas Rought, John Watson, and Squire Brackenbury as supernumerary, the latter was also, about this time, appointed head of the society in Spilsby. J. Barritt was grandfather of Robert Newton Barritt, who was very popular in Horncastle, 1882-1884. Wesley's characteristic advice to him had been "When thou speakest of opinions, or modes of worship, speak with coolness, but when thou speakest of Repentance, Faith and Holiness, then, if thou hast any zeal, show it!" and to these principles he was ever true.

Other ministers of note at different periods were George Shadford, a name still surviving in the town; Charles Atmore, who wrote sundry Wesleyan hymns; Thomas Jackson, a great scholar, twice elected President of the National Conference; Digory Joll, grandfather of the present Mr. Watson Joll (to whom the writer owes much of the information here utilized); and to these we may add Benjamin Gregory, 1817; Robert Ramm and Robert Bryant, 1830; Bryant was called a "son of thunder," from his great energy.

In 1835 Leonard Posnet was a popular minister, not only in the town but in the country around, being much appreciated by the farmers from his intimate acquaintance with their avocation. He was followed (1838-1840) by Joseph Kipling, grandfather of the now well-known Rudyard Kipling. Joseph Clapham was a faithful minister from 1843 to 1845, and was succeeded by (1845-1848) "Father" Crookes, "Preacher" Wood, and the "saintly" Fowler, who was said to have made 900 converts.

Then followed Wright Shovelton, Martin Jubb, Peter Featherstone, Henry