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Rushden Echo, Friday, September 9, 1904, transcribed by Greville Watson
WESLEYAN METHODISM
Welcoming the Rushden and Irthlingborough Ministers
In connection with the harvest festival at the Park-road Wesleyan Church, Rushden, a public tea was held on Monday afternoon, and advantage was taken of the gathering to extend a hearty welcome to the new ministers in the circuit – the Revs.H.J.Atkinson, of Rushden, and E.E.Dewhurst, of Irthlingborough. The following waited at the tea tables;- Misses Twigge, Scott, and Ball, Mesdames Nattrass, I.Cunnington, Horrell, Baxter, Tarry, Mason, Church, and Wingrove.
After tea, the Rev.J.W.Eacott said they were very pleased to have Mr.Atkinson and Mr.Dewhurst amongst them, and on behalf of the circuit he would first ask Mr.T.Sanders, one of the circuit stewards, to say a few words.
Mr.Sanders, rising amidst great applause, said that he remembered every minister who had been in the Higham Ferrers circuit since 1820, and that in this circuit they had had some of the best ministers in Methodism. In referring to one of the old ministers, he said that he met him some years after he left Higham, and the minister in question said that the three years he spent in the Higham Ferrers circuit were the best three years of his life. Mr.Sanders considered that the Higham Ferrers circuit is the metropolis of Methodism. (Laughter). There had been something like 56 or 60 ministers in the circuit and some still lived in his memory as “men of God.” There is – continued Mr.Sanders – a good deal that is bad in the best of us, and there is a good deal that is good in the worst of us, but let us endeavour to make the best of our past the worst of the future. Amongst numerous stories, which the speaker gave, was the following:- I went into a hairdresser’s shop one day, and saw one man give the hairdresser 2/- and another 5/-, and so on, and I was asked how much I would give, “Oh,” said I, “I have already backed the winner.” “How do you know who’s going to win?” said the hairdresser. “Because I have the best trainer,” replied Mr.Sanders, “in the person of St.Paul.” Concluding, he said that on behalf of the circuit he gave to Mr.Atkinson and Mr.Dewhurst a most cordial welcome to the circuit, and prayed that their ministry here would prove to be a source of great spiritual benefit to all. (Hear, hear.)
Mr.Abraham Gadsby, speaking next on behalf of the Sunday School and the young people of the congregation, said that he represented one of the noblest armies in the world. The numbers in their own School at Christmas were: teachers 50, scholars 420, Bible Class members 60; 36 full members of society were in the Sunday school and since then 15 more had been received into the church. In the junior classes the number was about 60, and the Band of Hope numbered 271.
Mr.W.J.Cure said that on behalf of the local preachers and the class leaders he extended to Mr.Dewhurst and Mr.Atkinson a most hearty welcome, and he hoped that their ministry here would prove a time of blessing, usefulness, and success. (Hear, hear.)
Mr.Nattrass spoke on behalf of the Church generally, and extended to Mr.Dewhurst and Mr.Atkinson a most hearty welcome.
Mr.Atkinson, arising amidst much applause, said he thanked themembers for the warmth of the welcome, and he hoped that the time he would spend amongst them would be a source of spiritual uplifting to all. “I am a preacher of the Gospel,” said Mr.Atkinson. “We cannot all be ministers, but we can all minister. We are all God’s clergy. I believe in preaching the Gospel, which is none other than the revelation of Jesus Christ. I always make it a rule to speak straight from the shoulder. (A Voice: That’s what we want.) I never give personal remarks in the pulpit; if I want to have anything out with anyone I go to him privately. (Hear, hear.) If a man preaches straighthe must hit somebody. I believe in visiting. (Hear, hear.) I also believe in making every chapel carry out its work on Home Mission lines by dividing the town up into districts and visiting from house to house. I have been used to a Wesley Guild; I was instrumental in starting one at my last place, and hope to do so here. (Applause.) In closing, he said that unity was the secret of strength, and strength was to stand by one another shoulder to shoulder in love and sympathy. If they were all united in love, earnestness, and enthusiasm, they were sure of abundant success.
Mr.Dewhurst, who had a cordial receiption, said he thought he had had about the most unique experience of any Methodist minister, for he had a column given to him in the “Sporting Chronicle,” which turned out to be criticisms on a lecture he had given against betting. “Shortly after,” said the speaker, “I had some large posters placarded about: ‘What’ll Win? Come and see at the Wesleyan Chapel.’ The chapel was crowded and I took for my text, ‘Learn, that ye may attain’ (1 Cor.ix, 25, R.V.)” Concluding an interesting address the rev. gentleman said that whether his ministry were short or long, he prayed that God’s blessing might rest on them. If they all worked together hand in hand they were certain of an abundant harvest.
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