SWALLOW-STREET.. Scotch Presbyterian.

more lamentable.* Besides the work above-mentioned he published an English translation of Witsius on the Covenants; as also several single sermons, which will be noticed below.+

JAMES MURRAY, M. A.-We find the name of this gentleman mentioned in some biographical works as connected with the church in Swallow-street, though we know not upon what authority. He was born in 1702, at Dunkeld in Scotland, and received his education in the Marichal college, Aberdeen, where he took his degrees, and was licensed as a probationer in the ministry. Leaving his native country, where it is said he refused a living, he settled in London, and was made choice of as an assistant preacher to the congregation in Swallow-street. His talents as a pulpit orator, however, did not gain him popularity, and his sentiments are said to have given disgust to his hearers. This induced him to solicit the protection of James Duke of Athol, who took him into his family, where he wrote a work entitled, "Aletheia, or, a System of Moral Truths," which was published in the form of Letters, in 2 vols. 12mo. Mr. Murray died in London in 1758, aged 55 years. He is said to have been of a romantic turn of mind, although a most excellent classical scholar.‡

JOHN TROTTER, D. D. was born at Edinburgh,

* Private information.

↑ Single Sermons. 1. Steadfastness in the faith recommended: two Sermons at Swallow-street, Oct. 30, 1743.-2. On the death of Miss Jane Crookshank, who died June 20, 1745, aged 3 years.-3. Popish cruelty represented; occasioned by the late rebellion in Scotland, 1745.-4. The sin and danger of abusing eminent deliverances; preached Oct. 9, 1745, being the thanksgiving-day for extinguishing the late unnatural rebellion. With an Appendix relating to the Sufferings of the Presbyterians in Scotland.-5. Steadfastness in the faith considered; preached at New-court, March 6, 1766.

+ Gen. Biog. Diet. Art. JAMES MURRAY.

SWALLOW-STREET.-Scotch Presbyterian,

North-Britain, in the year 1728. His parents were persons in a respectable line of life, and his father a magistrate of that city. At a very early period of life he is said to have discovered marks of true piety, and a strong inclination to the christian ministry. To prepare him for this service he was sent to the university in his native city, where he made great proficiency in his studies. At that seminary, he made himself master of the learned languages, and applied with diligent attention to the study of philosophy and divinity. Having finished his academical course, he passed his trials for the ministry before the synod of Edinburgh, being then twenty-two years of age. In the course of a short time he was presented to the living of Ceres, in the county of Fife, and laboured in that extensive parish for the space of seventeen years. As, at the time of his settlement there he was very young, so he acquired a large share of popularity. It is said that the people flocked in crouds to hear him preach; and as his labours were acceptable, so they were also very useful. The congregation in Swallow-street being destitute of a pastor in 1769, the elders of the church directed their attention to Dr. Trotter, who, acceeding to their invitation, was admitted pastor, in December in that year. In this station he laboured with uniform and unwearied diligence for nearly forty years. He was confined to his house but two months previous to his death, which was not occasioned by any bodily disease. Nature being quite exhausted, he yielded his spirit without a struggle or a groan, on the 14th day of September, 1808, in the eighty-second year of his age, and the fifty-eighth of his ministry. The Doctor was removed for interment from his house at Knightsbridge to Bunhill'sfields, May 21. His colleague, Mr. (now Dr.) Nicol, delivered the address at the grave; and on the following Lord's-day preached a funeral sermon to the bereaved church, from 1 Thess. iv. 18.

Dr. Trotter supported through a long life a very respectable character. Being early impressed with the importance VOL. IV.

N

SWALLOW-STREET.-Scotch Presbyterian.

of religion, he made theology his principal study, and embraced that scheme of doctrines which usually pass under the name of Calvinism. As a preacher his aim was to declare the whole counsel of God, and he insisted much on the peculiar doctrines of the gospel. These he explained with fidelity and affection, and took care to introduce something in every sermon with a view to the consolation of the afflicted. He made himself well acquainted with his flock, visiting them frequently, especially in seasons of distress. Of Dr. Trotter it may be said, that his whole life was a practical commentary upon his preaching. In the closing days of his pilgrimage he signified his firm belief in the doctrines he had taught, declaring, that they were the support of his soul in the prospect of dissolution. Dr. Trotter was twice married. Of his first wife, who died April 29, 1771, he published a brief narrative, relating chiefly to her last illness, and triumphant departure to the world of spirits.

THOMAS STOLLERIE, of whom mention has already been made, was upon his leaving Hoxton academy, chosen assistant to Dr. Trotter; but after some time, in consequence of a difference, occasioned, it is said, by his desire to be chosen co-pastor, he left Swallow-street, together with a considerable part of the congregation, whom he formed into a separate church. They now meet in Chapel-street, Soho.

WILLIAM NICOL, D. D.-This gentleman removed from Scotland to be co-pastor with Dr. Trotter, after the secession of Mr. Stollerie. He was ordained at Swallowstreet, Nov. 23, 1796, and the service was conducted in the following order. Mr. Smith, of Camberwell, introduced the business with prayer; Mr. Love proposed the usual questions relative to the articles of faith, and the mode of church-government, to which Mr. Nicol gave suitable answers; Mr. Steven preached the sermon on the nature of

PICCADILLY.-Baptist, Extinct.

the gospel ministry; Dr. Trotter offered the ordination prayer; Dr. Hunter gave the charge; and Dr. Rutledge concluded with prayer.

PICCADILLY.

BAPTIST.-EXTINCT.

THIS was a large auction-room, situated on the north side of Piccadilly, and converted into a place of worship about thirty years ago, by some persons of the Baptist persuasion. They were mostly Calvinists of the higher sort, and left their own churches because their pastors were not sufficiently instructed in what they called the mysteries of the gospel. Being formed into a society, they invited Mr. JOSEPH GWENNAP from Saffron Walden, to become their pastor. Mr Gwennap, is said to be a nephew of the late Dr. Gifford, who together with Mr. Potts, preached at his ordination at Saffron Walden, June 20, 1764. After his settlement in Piccadilly, he was very popular, and continued to preach there for several years with much apparent success; but having reduced to practice the theory contended for by the late Mr. Martin Madan, though probably in a different manner than what was intended by that writer, he was deserted by his flock, and the church in consequence became dissolved. This event took place about the year 1798. Mr. Gwennap we believe is still living.

OXENDON-STREET.

SCOTCH SECEDERS.

THIS HIS place was erected in the year 1676, at the expence of Mrs. Margaret Baxter, for the use of her husband, the famous Mr. Richard Baxter, who left the care of temporal concerns to his wife, whilst he confined himself wholly to ministerial dutics. We learn from her life, published by Mr. Clark, that after the catastrophe which happened at St. James's Market-house, she employed a friend to take a piece of ground in Oxendon-street, upon a short lease, at a ground-rent of thirty pounds a year. Upon the site she erected a chapel, and also two houses in front to screen it from the street. When the place was finished, Mr. Baxter preached in it but once, having to perform a journey on the next day into the country. The house of Mr. Secretary Coventry being at the back of the chapel, he proved a troublesome neighbour. Indignant at the idea that a set of proscribed schismatics should fix their quarters so near his dwelling, he determined to rout them out. Accordingly, on the following Sunday, he procured three justices to go to the meeting, with a warrant to apprehend Mr. Baxter, and commit him to jail. The good man, however, being absent from home, the storm fell upon Mr. Seddon, a Derbyshire minister, whom Mrs. Baxter had procured to supply his place. Notwithstanding the illegality of the measure, the wretches dragged Mr. Seddon to prison, where he remained till released by an Habeas Corpus, through the influence of Lord Chief Justice Hale. This mistake was the more unfortunate as Mr. Seddon was a man of a tender constitution, and Mrs. Baxter being sensible that she was the innocent occasion of his troubles, could do no less than maintain him during his imprisonment. She also visited him frequently to condole with him on his sufferings, and at his release paid