William Gadsby (1773–1844) was an English Strict Baptist pastor, hymn writer and church planter .[1] He is often seen of as the father of the Strict and Particular Baptist movement in England.[1][2] Although he was not formally educated, Gadsby was regarded by his contemporaries as an excellent preacher and pastor who championed the cause of social justice and opposed the established Elizabethan Church.[3]
Pastor William Gadsby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 January 1773 |
| Died | 27 January 1844 (aged 71) Manchester, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Pastor, Church planter |
| Theological work | |
| Era | Late 18th Century |
| Tradition or movement | Strict Baptism Christian Socialism |
Originally pastoring in Leicestershire, in 1805 he left to become pastor of Black Lane Strict and Particular Baptist Chapel in Manchester, England, and held that position until he died.[1] Due to reconstructions and changes in street names, that same congregation was variously known as St George's Road Baptist Chapel, and Rochdale Road Particular Baptist Chapel.[4]
Early life edit
William was just one of fourteen children born to John and Martha Gadsby at Attleborough, Warwickshire on or around 3 January 1773. He was born into poverty and only briefly attended Nuneaton church school, starting work as a ribbon weaver at age 13. Being older than most of his siblings, he often had to care for them and this taught him the importance of leadership.[5] By age 17 he had forgotten how to read.[6]
His conversion to Christianity was also at this age: "But when the Lord was graciously pleased to quicken my soul, being then just 17 years of age, and showed me something of what sin really was, I really feared it then, and a turn in my mind took place of a very different kind... I was then solemnly and blessedly led to believe in God's free mercy and pardon." After this, he briefly attended an Independent Chapel in nearby Bedworth, however after meeting Pastor John Butterworth and conversing about the point of believer's baptism, he joined the Cow Lane Baptist Church in Coventry where he was baptized the same day on 29 December 1793.[5]
Ministry in Leicestershire edit
The Barn at Hinckley
Despite his impoverished upbringing and his strong belief that this should prevent him from preaching, William Gadsby felt called to form his own church in an old barn at the town of Hinckley.[7][5]
Because of his lower class background, as well as his opposition to the Church of England, he faced much opposition. This included an attempted assassination, when he was stoned by thugs through a hole in the roof of the barn. When members of his congregation attempted to chase after them, he commanded them saying "God will see to it that I am not hurt".[5]
The Church of Desford
He also began preaching to a small chapel in the village of Desford from 1794. This congregation had a proper church but was very poor. Thanks to donations from his loyal congregation, he began to sell drapery goods from land he bought in Hinckley as well as building a house.[5][8]
Hinckley Ebenezer Chapel
In 1802, Gadsby and his flock began constructing a new independent chapel known as Hinckley Chapel. It was a difficult project due to the poverty of his congregation, and they were often mocked by locals. Gadsby preached here until he moved to preach in Manchester in 1805.[9][2]
His experiences here would influence his future theology and politics, especially his left wing economic values.[10]
Ministry in Manchester edit
Gadsby originally had no intention of moving to Manchester, however after leaning that there was a chapel called "Back Lane Particular Baptist Chapel" that was without a pastor, he requested that he be allowed to preach there for a month as he attended to "business".[11] He did not initially state it out of embarrassment but he did not have any business in Manchester but he had heard the people of Manchester were very charitable and so he sought to beg for money as his funds for Hinckley Chapel were dangerously low.[6]
Eventually his sermons were admired by the congregation at Manchester and in 1805, he decided to settle there and become pastor for this chapel.
This event not only coincided with Britain's victory at Trafalgar, but also the start of much social discontent in Manchester, of which Gadsby would play a large role.[5][10]
38 Year Ministry
Back Lane Particular Baptist Chapel would later be renamed to Rochdale Road Chapel and not long after becoming pastor, Gadsby managed to attract an even larger congregation.[5]
As well as this, he often travelled on foot across much of Northern England, spreading the Project of Strict Baptism to the poor and working class, as well as starting more than 40 new Strict and Particular Baptist Chapels.[11][8]
Peterloo Massacre edit
Just as many other dissident Protestant groups such as the Lollards of the Peasant Revolt and the True Levellers of the English Civil War, Gadsby's ministry showed a deep concern for the issues of social injustice and laissez faire economics. His Christian socialistic ideas also came from his families continued poverty when he was growing up and the perceived bourgeois attitude of the established Elizabethan Church.[10][1]
After the massacre of protesting workers by the British Army on August 16, 1819, known as the Peterloo Massacre, Gadsby joined with many other political agitators in signing a "Declaration and Protest". In a letter to a friend in London, he wrote "I can assure you there is little else in our town but tyranny and oppression".[5]
It was this sense of social injustice that caused him to help to form the Anti-Corn Law League.[12]
He often enraged upper class circles for bringing his socialist ideas into his sermons, however he was often praised by his working class congregations. On one occasion, he claimed the mantra of landlordism was "the labouring, the industrious people of England shall not partake of the fruit of the earth, if we can help it, for we are determined to keep the greatest part for ourselves". When he attempted to continue, he was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. When he apologised for detaining them for so long there were cries of "go on".[10][4]
Death edit
Gadsby died on 27 January 1844, two weeks after turning 71.[5][13]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Garrett, James Leo jr (2009). Baptist Theology: A Four-Century Study. Mercer University Press. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-88146-129-9. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ a b Pegden, Tom (25 March 2021). "Strict and Particular Baptist Graveyard receives blue plaque". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ Barton, Marcella (December 2004), "High Calvinists in Action. Calvinism and the City. Manchester and London, c. 1810–1860 by Ian J. Shaw", Church History (review), 73 (4), Cambridge University Press: 868–70, doi:10.1017/s0009640700073327, ISSN 0009-6407, JSTOR 4146775, S2CID 161777883
- ^ a b https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/bq/37-5_227.pdf
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Gospel Standard Trust Publications - William Gadsby". www.gospelstandard.org.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b Todd, John R. (1999). Immortal honours: The Life of William Gadsby. Loughborough: J.R. Todd. p. 3. ISBN 0953536807.
- ^ "William Gadsby (1773-1844) – Strict Baptist Historical Society". Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ a b "William Gadsby". Desford Heritage. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Strict Particular Baptists | Desford History | Leicestershire UK". Desford Heritage. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "William Gadsby's Deep Concern for the Suffering". Test All Things. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ a b academic.oup.com https://academic.oup.com/book/26930/chapter-abstract/196049425?redirectedFrom=fulltext. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Gadsby, William | Praise!". www.praise.org.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Gospel Standard Trust Publications - The History of The Gospel Standard Magazine 1835-2010". www.gospelstandard.org.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2023.