Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

have in every age been found to accompany a faithful promulgation of the truth as it is in Jesus. He was, however, enabled to maintain his ground with unshaken firmness, and, relying upon the support of Him, whose cause he served,-who had called him to be his ambassador, and by the unanswerable evidence of a holy and actively useful life, he lived down opposition, and at length compelled the approval even of many who had been of the contrary part.

His personal appearance conciliated respect and love, and being easy of access, as well as distinguished both for urbanity of manners and a sound judgment, he was resorted to not only by the attendants upon his ministry, but by many of his younger brethren, who always found in him the faithful friend and wise adviser. Of the numerous congregation, also, over which he presided for upwards of thirty years, it may be affirmed, that the influence of true religion was widely diffused among them, and with regard to those who were brought decidedly under its saving power, that they were conspicuous for a pervading spirit of solid and humble piety, and were at once alive to, and ready for, every good word and work. They ever held their revered pastor in the most affectionate esteem, and much of the good, which Colchester has since been so fruitful in accomplishing, may be traced to the foundation which had been laid in the ministry, of Mr. Storry.

Amongst the numerous seals to this ministry, were many from a class in society which, at that time, had not much credit given to it for serious

religion. Colchester became a large garrison town, and numbers of the military attended at St. Peter's. There is every reason to believe, that Mr. Storry's ministry was rendered instrumental to the conversion of many amongst them, but the Royal Artillery, of which a large detachment was for a considerable time stationed there, became benefited by his labours to a very remarkable extent. So widely, indeed, did the influence of vital godliness spread among both officers and private soldiers, of this valuable and intelligent branch of the service, that he was styled by a competent judge, the Father of religion among our brave Artillery.

Our limits will not admit of a more enlarged account of this ornament of our excellent establishment; it must suffice, therefore, to observe, that when, after maintaining through the whole course of his ministry, an eminent consistency in his public and private character, his public labours were terminated by the inroads of sickness: then the stability of his Christian hope, founded as it was upon the rock of ages, sustained him during a long affliction, and did not desert him in nature's extremity; but cheered him at his last hour with the bright prospect of a happy immortality.

He departed this life on January 18th, 1814, and his affectionate parishioners testified their respect and veneration for his memory, by erecting a handsome monument in the chancel of that church in which he had so long, and so successfully, proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation.

4

[ocr errors]

Wintringham is situated on the banks of the Humber, about seven miles from Barton. It lies below the chalk hills on the oolitic and lias formations: the blue and grey lime-stones abound in gryphites incurvali, belemnites, criroidea, emrenites, Ammonites, and various other organic remains found in secondary rocks. On the banks of the Humber, and in the level grounds on each side of the Trent, an immense number of trees, chiefly fir and oak, are found embedded in the earth. Some of these, with vast quantities of nuts and leaves, are in good preservation. Some of the lands in which they are found still bear the name of the Groves. The magnificent river, nearly three miles wide; the fine range of Yorkshire hills on the North, adorned with the beautiful villages of Welton and Ferriby; the chalk hills to the East, and a chain of villages stretching towards the South, afford a prospect truly beautiful. The views from Wintringham, and within the circle of a few miles, yield to few places in England for richness and variety.

Here terminates the great Roman road Ad Abum, and near the place several beautiful Roman pavements, and fragments of pottery, have been found: also coloured pieces of fresco, similar to that taken from the walls of Pompeii.

Near the end of the road many skeletons have been dug up, supposed to have been the remains of that enterprising, industrious, and celebrated people.

Some barrows, or tumuli, are found near Wintringham, which carry us some ages further back than the invasion of the Romans.

The church of Wintringham is ancient, and was

built at different periods. In the inside are three fine Saxon arches, with lozenges and zig-zag ornaments, in excellent preservation. The effigy in stone of a Knight Templar, clothed in chain armour, lies in the chancel. His pillow is supported by two angels, and a dog, or a lion, lies at his feet.

Some suppose this to be one of the former Earls of Wintringham, others that it is one of the Marmions, one of whom came over with William the Conqueror, and was champion of England. The last of these, Philip de Marmion, died in 1492, and left two daughters, one of whom was married into the Dymock family, in which the championship is still continued.

The parish registers show the unsettled state of that part of the country during the civil wars. One rector, the Rev. Edward Botler, was suspended during the Commonwealth, and afterwards became chaplain to Charles the Second." *

*The above has been furnished by the kindness of the editor's brother, E. Westoby, Esq.

« ZurückWeiter »