Rev. Thomas Tuppen
He was my predecessor in the pastorate of the Congregational church in Bath. He was originally in trade; and in his earlier days had deviated from the paths of righteousness and peace. Living then at Portsmouth, he went to hear Whitfield, who was to preach on the neighbouring common, and (which was so often the case under the ministry of that extraordinary herald of the Gospel) the word came to him not in word only, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. He had gone to hear, not so much from curiosity, as from the worse motive — to oppose, insult, and interrupt. “I had,’ said he,” therefore, provided myself with stones in my pocket, if opportunity offered, to pelt the preacher; but I had not heard long, before the stone was taken out of my heart of flesh; and then the other stones, with shame and weeping, were dropped one by one out upon the ground.
The change, then commenced, was carried on, and evinced itself to be of God by its continuance and its effects. In process of time the receiver of the Gospel became also the publisher; and was ordained over a church in the place where he resided. Some years after he ruptured a blood-vessel; and resigned his charge, as unable to meet safely its numerous services; but after a considerable suspension, his recovery allowed of his taking another sphere, with less public duty. Mr. Welsh, a rich banker from London, (as may be seen in my reminiscence of him,) who had much aided our rising cause, brought him to Bath while the interest was young and weak; and engaged to support him till the congregation should be able to meet the expense.
Here his labours were peculiarly acceptable and useful. Many were awakened under his ministry, and added to the growing church j which was soon required to enlarge the place of her tent. He was, therefore, excited and encouraged (much by Lady Glenorchy) to take ground and build; Argyle Chapel was the consequence. But the founder, though he set his heart upon it, lived not to see it opened for the Lord’s service. This was performed by the Reminiscent, who had been introduced by Mr. Tuppen to his people as an occasional supply during his sickness, and recommended to them as their pastor when he was dying.*
* In the Life of the Countess of Huntingdon, Vol. II. p. 75, is the following notice of Mr. Tuppen: — “The congregation assemhling in Argyle Chapel, Bath, originated in the secession of a few pious individuals who did not approve of the forms of the Estahlished Church, and who formed themselves into a church on Independent principles. The first person to whom application was made to preside over this infant church was the Rev. Thomas Tuppen, who had been a preacher in Mr. Whitfield’s connexion, and afterwards minister of the Tabernacle at Portsea; he arrived in Bath in the year 1785, when the interest rapidly increased; from about 25 persons who at first attended him, the number rose in a few years to seven or eight hundred. The place in which they worshipped being now too small for the congregation, a new chapel was begun in 1789, and opened Oct. 4, 1789; but Mr. Tuppen’s health was then so much reduced that he was never able to preach a single sermon there — he could only attend the services of the day, which were performed by the Rev. Wm. Jay, who has been the minister of the place ever since.”
“During the few years that Mr. Tuppen exercised his ministry at Bath, his manner of preaching was very striking: he was often heard to say, * If the attention be gained, half the business is done.’”
“It was never his wish to empty other places where the Gospel was preached in order to fill his own; for, after observing the largeness of his own audience, he would often inquire whether the other places were full.
He was a man of great seriousness and exemplary piety; he talked little but his speech was always with salt and ministered grace to the hearer. Mr. Cecil once said, a minister should not be “a man to be had,” — and Mr. Tuppen was most observant of this rule of any man I ever knew. This grew not so much out of disposition as out of circumstances, as he had had only a common education, and never had the advantage of any regular preparation for the ministry, and yet was very thirsty of improvement. Through desire he separated himself, seeking and intermeddling with all wisdom. He was a most laborious student, and by assiduous and self-denying application, he gained much general information; acquired a tolerable knowledge of the original languages; excelled in theology; and became one of the most distinguished preachers of the day, in his own connexion. He, therefore, lived very retiree), not only from society at large, but also from his own congregation; and to such a degree as would not have been justified or excused, but for the value he attached to time, and the necessity he felt for diligence.
This is not always the case. I have been sorry to have observed in no few instances the reverse of this. Where the iron has been blunt, less strength has been put to it; and where there has been no advantage of preparatory fitness, preachers have been less anxious and active in their exertions. It is one of the benefits of training for the ministry that, however imperfect it may comparatively be, it creates a habit of order, a tone of application, and a heedfulness of time and opportunity. I have known individuals of no enviable talents, and of no previous acquirements, who have even given less time and attention in preparing their three sermons for the week, than Robert Hall,
When he was answered in the affirmative, he seemed to be much pleased, and would say, ‘Well, we may now hope something is doing.’”
“After a lingering illness, which he supported with great resignation and patience, he entered into his rest on the 22nd of February, 1790, aged 48.”
with all his powers and education, employed in preparing one, and that only his week-evening lecture before the Lords supper. And are there not people who prefer this remissness, and lounging, and sauntering in a preacher, provided he favours them with a portion of it, in what they call pastoral visits, than in letting his profit appear unto all men, in giving himself to reading, meditation, and prayer?
Mr. Tuppens face was peculiarly intelligent; his eye remarkably piercing; and his look frequently insufferable. The skeletons of his sermons (for he wrote none at full length) were written with uncommon neatness, order, and precision; and generally filled two octavo pages. They were in long hand with a few contractions. His library was arranged according to Locke’s Common Place Book; so that when he had to preach on any particular subject, he could turn to any volume, and every volume where that subject was treated in a way of proof, illustration, or improvement. Whenever he added a book to his collection, he thus immediately arranged its topics for reference; and this rendered the work easy, which would, if done at once, have been a tiresome task.
He was a widower, and had only one child, a son, residing with him, and articled to a solicitor in Bath. This son had more than his father’s natural talents, and was a good scholar, and gave much promise of rising above many in his profession. He also seemed much inclined to walk in those ways which are pleasantness and peace. When, therefore, he had arrived at age, on his birthday he wrote a paper, entitled “Rules for my Conduct.’^ It began thus: “I am now come of age, and hope for the favour and blessing of God upon my future years. But in order to this, I know I must adhere to certain principles and rules. The first of which is piety. ‘Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil, that is understanding,’” &c. But alas! this goodness was as the morning cloud, or early dew wLicli passeth away. These hopeful appearances were in a few months blighted, and in a few more entirely destroyed.
“Evil commmiications corrupt good manners; and a companion of fools shall be destroyed.’^ This fine youth became acquainted with some sceptical, or as, by a patent of their own creation, they call themselves, free-thinking young men; gave up the Sabbath; forsook the house of God which his father had built; abandoned the minister to whom he had been greatly attached; and boldly “left off to be wise and to do good.” But as his fall was rapid, so his new course was short. Swimming on a Sunday for amusement and experiment, he caught a chill which brought on a consumption. This for months gave him warning, and space for repentance, but it is to be feared this grace of God was in vain. During his gradual decline, he refused all intercourse with pious friends or ministers; and when his good nurse entreated him to call me in, as I lived close by, and there had been such an intimacy between us, he frowned and rebuked her, and ordered her to mind her own business. On the last day of his life, unasked, I ventured into his dying chamber. He was sensible; but exclaimed, “O Voltaire! Voltaire!” He then raised himself up in the bed, and wringing his hands again exclaimed, “O that young man! that young man!” I said, “My dear sir, what young man?” With a countenance indescribable, he answered, — “I will not tell you.”
How was my soul agonized, for I had loved him much, and had endeavoured in every way to render myself agreeable and useful to him. But “one sinner destroyeth much good.” What have I seen in a long ministry of the dire efiects of evil associates, and licentious publications! He kept moving about, and grasping the bed-clothes; and after a disturbed silence muttered something about his seeing fire, and then suddenly expired. On the last circumstance I laid no stress; it was probably from a sparkling of the eye, affected by the imagination or by disease; nor did I publish a narrative of the event from the press or the pulpit j or attempt to make of it an imitation of Dr. Young’s “Centaur not Fabulous.’^ In many cases we know too little for explanation or decision; and it is our wisdom to “be still, and know that He is God,” — both as to the exercise of his mercy and justice. We are to avoid rash judgments,, but it becomes us to hear and flee.
Should this solemn and true statement fall under the notice of any youth who has had godly parents, and a religious education; and not only outward advantages but serious convictions and resolutions; from all which he has turned aside, — surely here is enough to awaken his reflections and fears, and to enforce the language of inspired wisdom and love. — ‘My son, if sinners entice thee consent thou not. Enter not into the path of the wicked; and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall. And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed; and say. How have I hated instruction and my heart despised reproof! and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment,”