Welsh Journals

have to furnish proof of his ability for the ministry and of his unblameable conversation'. Again, if required,13 he had to prove that he was sound in the faith particularly as to the Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity as revealed in the Holy Scriptures & explained in the Assembly's Confession of Faith & Catechism'.74 In the revision of the Rules and Orders' in 180475 the words if required' are missing. Rule nine states quite emphatically That no Exhibition be granted to any Minister without a written Recom- mendation under the Hands of two neighbouring Ministers and in case such a Minister shall remove to any other Place, that no Exhibition be granted him without another Recommendation under the Hands of two Ministers as aforesaid'. Not only that, the applicant, according to Rule 13 shall request the said Exhibition yearly, giving an Account of their Place of Abode and circumstances No exceptions were made to these rules. When Arthur Jones of Bangor applied for an exhibition in 1810 his application obviously did not include a Confession of Faith or the Recommendation of two ministers. The result was that it was the church that received a grant of £ 4 and only after he had complied with the rules did Arthur Jones receive the extra £ 2 making it up to £ 6.76 The Congregational Way of church government was also of paramount importance to the London ministers. In 1767 several ministers from Cumberland refused to ordain a man at Cocker- mouth although he had been chosen by a majority of the Congre- gation of that place \77 Their exhibitions were cancelled till they shall think fit to alter their conduct in a point that so evidently concerns what the Board conceives to be Evangelical Sentiments & that is so deeply interesting to the rights & liberties of Pro- testant Dissenters '.78 The ministers concerned very soon proffered their apologies for making light of the Congregational Way with the result that the Board restored them at the same time that they be informed if they offend in a case of a like nature, they must expect to forfeit any exhibition from the Board \79 The rule that each applicant for an exhibition had to apply 73 My italics. 744 Rules and Orders' (1737/8). 75 Rules and Orders of the Congregational Fund (London 1804). Ref. 184/4/2 N.C.L. Library. 76 Minutes 4 June & 5 Nov. 1810. 77 Minutes 8 June 1767. 78 ibid. 79 Minutes 6 June 1768. See also W. Lewis, History of Congregational Church, Cockermouth, 128, and Transactions of the Congregational Historical Society, vol. iii, 97.