2 1 6 History of the 



here the society continued its labours. To accommodate the 

 increasing congregation, though the number of members continued 

 small, and consisted mostly of poor people, " Mr. Maden con- 

 ceived the design of building a chapel." The dilificulties which 

 had to be overcome in the carrying out of this project were very 

 great, for, in addition to the poverty of the societies, popular 

 prejudice was opposed to them, and threw many obstacles in their 

 way. On this subject the remarks of the Rev. Samuel Taylor, (a) 

 at one time a minister in this circuit, are worth quoting, and we 

 give them entire. 



"The difficulties attending the enterprise appeared almost 

 insurmountable ; but he (Mr. Maden) and two others, going to 

 hear Mr. Bennet preach, the building of a chapel became the 

 subject of a conversation on their return. J. Maden and J. 

 Earnshaw engaged to give a sum of money sufficient to purchase a 

 piece of ground ; while N. Slater, in the simplicity of his heart, 

 promised sixpence^ which he then produced, saying, ' It is all I have 

 at present, but I will give more when I get it.' These, with the aid 

 of the poor society, were the first subscriptions towards building 

 the chapel at Bacup. Having some knowledge of architecture, 

 brother Maden also promised one hundred days' work ; and 

 sometimes while the mason (^) was employed in dressing the 

 stones, he went into the country to collect, money for the carrying 

 on of the work. Soon after the foundation was laid the whole 

 weight of the undertaking devolved upon him ; which after many 

 obstructions, was completed free from any pecuniary burden ; when it 

 was opened by the venerable founder of Methodism. On this memor- 

 able and jpyous occasion, the subject of this memoir poured forth his 

 devout heart in the elevated language of the royal Psalmist, - How 

 amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts ! my soul longeth, yea, 



(a) We are mainly indebted for -the particulars contained in the present 

 chapter to an account of the Life of John Maden, by the Rev Samuel Taylor, 

 which appeared in the Methodist Magazine for July 1811. 



(4) Mark the expression, " the mason." There appears to have been only 

 one mason employed. 



