In the Lancaster Gazette of Saturday the 5th of August 1843 is A
Letter to the Editor of which the following is a Copy
Sir, -
I beg you will allow this plain Statement of facts which have occurred this
week to be inserted in your paper:-
On Tuesday last the Township of Witherslack was made a place of confusion
and excitement unparalleled by the Trustees of the late Dean Barwick's
Charity wanting to place a Rev Mr Woodcock of St George's Church Kendal to
be the Minister of Witherslack Chapel in the room of the Revd Mr Dawson
deceased.
Observe! the Rev Mr Wilson has been curate to Mr Dawson about 19 years and
has filled the situation to the satisfaction of the parishioners, so much
so
that a short time ago they presented him with a Bible neatly bound and a
tribute of respect for having preached the Gospel of Christ to his hearers,
till they could be known by their fruits;
This is not all. He has been their schoolmaster during this same period,
and has been equally successful in maturing the minds of their children by
strict discipline, enforcing by assiduous application to those under his
care to become Scholars of no common kind.
Further. He has been a friend to the poor widows and fatherless children.
In fact, his meekness and goodness of heart make him beloved by all his
parishioners: he is continually going about and doing good: all parish
affairs are arranged by him to the satisfaction of the higher and lower
classes of the chapelry.
I will further remark, he was at all times was complimented by the trustees
of the late Dean Barwick's Charity for his indefatigable duties and making
him a present at their July meeting in addition to the salary fixed by
them.
The stipend for the cure of souls was £40 per annum (the incumbent
receiving perhaps £100).
The Revd Mr Wilson having served nearly three apprenticeships as above
described, caused the parishioners to come forward in signing a testimonial
in his behalf to be their minister. Amongst those were the three resident
Trustees namely Mr
Stockdale of Witherslack Hall, Mr Barrow Meathop and
Mr Thornborrow: the Vicar of Kendal was his
supporter also the Vicar or Rector of Beetham in whose jurisdiction the
chapel of Witherslack stands.
Dean Barwick might intend that he should have the appointment of our
Minister, but this we leave for the Bishop to decide, with this hope that
he will stop this great evil in the bud, so that it don't grow into a tree
whose roots can never be eradicated in this generation.
The love that we have for the Revd Mr Wilson is that he shall be our
spiritual guide, because he preached Faith, Hope and Charity and practised
the last with abundance of love.
To those who read this epistle, pray for our deliverance from cant and
hypocrisy. I hope the Rector or Vicar will stand firm to have the rights of
every one saved, and may the Revd Mr Wilson be a comfort to us, till it
please the all-wise Providence to transplant him to the regions of bliss.
(Signed) Fair Play
August 3rd 1843