THEIE AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 389
THOMAS WILLIAM BAXTER AVELING.
BORN 1815.
MR. AVELING, of Kingsland for after a successful pastorate there of nearly thirty years the names naturally go together was born at Castletown, in the Isle of Man, on the llth of May, 1815. On the maternal side he is of Irish descent, a fact not to be over looked, as accounting in part for his glowing words and moving pathos. Mr. Aveling was brought up at Wisbeach, Cambridge shire. He did not enjoy the advantage of pious parentage, nor were his parents Dissenters, but having casually attended the Independent Chapel, he was encouraged to assist in the Sunday- school, and at length joined the church under the care of the Eev. W. Holmes. Mr. Aveling was trained in the school of Mr. James Smith, in which he became an usher, and his book of early poems he dedicated to Mr. Smith. After receiving some, educational training from Mr. Holmes, he entered Highbury College to study for the Congregational ministry. To this step he was encouraged by the assistance of Thomas Wilson, the estimable founder of the college. After spending four years at Highbury, Mr. Aveling was ordained at Kingsland, on the llth of October, 1838. He was at first co-pastor with the Eev. John Campbell, the celebrated African traveller, but on his death, at the end of two years, he succeeded him. The congregation at first worshipped at a small chapel, but in 1852 an elegant Gothic edifice was erected by them at a cost of 8,000. Mr. Aveling s earnest ministry has been attended with continual and growing success, and notwithstanding the demands of the pastorate and the pulpit, he has written some works and rendered good service to several religious and benevolent institutions. Prior to the year 1853, he was for several years the editor of the " Jewish Herald. He also edited and contributed to the " Missionary Souvenir." In association with Dr. Andrew Reed, and since his death, he has also laboured indefatigably as the honorary secretary of
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