John Murton, the man who led the first Baptist church in England, three hundred years ago, was remembered by the John Murton Society, formed 50 years ago, at Malvern Baptist Church Worcestershire.
Among the highlights was a brief history of the life and times of John Murton, presented by the Rev. Tom Bowman. Mr Murton's church was in Spitalfields, London but during the 17th century harsh punishments were meted out to nonconformists, so he spent a "considerable time" in gaol. Unable to preach to his flock, he spent his time writing, using straw for a pen and milk for ink, materials which were smuggled in as the resulting letters were smuggled out.
The secretary of the John Murton Society, Dorothy Green, commented: "He gave his life to win freedom of worship for those who followed him. We can so easily take our freedom for granted but it was only achieved at enormous cost and sacrifice."
Source: (Baptist Times)
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