Today one can see two
gravestones side by side on the hill, one erected to Urijah Thomas, his
with an anchor and cross and inscription, and that of Wilberforce Tribe
and his wife Selina, whilst just behind is the memorial to one of the
Wilberforce sons, Alfred Tribe, and his wife, and not very far away is a
cluster of Wills memorials.
Urijah Thomas's views
were remarkably modern in many respects. He was very ecumenical in his
outlook, and was a friend of the Bishop of Bristol and other Anglicans. In
fact when he was being borne to his grave, as the large cortège of
carriages passed down Park Street and across College Green, the Cathedral
bells were tolled. One wonders how many free church figures were honoured
in that way. He was remarkably free of class consciousness, in a time
which was perhaps the most class-ridden age of history. He had in his
congregation several of the richest and most influential families in
Bristol, masters of industry and commerce, and also many humble folk,
especially domestic servants. Every big house had its complement of maids,
often recruited from South Wales, and a large number found their way to
Redland Park , and to the Sunday School and Bible Classes. One can tell by
studying the minute books where new members are listed, they are put down
as for instance "Sarah Jones at 7 Redland Park".
In those days, church
members rented pews, paying a sum of money each year. Apparently all the
servants sat in the free seats at the back and not with the family. Surely
they would have preferred it that way, and felt more free than if they had
been under the eye of their master and mistress. Urijah Thomas welcomed
all and treated all in exactly the same friendly way.
One of the causes that Mr
Thomas supported was that of temperance; he had seen enough of the
miseries caused by drunkenness. Another was the rights of women, years
before they were permitted to vote.
One sermon of his,
preached in 1876, and printed in the Monthly Record magazine strikes us as
very modern in outlook. Advocating moderation and a wise use of all good
gifts, he says that since God is the maker of all things, nothing is evil.
All nature leads to Him. He says that science and religion are not really
opposed, if properly understood. If perfectly known, there would not be a
division.
On industrial unrest the
following could have been written in 1984 instead of 1876. "Of later
years strikes between employers and employed have been bitter, frequent
and prolonged. Strikes and lockouts have thrown thousands out of
employment through avarice and despotism of the master and through avarice
and short-sightedness of the labourers."
One of his greatest
concerns was for education. He was a member of the Bristol School Board
for 27 years. Year by year he was re-elected, often with the highest poll,
and for three years he was its chairman. This was no mean tribute to a
member of the generally distrusted Free Churches. He worked unflaggingly
to bring in non-sectarian education, up until then the dogma and creed of
the Church or England being the only form of Religious Education in
schools. He wanted only Bible knowledge taught and morality not dogma, and
he had much success. He used to visit schools and give encouragement to
all.
One of the tributes after
his death was from the Bristol School Board Caretakers’ Association
which says : "notwithstanding his busy life he was always ready with
a warm shake of the hand and a kind word of encouragement." Such
attitudes were unusual in 1901.
Mr Thomas was aware of
the poverty and degradation in the Dings area of St Philips, a down-town
industrial area, where no-one would dare to walk alone - always in pairs.
A coffee house, called Shaftesbury Hall, had recently been opened there by
the Bristol City Mission, in an attempt to draw men away from the many
public houses, hitherto the only places where they could find some social
life and escape from the crowded, dingy, insanitary houses, but where they
spent their few shillings of pay leaving practically nothing for their
struggling wives to feed and bring up families.
Mr Thomas devised a
scheme which had a double benefit. He knew that many young people at
Redland Park had not sufficient outlet for their energy and their
idealism, so he founded the Shaftesbury Crusade, and encouraged the young
people to go down to St Philips, evening by evening, and run boys' and
girls' clubs, sports clubs, gymnastics classes, first aid and Bible
classes and many other activities. Both sides benefited. The Crusade
flourished, larger premises were built and opened in 1900 and then
extended; at one time 4023 people were using it weekly. There was a
full-time nurse who helped the mothers and taught them child-care.
(Redland Park ladies used to knit baby clothes and send them down for new
mothers who had not been able to afford to make provision for the
newcomers.)
Amongst other activities,
the young people were also encouraged in workhouse visiting. They would go
in groups to the institution at Fishponds and talk and sing to the
indigent residents and take them little presents.
Another brainchild of
Urijah Thomas was the Bristol Children's Help Society. It began by
providing free breakfasts, halfpenny dinners, winter playrooms, boots,
shoes and a holiday for a week in the country. (The last is the only
activity which is carried out today.)
A friendly farmer was
found at Barton near Winscombe, at the foot of Crook Peak in the Mendips.
At first a handful of children were given a holiday at the farm there, but
soon a site was bought and wooden buildings set up, with a long dormitory
equipped with hammocks, a large dining room, kitchens, washrooms and
toilets, and undercover play area for use in wet weather, and smaller
rooms for helpers. Girls and boys went on alternate weeks. Thousands of
Bristol children have benefited from the fresh air and healthy food,
climbed to the top of Crook Peak, participated in rambles over the Mendips,
and joined in sing songs and sports. Only in the past few years has the
camp been completely rebuilt and modernised, while the only old building
retained is the chapel which is kept as a memorial to Urijah Thomas.
Another foundation which
owed its origin to Mr Thomas was the Ministers' Seaside Home, The Grange
at Morthoe, North Devon. He founded it and was its first warden, going
down whenever he could, but leaving the day to day running to a husband
and wife team of housekeepers. His aim, carried out faithfully over the
years right till 1960, was to provide rest and recreation for ministers
and their wives of all denominations, who with their stipends so very low,
could not possibly have afforded even the most humble hotel or lodging
house. After his death, one form of memorial to him at Redland Park (as
well as a stained-glass window and wall-plaque) was the collection of a
large sum of money to endow the home, which was thereafter known as the
Urijah Thomas Memorial Home.
In The Grange visitors'
book are many interesting comments by ministers of numerous denominations.
Loud is their praise of the comfort and friendly atmosphere. This is a
typical entry written in 1885 by a Mr Kick :
"I came to The
Grange broken in health with nervous prostration, so that I could walk
scarcely any distance. I return to my home comparatively well. It has been
the privilege of me and my dear wife to have the company of the generous
and loving founder of the house with us, whose genial presence has
contributed largely to my restoration. The home comforts of The Grange,
together with the grandly wild scenery, the bracing air, and last but not
least the religious association make The Grange a very land of
Beulah."
The civic memorial to
Urijah Thomas is the fountain and clock at the top of Blackboy Hill. Stop
and read the inscribed tablet if you can get across the stream of traffic!
It reads :
"This fountain was set up to the
memory of the Rev Urijah Thomas by his fellow citizens, of all parties and
beliefs, in grateful recognition of the Catholic spirit and generous
ardour with which he gave himself to the public service, and especially of
his wise and tender care of the children of the city, and for all the
friendless and unhappy, the defenceless and poor. This commandment have we
from him,‘that he who loveth God, love his brother also’ 1 John
iv."
