After speaking of Edward Wallin's ministry Pike says
Wallin was succeeded by Abraham West, a young student direct from college, and in his twenty-fourth year. Inexperienced as he was, he contrived to annihilate what remained of the prejudice against singing the praises of God; and he only consented to accept the pastorate on express conditions that psalmody should be introduced. After serving for three years, West prematurely died in March, 1739. He likewise is interred in the burial ground adjoining the chapel.
Benjamin Wallin, a son of the previous minister, next followed. He was born in London, in 1711, and suffered from a lifelong lameness occasioned by an accident during babyhood. His affliction was somewhat lightened by the able treatment of Jonas Thorowgood, a Dissenting minister in Hertfordshire [Thorowgood lived 1688-1753. Wallin preached his funeral sermon at Little Parndon near Harlow in Essex but on the Hertfordshire border, where Thorowgood had been pastor from the age of 29]. In his earlier life, it does not appear that Wallin ever contemplated entering the ministry. He was educated by John Needham, of Hitchin, [Needham lived 1686-1743 and was first assistant 1705 then co-pastor 1709 then pastor 1717 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire as well as being a tutor in mathematics. His son John Needham Jr ministered in Bristol and wrote hymns] and had lessons also from Drs. [Sayer] Rudd and [Samuel] Stennett. [Sayer Rudd d 1757 was set apart to the ministry in 1725 from Maze Pond but went on after several pastorates to train in midwifery and medicine at Leyden before becoming an apparent Unitarian and an Anglican. Samuel Stennett lived 1727-1795, a seventh day Baptist but willing to pastor Sabbatarians, he followed his father to Little Wild Street in 1758 and remained there. he received a DD from Aberdeen in 1763]
Wallin's retiring timorousness prompted a shrinking from public service, and he, therefore, nervously listened to the call from Maze-pond when the people pressed him to accept the pastorate. He anxiously weighed the matter, and finally consented to fill the office, although at that time, he was married and actively engaged in business. He commenced his ministerial life in 1740, when only 29, and sustained a good position for more than 40y years; in the meantime achieving a well-merited reputation for "Methodical, scriptural, and practical preaching." His career was a prosperous and happy experience. To conduce to his people's comfort and progress was Wallin's chief delight; and when, in his last hours, one told him the Church was assembling for prayer on his behalf, the brightening countenance of the pastor revealed his satisfaction. Till laid low by his mortal sickness, he had only slightly suffered from bodily weakness. At his death, in February, 1782, he was laid by the side of his predecessors, in the Society's burial ground. Some fruits of his industry yet survive in 41 separate publications.
Wallin's retiring timorousness prompted a shrinking from public service, and he, therefore, nervously listened to the call from Maze-pond when the people pressed him to accept the pastorate. He anxiously weighed the matter, and finally consented to fill the office, although at that time, he was married and actively engaged in business. He commenced his ministerial life in 1740, when only 29, and sustained a good position for more than 40y years; in the meantime achieving a well-merited reputation for "Methodical, scriptural, and practical preaching." His career was a prosperous and happy experience. To conduce to his people's comfort and progress was Wallin's chief delight; and when, in his last hours, one told him the Church was assembling for prayer on his behalf, the brightening countenance of the pastor revealed his satisfaction. Till laid low by his mortal sickness, he had only slightly suffered from bodily weakness. At his death, in February, 1782, he was laid by the side of his predecessors, in the Society's burial ground. Some fruits of his industry yet survive in 41 separate publications.
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