Benjamin Fawcett (minister) facts for kids

Benjamin Fawcett (born 1715, died 1780) was an English minister who didn't follow the main Church of England. He was known for his strong beliefs and for helping many people.

Benjamin Fawcett's Life

Benjamin Fawcett was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, on August 16, 1715. He was the youngest of ten children. In 1738, he went to a special school called an 'academy' in Northampton. This school was run by Philip Doddridge, another non-Church of England minister.

In 1741, Benjamin became a minister in Taunton. He was officially made a minister on June 16, 1742, with many other ministers attending. Philip Doddridge was there to support him.

In 1745, Fawcett moved to Kidderminster. Doddridge visited him in 1747 and saw that his work was going very well. He had 316 young people learning from him. Benjamin Fawcett stayed popular throughout his life. He worked hard to start new church groups in the countryside.

In July 1780, Benjamin Fawcett became very ill. He passed away in October of that year. His funeral was held on October 18.

Benjamin Fawcett's Writings

Benjamin Fawcett wrote and edited many religious books for the people in his congregations. He often made shorter versions of books by Richard Baxter, another famous writer.

Between 1756 and 1774, Fawcett published many sermons. A sermon is a talk given by a minister. His first sermon was called 'The Grand Enquiry,' published in 1756.

His most important writings included:

• 'Candid Reflections on the different manner in which the learned and pious have expressed their conceptions concerning the doctrine of the Trinity,' published in Shrewsbury in 1777. A second, larger edition came out in 1778. This book was written as a letter to a friend. It aimed to show that people could talk about the idea of the doctrine of the Trinity in different ways.
• 'Observations on the Causes and Cure of ... Religious Melancholy,’ also published in Shrewsbury in 1780. This book looked at the reasons for and ways to help with religious sadness.

Benjamin Fawcett's Family

Benjamin Fawcett's son, Samuel, also became a minister. He was officially made a minister in Beaminster, Dorset, in 1777. Later, Samuel changed his religious views and stopped being a minister. He lived on his own land near Bridport. From 1801 to 1816, he was a minister in Yeovil, where he died on December 14, 1835, at 81 years old.