Christopher Newman Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher Newman Hall
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Christopher Newman Hall; a Woodburytype photograph published in Men of Mark, 1877
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| Born | 22 May 1816 Maidstone, England
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| Died | 18 February 1902 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Nonconformist divine |
Christopher Newman Hall (born May 22, 1816 – died February 18, 1902) was a very famous English preacher in the 1800s. He was known as a "Dissenter's Bishop" because he belonged to a Protestant group that was not part of the official Church of England.
Newman Hall cared deeply about social issues. He supported Abraham Lincoln and the end of slavery during the American Civil War. He also supported the Chartist movement, which fought for more rights for working people in Britain. His small book, Come to Jesus, published in 1848, became incredibly popular. It sold millions of copies around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Ministry in Hull
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Christopher Newman Hall was born in Maidstone, England. His father, John Vine Hall, was a newspaper owner and writer of a popular religious book. Christopher studied theology and earned a degree in 1841.
The next year, he started his work as a pastor at the Albion Chapel in Hull. In Hull, Newman Hall became very active in social causes. He supported the Chartist movement, which wanted more political rights for ordinary people. He also supported the temperance movement, which encouraged people to avoid alcohol. He even wrote a pamphlet about why Christians should support temperance.
His ideas on social issues were influenced by writers like Charles Kingsley. Newman Hall's popularity grew, and he was invited to preach in many towns across Yorkshire. During his twelve years at Albion Chapel, the church grew a lot, and they even opened a school.
Leading the Surrey Chapel
In 1854, Newman Hall became the pastor of the famous Surrey Chapel in London. This church was founded in 1783 and had many charities connected to it. While working at the chapel, Newman Hall also studied law in his free time. He earned a law degree in 1856.
Supporting the End of Slavery
During the 1860s, Newman Hall strongly supported the North in the American Civil War. He disagreed with the British government, which was neutral. He believed England should support the North, especially because they wanted to end slavery. He felt so strongly that he wrote a book called The American War.
Newman Hall visited the United States during the Civil War. He even published a powerful speech against slavery that was co-written by Abraham Lincoln. On January 29, 1863, he gave the main speech at a huge meeting in London. This meeting supported Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves in Confederate states free. The meeting was a great success, showing strong support for ending slavery in America.
After this, Newman Hall traveled widely in the United States. He was even invited to open the U.S. Congress with a prayer. He also gave a speech in the House of Representatives about how countries should get along.
Christ Church and Lincoln Memorial Tower
After many years, it became clear that Surrey Chapel would have to close. Newman Hall decided to build a new, larger church. He worked hard to raise money from donations and loans, even traveling to America to fundraise.
A grand new building project began in London. It included a large new church called Christ Church. Next to it was a large hall for lectures and a school, named Hawkstone Hall. They also built an international monument to Abraham Lincoln, called the Lincoln Memorial Tower. The whole complex was designed by architects and opened in 1876. The total cost was about £60,000, which was a huge amount of money then, but it was all paid off within four years.
Later Life and Legacy
In the 1860s, Newman Hall became the Chairman of the Congregational Union, a group of churches. He also received a special degree called a Doctorate in Divinity from a university in the USA. He met with Gladstone, who was the Prime Minister of Britain, to discuss education.
In 1892, Newman Hall retired as pastor of Christ Church. However, he continued his work in social causes and spreading his religious message. He believed that the Christian Church should always stand up for ordinary people. He felt that Christians should be leaders in helping others.
He wrote many books, including travel books and a book of poetry. Christopher Newman Hall is buried with his father and his second wife, Harriet, in Abney Park Cemetery in London.
His famous book, Come to Jesus, sold over four million copies during his lifetime. He said that 100,000 Civil War soldiers read it.
Works
- Hall, Christopher Newman (1850/reprinted 2007). The Christian Philosopher... a narrative of the life of the late William Gordon. USA: Kessinger Publishing, 2007
- Hall, Christopher Newman (1863/reprinted 2007). The American War. by Newman Hall, LLD. A lecture delivered in London October 20, 1862. USA: University of Michigan Library, 2007
- Hall, Christopher Newman (1865/reprinted 2007). Sermon on the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln preached at Surrey Chapel, London, May 14, 1865'. USA: Cornell University Library, 2007
- Hall, Christopher Newman (1898). Newman Hall, an autobiography. Cassell: London.
