THE REV. THOMAS LORD.

The subject of this notice, no longer holding a ministerial charge, is by
many years the doyen among Nonconformist preachers in Horncastle, being
the oldest Congregational Minister in England. He completed his
hundredth year on April 22, 1908; on which occasion he received a
congratulatory telegram from His Majesty the King; while a public fund
was instituted for a presentation to be made to him in recognition of the
occasion, which he desired to be given in his name to the local
Institution of Nurses.

Mr. Lord was born at Olney, Bucks., in 1808; and began his ministry in
1834, as pastor of a chapel at Wollaston, Northants, which he held for
eleven years; thence removing to Brigstock, in the same county, where he
laboured during 17 years. He subsequently held pastorates in Horncastle,
Deddington (Co. Oxford), and Great Bridge, Staffordshire. He gave up
permanent charge in 1878, continuing, however, to assist other ministers
in that neighbourhood, until 1899, when, in consequence of failing
eyesight, he removed once more to Horncastle, taking up his abode with
his married daughter, Mrs. C. M. Hodgett, on the Wong (No. 7).

Mr. Lord has been an active worker in the temperance cause during more
than 70 years; a member of the Liberation Society since its formation; a
warm advocate of the Peace Society, of the United Kingdom Alliance; the
inaugural meeting of which he attended at Manchester. He was one of the
founders of the Congregational Total Abstinence Association; and has
always been a warm supporter of the London Missionary Society.

Mr. Lord still preaches occasionally in Horncastle. He has officiated
more than once recently in the Lincoln Mission Hall, and not unfrequently
occupies the pulpit at the Presbyterian Chapel, Kirkstead, to assist the
local minister, Rev. Robert Holden, who is his junior by some 16 years.
On Sunday, May 31, 1908, Mr. Lord preached at Alford, in the
Congregational Chapel; and on Sunday, June 7, 1908, at Boston, in the
Chapel of the United Methodists.

[Picture: Rev. Thomas Lord, 100 years old, April 22, 1908]

Notwithstanding his age Mr. Lord's voice is still clear, deep-toned, and
resonant; his manner is full of vigor, his language simple, yet eloquent
and earnest. His step is firm and elastic. In habit he is an early
riser.

CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

Having dealt with the places of worship in the town, we now proceed to