‘From Dunce to Doctor’ – Andrew Joseph Baxter (1832 – 1908)

The thirteenth annual lecture of the James Bourne Society delivered on Saturday 12th October 2024 by Timothy D Martin.

There is an interesting connection between the subject of this booklet and the author for each of them have edited the Gospel Advocate magazine. Andrew Jeseph Baxter was first and foremost a minister of the Gospel, but he was also the main instigator and first editor of the magazine when it began to be published in 1869. The magazine ceased to be published for many decades during the twentieth century but was relaunched in January 2008.  Timothy D Martin was appointed as the new editor. In this well researched lecture, the present editor of the magazine gives a fascinating account of the life and ministry of his illustrious predecessor.

Baxter’s origins were humble and there was much deprivation, but, in the sovereignty of God, his Gospel ministry was made spiritually fruitful. Baxter held two pastorates, first in Nottingham where he counted the worthy Ruth Bryan, J K Popham and his brother Henry (together with their future wives) amongst his hearers. Later he was called to Cavendish Place Chapel, Eastbourne, where he exercised a long and fruitful ministry. It was in this second part of his life that, through the ministry of The Gospel Advocate, he also became the de facto leader of the Calvinistic Independent Chapels (the Huntingtonians).