On October 13th 1890 Rev William Rickard had been the minister in Childs Hill some 25 years. On this occasion the members presented him with the following interesting letter
“Dear Sir,
“As we review your quarter of a century of loving service in this part of the Master’s Vineyard, our hearts are full of gratitude to our heavenly Father for inspiring you with such untiring devotion - you have preached the word with great clearness, faithfulness and force, and your ministry has been constantly marked. with the fervent aim of arousing the conscience and driving the sinner from all false hopes to Christ, and. of leading the saints to a closer walk with God.
“And while this part of pastoral work has been nobly done, you have never neglected to visit us in our homes, being to us at all times a counsellor, comforter and friend.
“We are not forgetful also that this service has been rendered oftentimes by you in the midst of great weakness and suffering, and as we think of this our hearts are touched with deepest sympathy towards you in your present weakness and our prayer is that God may grant you renewed strength for future work.
“We recognise gratefully, too, the blessing you have proved to Childs Hill for you have not only been the principal instrument in founding the Baptist cause here 25 years ago, but you have undertaken the burden of establishing and finding the funds to carry on the day school where many hundreds of children have been educated. You have started and carried on very successfully for over 20 years the Provident Clubs for men and women which have encouraged thrift and afforded help to hundreds of families in times of sorrow and need.
“As a token of respect for you and appreciation of your work, we desire on behalf of the subscribers to present you with this address and a cheque for £210.
“We are, dear sir, yours faithfully,
“B A Lyon (Treasurer of fund), Richard Keevil, James Cox, E L R Miller, John Gilland, George Clark, Thomas Roberts (Deacons)”
