Thomas Tillam and the Hexham Church Records.

Thomas Tillam was a fascinating Christian Evangelist who lived through the exceptionally disruptive period of the seventeenth century. Whilst a leader at Hexham Baptist Church in 1651–1655, he kept a church record and transcribed thirty-one letters pertaining to the church's affairs. These have survived and provide an insight into the man himself; the problems of establishing a new church and the potential for external and internal disputes which can severely damage the church. The conclusion of this review is that Congregationalist Churches should beware of the division that may be caused by charismatic leaders, especially over doctrinal and procedural disputes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]