liberty of the Catholics, and express a wish that they might not succeed; and this circumstance might pass from one to another with aggravation, in the gossip of the day, till at length a considerable number of Dissenters were set in array against the Catholics. The fact itself is very improbable; for it must be well known, that the interference of the Dissenters for or against them would be of little avail. My much-esteemed friend, Dr. T., was credulous, and, with regard to some other circumstances, not always very correct. But he never erred intentionally and wilfully. Mr. Howe, indeed, was much less excusable; for he seems to intimate, that the distributors of his Majesty's bounty to the Protestant Dissenting Ministers, then called the regium donum, but since, from an alteration in the mode of its communication, denominated the Parliamentary Grant, were in the secret; and that they moved the springs of government in opposition to the Catholies. In this insinuation there is a degree of illiberality which does no honour to the memory of a man whom I esteemed, and with whom I was always on terms of intimate acquaintance. He knew where to have applied, if he had thought proper, for more correct information. Over this censurable part of his conduct I wish to throw a veil; and I regret that the letter to which I refer found its way into the Repository. I am much misinformed if those persons to whom he directed his correspondent for information could have gratified his curiosity; and if they were not as totally ignorant of the faet as the two country correspondents. I have sufficient reason for believing, that no intercourse on political measures, private or public, subsisted between the persons above calumniated and any members of his Majesty's administration, for the last fifty years. I have been assured, on an authority which I have no reason to question, that they have, on other occasions, asserted and maintained their independence. Ministers of state may easily find more pliant materials on which to exert their influence than the minds of persons who derived no benefit from any money which they received or imparted, besides the pleasure of relieving indigent merit; and this they considered as an ample recompence for their trouble in the transaction of this business. But it has been the fate of these men, nor is their case singular, to be most calumniated by those to whom they have been most communicative. I take the liberty of mentioning these particulars in order to render the collectors of anecdotes more cautious, in their record and detail of supposed facts, founded on conjecture and presumption, without a tittle of authentic evidence to support them; and to prevent their imposing, under the sanction of your valuable Repository, on the credulity of any of your readers. What is the number or what is the rank of Dissenters that are now adverse to Catholic emancipation, I can not undertake to pronounce; but I am happy to say, that in my connexion there are very few, if any, of this description; and as for others, I can only wish that they were more enlightened and more liberal. It has been said, without sufficient evidence, that if the Catholics succeed in their application, they would be hostile to Protestant Dissenters. However this may be, it furnishes no reason why we should not wish them success, and thus by our greater liberality triumph over their more contracted and selfish principles. At all events, I beg leave to suggest my own opi nion, that the case of Protestant Dissenters and that of Catholics are perfectly distinct; and whatever may be our secret or declared wishes in their favour, the repeal of the Test laws, as a subject of parliamentary consideration, should be separately argued, as they respectively affect the Catholics and the Protestant Dissenters; nor should we blend our case with theirs, lest we should injure instead of aiding and supporting one another. time cannot be far distant when both must succeed, and those disgraceful laws be expunged from the StatuteBook of the British empire. The AN OLD DISSENTER. I am particularly obliged to you for the observation, expressing your opinion that the poem does not contain "the history of any individual," since I am informed it has given offence to some who have erroneously considered it as a history of myself. : Amongst these a report has reached me, that I have been condemned by some gentlemen connected with the York College, for a supposed reflection upon the impartiality and justice of the able and excellent superintendants of that important and valuable institution and I am not sure whether others, less candid, have not attributed to me a design of thus attempting to injure it in the estimation of the public. Had such, however, been my design, the unworthy attempt could only have injured myself; for whilst the York College continues to send forth so respectable and useful a succession of ministers as those who have already, for many years, proceeded from it, and who now hold some of the most respectable situations, nothing that its enemies (if such there be) may insidiously throw out against its character, can injure it in the opinion of so enlightened a body of Christians as the Unitarian Dissenters of this kingdom. It would, therefore, have argued a want of common sense and prudence in me to have so openly attacked its character, and thus exposed myself to censure, especially as I myself was an élève of the institution, lived for five years under its fostering shade, and owe to it, in a great measure, whatever little talent I may possess. When young and fatherless, the York College was to me a nursing mother: how then can any one suppose me so destitute of common gratitude as to aim an unnatural blow at the reputation of my Alma Mater ? It has, however, been supposed, and I, therefore, deem it a duty which I owe to my own character, as well as to that of the institution, thus publicly to acknowledge my obligations to it, and to express my high opinion both of the talents and virtues of the gentlemen connected with it, either as superintendants or tutors, whilst I, at the same time, most positively disavow the intention so unjustly imputed to me. In addition to this disavowal, I beg leave to add a few words in explanation of my object, in the passage which has unfortunately been misunderstood.: In that passage, as in the rest of the poem, I wished to describe the feelings of a young man of sanguine temperament and acute sensibility, with little perseverance or industry, and deeming it natural for such a youth, when disappointed at College in the hopes which his ardent mind had conceived, to imagine that the prizes which his ambition prompted him to covet, but which neither his attainments nor exertions enabled him to gain, were partially and unjustly distributed, I represented him as entertaining some mistrust Of those who dealt the prize," &c. without reference to the sentiments of any particular person, or the character of any particular institution. That I had no intention whatever to throw the least blame on the conduct of the gentlemen engaged as tutors in the York College, (who were always kinder to me than I deserved, and who, I am persuaded, are guided by the best of motives in their behaviour to the students under their care,) will be evident to the candid reader from the following lines, containing Alfred's reflections on his departure from college, upon the manner in which he had spent his time there, and his inattention to the good advice which had been addressed to him by his tutors: "Now, too, for when from aught belov'd A thousand fond regrets will swell the we part, Remembrance sigh'd o'er hours too idly heart, past In trifling studies; and yet fled too fast: O'er wilful faults, and careless, proud neglect Of those whose wisdom most deserv'd re- The mild preceptors, who, in language Before I conclude this communication, permit me, Mr. Editor, to make one general observation naturally suggested by it; that it is a very unfair mode of criticism which identifies the author with the hero of his work, and refers every sentiment that may occur in it to the actual feelings of his own MY DEAR MADAM, THEN I visited Sept. 28, 1820. two out any certain rule of duty or assured promise of reward or punishment hereafter, excluding the Deity in his thoughts from all concern in the direction of the affairs of the universe, and regarding pleasure as the great object of human life, or proudly maintaining in spite of the smarting experience of every hour of life, that there is no evil in pain, and therefore despising all those considerations which might sustain the heart under its burthens." Next look at the Heathen vulgar, having no superior beings to look up to but such as are weak, passionate and W months ago, for the purpose wicked like themselves, by whom re of paying my public tribute of sincere respect to the memory of your excellent father, it was a source of great satisfaction to me in the discharge of what was in other respects a painful duty, to be assured from their own mouths that I had administered some consolation to his weeping family. But, alas! the Christian comforter has performed but half his office when he has attempted to soothe the first moments of anguish. There are tears which having been brushed away with that magnanimous resolution which springs elastic under the immediate pressure of affliction, return to their wonted channels, and there are losses of which we are rendered more deeply sensible by reflection. And now that you are deprived of the services of a regular preacher which I know you highly appreciate, I greatly fear your minds may be too much occupied on the darker parts of the providential event of which you have become the subjects. It is a very allowable, and I am persuaded you will find it a very consolatory employment of the thoughts, to compare your own condition with that of others, your sources of comfort under sorrow with theirs. The result will, I am persuaded, be a grateful conviction that, as Christians and Unitarians, you are possessed of unspeakably greater privileges than any of the sons or daughters of the large family of affliction throughout the world. Direct your thoughts first to the uninspired Heathen philosopher, with We regret that we could not bring this article into the last Number as we promised, p. 20, and that we can now insert only one letter. ED. VOL. XVII. wards or punishments in this and in that future imaginary world, which their poets describe, are distributed as caprice or revenge may dictate, with little regard to moral excellence or guilt; with no compassionate Saviour, instructor and comforter to whom to apply; no almighty, merciful and gracious Father, into whose bosom to pour forth the heart's secret sorrows. Look at the disciple of Mahomet, panting after an unhallowed heaven of sensual pleasure above, as a recompence for the sufferings and mortifications of the present life, and ascribing the whole circle of human events to resistless, all-governing fate, which, hears no prayers and exercises no compassion. Look at the Indian widow, indignantly flinging away life as a worthless faded flower, when it can no longer be enjoyed in the society of the lord of her affections, and wasting, in an uncalled-for sacrifice, that fortitude which, better directed, might have insured her a martyr's crown. Contemplate the loud and extravagant grief which was indulged in, even by the chosen people of God of old, which called forth the rebuke of our Saviour, and you will be convinced that within the fold of Christ alone, narrow and confined as are its present boundaries, the fountain of life, the well-spring of everlasting consolation is to be found. But how can we sufficiently lament, that many of the followers of the great Shepherd have been content to drink the waters of life mixed up with the most pernicious ingredients, and have even attempted to disturb the serenity, and clearness of the sacred, inexhaustible fountain itself! Observe the Ca tholic, instead of pouring forth his soul in the hour of sorrow, as Jesus did, to the Father, the God of all consolation and joy, and to him alone, dividing his homage and petitions with scrupulous exactness in error amongst a host of departed saints. By what costly and painful methods is his God to be appeased! What anguish does he feel for the departed soul of his friend, if no holy man have been present to carry his spirit's expiring prayer to the gates of heaven, and anoint his dying limbs with holy oil Look at the zealous member of the Church of England: what trembling anxiety does he feel that his innocent expiring infant should be baptized, and his pious parent receive the sacrament; and with what lively sorrow is his bosom agitated if these have been unavoidably omitted! Visit the Calvinist after the death of his son, or friend or relative, who, though pure and godlike in his manner of life, had not exhibited that triumphant faith in the atoning sacrifice (by which alone an angry Deity is to be appeased) which, his system teaches, must characterize one of the elect. What avail the angel-smile on the countenance of his child, or the saintly, matron graces of her who gave him birth, or a longcontinued course of benevolent and virtuous deeds in him, whom, but for this stain, he would have been proud to call his father-if either have not the witness that he is in the number of those whom God has arbitrarily ehosen to be exclusive objects of his everlasting favour? When the child of affliction, weighed down by the burthens of life, and weary of the heartless commerce of the world, with reverence asks to see the face of the Christian's God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; he is shewn a Deity, pavilioned in eternal darkness, dressed in everlasting frowns, the flames of whose wrath are only to be quenched in blood, who punishes the innocent for the guilty, smiles on a few, and looks with a countenance of terror on a universe! It cannot be doubted that the Great Spirit who dwells in the heart of the untutored Heathen and the Christian, Jew and Greek, orthodox and heretic, does in all so over-rule the influence of their mistaken views, as greatly to abate their painful and pernicious efficacy. But how different, my dear Madam, the sentiments which my esteemed friend and your lamented father was accustomed to cherish as the light and joy of his existence ! Upon his views of the gospel, how encouraging the character of our common Heavenly Father! How simple and rational the preparation for death and eternity-a life of piety and benevolence in obedience to the commands of Christ! How readily may our fears be quieted, and our hearts be soothed, under the sudden departure of those who were dear to us! With what cheerful confidence may we commend their spirits to him who knew and allowed for all the infirmities of their nature; was ever ready to forgive their offences upon repentance, and will assuredly reward whatever was good in their characters! I doubt not your thoughts and those of the other members of your family, are still chiefly occupied by the melancholy event which has befallen you. But while you dwell on the past and the present, allow me to remind you that the boundless, heart-cheering and all-glorious future lies no less open to your meditations. Carry your thoughts forwards, my young friends, to the period, though it should be many ages distant, when that heart in which you discerned so much moral worth, and which so tenderly interested itself in the welfare of each and all of you, shall rejoice in beholding you all again, greatly improved in knowledge and virtue, and blessing his paternal hand for having laid the foundation of a structure, which shall advance in lustre and beauty throughout the ages of eternity. View him no longer oppressed with languor and emaciated with sickness; his devotions no longer interrupted by disease and pain; or checked by any earthly imperfection, magnifying that name in which was his and his children's confidence below, in everlasting songs of adoration and thankfulness. With best wishes for the happiness and improvement of every member of your family, &c. believe me, Dear Madam, Yours, with sincere esteem and respect, A List of STUDENTS educated at the ACADEMY at DAVENTRY under the Patronage of Mr. COWARD's Trustees, and under the successive superintendence of the Rev. CALEB ASHWORTH, D. D., the Rev. THOMAS ROBINS, and the Rev. THOMAS BELSHAM. Communicated by Mr. BELSHAM. The following Students removed from Northampton to Daventry, November 9, 1752: Dead. Joseph Brown, minister, d. H. Cutler, d. William Blake, m. d. Joseph Gellibrand, m. d. William Boulton, m. d. William Jackson, m. 1750, d. Samuel Mercer, m. d. Nathaniel White, m. Remarks. settled at Wolverhampton-Coventry—London. died at Daventry. A German. settled at Crewkerne. Tottenham-Edmonton. Modbury-Leskiard. Author of a volume of Dublin, retired to Hackney. Hinkley-Leeds-London, Old Jewry. To these were added, in 1753, upon the dissolution of the Academy at Kendal, Prescot, Ormskirk. Longdon, author of a Commentary on 1 Cor. xv.; found dead in his bed at Birmingham, A. D. 1765. Needham-market-Namptwich-Warrington, Daventry, Assistant Tutor-chaplain to Mrs. Flower and Weedon Walpole-Yarmouth. Whitney-Stamford-Whitchurch-Evesham, Freeby--Cambridge-Congleton. Trade. |