Imatges de pàgina
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made good his general proposition; whether its application in every instance be just and whether more might not have been usefully said of the exceptions to the rule, may admit of inquiry. The subject is entitled to

Alnwick.

greater consideration than has been given to it in modern times, and the religious public is indebted to the learned preacher for bringing it forward.

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No golden fruit the mellow Autumn flings
Upon the fertile ground;-
No rip'ning cropsthe smiling Summer brings,
No Winter-olive grows,

No where Spring spreads around her leafy wings,
Her Zephyr never blows;

No verdure blooms within this hapless Isle

("Palladio munere”)

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'Neath show'r and sunshine born;→→→

No flowers, no crystal streams,no Funeral pile
Around which friends may mourn;-
Ah here! from all Man's sweet Society apart,

But these exist,Sad Exile and a Banished Heart.

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* Of the eight Epigrams," Hæc in schædis Pythæanis palam Senecæ adscribuntur," in the folio edition, this is one, and "De Temporum Mutabilitate,” inserted and paraphrased in the Repository for August, p. 479, is another. The latter being there erroneously stated to be a passage in one of Seneca's Tragedies.

What a striking illustration this Epigram presents of the influence of Exile, in acerbating the mind, even of a great man! Barren, however, as Corsica may be, it gave birth to another, and more celebrated exile-Napoleon.

To find such men as Seneca and Napoleon, as well as some of the most distinguished of our own countrymen pining in exile, while it may cause us to heave a sigh for the weakness of human nature, should teach us how to prize the blessings of society and liberty.

R. D.

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· 1823. July 20, at Dundee, Scotland, of a short illness, DAVID HUGHs, for many years a member of the Unitarian church in that place. He was a member of the first Unitarian church established in Scotland, by Mr. Christie, of Montrose; and also the first who joined Mr. Palmer in Dundee, where he gave zealous and effectual support to that gentleman, in his endeavours to establish a Unitarian church in that place.

within some years of his death, conducted a large boarding and day-school. In this capacity he gained the gratitude of many excellent persons, who considered theinšelves under great obligations to him for the ability and faithfulness with which he discharged the duties of his station. The respected subject of this notice was remarkable for a quickness of susceptibility, which, while it sometimes evinced itself in a transient irritability of temper, rendered him habitually alive to every call of duty, and disposed him to take a deep interest in the welfare of all who had claims upon him. His readiness to sympathize with suffering, his lively concern for the welfare of mankind, especially as identified with the progress of truth and liberty, and his liberality, amounting at times to profusion, in pecuniary contributions, whether for the aid of individuals or for public purposes, will not soon be forgotten by those who had the best opportunities of estimating his character. In rather early life Mr. Anstis adopted the Unitarian system, and was an avowed believer in "One God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," at a time when the great majority of Unitarians in the West of England still held Arian opinions respecting the person of Christ. Although he withdrew from the charge of a congregation, he still occasionally preached, and never relaxed in his zeal for the diffusion of pure Christianity. The writer of this knew Mr. Anstis only after the burden of fourscore years had impaired his energies, and is therefore not competent to speak of what he was in the full vigour of life. It was pleasing, however, to observe that amidst bodily and mental infirmities, he never ceased to realize the full assurance of faith in the One True God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this faith enabled the sufferer to express his firm conviction, in the sublime and beautiful sentiment of the vene

August 28, at Bridport, the Rev. MATTHEW ANSTIS. A few particulars, which have been ascertained respecting the life of one who was known to many readers of the Monthly Repository, and a brief notice of his worth of character, will, perhaps, not be thought unsuitable for insertion here. Mr. Anstis was born at St. Germains, in Cornwall, Feb. 27, 1740. A pear relative gives the following account of his early history: "You are aware that his situation in the country, in early life, prevented him from having the benefit of a classical education, and it was not until about the 17th year of his age that he entered upon a course of study with the Rev. Thomas Morgan, the Dissent ing minister at Liskeard, preparatory to his going to the Academy at Carmarthen, where I find he was in the years 1762 aud 1763, under the tuition of the Rev. James Thomas. Here he formed an acquaintance with Mr. David Jones, late of Newberry, and corresponded with this gentleman till his death a few years ago; he also corresponded with his tutor for some years. I think he must have left the Academy about the year 1765, and gone to serve the Dissenting Meetinghouse at Falmouth: but as his religious views did not accord with the general tone of his congregation, and as he was not inclined to conceal what he believed, he did not long remain there, but in the year 1766 went to Colyton, in Devonshire, where he preached for a short time, not,rable Lindsey, that “all things are from I think, more than a year, and kept a God, and for good to all." school. I hardly know when he first went to Bridport, but I think it must have been about the year 1767." For a few years after he became a resident in Bridport, Mr. Anstis performed the du ties of the pastoral office to a small society of Dissenters at a village in the vicinity. He was induced, however, by what particular circumstances does not appear, after a time to devote his attention to the education of youth, and till

W. B. G.

[Mr. Anstis was a liberal contributor to various Unitarian charities, under the signature of Senea Cornubiensis. He held a peculiar opinion with regard to the Lord's Supper, which he asserted and defended in several volumes of the Monthly Repository, in papers signed P. K. The reader is referred to Vol. III. p. 495, and Vol. X. pp. 571 and 749. There is

732

also a paper of his, "on the Judgment than he

of the World by Jesus Christ," Vol. III. thorouineeasily and

p. 39, to which his intimate friend, the late Mr. Howe, of Bridport, replied in the same volume, pp. 563 and 605.]

Oct. 1, at Key, West Thomson's Island, West Indies, Lieutenant STEPHEN RO. GERS, of the American Marine Corps, the sixth and only surviving son of the venerable William Rogers, D. D., of Philadelphia. He was carried off in the 24th year of his age by the yellow fever, and which he is supposed to have caught by attendance upon the sick; so that he fell a sacrifice to his humanity! He appears to have been an amiable and interesting youth, possessing all those qualities which endear the child to the parental heart. In 1818, he graduated at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and subsequently at Nassau College, New Jersey. At both of these literary institutions his talents and attainments ensured to him academical distinction. Having entered the navy of the United States, he was acting under Commodore Porter, the object of whose commission was, with his

squadron, to scour the seas of those Christian; whilst he lived in London, he

rates by which they had been long fested. A favourite with his superior attended upon the ministrations of the officers, he would have risen to eminence Rev. Francis Spilsbury and the Rev. Hugh Farmer. For their memory he ever reIn the service of his beloved country. But tained the utmost reverence, and used these flattering prospects have been termiliated by a premature dissolution. Mys-often to express his thankfulness to Proterious Ruler so it hath seemed good in thy sight! His excellent parents, and three sorrowing sisters, whose loss is irreparable, have drunk too deeply into the spirit of the glorious gospel of the blessed God, not to bow submissively to the willing of heaven. In the eye of Christian faith, and beneath the beamings of Christian hope,

vidence, which had so disposed his lot, as to permit him to enjoy the ministry of two such men from which he had, as h all his succeedwas very evident through

lasting benefit. He was also a frequent, life, derived the most important and if not quite a regular, attendant on the Dr. Fordyce, evening lectures of

only so distressing bereavements are

chardeter and intentions of men. He was distin guished for a love of order, and executed any little mechanical work, of which he was very fond, with peculiar heatness He had an exquisite relish for poetry, and was no mean judge of painting and believed, by some who were acquainted had he applied his attention to it, it is with him, that he would have been no mean proficient in this charmingleart. This opinion is formed from a portrait of the Musical Coal Man, which be executed As a tradesman, Mr. Wood's punctuality, during his residence in the metropolis. prudence and industry were exemplary which, together with the urbanity of his manners, and his cheerful accommodating temper, rendered him very successful. In companion; the life of every friendly social intercourse he was a delightful circle in which he appeared. He had a relate with great propriety and charm; rich fund of anecdotes, which he used to sometimes with the most pertinent effect; he often benefited while he pleased, and though peculiarly unpretending in his relaughing could instruct." He was also, pi-pligious professions, a sincere and pious

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November 7, at Bury, Lancashire, in by the 83rd year of his age, Mr. ABRAM WOOD, ironmonger, of this place. He was the son of a respectable farmer, a truly conscientious aud pious man, i was born at Stubbins, about four miles distant. In the early part of his life Mr. Wood lived in London. He afterwards Sopened a shop as an ironmonger in Sheffield, whence, more than forty years ago, he removed to this town, where he has continued in the same line of business ever since. Mr. Wood was possessed of a very strong, intelligent, comprehensive and penetrating mind. Few persons have a greater knowledge of the human heart

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at Monkwell Som BiWhile at Sheffield he attended at the Upper Chapel, upon the valuable ministerial services of the Rev. Messrs. Evans and Dickenson, jeong sa so sodaw

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Mr. Dickenson the writer of this article never knew; but he has often heard him spoken of in the highest terms by those who did know him, both as a man and a preacher. Mr. Evans was one of the first friends of the writer's ministerial life; and a better Christian, or a more judicious divine, he has never known! He was, indeed, a scribe well instructed to the kingdom of God; and of him it may, with the greatest justice, be said,

141

for He shewed the path to heaven, and led the way."

The writer would have felt uneasy if he

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circumstance which he often spoke of stance deserves particular notice; after with the warmest gratitude and pleasure. he found himself, from the infirmities of As long as ever the state of his health age, incapable of attending much to buwould permit, he was a constant and siness, he spent a very considerable porsexemplary cattendant on the public exer- tion of his time in the perusal of the cises of religion. He felt a very warm Scriptures, and, in a peculiarly neat and interest in the welfare of the religious legible hand, transcribing, in well-arsociety to which he belonged, and took ranged and orderly sections, those pasaparticular pleasure in superintending and sages which most struck him. This pracdirecting any work that was to be done tice, as he observed to the writer of this about the chapel, a task that was always account, he found of great service to him assigned him by his fellow-worshipers. under the weakness with which the apAlthough his catholicism was unbounded, proach of mortality was attended. I band he loved, as he was loved by most, cannot now reason much," said he, " but good men of all parties and denomina- different passages of Scripture are often tions, he was a firm Dissenter and a steady, occurring to my mind, and afford me consistent Unitarian, using that term in suitable and unspeakable consolation." alits broad, legitimate sense, i. e. as com- He could look up to his heavenly Father, prehending pray to God the Fa- and say, laup seodia lis niceasson, di ther only, through Jesus Christ our Lord. "When nature sinks and spirits droop, Mr. Wood married Miss Jackson, of avi Leeds, one of the best of women, and to da Thy promises of grace 5481815 Are pillars to support my hope, ia whom he was always a most kind and And there I write thy praise." pa affectionate husband. He was particu-eld enou darly distinguished by the tender attention Thus lived and thus died this excellent he paid her during a heavy affliction, un-boman! By his decease many persons have boder which she laboured for many years,as been deprived of an esteemed acquaintoin the latter part of her life. She died dance; some of a valuable beloved relative; about seven years ago. By her he had the Christian society to which he belonged Butivo sons, who survive him, and by whom of a consistent, greatly-respected, and its ad their father's memory will be ever held oldest member and what is of greater od dear. By the wise and judicious treat moment still, the world has lost an ho. stament of them he adopted, by making mest man. But the day is coming when himself their companion and friend, he they shall see him again! May all who brendered his intercourse with them de-knew and respected him imitate his virlightful, their home desirable and happy, atues that their latter end, may be like Joland formed them to usefulness and res his. And when they shall have accomto pectability. As Mr. Wood's life had been plished their appointed course of duty es honourable, useful and pious, his death, and trial, may they, like him, have only fas might be expected, was attended by to wait for their reward, from the Capbusthat peace which marks the end of the tain of their salvation.oly s to th 1 perfect and upright man. One circum

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November 13, ring his 66th year, Mr.
CHARLES TAYLOR, late of Hatton Garden,
London. He was for many years the
Editor and Principal Contributor of the
He distinguished
Literary Panorama.
himself in the Baptist Controversy, by
publishing Facts and Evidences on the
Subject of
The public are in-
Adebted to him for a new and improved
edition of Dr. Wells's useful "Book on
Scripture Geography. But his most va-
luable work is Calmet's Dictionary, which
he published with Pacts and Illustrations,
&c. It is thought that the labour of get-
sting a fourth and much-improved edition
of that work through the press hastened
his dissolution. 970 bisa

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717, yet mondate, in Scotland, in LORD ERSKINE. (Of this distinguished advocate and friend of Liberty, we shall

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910aid this feeble tribute of grateful not respect to the memory of this good man. He hopes, also, to be excused if he uses the present as an opportunity to express his best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of the religious society assembling eld: at the Upper Chapel, Sheffield, and for abundant success o labou their present excellent minister. From the fathers of the present members of that body, perhaps from some few present pus remaining members themselves, he received the most kind and friendly attentions, during his residence in their neigh15798 bourhood in early life; and while memory lasts, the recollection of the many delightful hours he has passed among them, both in the house of God and the enjoy ment of private social intercourse, will

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Intelligence.-Unitarian Chapel in the Potteries.

The probably communicate some further ac consigned to the narrow house. occasion was improved by a discourse count hereafter.) from our Lord's words,- Therefore be ye also ready."

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Nov. 18, at Bristol, aged 64, after a short illness, the Rev. SAMUEL LOWELL, upwards of twenty-four years minister of the Independent Chapel in Bridge Street, of that city. He possessed respectable talents and enjoyed considerable reputatation as a preacher. He was generally supposed to belong to that large class of Christians who are called Moderate Calvinists. He was formerly minister of a congregation of that faith at Woodbridge, in Suffolk. Whilst there he published, in 1794, "Two Sermons," entitled, "The Mystery of Providence and Grace, and The Sins of Britain," and, in 1795, a Sermon against "Superstition," "Suggested by the late Consecration of Colours in various Parts of this Kingdom." The free sentiments contained in the latter were far from pleasing to some of the About author's religious connexions. the time of his leaving Woodbridge for Bristol, Mr. Lowell published an 8vo. volume of Sermons, which have been praised for their moderation, good sense, and easy composition.

Dec. 7, at Bridport, JOSEPH GUNDRY,
Esq., aged 73. The subject of this no
tice passed through life in the modest
discharge of its various duties, and ex-
perienced few of those vicissitudes which
furnish matter for interesting biography,
In every relation of domestic and com-
mercial life, he secured the affection and
esteem of those who knew him, by his
unpretending excellence of character. As

member of religious society, his firm
attachment to Unitarian principles, his
readiness to aid in promoting their diffu-
sion, and his exemplary regularity in
attending the worship of God, demand
Till within a fort-
particular notice.
night of his death, he ceased not to oc-
cupy his place in the house "where
prayer is wont to be made," although
for many months the infirmities of age
pressed so heavily upon him, that no-
thing but a deep conviction of the impor-
tance of the service could have sustained
him in the performance of it. His family
and friends treasure up the recollection

29, aged 26 years, ANN, wife of of his various excellencies with pensive pleasure, and are encouraged to hope James HILL, Esq., Wisbeach. that he was in some good measure quali fied, by humble piety and sterling virtue, for admission to the society of the blessed in the life to come.

W. B. G.

Dec. 19, at Wisbeach, Mrs. FARDELL, wife of Mr. Fardell, Leather Merchant. She was present at Mrs. Hill's Funeral Sermon apparently in good health, and on the second Sunday after, she was herself

INTELLIGENCE.

DOMESTIC.

Unitarian Chapel in the Potteries. THE above Chapel was opened for public worship on Wednesday, November 19. The introductory part of the morn ing service was conducted by the Rev. H. Hutton, of Birmingham, and the Rev. J. H. Bransby, of Dudley, after which, the Rev. R. Aspland preached an appropriate sermon from Acts xxiv. 14-16. The discourse was, an Apology for the Professors of Unitarianism, the topics of which were suggested by the language and conduct of the Apostle of the Gentiles. After the service, the ministers and other friends, who favoured us with their presence, sat down to an economical dinner, Mr. Aspland in the Chair. When the cloth was withdrawn, a succession of sentiments and names were given from the Chair, connected with the cause of truth, virtue and liberty, which called

forth from individuals present a series of
interesting speeches, some of which fur-
nished the company with most gratifying
information as to the progress of that
righteous cause in this and in other parts
of the world. The pervading spirit of
the meeting, seemed to be one of satis
faction and delight, not unmingled with
wonder at the new and pleasing situation
in which they were placed, that being the
first meeting of the kind ever held in this
important and populous district. In the
evening, the Rev. J. Yates delivered a
discourse on the Superior Obligations to
Virtuous Conduct arising from the Su-
perior Purity of Unitarian Principles.
On the following evening, a sermon
was preached at Newcastle, distant from
Hanley about two miles, by the Rev.
J. H. Bransby, on the Advantages of
Public Worship; and, on the following
Sanday, Mr. Aspland preached again
at Hanley twice. The services were
well attended, and the collection liberal,

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