ington and his two nieces. When we were seated, the General called for wine and cake, of which we partook, he drink ing our health and wishing us success in all our undertakings. The General asked 'us a number of questions concerning Europe, to all which, you may be sure, we answered in our best manuer. It is his general custom to say little, but on this occasion we understood he was more than usually talkative. He made but one remark which, under the circumstances in which it was delivered, has a peculiar energy, that we had chosen a happy country, and one large enough! After sitting about half an hour, we retired, highly gratified."-The hospitality of Dr. Rogers towards a large portion of Dissenting emigrants who crowded to Ame rica at the close of the war, has been the subject of just and general commendation. On his secession from public life, Dr. Rogers had numerous invitations to settle in the ministry. He declined all, and rather chose to be a supernumerary, officiating occasionally in Philadelphia and its vicinity. Though himself a strict Calvinistic Baptist, and the head of the American Baptists, yet he preached for ALL denominations-Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Independents and Methodists -sharing alike in the favours of the State, and, however diversified as to modes of worship, living together in peace and harmony. Towards Dr. Priestley, indeed, on his hearing that he had landed in America, an intemperate pulpit ebullition of zeal escaped his lips. But on his becoming acquainted with that great and good man, he behaved towards him with the utmost kindness and attention. In one of his letters to the present writer, he says, "Dr. Priestley, when residing at Philadelphia, often took coffee at my house, and I passed some delightful evenings in his company." And he also mentioned in the course of his correspondence, a circumstance honourable to his feelings, that in one of his excursions to the Northern States, he sought out the grave of his old heretical friend WINCHESTER, and shed tears to his memory. Here are no indications of rancour or of bigotry. The native kindness of his disposition responded to the spirit of Christianity. Though very zealous and active in the promotion of what are usually denominated orthodox sentiments, he never ceased to maintain the sacred right of private judgment in matters of religion. There never existed a warmer friend to the civil and religious liberties of mankind. But while Dr. Rogers was thus engaged as a divine, he was not an idle member of the republic of letters. A warm friend to education in every useful department of knowledge, he would have the rising generation well fitted to discharge the duties of society. In 1789, he was elected Professor of English and of Oratory in the College of Philadelphia, and, soon after, in the University of Pennsylvania. The title of D.D. was now conferred upon him, having for many years bore the title of of A. M., received from three different literary institutions. He sustained likewise a number of responsible offices to benevolent, moral and religious societies in Philadelphia, whilst his zeal glowed most intensely for the abolition of slavery-the crying abomination of the land. In 1812, he resigned his Professorship in the University, having for twenty-three years discharged its duties with an exemplary assiduity, The decease of such a man must be a loss to any community. Retiring into the bosom of his family, Dr. Rogers passed the remainder of his career with ease and tranquillity, employing himself in a correspondence with literary and religious characters in almost every part of the world. His letters are replete, with good sense, benevolence and piety. The writer of this obituary, who became his honoured correspondent in 1818, on the death of their mutually beloved friend, the Rev, William Richards, of Lynn, bears testimony to the urbanity of his disposition, and to the sensibilities of his heart. He was married twice: his first wife, an amiable and pious woman, fell a victim to the yellow fever, that scourge of the Western Continent. His second worthy partner survives him-with three daughters-who, living together, and devoutly cherishing his virtues, await-blessed hope!-their reunion with him in heaven. Dr. Rogers did not distinguish himself as an author; but the publication of a volume of sermons is meditated, which, while it exhibits a faithful record of his talents and attainments, will embalm his memory. The decease of Dr. Rogers was sudden and unexpected. He sustained a severe shock by the death of an only son, from which he never fully recovered, though his mind had subsided into a devout resignation to the will of Heaven. About a fortnight previous to his dissolution, he was seized with an apoplectic fit, in the act of explaining a passage of scripture to a friend! The stupor induced by this attack was abated by the use of remedies, but a relapse produced a fatal termination. Most placid was his dismission from the burden of mortality and it is said, that the day after his decease, the features of his countenance as sumed an unwonted serenity. He was interred in the Baptist burial-ground, with all possible tokens of respect, and a stone over his remains conveys, in appropriate terms, his merits to posterity. The writer of this obituary will conclude in the words of his own dedication of the Cambro-British Biography to the deceased: "The waves of the wide Atlantic rolling between us oppose no bars rier to the sensibilities of the heart. It is no ordinary case for individuals so far apart and of different sentiments, to be knit together in the bands of brotherly affection, who never have known, nor ever will know, each other in this world. But it is the noble prerogative of Chris lian friendship to rise above the impediments of this diurnal sphere, and seek its consummation in a superior condition of being. In a future state of existence, objects at present beheld through a glass darkly, will in their finished proportions rush upon our delighted vision, invested with their own radiance, and encircled by an imperishable glory !" Islington. J. EVANS. August 15, whilst on a clerical tour, at Hambarlotte, Dr. TWISTLETON, the Hon. the Archdeacon of Ceylon. He had many years most ably and conscientiously fulfilled the duties of Sitting Magistrate at Colombo, and Senior Colonial Chaplain en that station, and was, in 1815, by his Majesty's gracious favour, appointed Archdeacon of the island, as a mark of approbation for his services. He was the second and only brother of the Rt. Hon. Baron Saye and Sele. Dec. 2, aged 82, the Rev. JOHN Too GOOD, M.A,, Rector of Kington Magna, Dorset, He was the son of an opulent merçer at Sherbourne, where he was born, and was educated at the Gram mar School under the Rev. Joseph Hill, M.A., and at Oriel College, Oxford, where he took his degree of M.A. June 12, 1766. On the resignation of his former master, Mr. Hill, he was instituted to the living of Kington by John Toogood, Esq., of Sherbourne. He published some Sermons and small Tracts upon religious subjects.Gent. Mag. Examination of the Leading Principle of the New System of Morals, as that Principle is stated and applied in Mr. Godwin's Enquiry concerning Political Justice." London, 1798, 8vo. 2nd. edit. 1799."Extracts from the Diary of a Lover of Literature." Ipswich, 1810, 4to. WALDRON. He was many years an active Jan. 13, at Trowbridge, Mr. GEORGE and useful member of the Unitarian Bapduring the last few years had resided at tist congregation in the above town; but Caermarthen, in Wales, and came to Trow. bridge to attend the funeral of his sister much out of health, and was never after in September last, though at that time well enough to return to Caermarthen, He suffered much, but his last hours were buried in the family vault in the meetingserene, peaceful and happy. He was house in Trowbridge, when a suitable address was delivered on the occasion, and a funeral discourse preached on the following Sunday, to a respectable audience, from Psalm xvii. 15. Jan, 15, at Liverpool, at the age of 85, the Rev. ROBERT LEWIN, many years the respected pastor of the Presbyterian congregation now meeting in Renshaw Street, [We should be obliged by some biographical notice.] Jan. 26, at Crediton, aged 37, CATHE. RINE, only surviving child of the late Christopher EMMET, Esq., of Dublin, niece of Thomas Addis Emmet, Esq., of New York, and of the high-minded, but life in the attempt to revolutionize Ireland, unfortunate, Robert Emmet, who lost his towards the close of the last century. She possessed, in all its better parts, the characteristic temperament of her country. She was ardent, sincere, susceptible and generous, fondly attached to her unhappy country, and an enthusiast for the sacred fatally engaged. In literature, she had cause, in which her family had been so made many rare acquisitions. She was familiar with several of the European versing in most of them with a singular languages, and capable of writing or cons degree of fluency and correctness. Her religious opinions were those of Trinitarianism, and her character reflected no discredit upon her creed. Of all with whom the writer of this notice has conversed, she appeared to have the most impassioned faith in the reunion of divided friends in a happier life. Hers had been no ordinary trials, and they had fallen upon a heart of no ordinary feeling; but Religion was to her, what it will be to all who prove its efficacy, a source of high comforts and bright anticipations, amid the reverses of a mutable world. Jan. 29th, at Bury, in Lancashire, aged 45, Mr. THOMAS JACKSON WOOD. Few persons have ever lived more generally respected and beloved, or died more sincerely and deeply lamented. In his character were united ardent yet rational devotion, with the warmest benevolence; inflexible integrity, with perfect candour; a steady adherence to what he conceived to be truth, with the most unbounded charity to all who differed from him. Society, in him, has lost an amiable and intelligent companion, and the religious community to which he belonged have to regret the removal of an useful and valuable member. Lord! how mysterious are they ways! How blind are we! how mean our praise! Thy steps can mortal eyes explore? "Tis ours to wonder and adore. Additions. MRS. MARY HUGHES. (See XIX. 754.) In the 69th year of her age, Mrs. MARY HUGHES, youngest daughter of the Rev. Edward Hughes, Rector of Norbury, in the county of Stafford. Her pious and excellent father died when the subject of this memoir was only two years old, and she was entirely educated by a mother, who was, by all who knew her, beloved and respected as a woman of most amiable and truly Christian character. From this parent, to whom she was most devotedly attached, Mrs. Mary Hughes early imbibed that deep sense of religion, and those feelings of diffusive benevolence, which in after life formed the distinguish ing traits in her character. She gave proof of the former while yet very young, by adopting the excellent plan of every Sunday morning selecting a short text of scripture, intended to be the rule of her conduct during the ensuing week. The writer remembers having heard her mention the three following as having been of the number: "Rejoice always;" "Set your affection on things above;""Pray without ceasing." The benevolence of her disposition was early displayed, by the self-denial which she practised in appropriating a fourth of her then small allowance, to the relief of the indigent. As she grew up and this allowance was enlarged, she devoted half of it to the same laudable purpose, and towards the support of such institutions as she believed to be best calculated to promote an object, which by that time began, and ever after continued to en gage her attention, and interest her mind in an eminent degree,-the spread of what she believed to be the pure and uncorrupted doctrines of the gospel. To this last division of her income she strictly adhered until the year 1820, when the death of her eldest sister made a considerable alteration in her pecuniary affairs, after which period she prescribed no limits to her liberality, but constantly gave all she could possibly spare, for the same useful and laudable objects. She took a deep interest in the education of the poor, to promote which in her own neighbourhood, she, in conjunc tion with her second sister, (whose benevolence of heart was as warm, although her pecuniary means were not so large, as her own,) established a Sunday school in the village of Hanwood, four miles distant from Shrewsbury, where they resided, which, with the aid of a small annual subscription, they carried on for many years to a large extent, and a full account of which may be found in "The Sunday Scholar," which forms No. 40 of The Christian Tract Society's publications. Her Mary Hughes passed twelve months with When seventeen years of age, Mrs. some near relations, zealously attached, as she herself was at that time, to the Established Church. On her return home, she found that her much-esteemed friend, the Rev. Edward Harries, of whom an account is given in Vol. VII. of "The Monthly Repository," p. 118, was become an Unitarian, and had led her mother and sisters to adopt, upon full conviction of their truth, his own opinions. She was at first shocked at this change, and argued, as many others have done, "that there would be no merit in faith, were all the things required to be believed, level with our comprehension." strong and candid mind, could not, however, long resist the force of the arguments and clear scriptural proofs brought forward by her friend, and by her mother and sisters, in support of their newlyadopted, but firmly-established belief in the Divine Unity; and no sooner was she convinced of their soundness, and of the futility of all she could urge in favour of those opinions which she had hitherto held tha shen not only openly and fearlessly avowed the change, but with all the ardour natural to a new and zealous convert to Unitarianism, used every means in her power for its dissemination. Nor did these exertions last only whilst the stimulus of novelty continued to operate. All who were acquainted with Mrs. Mary Hughes, knew how warmly interested she was in the cause, and how anxiously she strove to assist it, both by her purse and and by her influence, until the oppressive weight of daily increasing weakness and for whose sake it was in so great meaIndisposition paralyzed these efforts. sure made, had often the satisfaction of It will perhaps surprise some of my hearing them declare, that, far from havreaders, who have read the Tracts writing any cause to regret, it had greatly ten by Mrs. Mary Hughes, but who are increased their happiness. ignorant of the circumstance about to be mentioned, to hear that she was first led to try her skill in that species of composition, by reading the proposal for the formation of The Christian Tract Society which appeared in the Vol. of this work, for the year 1808, she being at that time fifty-two years of age. This first attempt ended in the production of "William's Return," which forms No. 1. of its publications, and which has been succeeded by several others from her pen, published by the same Society, and which are well known to the Unitarian public. It would he difficult to describe either the facility with which she composed those useful and interesting little works, or the delight the employment afforded her. It beguiled many an hour, which pain would otherwise have rendered tedious; for her health, always from infancy feeble, was by this time so much impaired, that nei. ther she herself, nor any of her friends, expected, that a frame so peculiarly fra gile and delicate, could have held out so many years, as it was, by care and the Divine blessing, enabled to do. This new and interesting occupation, presented to her active and benevolent mind, another means of benefiting her fellow-creatures, and was besides the means of introducing her to the personal acquaintance of many excellent individuals, to whom she would probably, without it, have remained a stranger. In the year 1819, she, together with her sisters, removed her residence to Bristol, whither they were accompanied by her two nieces, the daughter and granddaughter of her second sister, who had for the eight preceding years, been inmates of the family. They had long purposed changing their abode from the country to a town, and were influenced in their choice of Bristol, by their wish to attend the ministry of the Rev. John Rowe, with whom and his amiable family they had been acquainted when he was pastor of the Unitarian congregation, High Street, Shrewsbury, and with whom their eldest niece had enjoyed the happiness of being admitted iuto terms of intimacy, during a previous residence of three years in Bristol. Indeed their wish to place her and her daughter near to these excellent and invaluable friends, that, when death should deprive them of their natural protectors and advisers, they might enjoy the inestimable pri vilege of their friendship and counsel, had a large share in determining their choice; a choice which the individuals During the first three years of her residence in Bristol, Mrs. Mary Hughes found her health somewhat improved, and was enabled to make exertions, to which her strength would have proved inadequate before she quitted Shropshire; but after that period, it again declined, and she was, during the largest part of the two last winters, confined to her apartment. In this very precarious state was she, when the death of her excellent and only surviving sister, after a very short illness, and when she appeared to be recovering, by the severe shock which it gave to her spirits, and the too great exertions which she could not be dissuaded from making, brought on a dangerous illness, from the effects of which she never recovered. Her nervous system had always been peculiarly sensitive, and it heing severely shaken by her late mental and bodily sufferings, occasioned a depression of spirits, equally new and painful to herself to experience, and to her friends to witness. She continued weak and languishing, though free from any specific disease, during the space of four months, when she was attacked by an acute one of the inflamatory kind, which was in a few days removed by the skill of her medical friend: but her feeble frame was exhausted; "the delicate machine," as the above-mentioned medical gentleman observed to the writer of this account, was worn out. The springs which had with difficulty been kept in motion so long, would no more perform their allotted functions." On the tenth day from her seizure, her "spirit returned to Him who gave it." During the trying period which preceded this, her last illness, she often expressed a fear that if she should remain long in this state of languor and nervous depression, which she found much harder to bear than any pain she had previously suffered, she might become impatient. She prayed often, and earnestly that this might not be the case. "My faith" she would often say, "does not fail, and, blessed be God! I know that even should it at last fail, His goodness, and His mercy never will." Her faith did not fail. It rather appeared to gain strength as her bodily powers decayed: during the few last days of her life, she was occasionally delirious, but in her lucid intervals, which were frequent, her mind was tranquil; and although she spoke little, the few words which dropped from her were full of pious resignation and hope; and the last The Rev. JOHN DAVIES, of Collumpton, of whose character a very just and able sketch was inserted in your last number, (p. 52,) was born on a farm called Pont y faen, in the vale of Aeron, and near the little port of Aberaeron, in Cardiganshire; in the neighbourhood of which place some of his relatives are still living. He received his grammar education under the Rev. David Davis, of Castle Howell, in the same county, whose school maintained, for a long series of years, a very high " reputation, and produced many of the first scholars in the Principality, both among the Dissenters and among the clergy of the Establishment. Previously to the elevation of Dr. Horsley to the see of St. David's, candidates for orders were ordained from the Dissenting schools if they passed the appointed examination. With him the practice changed, and none are now admitted who have not received their education at certain licensed-clerical schools. The present Bishop's celebrated new College in the recesses of Cardiganshire, will probably introduce another R. change. INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. RELIGIOUS. Evangelical" Declaration of War. The Party insinuate, through both the Evangelical and the Congregational Magazines, that the hostilities threatened in their manifesto (see last No. p. 56,) are to be carried on. The insinuation is made in a report of the Blackburn Inde. pendent Academy, inserted in the same form in the two works; whence it appears that the notable scheme for robbing Unitarians of their chapels is the project of the INDEPENDENTS! The would-be plunderers say, "The friends of the Blackburn Academy in particular, and the friends of evangelical truth throughout the country, are reminded of the vast importance of supporting this institution, as clearly evinced in the able and spirited controversy that has for some time been carried on and is still continued in the columns of the Manchester Gazette, with reference to the right of Socinians to most of the places of worship they at present occupy in the north of England." These Blackburn Independents are somewhat obscure, but we suppose they mean that as they are about to eject the "Socinians" from their chapels, it is the more necessary to educate young In. dependents to take possession of them! This is rather premature. There is a rule for all things, and robbers do not commonly divide the spoil before it is taken. The Congregationalists, with all their virtues, have the small failing of breaking the Xth commandment by covet ing their neighbour's house and every thing that is his. In their last monthly Gazette they give an account of the late Dr. Williams's charities; and having published a list of the Trustees they put it to those gentlemen's consciences, with edifying simplicity, how they can keep these charities in their own hands, and not rather hasten to transfer them to sound believers in the Assembly's Catechism! By not doing so, remark the Congregationalists, (hard name for such "these gentlemen simple Christians!) have contracted a fearful responsibility," at least, in the judgment (as they put it) of the candid! General Unitarian Association. for preparing a plan for the above object The meeting of the General Committee is postponed till April, to give gentlemen and societies in the country further time for expressing their opinion of the project. The reader will remember that the plan was stitched up, in a separate halfsheet, with our last number. The next half-yearly meeting of the Somersetshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Unitarian Missionary Association will be held at Bradford, (in Wiltshire,) on Easter Tuesday, April 5th. The service to begin at eleven o'clock. H.E.H., Sec. The annual general meeting of the subscribers and friends to the Devon and Cornwall Unitarian Missionary Society, will be held at Exeter on Good Friday next, the 1st of April. |