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not, for ourselves, allow that in the epistolary writings of the New Testament really inconclusive reasoning has been discovered.

It is of vast importance, that controversial authors, and those especially against whom almost every man's hand is armed, do not overstate their positions, but enunciate them in as clear, precise and correct terms as possible. Mr. Wellbeloved owns and laments that some of our most distinguished writers have occasionally given to their opinions, which yet will bear the most rigid examination, a form that unnecessarily renders them obnoxious and repulsive: and he has a right to make the complaint, because he cannot incur the censure; because his own practice is exactly the reverse, because he is at once honest in avowal and judicious and deliberate in statement. A willing adversary fastens without a pause on unweighed language; and the phrase outlives any explanation of the innocence, any proof of the accuracy, of the ideas, which it was employed to convey. Archdeacon Wrangham having specifically assailed the Improved Version of the New Testament, the writer of the Three Letters" undertakes the vindication of it, and wins fresh laurels in the conflict.-Pp. 56-74.

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The dignitary condescends, after Magee, and the late Mr. Rennell, and many others, to quarrel with the title: he speaks of what has been fantastically styled by its editors the IMPROVED Version of the New Testament. No objection can well be more puerile and trifling. What pretensions could this or any other version of the Christian Scriptures offer to public regard, if, upon the whole, it were not an improved version? The work in question even claims to be an improvement of Archbishop Newcome's attempt toward revising our English translation of the Greek Scriptures:" and the sole inquiry, among men of learning, sense and unaffected candour, should be, are these claims established? Is not the text, and, taken altogether, is not the translation, in a superior degree, correct and faithful? We do not appeal, on such subjects, to men who pronounce judgment without examination, but to those who will read and refleet for themselves. The merits of the Improved

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Version have been rigorously weighed by friends, as the pages of the Monthly Repository can attest: that Version, without assuming to be faultless, fears not sound criticism from foes; it requires only "a clear stage, and no favour,"* and deprecates nothing but to be condemned without being tried, and to be rendered the object of invective, and not of argument.

"Permit me," says Mr. Wellbeloved, "to ask, in what respect the title is fantastical? Is the authorized English version so perfect that whatever professes to be an improvement of it, must be pronounced fantastical? Why then did the late Professor Symouds collect, with so much pains, the numerous passages in that version which require to be amended? Why did the Venerable Primate of his talents, and industry, to the accomIreland devote his great biblical learning, plishment of a New Translation? If, instead of An Attempt towards revising &c., he had entitled his excellent work An Improved Version, I cannot think you would have condemned that title as fantastical. Much less, then, should this condemnation fall on the work of the Unita

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rian Editors, which is, in many respects, an improvement of the Primate's. think I may assert, without justly expothat I am better acquainted with this sing myself to the charge of presumption, Improved Version than yourself; who, as far as I can judge, know little or nothing of it, but what you have collected from the pages of Laurence, Nares, Magee, and Rennell; and hesitate not to pronounce it a real and manifest improvement upon the Authorized Version."

The writer of the "Three Letters" proceeds to defend the Improved Version, which, however, he acknowledges to be capable of emendation, from certain other accusations reiterated by the Archdeacon of Cleveland, whom, in reference to one of those charges, he thus rebukes:

almost every page from the Archbishop's, "That the Improved Version deviates in will be allowed; but that it widely deviates from it, is an assertion which you

are not authorized to make and I am inclined to hope that you would not have made it, had you, instead of trusting to representations of others, compared for yourself the two versions, or even read that Review by a Unitarian writer to the testimony of which you refer. Dr. Carpenter, whom you rightly name as the

* Spectator, No. 436.

author of that Review, has indeed furnished Dr. Nares with the fact, which you might not otherwise have known, that in the first edition of the Improved Version, there were many deviations from Newcome's translation; but he has been far from warranting you to assert, that these deviations were generally of any importance. When censuring the Editors of the Improved Versiou, for using the name of the Archbishop, in order to mislead the unwary, you ought to have been particularly careful not to expose yourself to a similar censure, by a disingenuous use of the name of a Unitarian reviewer. The note upon the

note in page 57, is certainly calculated, whatever may have been its design, to mislead your readers, by making them believe that the whole of your assertion is supported by the authority of Dr. Carpenter. I will endeavour to disabuse them, by citing his words on this subject."

Mr. Wellbeloved, accordingly, makes an extract from the Monthly Repository, IV. p. 216, and another from Dr. Carpenter's Reply to Magee, p. 306; both which quotations completely disprove the statement of Archdeacon Wrangham.

This dignitary further censures the Improved Version for its professing to be by a Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and thus attempting to impose upon the unwary the authority of the Venerable Society, &c. The objection is borrowed from Magee; but, come from whom it may, nothing of the sort can well be more trifling or more uncandid:

"Is the definite article," asks Mr. Wellbeloved," of such mighty efficacy in the Greek language, as by its presence or its absence in given circumstances, to prove the Deity of Christ; and is it of such insignificance in English, as not to be distinguishable from the indefinite? Are the terms a society and the society equivalent? If they be, as your accusation of the Improved Version seems to suppose, on what ground have Archbishop Magee, Dr. Moysey and others so severely censured the Editors of the Improved Version, as amongst their numerous artifices, making free with the article, substituting a Son for the Son of God, whenever they find it convenient to do 80 ?"

These are searching questions: nor can they be answered by the Archdeacon of Cleveland, and by his colleagues in "the work of crimina

tion," in a way that shall leave them guiltless of the charge of inconsistency, or of something worse.

"As a specimen of no moderate garbling," this gentleman refers to the expulsion of nearly the first two chapters both of Matthew and Luke from the canon of the New Testament. And he goes on to state, what the Editors of the Improved Version have themselves candidly told their readers, that these passages are found in all MSS. and in all ancient versions. "But," adds Mr. Wellbeloved, "these passages, though their authenticity is disputed, are not expelled. They are found in the Improved Version, nearly word for word as they appear in the Version of the Primate. They are indeed printed in Italics, as an intimation, say the Editors, that they are of doubtful authority."

Archdeacon Wrangham had either seen or not seen, the Improved Version. If he had seen it, how could he permit himself to speak thus of the expulsion of these chapters? Or if he had not seen it, why did he venture to affirm what he had not and could not

have verified?

Mr. Wellbeloved proceeds to remind his opponent that Dr. Durell and the late Bishop Stock would have expunged from the canon of the Jewish Scriptures, the one a whole book, the other a long passage, solely on internal evidence.-P. 64.

Dr., now Archbishop, Laurence had accused the Editors, &c. of having altered the text by critical conjecture, in two very important passages, John i. 1, and Rom. ix. 5. How stands the fact? The Editors have not in a single instance admitted conjectural criticism into the text. Yet Archdeacon Wrangham, without and against evidence, insinuates the same charge!

By another of his oracles, Dr. Nares, our dignitary is woefully misled. His words are:

"So again as to the decisive compellation of Thomas to his Saviour, (John xx. 28,) we are to conceive it only an irreverent expression of surprise! Beza more truly pays, Verba sunt non tantum admirantis Thomæ,' &c. And yet the Editors of the Improved Version refer to Beza !"

Our readers will mark Mr. Wellbeloved's answer:

"It is Archbishop Newcome who refers

to Beza; and the head and front of the offending of the Editors, is their having too implicitly followed their guide. The remark is not their own. It is wholly and literally copied from the Archbishop's Version; and his name is affixed to it. Not referring either to the Improved Version, or to that of the Primate, but relying on Dr. Nares, no wonder that you were deceived; for he has most disingenuously represented the matter. Is it fair and honourable thus to repeat serious charges against authors, without being at the pains to examine their works, and to ascertain whether they are well founded?

"But Unitarians seem to be considered as out of the protection of the usual laws of controversy; and given over to be silenced and destroyed by any means however foul."*

The Archdeacon of Cleveland quarrels with the following example of punctuation in the Improved Version: in Tit. ii. 13, 14, it inserts a comma after, and repeats the particle of before owτnpos; though, like the translation which underwent Dr. [Mr.] Twells' reprobating criticism, in Pet. ii. 20, (where only Kupios, not Eos, is concerned,) they omit both. But the single various reading of Griesbach omits the xa, and thus makes the identity of person, if possible, still stronger. With Mr. Wellbeloved's most satisfactory answer to this head of accusation, we shall take our leave, for the present, of his first "Three

Letters."

"In placing the comma after cou, it [the I. V.] follows the common English Version, (see especially the Oxford ed. of 1739,) and for repeating the particle of before owenpos, it has the authority of that high Dignitary of the Established Church, whose excellent translation it takes for its basis. And in omitting both in 2 Pet. ii. 20, it agrees again with the Authorized Version, and with that of the Archbishop; only with the latter instead of THE Lord, reading OUR Lord. While aiming a blow therefore at the Improved Version, you have smitten both that which is held in reverence by your own church, and that which proceeded from one of its most eminent members.

Archdeacon Wrangham, if he be acquainted with the Calm Enquiry, &c. (p. 219, 1st Ed.,) might have known that Mr. Belsham has expressly cited Beza, for the orthodox interpretation of John xx. 28.See that work.

-Pereunt Hypanisque Dymasque Confixi a sociis."

"As to the various reading of Griesbach, which has called forth from you the echo of Nares' remark, Griesbach's only various reading is the omission of nas, which would make the case stronger,' it is supported by no authority; for the testimony of Facundus carries little weight, and every biblical scholar knows, that the Ethiopic translator, the only other witness, omits the conjunction, whenever he regards it as exegetical. I grant that he so understood this passage."

[To be continued.]

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ART. II.- Memoir of the late Mrs. Henrietta Fordyce, Relict of James Fordyce, D. D.; containing Origi. nal Letters, Anecdotes, and Pieces of Poetry. To which is added, a Sketch of the Life of James Fordyce, D.D. 12mo. pp. 139. Hurst, Robinson and Co. 1823.

HERE are some persons yet liv

Ting that speak from recollection of the eloquence of Dr. James Fordyce, the pastor of the now extinct congregation in Monkwell Street. The mere reader of his Sermons wonders at his great popularity. As a sermon-writer, ingenuity is the highest praise that

can now be awarded to him. There is little depth in his thoughts, and his style is finical and altogether artificial.

A preacher's popularity in the Metropolis depends mainly upon voice, figure and manner. These distinctions cannot be expressed in print. Hence, some popular divines have been prudently cautious of publishing their discourses. The late Mr. Worthington would probably have lost his attractions had he frequently appealed to the public through the press; and Mr. Irving, the bright pulpit-star of the present day, would, in our judgment, have stood a better chance of being always gazed at by the crowd, if he had not made up his Orations into a dull and unintelligible book.

Every preacher would be popular if he could. His usefulness, not to advert to less honourable calculations, is measured by the degree in which he can captivate the public ear. The majority of preachers must yet be contented with being merely acceptable; and the history of popular divines, the arts and accidents by which they rise, and the manner in which

they sink and are forgotten, may be used by their less gifted brethren as reasons for being satisfied with useful mediocrity.

The heroine of the work before us was distinguished only beyond the circle of her friends as "the Relict of James Fordyce, D. D." It must still be allowed that she had a character, and the "Memoir" contains incidents and descriptions which will interest even the general reader.

Mrs. HENRIETTA FORDYCE was descended of the ancient and honourable Scottish family of Cummyng. She lost her father during her infancy; her mother was left with scanty means, and, while she lived, took charge of her daughter's education, to which she was fully competent.

"Mrs. Fordyce has often been heard to say, that she never was taught, only allowed to learn: with tasks she was unacquainted; and information was given to her as a reward. In her mother's system of education there was no theory, all was practice. She was never praised; any attainment or acquirement was so managed as to be made its own reward. From infancy to age she never said prayers; she prayed, and then she was with GOD, and GOD with her." P. 5.

By the death of her excellent mother when she was ten years of age, Mrs. Fordyce was left an orphan. The maternal duties were now discharged by an accomplished relative, Mrs. Baron Muir, "whose connexions were all in the first circle." She, too, was soon called away from this world, and her protegée now became, by invitation, a resident in the family of the Countess of Balcarras. An accident made the young lady known at court. She worked an embroidered dress, as a birth-day present for Lady Buchan, which, being worn at St. James's, attracted the notice and admiration of the Queen. Her Majesty learned the history of the fair artisan, and received the highest commendations of her from General Græm, who was allied to the families of Balcarras and Buchan. This incident was reported in Scotland, and the young lady expressed her gratitude for the royal condescension by the present of two embroidered groups of flowers on white satin, for fire-screens.

"The offering had been sent to Lon

don; and on Lady Buchan's return to Scotland, her first visit was to Balcarras.

"The two Countesses had been closetted for a considerable time, and on their re-appearance, Miss Cummyng thought she could perceive a something momentous, in which she was concerned, impending.

"On this important occasion, the conclave sat in the drawing-room of Balcarras Lord and Lady Balcarras, Lady Dalrymple the Countess's mother, Lady Buchan, the two young ladies, with one or two members more of their respective families, with Miss Cummyng herself, were all assembled. It was then formally, and with much gravity, announced to Miss,' that her Majesty had most graciously vouchsafed to command her attendance at Court, when the appointment of governess to the Royal children would be conferred upon her. Bewildered in her own ideas and feelings, and struck as with sudden dumbness, she could only look from one to another till she had gone through the whole circle: she also stole a peep at herself in a large mirror which happened to be opposite.

"A governess! She doubted the evidence of her own senses, and again, mute as ever, gazed around her. Those assembled betrayed no emotion: no sign of jesting appeared; all was composed and sober-seeming truth. The silence was somewhat appalling; yet it appalled not the damsel so highly honoured, who in a minute after, to the consternation of the whole assembly, burst forth into a most uncontroulable fit of laughing; and when she could laugh no longer, drawing one long breath, cried, "A governess! me a governess! dear me, I cannot govern myself.' You speak truly, Miss Cummyng,' said Lady Balcarras gravely; and if you continue to treat your friends with ridicule who wish to promote your interests, you never will properly govern

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yourself.'

"The severe rebuke from one whose

every look had been approbation, and whose indulgence had rendered her the petted pet of the family, deeply affected her. Tears of swelling emotion gushed from her eyes, and she cried, "If you make me leave you, I will go; but never, never will I part with my self-dependence. I can work, but I will never serve.'

"This was pride, it must be confessed; but it was the pride of principle; and it pleased GoD so to order her destiny, that the envied possession, independence, was her own to the latest hour of her existence. She was often to experience how. much more blessed it is to give than to receive, and never knew the pang which

the decent pride of better days has to abide, when obliged to let the spirit drop submissive at the foot of upstart wealth.

"Independence! fair heritage of the happier of their kind, mayst thou ever be possessed as deservedly as by the sainted being whose memory many will delight to honour!

"A most dutiful and humble answer was made to the Queen, and many causes assigned for the offered distinction being declined; when, in fact, there existed no cause, except what originated in her own imagination. Still a very unexpect. ed honour awaited her from Royalty. The Queen had most graciously accepted the two pieces of embroidery, and as a mark of her royal approbation, sent her a brilliant diamond ring of considerable value, accompanied with a letter written by her own hand, in which her Majesty condescended to express a regret that any circumstances should have deprived the Princesses of the advantages such an instructress would have conferred."-Pp. 20-23.

Dr. Fordyce and his two brothers, Sir William (a physician) and Alexander, were intimate with the Earl and Countess of Balcarras. Alexanander, a London banker, of great reputed opulence, married one of their daughters, Lady Margaret Lindsay; and the Doctor solicited and obtained the hand of their young friend, Miss Cummyng. The introduction of the lady of the former to a city life, and the marriage of the latter, are described with no mean effect. We suspect a little romance in the tales. The author thus relates the explosion which brought ruin on the Fordyce family:

rial manner.

"They (the Doctor and Mrs. Fordyce) were on a visit to Roehampton. Alexander Fordyce, as usual, came home in the evening; but he appeared to be in a hurried agitation of spirits, and uttered his commands with impatience and rapidity, very unlike his usual calm, dictatoHis cheeks were flushed, and his eyes had an expression which left you in doubt whether what was passing within indicated weal or woe. At supper he ate with avidity, and tossed off repeated bumpers of Madeira. Lady Margaret gazed on him, and, almost affrighted, at last said, Mr. Fordyce, you are very gay, or very queer. Something ails you what is it? What are you?' 'What am I?' he cried, bursting into laughter, and violently ringing the bell, I am a man. I always told the wary ones, and

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"What, what!' cried Lady Margaret in alarm, and grasping his arm.

"A man! Bring champaign; and, Butler, Burgundy below! Let to-night live for ever! Champaign above, Burgundy below! The gods shall celebrate this night, for Alexander is a man!'

"Never did the wild hero of his name appear struck with greater frenzy. Dr. Fordyce, who was present, viewed his brother with compassion: some appre hension passed over his thoughts; but the mind without suspicion thinketh no evil': he, with his Henrietta, saluted poor Lady Margaret and retired.

"Early next morning, and before Lady Margaret or Mr. Fordyce had appeared, Dr. and Mrs. Fordyce left the splendid mansion of their brother, and returned to their own peaceful home: there they found Sir William waiting their arrival. In as gentle terms as the intelligence could be communicated, he disclosed the painful tidings. The blow was struck, the bubble burst; the speculation so replete with ruin had failed, altogether failed: Alexander Fordyce was a bankrupt and a beggar; and the honourably acquired fortunes of his brothers irrecoverably sunk in the vortex, and lost for ever!"-Pp. 53-55.

A brief Memoir of Dr. Fordyce is extracted (pp. 11-15) from the Funeral Sermon by the late Dr. Lindsay, Fordyce to the same gentleman, conand a very pathetic letter from Mrs. tains a narrative of the circumstances of her husband's death (pp. 67-72).

Dr. Fordyce was a successful author, having received from ten to eleven thousand pounds for the copyright of his works.-P. 61.

is called moderate orthodoxy. From The creed of Dr. Fordyce was what the following passage, it would appear that he approached to Sabellianisın:

"In reading the sacred writings, the Doctor drew a wide line between the inspired commandments, and the mere human opinions of the apostles; and, speaking of the primitive Christians, he said, they did not worship the man Jesus, they worshiped the GOD who dwelt in the man.-There is no sentence in holy writ,' he used to say, but what will bear an argument; yet the unwise should avoid controversy, and read the Scriptures as intended rather to reveal what God is

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