Hartley's theory.* If you see Mr. Hayes, you may tell him I expect to get him a pretty large order for our library. I think I never troubled you with the mention of an affair which has made a great noise indeed here, and in the neighbourhood, for six months past, and which was decided yesterday at the annual meeting of the subscribers to the library. It was a motion to exclude all books of controversial divinity. Much has been written and published on the subject, and I wrote an address to the subscribers, which, as it may amuse you, I will send you a copy of, the first opportunity I have.† The clergy have exerted themselves to the utmost in every way possible, and yesterday they mustered all the force they could raise. The chief speakers were the rector of the principal church on one side, and Mr. Russell on the other; and though no measures were concerted by us, the motion was rejected by about two-thirds of the company present, so that the high-church party is thoroughly humbled, and we triumph. The rector went about the town canvassing for votes on the occasion; and till the votes were collected, neither myself, nor any of my friends, expected to succeed. TO REV. WM. TURNER, JUN.S DEAR SIR, Birmingham, Jan. 1, 1788. I AM much obliged by the favour of yours of Nov. 24, and especially for the copy of the "Remarks on Benedictinus," which I think so excellent, that I have some thoughts of inserting them in the Repository. I hope soon to be favoured with the other piece you mention from the same hand. In my " Defences of Unitarianism, for the year 1787," which I have just published here, I have slightly mentioned Mr. Madan's performance, not thinking it deserving of particular "The hints and loose materials written in several volumes" for "the illustration of Hartley" were all destroyed in the riots. See Appeal, Part ii. ; W. III. 6, 7; XIX. 380, note; Mem. of Lindsey, p. 457, note. + See "Address, Aug. 14, 1787," Appeal, Part ii.; W. XIX. 461, 583. Orig. MS. § Newcastle-upon-Tyne. || W. XVIII. 491. See I. 412, 413. notice. Of the Undergraduate's* I have said more, because it was much boasted of at Oxford, and in many places. I am glad to hear of the industrious circulation you mention of any of the pieces against me, as it tends to promote discussion, which must in time be favourable to truth; but I want coadjutors, and I flatter myself I shall find one in you. I am happy to hear from many quarters that you have the ingenuous ardour of a young man, that you feel the value of truth, and are zealous for the propagation of it. I look to you therefore for what I cannot now expect from your father. P. S. You do yourself much credit by the interest you take in the small society of Unitarian Baptists at Newcastle.† TO REV. NEWCOME CAPPE. DEAR SIR, Birmingham, Jan. 23, 1788. It is now a long time since I have heard any thing from you, but I take the opportunity of my being one of our Committee of Correspondence for abolishing the Slave Trade, to give you a few lines. I hope indeed something has been already done in York, from which place a petition to Parliament would have a good effect. We are zealous and unanimous here, and next Sunday, previous to a town's meeting, we all preach on the subject, (churches and meeting-houses alike,) not to collect money, but to give information to such as may have been inattentive to the subject.§ I inclose one circular letter and a few tracts, though no doubt you have seen them. I hope you have received the copy I ordered for you of my annual pamphlet. As I have now made a bishop, Dr. Horsley being, I hear, appointed for Gloucester, I hope I shall not want antagonists; but I want coadjutors. While it is so much in one hand the effect is but little, as it may be said * W. XVIII. 497. See I. 406. ↑ York. + Orig. MS. § See W. XV. 363. He had been made a Prebend of Gloucester, by the Lord Chancellor Thurlow, from whose influence, in 1789, he attained the mitre of St. David's, whence he was translated to the more lucrative see of St. Asaph, in which he died. that if it had not been for one factious person, all would have been quiet. I hear of no converts among the Jews; but a learned Jew of Koningsburg is translating my Letters into Hebrew, and we shall print them here. He has sent me the numbers for three years of a periodical work, designed to promote literature among the Jews. It is in Hebrew, with a small part of it in High Dutch, consequently it is of little use to me. I find by my correspondence with him that my Letters have gained universal attention. They are translated into German; but many Jews, he says, in Poland, &c., understand neither English nor German. If your sont should settle here, I shall not be without hopes of seeing you soon. My best wishes to you and all yours.‡ TO REV. T. LINDSEY.§ DEAR FRIEND, Birmingham, March 20, 1788. I BEGIN now to be impatient to hear from you, and hope soon to receive the Memoirs, that I may make the alterations I have mentioned, and write a few additions; but I shall not do much in that way, nor be in haste to transcribe them, as I can make the present copy sufficiently answer the purpose, if it should be wanted soon.¶ To REV. JOSEPH BRETLAND.** DEAR SIR, Birmingham, July 19, 1788. I HAVE just corrected for the press the last sheet of the Re pository, which will be published Aug. 6, and in it you will find my reply to Eubulus†† (as supplemental to yours and Mr. Toulmin's‡‡). Many persons, I find, are willing to adopt his Having, I suppose, lost by disuse that early acquirement. See I. 8. + See I. 267, note || See I. 418, 419. + Orig. MS. ** Exeter. tt "Objections to a Weekly Day of Rest." Theol. Repos. VI. 352, 465; W. XX. 330–351. Theol. Repos. VI. 22, 113, 331. See I. 390, 396. opinion, even men of good understanding and virtues, on which account I was unwilling to leave any thing unsaid that had occurred to me on the subject, especially with respect to the state of things in the primitive times, on which I chiefly insist. As to what is quoted from Jewish Cabalists about the preexistence or miraculous conception of Christ, the Jews unanimously say we mistake them. There is evidence enough, in all ages, of the Jews in general, learned and unlearned, believing no such thing. That the Messiah (whom they in general consider as another Moses) may make some change in their law, it is very possible that many of their writers have advanced. The Tolder Jesohu I have. It is only an idle story, founded on the account of the miraculous conception in the gospels. I have looked over Mr. Taylor's posthumous tract, and in this number of the Repository you will find that I have noticed the Introduction.* I have from Mr. Isaac ten copies of his reply to Mr. Rowles. I like it very much. It is written in such a manner as I think must make an impression where it is read. He speaks in his letter to me of my Appealt being out of print. On this I sent Mr. Johnson 100 copies of the cheap edition, printed here, and shall, when I write next, desire him to send a dozen copies to you, of which I beg his acceptance. Who is this Mr. Isaac?‡ There will be published Memoirs of Archdeacon Blackburne, written by himself, but I know nothing of the publication of his works.§. • Theol. Repos. VI. 484; W. VII. 472, 481. + First published, 1770. See I. 154. ↑ "During many years minister of the society of Unitarian Baptists at Moretonhamstead " On his decease, in 1818, he was thus described: "For deep and habitual seriousness of spirit, for the most engaging simplicity of manners, for undaunted zeal in the cause of his Divine Master, for a generous, delicate regard to the sorrows of the poor, the sick and the destitute, and for pious gratitude and resignation, amidst agonies that human skill could neither remove nor soften, he has left behind him a name, over which his family and friends will long muse with a melancholy joy." M. R. XIII. 772. § Orig. MS. On Blackburne, see I. 81, note *, 415. DEAR SIR, TO THE SAME. Dawlish, Sept. 2, 1788. I INCLOSE a letter from Mr. Johnson, to which you must reply. I am confident I mentioned you before, as the most desirable theological reviewer he could engage.* I write by this post to recommend you again, and hope you will make no objection. It is an opportunity of rendering essential service to the cause of truth.† To REV. T. LINDSEY. DEAR FRIEND, Birmingham, Sept 29, 1788. Ir is a sore disappointment, both to me and my wife, that you do not come to Birmingham. Indeed, many others, as well as we, expected great pleasure from the interview. I cannot but say I was a little apprehensive of it when I went to the sea. But October is often as pleasant travelling as any time of the year, except that the days are short. However, I shall not urge you at present, but shall hope to arrange better another year. You must come about the time of our charity sermon, or a month later, when the days are the longest. I beg you would return my thanks to your quondam Catholic friend for his present. My wife and I were much amused with what he reported for Mr. Coghlan. Many persons, as well as my wife, were, no doubt, much pleased with Mr. Berington's sermon, on the occasion you mention; but all agreed, that whatever favourable impression was made upon them by the sermon, was effectually done away by the exhibition of the mass. There would I am amused with Mr. Harrison's violence. certainly be a persecution of us if the times were favourable, For the Analytical Review, of which Mr. Johnson was the proprietor. It commenced May, 1788, and terminated June, 1799, with the 29th volume, to the first seventeen of which Dr. Geddes (according to a " catalogue of articles" given by Mr. Good) had been a very frequent contributor. He reviewed (I. 24, 294; II. 311) Dr. Priestley's "Lectures on History." Mem. of Geddes, (1803,) pp 191-195. ↑ Orig. MS. Essex Street. |