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and he removed to Manchester College , York , that he might pursue that course of study , which should fit him for his ministerial labours . During the five years he spent iu that retirement , his conduct was exemplary . There , knowledge poured itself like a flood around
him , and he drank deeply—too deeply perhaps of its stream . There , his application was intense ; and there , probably , he laid the foundation of that disorder which eventually wasted his frame and hastened his dissolution . There , he gained at once the esteem of his tutors and the love of his colleagues . "—Pp . 18 , 19 . " At the time our deceased friend
was completing his academical studies , you , my brethren , Incurred a severe loss by the death of the pastor who for many years had directed your worship , and watched over your eternal interests . Iu your view , he appeared worthy to succeed to the pastoral office ; and the diligence and faithfulness with which he laboured among you , proved that you were not mistaken—evinced the wisdom
of your choice . "—P . 19 . " Whilst health permitted the exertion , he laboured to diffuse the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus , and to fix in the minds of others the principles and hopes by which himself was influenced * When sickness
had rendered him unequal to the task , he still continued to regard them as of supreme importauce , and to derive from them constant support * Of this it is in my power to furnish you with a gratifying proof : —Conversing a few days before his death with the friend who
was constantly at his side during his lamented indisposition , and who attended him with a brother ' s care , on the word $ of the Psalmist , ' The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit , a broken and contrite heart , O God , thou wilt not despise ; ' he observed , ' Is it not strange that so many persons can be found in this enlightened age who believe
implicitly in the popular doctrine of the Atonement ? . At this time , when I am turning my thoughts in every direction , I do assure you that the truth of the Unitarian doctrine seems to shine out more and more clearly . "—Pp . 22 > 23 . " He would fain have been longer the active , and faithful minister ; but he
submitted with pious resignation to the will of God , Hia conftdeuce was invigorated by the Apostle ' s declaration to the He » brews , * IVhom the Lord loveth he chasteneth , aid ficourgeth every son whom he receiveth . ' It was this . pasaage , so consolatory to the Christian , that caJtefl
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forth from him the following energetic and powerful words : * What shall it profit a tnan if he gain the whole world and lose his confidence in the truth of these declarations ? ' Such passages are the very touchstone whereon to try our faith ' . " — Pp . 23 , 24 . "In the last
hours of his life , gratitude beamed in his eyes , and the words of thankfulness fell from his lips , ' I am very thaukful to the Almighty , ' he said , * for the gracious manner in which he has supported me during my long , illness . I think as my afflictions increase , that my patience becomes greater to endure them / "—P .
24 . These passages shew how worthy a successor Mr . Wawne was to the gentle and pious Mr . Howe . The Unitarian congregation at Bridport were singularly happy in the ministry of two such exemplary pastors , and we hope and trust that the effects of their labours will long continue to be seen in the temper fcnd cOuduct of their surviving people . The conclusion of Mr . Whitfield's Sermon
must have made a deep impression at the time of delivery , and will , we are persuaded , never be forgotten by the Bridport Unitarians : it is an affecting proof of the anxiety of their late minister in his closing momeuts for their spiritual and eternal welfare .
" That he continued to cherish the liveliest attachment towards you even to the last hours of his existence , you are about to receive an interesting testimony . From one of his papers I have transcribed the following passage : the circumstances in which it was written , and those in which it is now read to you , render it peculiarly solemn and affecting . Take it
as the dying farewell—the dying benediction of your beloved pastor . ' I cannot refrain from expressing , though briefly , my devout and earnest interest towards the whole of the Christian society of which I have been the unworthy minister . May their abundant kindness to me be rewarded by the best of all gifts , the blessing of the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ 1 May he guide them by his counsel here , and receive them to everlasting felicity beyond the grave 1 But oh ! let all and each of them remember , day by day , ' that whatsoever a man eoweth that he shall also reap . He that sovveth to the flesh , shall of the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the ( spirit shall of the spiat reap life everlasting ! ' "~ P . 27 ^ ,, ' , ' ' i i
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844 Critical Notices .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1827, page 844, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1802/page/60/
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