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Untitled Article
thought and of expression , which in most men is the result only of years spent in long and varied experience of the world . Seldom did anything escape from him of which you would say—€
This young man will change his mind as he grows older . ' His compositions were always interesting—often eloquent ; but the eloquence rarely if ever partook of what is commonly called juvenility . Of this we think a decisive proof may be derived from the present volume ; from which it would be difficult to
select many passag es which a reader , judging from internal evidence only , would pronounce to be the production of a youthful pen ; while there are certainly many which indicate in no common degree , the exercise of much thought and reflection , and a comprehensive knowledge of men and things .
The publication of this volume is due to the well-earned affection of those friends of the author whose hearts he had won during the short period of his labours for their spiritual welfare . It is introduced by a Memoir from his early associate and successor , Mr . Thorn , containing a brief narrative of the few events which distinguished his short but honourable career , and concluding with a somewhat more detailed and elaborate view of the excellent
qualities which rendered him the object of deserved attachment and esteem . This part of the editor ' s task is executed in a manner which might be expected from one who unites to the interesting recollections of early companionship an earnest desire , in the same field of useful and important labours , to emulate the virtues of his friend , that he may share in his reward . Perhaps we may be thought fastidious if we object to an instance or two of what may appear like overstatement , into which those
are often apt to fall , who feel strongly , and express their feelings with warmth and energy . Thus in p . xii : —* If we should be ^ in danger of sinning , and the heart felt that temptations were gathering close around it , and that it must needs resort to some saving influence to uphold it in purity and strength , we know of nothing which could exert a holier power over its wavering or erring
purposes than the solemn and tender recollection of such a character . ' Mr . Thorn did- not exactly mean this ; and what it is evident he did mean is very just and important , namely—that to be able to look back on the improving intercourse formerly enjoyed with so pure a departed spirit as that of his deceased friend , is among the most valuable safeguards of virtue ; a privilege which it becomes us to cherish by dwelling on the holy thoughts it is fitted
to suggest , an instrument of moral and religious culture which we may be reasonably expected to apply to good account . But in the hands of the uncandid and the captious , of spirits such as we have seen of late so ready to defile theological controversy with unworthy personal imputations , such expressions as these might afford It pretence for very injurious criticisms . The union of piety with that habitual cheerfulness which is its
Untitled Article
6 $ 6 Hinckfs Sermons .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1832, page 696, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1822/page/46/
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