On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    But , Mr . -. Editor , neither the literacy correspondence of Dr . Perceval nor his public conduct , decisive as these may appear upon the . subject , present so true a picture of the inviolable integrity 6 f fyis principjes as his private life exhibited . In retirement ,

    devoted to the cultivation of domestic and social virtues , and to the peaceful labours of science . Ins character shone with a mild but steady lustre . They who have witnessed him in the bosom of

    his family or in the circle of friendship cannot faif to cherish his memory with fond affection . But among the many virtues which

    endeared him to all who knew him , the candour , and integrity of his mind were eminently conspicuous . If the . experience ' of a long and intimate intercourse , in

    which the pat 1 * 0 n ' Was' lost in the friend , has cnal > 1 « d me . to judge correctly of his characfei * , it has also empowered me to say how steady was bis attachment to the great principles of religious liberty , how zealous his _ regard for religious truth , how conscientious

    tTie profession of his sentiments Firm to his own convictions , but candid in judging of the principles of others ; steady to the interests of the Dissenters , but liberal in his conduct to the

    sincere of all professions ; ' he eminently deserved and gained the respect of all : whilst the gentleness of his manners softened the rancour of opposite partisans , and

    tfyuglrt them to think more favourably of each other . But how grateful soever it may be to my own feelings to bear thus publicly my feeble tribute to the memory of his great worth , I owe it to the patience of your readers to restrain

    Untitled Article

    fw them . His memoirs are presented to the public * and exhibit a most amiable view of his character ; had the affectionate biographer less suppressed the feelings 6 t the son in deference to the

    public judgment , the picture would have been more complete . if then , Mr- Editor , as Episcopus asserts ,= Dr . Percival admitted . the poiver of the magistrate in' religious matters ( which

    alas ! weare all reluctantly obliged to do , ) he did not at the same time entertain the modern impious doctrine that power gives right ; and I think it is evident from what I have advanced that

    he deplored the e . xercjse of this * unjust denomination / ' If the children of such dissenters , as Dr . Percival , should " slide by degrees into Conformity , " it

    canrrot be from that too prevalent cause of conformity , the want of a proper Religious education , and an early acquaintance with their principles , but must be sought for in other circumstances

    Let Episcopus appeal to the instance of Dr . Percival ' s familyy and if he be not convinced already that his judgment was an erroneous one , he will be surprised to discover that more regular , consistent , conscientious dissenters are rarely to be foun / dv

    That Ur . Percival acted only consistently with his own principles in allowing liberty of conscience to his son , who thought itvright to join the establishment ,

    must also be admitted $ yet was not his consent granted without many painful struggle s * But the wishes of the parent yielded to the convictions of duty — - 1 fear , Sir , that the length of my letter vtill require © n apology ;

    Untitled Article

    w - , iT " - . ** , . * * * ' ¦ - \ ' . * , -i 1 * ' - * * J „ \ 572 Afr > Higgifison ' s Vindication of the late Dr Percival .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1808, page 372, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2394/page/20/