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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.
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pdptrter Faith , by a departure from the unsvYiptUrat teitns and phrases which distinguish and support it . And here I could wish to draw a veil of oblivion tfyer what followed , if justice to the character © f Mr , Tones
permitted it . The cry of heresy was vociferated , and bitterness , clamour , and tvil speaking , the ' constant attendant of this note , followed . The more zealous thought the church in danger , and religion going to ruin ! If it be asked , what raised this storm ? The answer
is , faith : their pastor had fallen from the modern orthodox faith s though his conversation was purt and primitive , without the suspicion of a stain , and Iris patience and labours exemplary in the midst of bigotry and false zeal ; the constant engines of ignorance , superstition , and persecution ! Some of the most forward in
the confederacy against Mr . Jones , had already given pretty striking proofs of their turbulence and impatience . Their love of domination and determination to crush , by clamour and violence , what they could not answer by reason , left their minister the painful alternative , cither of unconditional submission to
their oracles , however mysterious and contradictory they appeared to him , or a removal . He could not hesitate a moment how to act ; he chose the latter , and all conscientious men will applaud his election . Although his friends and admirers were numerous in and out of
the society at this period , yet , as a lover of peace , and one who cultivated the spirit of his master , lie did not think it his duty to continue any longer in a situation that promised him more trouble than comfort , and more perplexity than
usefulness ; nor to minister to a people , jnany of whom had not the patience to be taught by him , nor the modesty to permit him to think for himself , and to declare to them the whole counsel of God .
An invitation from the general Baptist Church at Trowbridge put an end to his trials in Swansea , and left his opponents either to reflect on their unkindness , or to look for same new victim to satisfy their restless and inexorable passions in their way to a heaven of peace and love .
In the year 1800 , Mr . Jones settled at Trowbridge , in consequence of an unafciifcous invitation , as has been sug-£ c « ffid already . He found there a small but peaceable congregation , and resumed
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hi $ exertions to revive the cause . In this work he was successful ; His heaters soon increased ; , many were united to the church ; and his virtues and labours contributed to awaken the attention and secure the esteem of the candid arid well-disposed , ' In short , he laboured in this town during ten years to the satisfaction and joy 6 f a church , whieh he had been the principal instrument of collecting . Nor tvere nis . labours and exertions confined to this spot , for lie , in connection wfth a few of his brethren
of the General Baptist persuasion , formed ! distinct quarterly meetings in the counties of Somerset , Wilts , and Dorset , which , there are good reasons to believe , have contributed to promote the knowledge of ratipnal religion , awakefi attention to free inquiry , and cherish just and liberal sentiments .
In sentiment , for several years past , he was a General Unitarian Baptist ^ and an advocate for free communion . His public discourses were plain and practical , but enforced by motives drawn from the Christian revelation , atid delivered
with a pleasing degree of animation , and generally extempore . The devotional parts of worship he conducted in the free , unrestrained spirit of devotion ; equally removed from formality and affectation . In the whole of his life
appeared the most amiable condescension and goodwill . In a word , he lived and acted as he taught . In the several relations of pastor , husband , father , and friend , his virtues were attractive and uniform . Doubtless , as we have seen , he had enemies ; but they knew not the man , t > r were incapable , From their prejudices and passions , of being conciliated by moral worth and kindness .
The closing scene of his life was interesting-, but natural . A life of piety , obedience , and benevolence , rnayreasonably be expected to close in peace and tranquillity , if not in triumph . The man , whose life we Have been surveying , in his death exemplified the truth 01 this remark . The foundation of the disease
which terminated his useful life , had been of long standing : it was the asthma ; but aggravated by a fresh coi-d which he had ta cen about six weeks before his dissolution , and which produced an abscess on the lungs . And here I cannot express myself in more appropriate language * than that which has been transmitted to me by an eye and ear witness of his piety and resignation
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Obftuartf . —Rev . D . < Jones y 201
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VOh . V . 2 D
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1810, page 201, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2403/page/41/
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