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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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t > r . Johnson ' s Dispute toitJi Mrs . Knoxv / es . 521
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* ' $ r hy then , Madam , did she fjot consult the man whom sh * pretends to have loved , admired and honoured , upon her newfanned scruples ? If she had looked up to that man with any degree of the respect she professes , she would have supposed his ability to judge of fit and right , at least equal to ihat of a raw wench just out of her primmer /* ie Doctor , remember it
was not from amongst the witty and the learned that Christ selected his disciples , and constituted theteachers of his precepts . Jenny thinks Dr . Johnson great and good ; but she also thinks the gospel demands and enjoins a simpler form of worship than that of the established church ; and that it is not in wit and eloquence to supersede the force of what appears toiler a plain and regular system , which cancels all typical and mysterious ceremonies , as fruitless
and . even idolatrous ; and asks od y obedience to its injunctions , &iid the ingenuous homage of a devout heart /' 6 i
The homage of a fool ' s head . Madam , you should say , if you will pester me about the ridiculous wench . " If thou choosest to suppose her ridiculous , ^ hou canst not deny that she has been religious , * CD r sincere , disinterested . Canst thou Wieve that the gate of heaven Wl | l be shut to the tender and pious mind , whosejfirst consideration has been that of apprehended duty } "
Pho , pho , Madam , who savs it will ? " ' " I hen if heaven shuts not its p ? shall ui&n . shut his heart ?—, Deity accept the homage such as sin <; er « ly serve him un-W |
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der every form of worship , Dr . Johnson and this humble girl will , it is to be hoped , meet in a blessed eternity , whither human animosity must fiot be carried . " " Madam , I anx not fond of meeting fools an ) - where ; they are detestable company , and while it is in my power to avoid conversing wirh them , I certainly shall exert that power ; and so you
may tell the odious ' wench , whom ynu have persuaded to think herself a saint , and of whom you will , I suppose , make a preacher ; but I shall take care she does not preach to m ** '
The loud and angry tone in which he thundered out these replies to his calm and able antagonist , frightened us all except Mrs . Knowlcs , who gently , not sarcastically , smiled at his injustice . Mr . Boswell whispered me , <{ I never saw this mighty ltou so chafed before . ' *
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Mrs . Knoxioles ' s Report of the same Dispute * Mrs , K . " Thy ftiend Jenny H , desires her kind respects to thee , Doctor . Dr . J , " To met—Tell me not of her ! I hate the odious wench for her apostacy : and it is you , Madam , who have seduced her from the Christian religion . '* - * Mrs . if . " This is a heavy charge , indeed . I must beg leave to be heard in my own defence : and I entreat the attention of the present learned and candid company , desiring they will judge how far I am able to clear myself of so cruel an accusation . ' *
Dr . J . ( muck disturbed at this unexpected challenge ) said , * You are a woman , and I give you quarter . Mrs . K . * ' I will not tak *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1811, page 521, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2420/page/9/
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