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a , finther notion of some of the old divines , of perpetually succeeding sins and " punishments ; but this , he says in another place , is not reconcileabfe to scripture , which- uniformly represents the punishaients of futurity as inflicted for sins v < dyne in the body . "
Such are the inconsistencies into which the greatest minds may fall when treating upon subjects not perhaps : wholly mysterious and inexplicable in themselves , but rendered so
by the intricate and unscnptural jargon of disputants and systematical writers , to whom they are often inclined to pay a degree of attention and deference tar beyond their real deserts- In speculation , therefore , as well as in practice , ** . Let our eyes look right on , and
let our eye-lids look straight before us , " VTo he continued . *]
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sijence apparently confirm the truth of his remarks . The superior merits of Dr . Priestley both as a divine and a philoso pher ' are well known and acknowled ged by every candid inquirer after truth ; and
no man was ever actuated by a stronger desire to promote the best interests of his fellow-creatures , by means the most fe ntle , peaceable and praise-worthy , speak from knowledge ; for I was intimately acquainted with him . He had a soul endued with the most lie *
nevolent affections , comprehending in its grasp , the whole human race wholly unlike those narrow and illiberal men who , from want of education , or early prejuciice , have been ltd to embrace the doctrines and to
conform to the worship of an established church , and to despse and consider as dangerous enemies to the state , all those who dissent from it . What the character of Sir G . Hill may be , I know not ; Lut I hope , and have no reason to believe it otherwise
than respectable , notwithstanding this attempt to lower the opinion which every candid and well-in formed man entertains of the late Dr . Priestley . We are none of us perfect , and Sir G . Hill hais his weak side j let us p ity and pray for him .
Country ' squires ( and titles are no exemption ) labour under great disadvantages . How superficial is their education ! how low and groveling their pursuits ! Their d * iys spent in hunting and shooting , and their night * in carousing !
Study has no charms for them ; and literary characters , who dare to investigate truth and to thjnk for themselves in matters of the highest importance—who refuse to subscribe to
articles which they are convinced are false , though imposed by tKe hi g hest human authority , are , in their judgment , persona entertaining the most abominable principles .
I rejoice to think that we are no longer the slaves of a feudal aristocracy . The mind of man is now beginning to work ; it will be found a inost powerful engine ; an / i eventually exterminate the deep-tooted errors and prejudices both of reli g ion and politic * . We cannot raise our expectations too high . In the mean time let us ai 4 the progress of truth in every ^» y which lies in our power ; recollecting that we arc the s&U of jth < e" cartb , and
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330 Sir G . HdFs Attack on the Character of Dp , Priestley .
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Ihjdc , Isle of JVigJit , Sir , \ 5 ih May , 18 l 6 . HAVE always considered the me-I mory of great and good men as a $ acred deposit which cannot be too highly cherished and too carefully preserved ; and when the reputation which they have justly acquired has
been violated , I have attributed it to the grossest ignorance of their exalted worth . In this light I regard the attack of Sir G . Hill on the character of that illustrious man , the late Rev .
OrPriestley , in the Committee of Supply , On Friday , the 10 th instant , respecting an academical institution at [ Belfast , in which the reporter of his speech informs us , that he remarked , V That this , institution was likely to be perverted , as persons of a desparate character had wormed themselves into
that school with the view of promoting the politics and religion of Paine ana Priestley \ hoping , by these insidious means , to promote their abominable principles by inculcating them into the minds of the young * The
visitors / ' he added , " have not been perhaps * ufticiently active— -and many good men , have declined interfering , " If the above' report be' correct , ^ hich , for , G | hc credit of Sir . Hill and the reputation of the honourable the House of Commons , I muct )
question ) I am at a loss to-account for the iftehce of those members who could patiently suffer so illustrious ^ name m ¦** & ^ j ^ wbrm # *«
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1816, page 330, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2453/page/22/
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