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sorrowing friends . The text was 2 Tim . iv . 6 , 7 , 8 , which was used as an introduction to a memoir and character of Mr . Vidler . His congregation had caused the pulpit and galleries to be hung in black , and had adopted other measures of respect towards their
lamented nastor . lamented pastor . Mr . Vidler has left behind him some manuscripts , which he has consigned to the discretion of Mr . Aspland ; and it is in contemplation to publish a selection from tnese , with as ample a
memoir as can be compiled . A memoir will also appear in this work , and it is hoped that a portrait will be obtained for an accompaniment . Probably both may appear in the opening number of the next volume .
In the mean time , we are happy to gratify the affectionate curiosity of Mr . Vidler ' s numerous frieri < lsy by the following character of him , being the conclusion of a funeral sermon , preached by Mr . Evans , on the Sunday following Mr . AsplaruTs funeral sermon .
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A Tribute of llcspect to the Memory of the Rev . William Vidler , being the conclusion of an Address delivered by John Evans , at JFbrship Strccty Sunday Morning , Sept . 8 th ,
18 l 6 , founded on Luke ix . 26—¦* * ' Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words , of him shall the Son of man be ashamed , when he shall come in his own g ! ° y > an ^ in h * s Father ' s , and of the holy angels . ' *
These remarks ( illustrative of the passage on which my Address is founded , ) lead me to notice the character and conduct of my worthy deceased friend , the Rev . TVilliam Vidler . I had the pleasure of being acquainted with him for these twenty years past , and my knowledge of him enables me to declare that he acted
upon the principles 1 have described . He endeavoured to attain just views of the Christian religion , and assuredly he without disguise communicated them to mankind . Possessing naturally a vigorous mind , my friend applied himself to the study
* The crowded attendance on the delivery of the Addkess is here acknowledged as respectful to the preacher , and as an honourable token of regard to the mcrtory of the decertscd .
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of the Old and New Te&tam Unaided by education , he exercisedTb faculties in the best manner he was ahl for the acquisition of truth . Persuadd thus far in his mind , he laboured to instruct and improve his fellow-crea tures according to the views he then entertained of the principles and prac tices of Christianity . But when on further inquiry he had reason to believe that the tenets of
Calvinism which he had adopted were false , he relinquished them . His first step was the renunciation of the doctrine of the eternal misery of the wicked and the adoption of the heart-exhila rating tenet of universal
restoration ! Much esteemed for his talents and zeal by his brethren , he was upon his change of sentiment subjected to their reprobation . The charge of heresy was thundered against him in every direction—he was said to be led
astray by the snares of Satan ; and suspicions of his safety in another world were scattered about in profusion . One would have thought from this treatment of an errin ? brother , that forbearance formed no part of the religion of Jesus Christ . f It is somewhat singular that one
of Mr . Vidler ' s bitterest opponents latel y deceased ( the Rev . A . Fuller , ) has in his diary just published in hi > Life by Dr . RyJand ^ acknowledged the great corruption of the Christian religion , and confessed that accounts of Heretics should be received with
caution . His words are these— "I cannot help lamenting in reading
-f- A delectable specimen of this anti Christian spirit may be seen in a review oi the controversy between Mr . Fuller and Mr . Vidler , in the Life of the former gentleman , by J . Jf r . Morris y late oi Dunstable ; a man from whom Mr . Fuller thought it «« his duty" to withdra w bis friendship , and who ought not to forget that it is possible for individuals to be eager in pointing out the faults of others . while " they refuse to acknowledge any of their own ! " See page 560 of tbc L'J of the Rev . Andrew Fuller , by J ° » Ryland , D . P . This same Mr . Morn > declares very authoritatively that ^ me the sects are grossly inisrepresente d m * Sketch of the Denominations : but "J gratuitous assertion cannot be adnu » for proof ; and the unparalleled « Kf * of that little work , constitutes a 8 "m * refutation of the falsehood , with tw jj intelligent classes of the Christian V ° « ° .
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SbfB OUzluary . — ttev . TVilliam Vidler .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1816, page 552, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2456/page/52/
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