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-been divided between his attendance in the House of Lords , where he spoke frequently , $ nd always in the spirit of conciliation , and his prelatical
duties , when called on as a preacher , to promote the great charitable institutions of our metropolis . Accordingly , he twice preached sermons for the benefit of the Humane Society , both of which were admirable of their kind .
although neither of them has ever been printed . He also delivered a discourse in behalf of the Westminster Dispensary , which has been praised by an author , by no means favourable to iiis political sentiments : —
' * I am not in the habit of perusing many of the various single sermons which are published ; but I cannot resist the opportunity of recommending three , which I think are at this time important , and written with ability and spirit . One by the Rev .
L ) r . Vincent , head Master of Westminster School ( a gentleman of very considerable erudition , diligence , ability and most exemplary conduct ) , preached for the Westminster Dispensary y another by Doctor Watson , Bishop of JLlandaff , preached for the
Westminster Dispensary also ; with an Appendix , containing Reflexions on the Present State of England and France : the Appendix is of peculiar merit ;—and a third * On Gaming ; * 'written with great energy , patriotism and eloquence , by the Reverend Thomas Kennel , D . D . Prebendary of Winchester . "
In 1796 , an opportunity occurred , and was happily seized by the Bishop , which enabled him not only to distinguish himself as an advocate for , . hut also to be of eminent service to
the cause of Christianity , It was at that period that the ** Age of Reason " "was encountered by " An Apology for the Bible , in a Series of Letters , addressed to the Author of that Work . "
On this occasion , he made use of the same mildness and urbanity , that he had before displayed , when encountering' the infidel opinions broached by Mr . Gibbon ; and it must be allowed that in both instances he was
deemed not only a very opportune , but a very able champion in behalf of that faith , which pervades the whole of civilized Europe . In short , Doctor Watson ' s well-timed and celebrated tract against Paine , although it did
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not , like Horsley ' s contest with Priestley , lead to preferment , yet , for a time , turned the tide of loyalty and religion in his favour , and procured him admirers among a class of writers who had before been his enemies . *
At the commencement of the year 1799 , his Lordship published an ** Address to the People of Great Britain . " In this political pamphlet he prudently waved all discussion of the merits or demerits of the war , in respect to its origin ; but took a new view of our then situation , after six
* The author of the " Pursuits of Literature , " thus compliments the good Bishop , both in prose and vei * se , upon the present occasion : — " Yet all shall read , -J- when bold in
strength divine , Prelatic virtue guards the Christian shrine , Pleas ed from the pomp of science to descend , And teach the people as their hallowM friend :
In g-entle warning's to the unsettled "breast , In all its wandering's from the realms of rest , From impious scoffs aad ribaldry to turn , And Reason ' s Age , by reason ' s light
discern $ Re fix insulted truth with temper ed zeal , And feel that joy which Watson best can feel . " .
-f - u See the important , convincing" and eloquent Letters addressed to Thomas Paine , author of the c Age of Reason j * Second Part , by the Right Rev . Richard Watson , Bishop of LlandafT , styled ' An Apology for the Bible . '
u To write such a book as this , is to do a real service to mankind . A cheap edition of it is printed , and it is hoped will be circulated throughout the kingdom . u 1 think that his ' Defence of
Revealed Religion , 111 * two short sermons , is of great merit , and of general utility . Bishop Watson should often write , but with the utmost caution , accuracy and consideration ; because his works will always be read .
u I would also particularly recommend the perusal of the Sixth Letter of the series of . letters which the Bishop addressed to Mr . Gibbon . To young men of fashion and of abilities , originally good , but obscured by libertine life and conversation ,
it will be peculiarly serviceable j as well as those who are led astray by some modern pretended discoveries in natural philosophy , now a favourite mode of introducing and . enforcing scepticism -anti infidelity . "—P . 230—232 .
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Memoir of the hue Right Rev . Dr . Richard Watson . * S £ 5
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1817, page 325, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2465/page/5/
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