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that he was a just man and a good man ; and every one feels that he was great by being just and good . There was in his whole character a pure and noble-minded simplicity . Never was human breast more free from sinister design , envy and suspicion . Never were manners more remote from art and affectation . Jn
public and private he was the same man : warm - hearted , disinterested , open and generous . The religious circle in which he moved and shone has had in it men of ileeper learning , of more extensive knowledge , of more brilliant talents , and of greater opportunities of
professional distinction ; but it never possessed an individual who carried with him more completely the affections of all that approached him , who drew to himself without design or effort more respect and confidence , or whom a
religious denomination would be more proud to put forth and say , " He is one of us . " In any walk of literature or science , Dr . Lindsay might have been eminent . It may be regretted that
circumstances over which he had no controul prevented his being a benefactor to nations and ages . Yet he is not without a memorial upon earth . The present generation must be totally forgotten before his name will be lost to conversation ; and his published Sermons will , if I mistake not , give him a lasting station amongst the superior English divines .
Though brought up in a national religious Establishment , that of Scotland , Dr . Lindsay was a decided and zealous Protestant Dissenter . The rights of conscience in their greatest
latitude were his favourite theme , in discoursing on which his fine countenance was lighted up with its brightest expression , and his hearty voice rose to its highest and most commanding tone . He was in the best , the Christian
• sense . of the word , a patriot . He loved his country because he loved mankind . His zeal was ardent , but equable , for public morals and national freedom . His generosity of soul preserved him from political enmities , but it urged him to be the foremost to assert great moral principles , and to stand forward , even though he should stand alone , in
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the cause of innocence and justice and humanity and liberty . One subject of late engaged in a peculiar degree his thoughts and affections ; I mean the education of the People . All other interests , those of patriotism , morals and religion , he considered to be involved in this .
" Give me , " he would say with his cordial warmth , < c Give me an educated population , and I care not what errors and delusions are abroad . They will be sooner or later scattered hy the power of knowledge . This is in
the hands of Providence the mighty instrument of reformation , and it will go on working until it subdue all opposition to the rights and peace and happiness of mankind , and prepare the way for the universal spread of the pure gospel of Christ /'
This was , in fact , the substance of the last speech which he uttereduttered , alas ! with his dying voice . One would willingly take it as prophetic ; and , for one ' s-self , a better wish cannot be entertained than that
in mature years , and even m age , there may be experienced the generous , the almost youthful enthusiasm of philanthropy which to the last moment animated and delighted this good mail ' s bosom .
lo Protestant Dissenting Ministers , a more encouraging spectacle cannot be exhibited than the history of their lamented and revered brother . He was scarcely a popular preacher , in the vulgar estimation of pulpit talents and services . He never canvassed for
applause , nor ran about to gather fame . The attendants on his ministry were not the crowd . Yet his condition was such as a mitred head might envy . His hearers were personal friends . Every year proofs accumulated of their affection , and even of their
devotion to his welfare . He had nothing more in this respect to desire . And , further , when death had finished his character , it appeared , perhaps to the surprise of some persons , that no man , no minister of the gospel , ever enjoyed
a greater share of well-earned and rational popularity ; not that noisy breath which goes before , but that steady respect and-love which follow , exalted merit . His funeral obsequies , however mournful , were in one respect the triumph of integrity and charity ,
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142 Tribute to the Metnwy of the late Rev . Dr . fames JLindsay .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1821, page 142, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2498/page/14/
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