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derable writers , or popular declaimers ^ but from the most celebrated characters of their day , are to the purpose , they are abundantly sufficient to enable the reader to judge between Dr . Scnith and Mr . Belsham as it respects
the question , whether Dr . Smith , and more particularly Dr . Williams , have not only formed their " judgment with candour and integrity' * of Mr . Belsham ' s " merits as a divine , " but also " expressed it with decorum and respect /'
I t > m fully aware , Sir , that there is an important paragraph in the first book of the Scripture Testimony , bearing strongly on the point to which my citations and remarks have jeen directed , and which , instead of wishing to keep back , I am desirous of producing , that it may have its due weight
on the mind of the reader , and that Dr . Smith may not be deprived of the least benefit which it imparts to his cause , in this amicable discussion of the validity of the claims to those attributes of justice , urbanity and brotherly kindness , in his treatment of Mr . Belsham , winch I doubt not was his full intention to evince in
conducting the important controversy m which they have been occupied . " If it be a fault not to have been sufficiently severe in the scrutiny of onr evidence and the rejection of that which is untenable , it is even a greater injury
to any sentiment to convey it m terms in appropriate , ill-chosen , liable to misconception , or actually inviting and sanctioning misconception . Of this very serious offence many orthodox writers have been guilty , when they have used language which applies to the divine nature
of the Redeemer , the circumstances and properties which could attach only to his humanity . By this practice they have degraded the truth , violated the authority of Scripture , and afforded a most unhappy occasion to the objections and derisions of their opponents . The
imaginations of a poet , or the ardour of a popular preacher , can form no apology , can claim no indulgence , for transgressing the limits of < truth and soberness ; ' even were it not the fact that they , at the same time , were committing the grossest offence against true taste . " —Scrip . Test . 1 . 34 .
I forbear making * those reflections which suggest themselves on comparing this passage with those of Dr . Smith ' s aad . Dr , Willijsnns \ on which
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I iiave animadverted , as it is time to bring this hasty effusion to a close . I trust , whatever are its defects , I have suffered nothing to drop from my pen unbecoming * the character of a friend of Dr . Smith or of Mr . Belsham . I
certainly have not " set down aught in malice . " I desire to promote the things which make for peace . From whatever quarter they come , " good wishes deserve welcome . "
BENEVOLUS . P . S . It may not be amiss for the reader to make the following corrections in my last hastily written communication : page 638 , line 29 , for * ' closely , "
read completely ; line 31 , for " close , " read closely ; same page , second col . after ' * injuriously , " and before € < he will , " insert the words , / am persuaded .
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Portsmouth , Sir , Dec . 8 , 1821 . VERY much regret that the de-I sire you express , in page 693 , of receiving some particulars of the late Rev . Charles Toogood , of Sherborne , cannot be gratified consistently with the known and often expressed wish of this most estimable man , that
no public account should be given of him . I had drawn , up a short notice of him , having known and highly esteemed him from my youth , for your excellent Repository , such as I thought he would not himself object to see in that work , of which he was a
great admirer . His highly respected widow , who possesses the same love of truth and freedom which so honourably characterized our late venerable friend , aware of Tny intention , reminded me of his wish , €€ that no
monument might be erected to perpetuate his memory , nor any public record be given of him . " This wish she justly observes , " was perfectly congenial to the uniform unostentatious tenor of his whole life , and , " she
adds , " exactly accords with my own feelings : " no alternative remained but to acquiesce . I had , however , some time since , obtained his permission to
request that you , Sir , would have the goodness to add to your list of the petitioning clergy , given in your Xlllth Vol . p . 15 , the name of the Rev . Charleg Toogood , B . A ., Sherbome , which was there omitted , as was also
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The late Rev . Charles Toogood . 719
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1821, page 719, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2507/page/23/
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