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pools texd neservoifa , where , from their s tagnant state , they acquire feculence Mad pollution !" : ; With respect t <* €€ the holy and devout' * Doddridge being involved , along with Messrs . Ashworth and Ro ~ bins , in the impeachment of their
judgment as tutors , the following tes * tiinony is at price fall and decisive : it shews the folly of the charge , whilst it ought for ever to set the clamours M bigotry at rest . It must be rexaembered that the pious and sensible
Jfop . Orion was , for several years , an assistant of Dr . Doddridge in his Academy , go that he possessed every possible means of forming * an accurate opinion on the subject . S * He never expected nor desired , ( says Mr * Orton , in his Memoirs of Doddridge , ) that his pupils should blindly follow Ids sentiments , but permitted and
encouraged them to judge for them * selves . To assist them herein , he laid before them what he apprehended to be the truth , with all perspicuity , and impartially stated all objections to it . He never concealed the difficult
ties which affected any question , but referred them to writers on both sides , without hiding any from their inspection . He frequently and warmly ur-r ged them aot to take their system of divinity from any man or body of men , but from the word of God . The
Bible was always referred and ap ^ pealed to upon every point in question , to which it could be supposed to give any light . Of his honesty and candour in this respect , the world has had a sufficient proof in his Theological Lectures . He resolutely checked any appearances of bigotry and uncharim tableness , and endeavoured to cure
them by shewing the guilty persons the weakness of their understandings , and what might be said in defence of those principles which they disliked , reminding them , at the same time , of the great learning and excellent character of many who had espoused them . "
This upright mode of tuition was adopted by Dr . Ashworth , and his successor , Mr . Rabins , as well as by their successors , the Rev . Thomas Belsham , who , on his change of
sentiment , honourably relinquished the theological chair , and also by the Rev . John Horsey , who has presided over the beloved flock of Doddridge for near half a century . Against this
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latter gentleman , iadeed / , th £ senseless cry *> f heresy was most unjustly and wickedly raised , whilst his pupils bore an irrefragable testimony to his candour and fidelity . In the same
admirable manner , the venerable Dr . Abraham Mees , and the l&te Di % Ah drew Kippis , himself a pupil of Dod »* dridge , conducted their academical institution at Hoxton . Neither their
heads nor their hearts could foster a narrow spirit within the breasts of young ministers , nor did they dare to J > etr $ y the cause of their Divine Master by an odious and intolerant bigotry . Dr . Dgddridge w&s calumni ated for his liberality diiriag his fife * time , but the more intelligent of the Independents , to which denomination he belonged , held his labours in due estimation . la his last illness a most affecting letter was addressed to him ,
where his distinguished merits as a tutor are thus happily r&cognizecl ; - — ' * Stay , Doddrh > ge ! O stay , and strengthen our hands , whose shadows grow long . Fifty is but the height of vigour , usefulness and honour *—* Don't take leave abruptly . Provi *
deuce hath not directed thee yet on whom to drop thy mantle . Who shall instruct our youth , fill our vacant churches , animate our associations , and diffuse o > spirit of piety , moderation , candour and charity , through our villages and churches , and a
spirit of prayer and supplication into our towns aud cities , when thou art removed from us ? Especially , who shall unfold the Sacred Oracles , teach us the meaning and use of our Bibles , rescue us from the bondage of systems , party opinions , empty , useless
speculations and fashionable phrases * and point out to us the simple , intelligible , consistent , uniform religion of our Lord and Saviour ? " Well mi g ht Dr . Kippis remark , that with this letter Dr . Doddridge was so affected , that there was reason to be apprehensive that his tender frame would have
sunk under the emotions of his gratitude aad joy **
* The author of this incomparable letter was hAs beloved friend the Hev * John Barker , then a popular minister aU Salters' Hall . He left behiucj him two excellent volumes of Sermons , and was usually styled the silver-tongued Barker , from his fascinating delivery . In hm correspondence with Doddridge , eulogi * - ?
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tiH &r . ^ vamP * Defence iqf&K ^^^ idg ^^ aiMie * iM * N ^ &' ^
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1824, page 172, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2522/page/44/
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