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ally the air of something cold and artificial . But it is believed that numbers even of those who honoured him for his professional services and for the firmness and integrity of his general character , were but little aware of the kindness , the gentleness , and even softness of heart , with which his nature was really
imbued , and of which those only who knew him in the privacy of home , in the relations of a parent , a husband , a master , and an intimate friend , had ever felt the genial and refreshing influence . Perhaps few men who possessed his masculine rectitude of character , and who for so many years had struggled with difficulties and anxieties , retained so much
genuine sensibility to the close of existence . Nothing he more abhorred than affectation and display ; but where he felt perfectly at ease within his own domestic circle , an expression of affectionate regard from a child or a valued friend , a pathetic narrative , or a deep devotional sentiment , would sensibly affect him and fill his eyes with tears .
Early in life his religious opinions had been Arian , and continued so even after he left the academy ; the independent spirit by which he was always signalized prompting a kind of resistance to the ultra-liberal intolerance with which , in
those days of excitement , the new doctrines were propagated . Iu the process of private study , however , he gradually relinquished the opinions of Dr . Price for those of Dr . Priestley , and became a firm believer in the simple humanity of Christ . For the former of these
eminent individuals he always entertained the profoundest respect , and through life continued to speak of him as one of the best men and most impressive preachers whom it had ever been his lot to know . The result of his inquiries he never hesitated to announce with perfect candour from the pulpit ; and he had the satisfaction of finding the general sentiments
of his congregation progressively keep pace with his own . He never disclaimed the obnoxious title of Unitarian , at a time when worldly prudence might have dictated concealment or reserve ; but he often stated that the designation which he most loved , and which he most wished to see universally prevail , was Christian .
The general strain of his preaching was plain and practical , often accompanied by scriptural interpretation , always founded on Christian motives and sanctions , and not unfrequently addressed , with great effect , to the amiable , generous , and devout feelings . The style of his earlier sermons was clear , manly , and vigorous :
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in his later compositions he had adopted an inverted and artificial mode of constructing his sentences , which he conceived , most persons will doubtless think erroneously , assisted the impressiveness of their delivery . His voice was naturally so feeble , that in early life several
of his friends dissuaded him , on this account , from attempting to qualify himself for the pulpit : but by careful and judicious exercise he so improved and strengthened it , that it became smooth , firm , and effective , and his delivery , with the exception of some appearance of effort and stiffness in the commencement
of his address , was grave , earnest , and impressive . His love of technical accuracy , fostered by the study which he had early bestowed on the theory of elocutiou , and which always continued a favourite pursuit with him , occasionally imparted to his mode of pulpit address an air of coldness and of art , which was
altogether foreign to his real character . When he had advanced into his subject , and bis interest was warmly excited , the kindly emotions of his heart broke through all the restraints of rules ; he spoke feelingly and naturally ; and the artificial speaker was lost in the Christian and the man . His devotional
sentiments were serious and profound , chiefly conversant with the goodness and holiness of God , and with the indispensableness of a strict adherence to duty to obtain his favour and the happiness of heaven . His conversation and his preaching were wholly free from intolerance and sectarianism . He honoured good men of every name and opinion ; and disliked in any sect the assumption of superiority , and an ostentatious display of their own fancied excellence .
Consistently with these views , he regarded moral excellence as the sole ground of final acceptance with God ; and , considerately weighing the various influence of circumstances on the human mind , viewed the whole of God * s providence as benevolently destined for the formation of character , and believed that all men would finally be restored to purity and happiness . Allied in all his feelings and
associations with the grave and speculative class of theologians that is now gradually passing away , he was averse from all excitement and display in religion , and could not always bring himself to look with entire approbation and confidence on those more stirring and popular schemes for the propagation of religious doctrines ,, which had met wifh support and encouragement from many wise and good men . He thought , and
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564 Obituary . —Rev . James Tayler .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1831, page 564, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2600/page/60/
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