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Dissenting brethren both in Ireland and England , to question the propriety of granting to the Catholics a full enjoyment of their civil rights ; but he was governed , not by prejudice , but principle * and therefore he was a decided advocate
of Catholic emancipation . Firm and unbending , however , as he was , in attachment to the principles of nonconformity , he numbered among his friends men of all religious persuasions . Among these were Dr . Law , the late Bishop of Elphin ; and Dr . Brinkley , the present Bishop of Clovne . With fehe former of these
learned and accomplished dignitaries of the established religion , who never made any secret of his Unitarian convictions , he lived on terms of cordial amity . Mr . Taylor's pulpit exercises were distinguished by a correct style and chaste elocution . His appearance and delivery were so earnest and dignified that no one could listen to his
discourses without advantage . His devotional services were always simple , pure , and impressive ; it was in this delightful part of the public worship of the sabbath that he peculiarly excelled ; and flowing as his prayers did from a truly pious heart , they seldom failed to engage the responsive Amen of every hearer .
On the 8 th of October , 1820 , after a happy union of forty-six years , Mr . Taylor was depiived by death of the faithful friend and partner of his life . Possessed as she was of a mind highly cultivated , of manners the most refined and amiable , and piety as warm as it was sincere and deeply rooted , no wife
or parent , no frieud or loved companion , was ever consigned to the grave amidst more lively or general regret . She possessed a heart which overflowed with charity and benevolence . It was impossible to know her without loving and respecting her pure character , and in every relation of life she shone bright and conspicuous to the last .
We now come to the concluding events of Mr . Taylor ' s life . On the 29 th of April , 1827 , when he had been sixty years an officiating minister , the last fifty of which he presided over the congregation in Eustace Street , Dublin , his increasing infirmities suggested to him the prudence of retiring from the pastoral office . In the letter which announced his determination , he says , " While still allowed to retain some
little power of body and mind , I trust that I shall conclude my public labours now with a better grace than if com *
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pelled to abandon them by a sudden and total incapacity . " After gratefully acknowledging the kind indulgence and affectionate regards of his flock , during nearly fifty years of his ministry , he concludes in this beautiful and impressive language r ' * It is my fervent hope and prayer to the Fountain of all
Wisdom , that He may preside over your de * liberations on this important business , and direct you t <» the choice of a successor to myself , who is rich in spiritual gifts and graces , and abounding in all those amiable qualities of the heart which can make him to you a useful and acceptable minister , and to my ever and highly esteemed friend and colleague a welcome and affectionate
associate , " Notwithstanding this letter > he continued to officiate until the appointment of his successor , the Rev . James Martineau , in whose ordination he bore a part , on the 26 th of October , 1828 ; on the last day of which month he was presented by his affectionate flock with a most gratifying mark of their esteem and love ( as more particularly detailed in the Mod . Repos . VoL III . New Series , p . 446 ) .
He continued for nearly three yearg after this period in the enjoymeut of comparative health , and an almost enviable cheerfulness of mind and spirit ; and at length , by a gradual and almost imperceptible decline , sank to rest in . Jesus . " My spirit' * ( he beautifully says , in that instrument which , as it were , closed his earthly career ) "I resign
into the hands of that gracious God who gave me being , and hath crowned a long life with innumerable mercies ; humbly hoping that , through His continued goodness , my soul may be redeemed from the power of the grave to the possession of complete and enduring happiness in a better world to come . "
Who then shall say , after contemplating the beautiful life and the peaceful death of our venerable friend , that the Unitarian faith is incapable of sustaining the mind and supporting the spirit in such a gloomy hour ? Verily ,
his was the faith which triumphs over death , which enables the believer to say with the Apostle , " O Death ! where ^ is thy sting ? O Grave ! where is thy victory ? Blessed be God who giveth ua the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ . Amen /'
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Mrs . Sarah Herford . Oct . 30 th , aged 40 , at Altringham , in the county of Chester ¦ , Sarah , the wife of Mr . Herford . When worth , talents ,
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Obituary . — Mrs . Sarah Herford . S 89
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1831, page 859, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2604/page/63/
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