Doddridge as an Author

From the commencement of his career as a student, to the end of his active and useful life, Doddridge was distinguished by great diligence and eagerness in the pursuit of knowledge, and great aptitude in the communication of it. His resolution and perseverance in whatever he undertook, secured for him a large measure of success. Joining great quickness of apprehension to uncommon strength of memory, and judicious and constant habits of study, life made large and valuable accumulations of knowledge — of those branches of knowledge particularly which he conceived would be most to his advantage as a pastor, and an instructor. With books he gained an extensive acquaintance. On the general topics of literature, there were few works of any greatvalue which be had not read and digested; for he read with great attention, noting in the margin the passages which he thought of special value, sometimes writing hints, making references and reflections concerning the sentiments of the authors read. He often reminded his students that the true purpose of reading was not to treasure up other men’s thoughts, but to furnish the mind with materials to exercise its own powers. Adopting in his own practice this judicious maxim, his mind became a storehouse of varied intellectual resources, upon which he .could rely, to supply his lectures, scientific and religious, his discourses in the pulpit, and his conTersation, which was always instructive as well as entertaining.

In the earlier years of his ministry, he gratified his taste in a liberal study of English literature, and with great benefit to his then future authorship. He was sufficiently versed in the Latin and Greek classics to read them with facility and pleasure. While yet a. student, he read Homer with great delight, and made critical annotations of sufficient extent to form a considerable volume, as we have already noticed. The philosophers and orators of antiquity occupied many of his leisure hours, Bemosthenes being a particular favorite. He carefully studied the Latin and Greek fathers, those especially of the first three centuries. He was skilled in the Hebrew language also, and some time before his death had nearly completed a new translation of the minor prophets, which is said to display great critical acumen. He indicated in some of his lectures a decided taste for philosophical and scientific investigations. He had not only rendered himself quite familiar with civil and ecclesiastical history, but had turned it to good account by the observations and reflections which he made upon it, illustrative of human nature, of the dealings of Providence, and of the pages of the sacred volumff.

But his force and application of mind were chiefly given to theological investigations and writing. While he studied carefully the works of master minds in this field of mqfliry, and was able to speak with discrimination of their peculiar shades of opinion, he drew up his own system, chiefly from the sacred Scriptures, which he regarded as Ms only standard. As he was no slave to the authority of others, so he did not affect to distinguish himself by any of those peculiarities of opinion which learned men are often fond of, and which, in paost instances, are rather injurious than solid. His “Lectures on Divinity” were published after his death, and are regarded as a noble monument of learning well digested, though exhibited in a method perhaps too technical and formal,

“Upon the whole,” says Orton, “it may, I think, with great justice be said of Doddridge, that, though others might exceed him in their acquaintance with antiquity or their skill in the languages, yet, in the extent of his learning and the variety of useful and important knowledge he had acquired, he was surpassed by few.”

Having acquired, as we have said, large stores of varied knowledge, he had learned also the art of communicating his thoughiB with great clearness, propriety, order, and persuasive power. He possessed a remarkable command of language, and had formed his stjle on the best of English models. It was lucid, but inclined to be diffuse. Fine writing was no part of his effort, for. he studied invariably to adapt himself to the apprehension and improvement of plain readers. He endeavored, both in preaching and in writing, to adapt himself to the popular mind of the age, and to promote the enlightenment and the piety of the masses. He might have attained the highest reputation as a literary man, and an elegant writer; but, for the sake of a higher usefulness, he deliberately sacrificed all the fame -of this sort which was within his grasp, aqd, as we have seen, lie inculcated upon his theological students the exercise of a similar self-denial.

Such were the endowments and views qualifying Dr. Doddridge for his distinguished career as an author. Some notice will now be taken of the principal

works which he has furnished to the world.

*

About the year 1730, the Dissenters’ interest in England had sustained an evident decline, as compared with former periods, and an anonymous work attracted public attention under the title of “An Inquiry into the Causes of the Decay of the Dissenting Interest.” The writer failed to discern- and exhibit the most important causes of such decay; assigning as causes, the bigotry of the orthodox party, the unreasonable length of sermons, the undue brevity of the prayers, and the neglect of the rising generation. The grand remedy which he proposed for such a decline, was the cultivation, on the part of the dissenting ministers, of polite and gentlemanly habits. This treatise, falling into the’ hands of Mr. Doddridge, induced him to write and to publish a reply, whibh he entitled*” Free Thoughts on the Best Means of Reviving the Dissenting Interest,” one of the first of his pub-’ lications. He therein shows that the dissenting interest had declined in consequence of a declension in godliness among dissenters, and that the best method of advancing that interest was to take effectual meas-” ures for the revival of practical religion. For this purpose he suggested that a change was required in the general style of preaching; that instead of being coldly orthodox and correct, it must be full of earnestness and unction; evangelical in spirit as well as doctrine; adapted to interest and instruct the common people; experimental, plain, and affectionate. He urged also upon all dissenters a consistent Christian course of conduct, the religious culture of the young, and a benignant, courteous disposition towards all the professed followers of Christ.

The works next given to the press were chiefly Sermons, and are thus briefly described by his own pen: “The four sermons on the education of children were published in 1732, and recommended by a preface written by the Rev. David Some. In 1734, these were followed by six sermons to young persons ‘On the Importance of the Rising Generation,” Christ formed in4;he Soul;’ ‘The Danger of Bad Company,’ ‘The Orphan’s Hope,’ ‘Religious Youth invited to Early Communion,’ and ‘The Lamentations of a Pious Father oil the Death’ of a Wicked Child.’ The last was one of my first sermons, and preached while I was at the academy, under the direction of my worthy tutor, who chose the subject and assisted me in its composition. In 1735, 1 printed a single sermon ‘On the Care of the. Soul as the One Thing needful,’ at the desire of a person of quality, at whose house it was preached. In 1736, a sermon preached on the preceding fifth’of November, entitled ‘The Absurdity and Iniquity of Persecution for Conscience Sake in all its Kinds and De* grees.’ It was proposed as an appendix to the sermons against Popery, preached at Salter’s Hall that year, as the growth of Popery in and about London had been observed to be very great. In the same year I published ‘Ten Sermons on the Power and Grace of Christ, and the Eridence of His glorious Gospel.’ These sermons were preached at the desire of that munificent benefactor to the cause of non-conformity, William Coward, Esq.; and the last three were so agreeable to Dr. Seeker, then Bishop of Oxford, that he expressed his desire to me that they might be published alone, for the use of junior students, whose office calls them to defend Christianity; and perhaps I J have not written any thing with greater accuracy, or which will be found more adapted to the use of junior students in theology.”

It afforded Singular pleasure to the author of these sermons to learn, that two gentlemen of liberal education and distinguished talents were by the reading of them brought to the abandonment of Deism, and to the conviction of the divine origin and truth of Christianity. One of them, moreover, who had been particularly active in awakening prejudices against the gospel in the minds of others, became a zealous preacher and distinguished ornament of the religion he once decried, disparaged, and contemned.

The works just referred to, and some others in the advocacy of practical religion, are noticed with suf&- cient interest in the correspondence, to justify the introduction at this point of several letters, from which we learn the favorable reception accorded to them.

In the year 1738 commenced a correspondence between Dr. Doddridge and Dr. Warburton, once a country attorney, but who afterwards became bishop of Gloucester, where he died in 1771, at the age of eighty-one. In learning, and in some of the minor doctrines of Christianity, they warmly agreed, and greatly admired each other; but as to the peculiar doctrines of the gospel, they had little sympathy in common. Dr. Samuel Johnson gives a very correct character of Warburton when he says, “He was a man of vigorous faculties; a mind fervent and vehement, supplied by iacessant and vivid inquiry with wonderful extent and variety of knowledge, which yet had not oppressed his imagination nor clouded his perspicuity. To every work he brought a memory full fraught, with a fancy fertile of original combinations; and at once exerted the powers of the scholar, the reasoner, and the wit. But his knowledge was too multifarious to be always exact, and his pursuits were too eager to be always cautious.”

From the Rev. W. Warburton, D. D.

“Beant Bbouqhton, August 13, 1739.

“I am sorry to hear you have been ill since I wrote my last, but am glad I heard not of it till I heard of your recovery along with it. What you say of your success in your ministoy, and in your academical capacity, gives me infinite pleasure on your account. And it is impossible the author of the ‘Free Thoughts,’ etc., should meet with, less; or he who observes the directions there laid down. I am in doubt whether that pamphlet* be yours, because of your silence on that head; but I will venture to tell you it is a masterpiece, both for the matter and composition, and therefore I wish it yours.”

Few facts in the history of conversions more strikingly illustrate the sovereignty of divine grace than those connected with Messrs. West alid Lyttelton, both gentlemen of the highest respectability in spci’ ety, and eminent in the literary world. When young men, they were both entangled in the snareS of infidelity, and zealous to deliver their fellow-men from what they considered the superstitions of Christianity. To effect this, they each resolved to select some leading supposed fact of that system, and to show its inconsistency with truth. West selected the resurrection of Christ, and Sir George, afterwards Lord Lyttelton, the conversioDPof Paul. They entered rigidly and honestly on their respective tasks, but to their own surprise and that of their companions, the careful examination of these great facts fully convinced them of their irresistible truth, and led them as little children to embrace. the great doctrines of revelation. The university conferred on Mr. West, for the service he had thus rendered to Christianity, the degree of LL. D., and offered the same honor to Sir George Lyttelton, which, says Dr. Hunt, “he declined in a handsome manner, by saying that he chose not to be under any particular attachments; that if he should happen to write, any thing of the like kind for the future, it might not appear to proceed from any other motive but a pure desire of doing good. Their friendship and correspondence were highly valued .by Dr. Doddridge.

These facts will give force to a part of the following letter:

To Mta. Doddridge.

“NoET^AMPTON, January 31, 1743. “I have finished my ‘View of the Principles of Christianity, in short and easy Verse for the use of

Little Children;’ for -which, I hope both - — ’s and yours may be something the better. I am not ashamed of these little seryices, for I had rather feed the lambs of Christ than rule a kingdom.

“I received- by Wednesday’s post a very obliging letter from Mr. Lyttelton, to whom I sent my late pamphlet — [‘Letters to the author of ‘Christianity not founded on Argument.’] He tells me he never yet read the author on -whom I animadvert, but heard from Dr. Ayscough that he had -wit and malignity enough to deserve my notice; and that he is glad such an antidote is prepared against the poison. These are his -words. He adds, ‘There is nothing I am more pleased with in your performance, though it is all very gobd, than that gentleness and candor, so becoming a Christian and a divine, with which you treat your adversary in confuting his doctrines. ,Such a treatise is, r am persuaded, much more likely to make him ashamed of himself, and to gain every reader to your side of the question, than the sharpest invectives that could have been used; and I heartily wish that all who defend the same good cause would, in this respect, follow your example.’

“He adds his earnest desire of seeing all I write in the progress of this controversy, and concludes with very obliging professions of sincere esteem and regard.”

From W. Oliverj M.D.

“Bath, January 15, 1744.

“Your answer to-the artful author of the pamphlet

‘Christianity not founded on Argument,’ gave me

great pleasure. You effectually pluck that snake out

of the grass, under which he endeiavored to conceal himself; you dispel the mists and fogs with which he hoped to obscure the truth; and you plainly proTe that the religion of Jesus is founded on the immutable basis of the eternal difference between right and wrong, confirmed and propagated by the most solid arguments, and therefore highly worthy to be embraced by all reasonable creatures.

“Horace’s observation, ’ cUfficUe est propria comr mvmia dkere,’ makes your sermon on the erection of your county hospital the more valuable. Public charities have long been so trite a subject in the pulpit, that we scarcely expect any thing new from the ablest preacher. But you, sir, have treated it in so masterly a manner, that the reader will find his passions awakened into tenderness and compassion towards the sick and the distressed, which had slept benumbed under the warmest influences of preceding discourses on that really affecting topic.

“You write as if you felt, while others seem to desire that their brethren should feel what they i;hemselves are insensible of. They write from the head, but you from the heart.”

In reference to this matter of the hospital. Dr. Kippis observes, “I have a full recollection of the zeal and activity with which Dr. Doddridge entered into the scheme of erecting an infirmary for Northamptonshire. The success of the design was much owing to his exertions.”

To Mr. Wilbaum.

“December 20, 1749.” As the author of ‘Christianity not,’ etc., pretended to cry up the immediate testimony of the Spirit,

niS PUBLISHED WORKS. 327

and to assert its absolute necessity in order to the belief of the gospel, he endeavored to undermine all the rational evidences by which it could be supported, and advanced several very shrewd insinuations against their truth, in what I thought a most pernicious point of view. I therefore answered it in three letters, quickly succeeding each other, Nov. 5, Dec. 1, 1742, and March 5, 1743. In these I handled some topics which seemed of great importance, more particularly than I had seen them elsewhere examined. In the’ first was laid down the degree of rational evidence for the divine authority of Christianity to which an illiterate well-disposed person may attain. In the second, the reasonableness of annexing a condemnatory sentence on unbelievers, as a part of the Christian revelation; and in the third, something on the doctrine of divine influences. I have sometimes thought that what is of general concern in these letters, detached from what is peculiar to the author opposed, and published with my three sermons in .proof of Christianity and the essay on the inspiration of the New Testament, might be of considerable service, and would give a very compendious, and I hope satisfactory view of these kindred subjects; of the vast importance of which none can doubt, and which never needed to be more clearly stated and strongly enforced than now.”

In 1741, Dr. Doddridge published “Practical Discourses on Regeneration,” which had been preached on Sabbath evenings before large audiences composed of persons of different denominations, and to many of these persons they -were made the happy means o eflGecting the great spiritual change which they so fully and eloquently treated. When published, a widei usefulness of the same kind was exerted.

Concerning these sermons, the venerable Dr Isaac Watts thus wrote to Doddridge, Dec. 14, 1741 “I should tell you also, that as I am much pleasec with your book on Regeneration, we have begun it ai the evening exercise on the Lord’s day in our family and may our Lord Jesus pronounce a word of blessing on a,ll that you write and speak.”

The following notice of the work occurs in a letter of Dr. Doddridge:

“Two sermons on salvation by grace, which ] preached at Rowel, in the course of my ordinary ministry, I was so much urged to publish that I could noi oppose it. I labored to state my ideas on that important subject in a scriptural, rather than in a systemat ical manner; as I did also in thoSie ‘Ten Sermons or Regeneration,’ which, by the importunity of my peo pie, to whom they were preached as a course of evening lectures, I was prevailed upon to give to the public. A second edition was demanded in the yeai 1745, when I added a postscript to the preface, ii which I examined the notion of baptismal regeneration, and endeavored, in a few words, to obviate thost mistaken principles, which Mr. Taylor of Norwich had advanced, in explaining some of the doctrines handled in these sermons.”

We are told, that one of the last works read to the late celebrated John Poster, a day or two befort his death, was a sermon by Dr. Doddridge, on “th( incapacity of an unregenerate soul for relishing the .enjoyments of the heavenly world;” and that he was so struck with this sermon, that he desired his daughters to promise him they would read it every month, saying that he thought no one could read it often without a salutary effect.

In 1744 Pr. Doddridge published the work by which he is best known, and which God has honored in the conversion of thousands of sinners — “The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul.” Of this volume, written on a plan partly suggested by Dr. Isaac Watts, to whom also it was dedicated, its author thus wrote: “This is the book which, so far as I can judge, God has honored for the conversion and edification of souls more than any of my writings. The editions and translations of it have been multiplied far beyond my hope and expectation, and I cannot mention it without humbly owning that great hand of God which has been with it, and to which I desire with unaffected abasement of mind to ascribe all the glory of its acceptance and success.”

Since the death of its excellent author the sale of this work, and consequently its usefulness, has extended almost beyond exataple. Edition has followed edition to a nearly indefinite extent,, and it has been also translated into nearly all the European, and many of the eastern languages. Its prevailing excellence is the heart-subduing fervor of devotion which animates its pages, and awakens in the heart of its reader a kindred emotion. “We can readily believe Orton when he tells us that it contains the whole substance of its ai(thor’s preaching, and agree that “there is hardly any single treatise which may be more serviceable to young ministers and students, if they would make it familiar to their minds.”

The beneficial influence of this work for upwardte of a century it is most delightful to imagine. To estimate it fully is impossible.

Doctor Watts not only suggested the- general plan, and urged the. composition of the work, but watched and encouraged the progress of it in the most earnest manner: thus. Sept* 20, 1743, he writes, “Since you were pleased to read me some chapters of ‘The Rise and Progress of Religiqn in the Soul,’ I am the more zealous for its speedy conclusion and publication, and beg you would not suffer any other matters to divert your attention, since I question whether you can do any thing more necessary.” Again, Dec. 14, 1743, “I thank you that your heart is so much set upon the book I recommended you to undertake. I long for it, as I hope it will be a means of great usefulness. Grace and peace, and all the. blessings of time and; of eternity, be with you, good Mrs. Doddridge, dnd all your house.”

The day after the date of this letter, Dr. Doddridge thus writes to Dr. Samuel Clarke: “I am hard at work upon my book of the ‘Rise and Progress of Religion,’ which Dr. Watts is impatient to see, and I am eager to finish, lest he should slip ,away to heaven before it is done. It indeed appears a piece of so much importance that I transcribe it into longhand myself, which at first I did not at all intend to do.”

In Sept. 1744, Dr. Watts again writes: “I long to have your ‘Rise and Progress of Religion ’ appear in the world. I wish my health had been so far established that I could have read every line with the attention it merits; but I- am not ashamed, by what I have read, to recommend it as the best treatise on practical religion which is to be found in, our language, and I pray God that it ‘may be extensively beneficial.”

From the Rev. Francia Ayscough, D. D.

“Bverakd-Steeet, Feb. 16, 1745. “I really am ashamed, when I look on the date of your letter, to think how long I have left it unanswered; I will not make excuses, but choose rather to own myself to have been to blame, and to promise to be better for the future. After so frank a confesfion, I hope you will think my penitence sincere; but though I omitted answering your letter, I must do myself the justice to say I did not neglect the business /ou wrote about. I presented your last book to her royal highness, and ought long enough ago to have acquainted you with her most gracious acceptance of it, and that I was commanded to return you her thanks for it. There is indeed such a spirit of piety in it as deserves the thanks of every good Christian; pray God grant it may have its proper effect in awakening this present careless age, and then, I am sure, you will have your end in publishing it.”

Among the most eminent friends and correspondents of Dr. Doddridge was Sir James Stonehouse, for many years a distinguished physician of Northampton.

When he first went to that town he was strongly inclined to infidelity, in defence of which he published a volume which passed through three editions. The amiable character of Dr. Doddridge won his esteem, and led to discussions which ultimately delivered Sir James from the delusions he had long cherished, and brought him “in his right mind” to Jesus. In his after-life he relinquished the extensive and lucrative duties of his profession, and entered the ministry in the established church. He was associated with some of the most devoted Christians of his day, including Doddridge, Hervey, Whitefield, and Lady Huntingdon.

‘• - We are not willing to leave this subject till we have transcribed part of a letter by Dr. Doddridge relating to the remarkable conversion of Sir James Stonehouse, as it is connected with “The Rise and Progress.” It was written to the Rev. Risdon Darracott, under date of March, 1747.

“One of the most signal instances in which God has ever honored me, was in the conversion of a physician in this town, who was once a most abandoned rake, and an audacious deist. God made me the means, first of bringing him to a conviction of the truth of Christianity, then of cdrrecting his morals, and bringing him to attend the public worship of God at church; and at length of enlightening his mind with that true and saving knowledge of Christ to which, I bless God, he has now attained. He has written many most truly Christian letters to his old companions; and has already, as he informs me in a letter which I received from him last post, for he is now in London, been the means of converting an intimate friend who was once as great a deist as himself, so that he has become a true lover of Jesus Christ. * This is indeed an amazing change. Good Mr. Hervey has been honored as a fellow-laborer with me in this work. My book on the.’ Rise and Progress of Religion,’ has been, I hope, honored of God as pne great means of producing this blessed change. Hie has read it again and again, and marked with a line drawn under them some hundreds of passages which occur in that treatise.”

This reference to Mr. Hervey gives us an Opportunity of making the reader better acquainted with him. About ten months before Doddridge thus mentions him, the doctor had received from the Rev. Richard Pearsall ef Taunton, one of his former pupils, a letter containing this passage: “This week I have been surprised by a book which fell into my hands, entitled ‘Meditations upon the Tombs and on a Plower-Garden, by James Hervey, A. B.’ I have been charmed with the lively images, striking expre|sions, and serious piety which I find there. I wondered much to see a young clergyman acquainted so much with the genius of the gospel, and anijnated with-^such a warm love to the Redeemer. Pray, dear sir, do you know who and where he is? Not that I think the question will be needed to be asked long, if he goes on to publish.”

The reader is now prepared for a passage from the beautiful pen of Dr. James Hamilton, of London.

“Near Northampton stands the little parish’ church of Western Pavel. Its young minister was one of Doddridge’s dearest friends. He was a tall and spectral-looking man, dying daily; and like so many in that district, was a debtor to his distinguished neighbor. After he became minister of his hereditary parish, and when he was preaching with more earnestness than light, he was one day acting on a favorite medical prescription of that period, and accompanying a ploughman along the furrow in order to smell the fresh earth. The ploughman was a pious man, and attended the Castle-Hill meeting; and the young parish minister asked him, ‘What do you think the hardest thing in religion?’ The ploughman respectfully returned the question, excusing himself as an ignorant man; and the minister said, ‘I think the hardest thing in religion is to deny sinful self;’ and expatiating some time on its difficulties, asked if any thing could be harder. ‘No, sir, fexcept it be to deny righteous self.’ At the moment the minister thought his parishioner a strange fellow, or a fool; but he never forgot the answer, and was soon a convert to the ploughman’s creed. James Hervey had a mind of imcommon gorgeousness. His thoughts all marched to a stately music, and were arrayed in the richest superlatives. Nor was it affectation. It was the necessity of his ideal nature, and was a merciful compensation for his scanty.powers of outward. enjoyment. As he sat in his little parlor watching the saucepan in which his dinner of gruel was simmering, and filled up the moments with his microscope, or a page of the Astro-Theology, in his tour of the universe he soon forgot the pains and miseries of his corporeal resideuce. To him ‘Nature was Cliristian;’ and after his own soul had drunk in all the joy of the gospel, it became his favorite employment to read it in the fields and the firmament. One product of these researches was his famous ‘Meditations.’ They were in fact a sort of astro- and physico-evangelism, and as their popularity was amazing, they, must have contributed extensively to the cause of Christianity. They were followed by ‘Theron and Aspasio ’ — a series of dialogues and letters on the most important points of personal religion, in which, after the example of Cicero, solid instruction is conveyed amid the charms of landscape, and the amenities of friendly intercourse. This latter work is memorable as one of the first attempts to popularize systematic divinity; and it should undeceive those who deem dulness the test of truth, when they find the theology of Vitringa and Witsius enshrined in one of our finest prose poems. It was hailed with especial rapture by the Seceders of Scotland, who recognized ‘the Marrow ‘in this lordly dish,, and were justly proud of their unexpected apostle. Many of them, that is, many of the few who achieved the feat of a London journey, arranged to take Weston on their way, and eschewing the Ram Inn, and the adjacent academy, they turned in to Aspasio’s lowly parsonage. Here they found a ’ reed shaking in the wind:” a panting invalid nursed by his tender mother and sister; and when the Sabbath came, James Brskine, or Dr. Pattison, or whoever the pilgrim might be, saw a great contrast to his own teeming meeting-house in the little flock that assem-* Wed in the little church of Weston Favel. But that flock hung -with up-looking affection on the moveless attitude and faint accents of their emaciated pastor, and with Scotch-like alacrity turned up and marked in their Bibles every text which he quoted; and though they could not report the usual accessories of clerical fame, the melodious voice, and graceful elocution, and gazing throng, the visitors carried away ’ a thread of the mantle,’ and long cherished as a sacred

remembrance the hours spent with this Elijah before he went over Jordan. Others paid him the compliment of copying his style; and both among the evangelical preachers of the Scotch establishment afld its secession, the ‘Meditations ’ became a frequent model. A few imitators were very successful, for their spirit and genius were kindred; but the tendency of most of them was to make the world despise themselves, and weary of their unoffending idol. Little children prefer red sugarrplums to white, and always think it the best ’ content ’ which is drunk from a painted cup; but when the dispensation of content and sugar-plums has yielded to maturer age, the man takes his coffee and his cracknel with6ut observing the pattern of the pottery. And unfortunately it was to this that the Herveyites directed their chief attention, and hungry people have long since tired of their flowery truisms and mellifluous inanities; and partly from impatience of the copyists, the reading republic has nearly ostracized the glowing and gifted original.”

His PITBLISHED WORKS. 33t

kFrom the Bishop of Oxford.
(Afterwards Arckbishop Seeker.)

“CnDDBaDBN, Sept. 29, 1743.

“I return you many thanks for your favorable opinion both of my sermon and its author, though expressed in a manner which you would have forborne if you had known me better ,• for plain men should be treated in a plain- way. Let us all endeavor to do what good we can, and give those who seem to endeavor it faithfully, the comfort of knowing that we think they do; but never let us tempt one another to forget that we are unprofitable servants.

“I am in no danger of transgressing this rule when I say that I have read your works with great satisfaction, and, I hope, some benefit; and both rejoice and wonder that in the midst of your other occupations you continue table, as I pray God you long may, to oblige your fellow- Christians so often and so highly from the press.’ Indeed, it must and ought to be owned in general, that the dissenters have donfr excellently of late years in the service of Christianity; and I hope our common warfare will make us chiefly attentive to our common intefest; and unite us in a closer alliance. I believe, on the best inquiry I can make, that what I have said in favor of our charity-schools is true, and you do very well’ to propagate a sense of religion among your own people by the same method. I have read Dr. Watts’ essay oh the subject, which fell into my hands but yesterday. With much pleasure, and “a little surprise to see in how many points we have coincided; an evidence, I presume, that we are

both in the right.

“I congratulate you heartily on the prospect you have of success in your hospital ;, and as J am very sensible of what peculiar advantage it would he to have one at Oxford, so I have not only taken all opportunities of expressing iind inculcating my opinion, but should long before now have made some trial as to what could be done in the matter, if hopes had not been given me that Dr. Kadclifie’s trustees, when his library is finished, may employ some part of the residue of his money in this excellent work. You were much to blame in not letting me see you at Gloucester; and the bishop, when he Ijnows it, will be as sorry as I am, that you passed by us in the manner you did. The time of my being in town, and that of your coming thither, I am afraid are different; but if any occasion should, bring you near me, either there or here, I beg you will n,ot think you need any introduction,” <f

From the Bev. John Barker,

“October 3, 1744.

“I now return my hearty thanks for your company in London. I assure you the pleasure you gave at jRussel-street was equal to what you received. I am very glad to hear of your safety, health, and good spirits, and beseech God to prolong your life, and continue your usefulness.

“The respect you meet with from men of enjinence, learning, and candor in the Establishment pleases me much, but does not at al, surprise me. Oh how do I wish, for the sake of our common Christianity, for the breaking down of the wall of separation between our brethren of the church of England and ourselves. The dissenting interest is not like itself; I hardly know it. It used tq be fanaoas for faith, holiness, and love. I knew the time when I had no doubt, into whatever place of worship I went among dissenters, but that my heart would be warmed and comforted, and my edification promoted: now I har prayers and sermons I neither relish, nor understand; primitive truths and duties are quite old-fashioned things. One’s ears are so dinned -with reason, the great law of reason, the eternal law of reason, that it is enough to put one out of conceit with the chief excellency of our nature, because it is idolized and almost deified.

•” How ‘prone are men to extremes! What a pity it iS’, that when people emerge out of an ancient mistake, they seldom know when to stop. Oh for the purity of our fountains, the wisdom and diligence of our tutors, the humility, piety, and teachableness of our youth 1

“Since I saw you I have been at Tunbridge Wells, and got good, I hope, by their waters. I spend this winter in town; and if it please God, shall write out the “sermons I have on my hands pbut -as my shadow grows long, toy motion is slow. You are happy in dispatch as well as ability. GTo on, dear sir, and prosper, and let us who are going off rejoice that we leave behind us some men of diligence, faithfulness, and zeal for the. Christian revelation, and the glory of its Author.”

From the Key. K. Fearsall.

“Wabminstbe, Jan. 4, 1746. “I thank you, among many, for your late book, ‘The Rise and Progress,’ etc. We think you have in

this performance exceeded yourself. May divine grace set in with it to the- salvation of many souls, I have not known any book, published of late years, that obtains so universally among Christians of various denominations and different tastes in some other things.

“I have sometimes in my own mind planned a great work for you, but I fear it is too great, considering your daily application other ways, that you should begin a body of divinity in sermons, of a mixed nature, doctrinal and practical, somewhat in the same way with what is laid down in Matthew Henry’s life. Do not let the proposal die as soon as read, but think of it. Hereby you might instruct and lead towards heaven after you are safely lodged there. ’ “May divine Providence long protract the thread of your life, and the good Spirit animate and increase your gifts and graces, that your honor may redound abundantly to the name of your God and Redeemer. To the divine protection and conduct I commit you.”

Moved by these, and similar applications. Dr. Doddridge, in his will, directed the publication of “four volumes of sermons,” that have added much to the author’s fame and usefulness.

The celebrated John Poster, in 1825, conferred great honor upon “The Rise and Progress,” by writing, with injmense care and labor, an admirable introduction to it for a Glasgow publisher. An amusing account of the delay and labor in its preparation, may be found in the “Life and Correspondence of Foster.”

In 1747 our author- issued a work of great interest entitled, “Some Remarkable Passages in the. Life of Col. James Gardiner, who was slain by the Rebels at the Battle, of Preston-Pans, Sept. 21, 1745.” In this publication he designed not merely a tribute of gratitude to the memory of an invaluable friend, but of duty to God and his fellow-creatures, as he had a cheerful hope that -the narrative would, under the divine blessing, be the means of- spreading a warm and liv.ely sense of religion. He thought the Colonel s character would command some peculiar regard, as it shone, amid the many temptations of a military life.

The correspondence in relation to this work, and the remarkable subject of it, partly from the pen of Col; Gardiner himself, cannot fail to be read with interest. It will be observed that some disparaging strictures had been.indulged in by writers of a worldly spirit, who, nevertheless, had admired the learning and ability, of the author.

It will prepare us to read the correspondence-with deeper interest, if the admirable “sketch of Colonel Gardiner, from the “North British Review,” first receive attention.

,” Among the visitors -at their father’s house, at first to the children of Dr. Doddridge more formidable than the doctor, [Dr. Stonehouse,] and by and by the most revered of all, was a Scotch cavalry officer. With his hessian boots, and their tremendous spurs, sustaining the grandeur of his scarlet coat and powdered cue, there was something to youthful imagination very awful in the tall and stately hussar; and that awe was nowise abated when they gpt courage to looK on his Hgh forehead, with overhung grey eyes and weather-beaten cheeks, and when they marked his fine and dauntless air. And then it was terrible to think how many battles he had fought, and how in one of them a bullet had gone quite rough his neck, and he had lain a whole night amonig the slain. But there was a deeper mystery still. He had been a very bad man once, it would appear, and now he was very good; and be had seen a vision; and altogether, with his strong .Scotch voice, and his sword, and his wonderful story, the most solemn visitant was this grave and lofty soldier; But they saw how their father loved him, and how he loved their father. As he sat so erect in the square corner seat of the chapel, they couldjQOtice how his stern look would soften, and how his firm lip would quiver, and how a happy tear would roll down his deep-lined face; and they Jieard him as he sung so joyfully the closing hymn, and they came to feel that the Colonel must indeed be very good. At last, after a long absence, he came to see their father, and Stayed three days, and he was- looking very sick, and very old; and the last night before he went away, their father preached a sermon in the house, and his text was, ‘I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver Mm, and honor him.’ And the Colonel went away, and their father went with him, andave him a long convoy; and many letters went and came. But at Jast there was war in Scotland. There was a rebellion, and there were battles. And theji the gloomy news arrived — there had been a battle close to the very house of Bankton, and the king’s soldiers had, run aay, and the brave Colonel Gardiner could

HIS PUBLISHED WORKS. MS

not run, but fought to the very last; and alas for the Lady Frances, he was stricken down and slain scarce a mile from his own mansion door.”

From Col. Grardiuer.

“Leicbstbr, July 9, 1739.” My dear DoCTiDE — I know not how the reading of ray letters may move you, but I am sure I never receive any that have a greater influence on me than yours; and much do I stand in need of every help to awaken me out of that spiritual deadness, which seizes me- so often. Once, indeed, it was quite otherwise with me, and that for many years.

“‘Firm was my health, my day was bright,
And I presumed ‘t would ne’er be night:
Fondly I said within my heart,.
Pleasure and peace shall ne’er depart.

‘But I.forgot Thine arm was strong,
Which made my mountain- stand so long:
Soon as Thy face began to hide.
My health was gone, my comforts died.’

Here lies my sin and my folly. And this brings to my mind- that sweet singer in our Israel, I mean Dr. Watts; for you must know that I have been in pain these several years lest that excellent nerson should be called to heaven before I’ had an opportunity to let him know how much his works have been blessed in me, and of course to return him my hearty thanks; for though it is owing to the operation of the blessed Spirit that any thing works effectually on our hearts, yet if we are not thankful to the instrument which God is pleased to make use of, whom we dp see, how shall we be thankful to the Almighty whom we have riot seen? Therrfore, dear doctor, I must beg the favor of you to let Mm know that I intended to wait upon him when I was in London, in the beginning of last May, butiwas informed;. and that to my great sorrow, that he was extremely ill, and therefore I did not think that a visit would live been seasonable, especially’ considering that I have not the happiness to be much acquainted with the doctor; but well am I acquainted with his works, especially with his psalms, hymns, and lyrics. How often, by. singing: some of them when by myself, on horseback and elsewhere, has the evil spirit been made to flee away,

“‘Whene’er my heart in tune was fovmd,.
Like David’s harp of solemn sound.’

I desite to bless God for all the good news of his recovery, and entreat you to tell him that although I cannot keep pace with him here in celebrating the high praises of our glorious Redeemer, which is the great grief of my heart, yet I am persuaded that, when I join the glorious company- above, where there will be no drawbacks, none will outeing me there; because I shall not find any who have been more indebted to the wonderful riches of divine grace than myself.

“‘Give me a place at thy saints’ feet;
Or some fallen angel’s vacant seat;
I ‘U strive to sing as loud as they
Who sit above in brighter day.’

I know it is natural for any one who has felt that almighty power which raised our glorious Redeemer from the grave, to believe his case singular. But I haYe made every one in this respect submit, as soon as lie has heard my story; and if you seemed so surprised at the account which I gave you, what will you be when you hear it all?

I” ‘Oh, if I iad an angel’s voice.

And could be heard from pole to pole,
I would to all the listening world
Proclaim thy goodness to my souk’

“Dear doctor, if you knew what a natural aversibn I have to writing, you would be astonished at the length of this letter,- which is, I believe, the longest I ever’ wrote. But my heart warms when I write to you, flrhich makes my pen move the easier. I hope it wifl please our gracious God long to preserve you a blessed instrument in his hand of doing great good in the church of Christ.”

A COlSrVBESATION WITH COL. GAEDINEK, AND HIS EXTEAOEDINAET STOET.

“I have this evening, August 14, 1739,” says Dr. Doddridge, “been conversing with the ingenious, polite, judicious, and eminently pious Colonel Gardiner, and have again been receiving from his own mouth the extraordinary story of his conversion; and therefore think it proper, while it continues fresh in my memory, to write it down for further reflection, with all the exactness of which I am capable.

“This worthy gentleman and brave soldier was the son of a very religious mother, and educated with great care; but soon outgrew all the influence of a religions education, and lived from his childhood to the thirty-first year of Ms age without reading the word of God, without prayer, abandoned to all the 15* most profligate vices, and to every kind of debauchery and wickedness consistent mtk a good-natured temper, whick he always lad, and some grateful sense of human friends, when most insensible of divine favors.

“He had, before his conversion, been distinguished by two remarkable deliverances. The one was at the battle of Ramillies, when, as he was planting his colors, and swearing violently at his men,.he received a shot into his mouth, which came out at his neck, and laid Mm apparently among the dead, where he lay two nights, and part of three days. From the time he received this wound he thought there was something miraculous in his surviving it; and w;hile he lay among the dead, he was persuaded that God would complete his deliverance; yet even then he had no sense of duty, gratitude, or penitence.

“About the year 1719, going over in the packet-boat to France, when Lord Stair was ambassador there, a violent storm arose, which- tossed the vessel from sea to sea, and from coast to coast, till the captain came and told him that they must inevitably Jie lost if the wind did not immediately fall. Upon this he prayed; and on his doing it, even while he was so empl(^ed, the wind fell, and tuimed into a favorable gale,, which carried them into Calais; but instead of having any sense of the hand of God in that deliverance, he only made a jest of it, and said he prayed because it was twelve at night, a,nd he knew his good mother was asleep.

“From Calais he went to Paris, where he continued some time in the Earl of Stair’s family, and had an acquaintance with all the gayest and most illustrious men in the caurt of France; and here, as well as elsewhere, he passed, on account of the vivacity of his temper, for one of the happiest of mortals, while at the same time he felt those inward agonies of conscience, which made him once say, on the sight of a dog, ‘Oh that I were that brute!’ yet still he went on without any thought of a return to God; and when pleased with a fine poem on gratitude, he attempted to praise.God once or twice, he was so conscious that he did not desire to serve him, that from a mere innate abhorrence of hypocrisy he left off prayer.

■” Among many other very irregular dispositions, the love of women was his ruling passion. He had one night an appointment with another gentleman’s wife, and was to go to her chamber at twelve o’clock. Breaking up from some company at eleven he retired into his chamber, and looking among his books for something to amuse him till what he wretchedly called the happy moment came, he took down what a pious aunt had, without his knowledge, put into his chest, Watson’s ‘Heaven Taken by Storm.’ He took up this book merely to make a jest of it; but while he held it in his hand, he found himself struck on a sudden, as by an unusual lustre, and lifting up his eyes, he solemnly declared to me, that he being then broad awake, if ever in his life, he apprehended that he saw clearly and distinctly Jesus Christ himself on the cross, with a strong impression on his mind of these words, ‘Oh sinner, did I suffer this for thee, and are these thy returns?’ The consequence was, that he was struck into such confusion that he sunk dowil in his chair, and on his recoyering himself a little, had

348 PHILIP DODDRIDGil.

such Tiewsof the holiness, justice, and glory of God, as threw him into- the utmost confusion and abasement; and from that moment the whole, tenor of his heart was changed, and divine grace took such possession of his soul, as he assures me has never been lost, and rendered him the very contrary of what he was naturally before. He did indeed look upon himself as so great a sinner, that he had no hope, and apprehended that the honor of divine justice would require that he should be consigned over to eternal destruction; yet even then he resolutely brake off from all his sins, and set himself to defend the gospel by which he apprehended himself to be condemned.

“Several instances of his encpuntering and confounding infidels, and especially Mrs. Hammond, widow to one of -that name, who was speaker to the House of Commons, he added,- but I have not time to mention them. at length. He received comfort from these words,. ‘He is just, and thejustifier of him that believeth in Jesus.’ The result of which was, that he was enabled;by .faith to venture his soul on Christ, and he then received such extraordinary communications of divine love and joy as kept him in a kind of continued rapture for some years, excepting the titae necessarily devoted-to the business of life, and the wants of animal nature.- The, coneequence was, that he found that strong propensity which .had been the reigning passion of his life, utterly mortified; so that though he had struggles with many other corruptions of nature, he had none with this, but hated those lusts more than he had ever loved and, indulged them — which seems the mpst affecting comment on the apostie’s phrase of being sanctified in the Trhole body,. that I ever remember to have met with-; and having put his hand to the plough, he never looked “back, but broke through the trials of cruel mockings, as well as many others; and he appears now to have attained to a most confirmed state of piety, and seems, on the whole, one of the most loving and affectionate Christians .that in my life I have ever known. When I consider all ,the marvellous things he has told me, I must reckon my acquaintance with him, and my share in his friendship, among the most eminent and distinguished blessings of my life.

“I must add to all this, that he spoke of himself to me withrthe deepest self-abhorrence that he was no more affected with the goodness of God to him, and he seemed ashanied and grieved beyond expression that his heart was not hourly ascending to God in flames of love, and that he did not maintain at all times an uninterrupted sense of His presence, and zeal for His glory; as the one and the only business of his life.’.’

To David Gardilier, Esq.
[The eldest son of Colonel G-aidiner.]

“April 28, 1740.

“Though I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with j-on, I think it not improbable that you may have learnt my name from your excellent parents, who honor me with their friendship, and have informed me of your illness, and recommended you to my earnest and affectionate prayers; which, I assure you, dear sir, you shall continue to have a share in.

“God has indeed been gracious to us,. and heard our supplications. He has brought you back from the borders of the grave when you had received the sentence of death. And now, my dear friend — for so methinks I have a hereditary right to call you — give me leave to remind you seriously of the goodness of God in this respect, and to call upon you, as in his name, to make a proper improvement. I doubt not but that, in. the intervals of your disorder, you had some solemn thoughts of death and eternity. I doubt not but that you. cried to God, and formed some purposes for his service; but I know how ready our treacherous hearts are to pass over such deliverances, and to forget those vows of God that are upon us; and therefore let me, with all simplicity and plainness, though at the same time, with sincere respect, renew the admonition as in the name of my grekt Lord and Master, who, I would hope, means you gracibusly in inclining me to write to you upon this occasion.

“I would then beseech you seriously to examine your heart and ways, and to ask yourself before God, ‘What if the fever had finished its work, and brought me down to the dust of death, and my spirit had returned to God who gave it, how would it have been received by him?’

“You are descended from the most gracious parents whom I think I ever knew. But they cannot convey grace to you. Even from them, excellent as they are, you derive a corrupt nature. Ask your own heart then, ‘Have I ever been earnest with God for renewing grace? Have I ever pleaded with him in prayer, that,I might experience liiat <5hange which the gospel requires, and without which no man can enter into the kingdom of heaven?’

“These are matters of iafinitc importance, which must lie at the root of all our future hopes, or those hopes will prove weaker than a spider’s w,eb. I beseech you, therefore, dear sir, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by all your prospects of the eternal world, that you take these things under an attentive consideration. I hope you have thought of them. I would fain persuade myself to believe you are experimentally acquainted with them; but I would counsel you to apply your heart to them more and more.

“I know, sir, that in your circumstances of life innumerable temptations surround you, and it is good, in order to be fortified against them, that the heart be established with grace. You have all the encouragement you can desire to attempt the work of serious religion, and that betimes; for it must be done immediately -or perhaps it may not be done at all. You have a gracious God to go to, who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. You have a most compassionate Redeemer, who shed his blood for the salvation of perishing sinners, and I humbly hope, for your salvation. The Spirit of God has conquered hearts much harder than yours, even sjipposing you are in an unrenewed state. You are the seed of God’s servants: you have a large stock of prayers laid up in the presence of God for you. I apprehend there is peculiar encouragement for such to seek the God of their fathers. I believe the Spirit strives peculiarly with them, and that when they seek it, it is more immediately and more fully communicated to them than generally to others. And sure I am that the early instructions they receive have. oftea a blessed resurrection ill their hearts,- eTcn after they have been long forgotten; and that the seed, which seemed to have perished, often brings forth fruit in abundance; and therefore, dear sir, ‘thank God, and take courage. In his name and strength set out on your heavenly pilgrimage, with the word of God in your hand and heart, and with your eyes to the Spirit, of God, as your guide and strength; and be assured” that there are many who will bid you good speed in the name of the Lord.

“I am not without hope that our gracious God may at length favor me with more immediate and renewed opportunities of serving you. [He was afterwards the doctor’s pupil.] In the mean tinie be assured that, though personally unknown, I most cordially love you. Be assured my heart overflows with a true concern for your welfare; that I pour out my soul before God in prayer on your account; and that to hear of your health and happiness, and above all, that your soul prospers, will yield me unutterable delight.”

From Lady Frances Gardiner.

“Leicesteb, Aug.l6, 1740..”I received with pleasure your obliging favor last Monday; and as all your letters are acceptable to the colonel and myself, this was particularly so, as it brought the agreeable news of your safe arrival at Northampton, and of your dear child’s recovery. The colonel and I long much to see you and Mrs. Doddridge, to repay the kind visit you made us here. The colonel begs to»kndw when you propose to administer the sacrament again at Northampton, as he has some thoughts of being then with you. I bless God that my dear colonel has kept his health pretty well of late; -but I have suffered much fot some time. I wish I were half as sensible of the diseases of my soul when it languishes, and were as much affected with it as with those of a frail body.

“I am desired by many who have had the pleasure of reading some of your charming hymns, to solicit you for the publication of them: and surely good Dr. Doddridge will not be so cruel as to refuse what would oblige many, and I hope prove useful to thou — sands.

“The colonel offers you his sincere compliments in the most affectionate manner; and we both join in the same to your lady, and beg leave to assure her of our real sympathy with her in her illness.”

The Eight Honorable Lady Frances Erskine, daughter to the Earl of Buchan, was married to Col. Gardiner, July 11, 1726. In his life of Colonel Gar“- diner. Dr. Doddridge says of her, “I shall not’indulge myself in saying any thing of her, except it be, that the colonel assured me, when he had been happy in this intimate relation to her more than fourteen years, that the greatest imperfection he knew in her character was, ‘that she valued and loved him more than he deserved;’ and little did he think, in the simplicity of heart with which he spoke this, how high an encomium he was making upon her; and how lasting an honor such a testimony must leave upon her name, long as the memory of it shall continue.” lo Mrs. Doddridge.

“June 28, 1741.

“If I could envy you any thing, it would be Colonel Gardiner’s company. Give. my most respectful services to him, and tell him that I hope the happy turn which the Queen of Hungary ‘a affairs have taken, (for which I heartily bless God,) will prevent the necessity of his going to Flanders; and I earnestly beg that if any timely application to the secretary of war, or any other person, can procure the continuance of his troop at Northampton, he would not omit it, for it would almost break my heart that we should be always thus,, like buckets in a well.

“I hope to preach at home August 15, and to administer the Lord’s supper there August 22, if the church think fit. But if my dear colonel should leave us after August 15, 1 will administer it that day, for it is something very much like heaven to me, to meet that excellent Christian at the Lord’s table.”

From ColoBel Grardiner.

“Ghent, Oct 6, 1742. “I am favored with your very welcome letter of the third instant, for which I return you my hearty thanks. It has been matter of great praise to me upon a double account: first, that Mrs. Doddridge is in so good a way of recovery; and also that our gracious God vouchsafes to give you such manifestations of his favor and loving-kindness. As for me, I am in a dry and thirsty land, where no ‘living water’ is. Rivers of tears run down mine eyes,, because nothing is to be heard in our Sabel but blaspheming the name of my God; and I am nbt honored as the instrument of doing any great service. It is true I have reformed six or seven field officers from swearing. I dine every day with them, and have enticed them into a voluntary contract to pay a shilling to the poor for every oath, and’ it is wonderful to observe the effect it has had already.

“I received, some days ago, a letter from Mr. Whitefi*ld: the accounts I have had of that man, both when in England and since I came here, have ravished my soul. If my heart” deceives me not, I would rather be the persecuted, despised Whitefield, to be an instrument in the hand of the Spirit for converting so many souls, and building up others in their most holy faith, than to be emperor of the whole world.

“My dear friend, I wrote to” you that I was in hopes of having the’pleasure of seeing you this winter, and to be sure it would have been a great one to me; but we poor mortals form projects, and the almighty Ruler of the universe dioses of all as he pleases.. A great many of us were getting ready for our return to England, when, to the great surprise of the whole army, my Lord Stair not excepted, we received an order to march towards Pranfcfort; neither can any of us comprehend what we are to do there, for there is no enemy ‘in that country. But it. is the will of the Lord; and his will be done. I desire to bless and praise my heavenly Father that I am entirely resigned to it. It is no matter where I go, or what becomes of me, so that God may be glorified in my life and by my death.

“I think- you have undertaken a noble work, and I hope our gracious God -will give you the wished-for success. Pray remember me kindly to Mrs. Dod: dridge, and to all those with you that lore our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. How much do I stand in need of youx prayfers. I hope God will bless you and yours, more and more.”

From Thomas Gardiner, Esq,

“Edinbuegh, Sept. 24, 1745. -

“I am deeply conceited that I commence your correspondent on an occasion that will very sensibly affect you with sorrow.

“Upon the 21st instant, in the morning, about daybreak, a very bloody engagement was fought at the very door of our mutually valuable friend Col. Gardiner, who, alas, has fallen, ta.the regret of all hjs friends, as you will beliove; but I must also tell you, to the grief of all on the other side against which he was engaged. -

“His affectionate la,dy was left by him in Stirling castle,~ thirty miles distant. Miss Fanny is with her, and the other children are safe.

“As to the circumstances of the colonel’s death, I can acquaint you that he died as a Christian, and acknowledged by all against whom he was engaged as a brave ofiicer. His, own regiment of dragoons was roitted in” the beginning of the action, and he then charged at the head of the foot, till he had received three wounds, one in his shoulder with a bullet, one in his forehead with a broad sword, and the mortal wound, which was in his hindhead, with a Lochaber axe, an instrument the Highlanders fight with;, and this lie received when msfking a blow with his sword at one of the officers he engaged.

“He was this day decently interred in his own burying-place, in the church of Tranent, where lie eight of his children. I sent an express to Stirling, directed to my correspondent there, wha is the present mayor of th£ town, and desired he would cause one of the ministers to acquaint the worthy Lady Frances of the fact, which was done before any other account had come to her ears. I should be glad to know how Mr. David Gardiner bears it.”

From the Rev. John Barker.

“January 12, 1746.

“I promised never to expect any letters from you, nor to take it amiss if I had none, knowing how much better you are employed than in writing to your friends. That I love to see a.letter from you now and then is undeniable; and that you love your friends, and- love to tell them so, is easily to be inferred from the benevolence of your nature, and the overflowing tenderness of your heart; so that yon will never suffer any blame from me, whatever date my last unanswered letter may happen to bear.

“I thank you for your fine sermon on the lamentable death of that eminent Christian and gallant soldier Colonel Gkirdiner-. I believe every body will allow it to be a fine discourse, and grant that your affection has not transported you beyond the bounds of prudence. His death is a heavy affliction; but this comes of continuing to sojourn in this dying world; and what great matter is it by what disease or disaster a good man is released from labor and sorrow?

To be fond of life, and full of the world, and minding the things of the flesh, is less manly than grasping at a shadow. Reason and experience teach ns that such things will no more yield substantial happiness to an immortal spirit, than the picture oT food will satisfy our bodily hunger, or the sound of falling waters quench our thirst. But to live for eternity, to be upon good terms with God,, to be steady and regular in our Christian profession, easy and lively in our devotion, tolerably free from unequal burdens and distracting cares, cheerful in our wor, patient in our trials, and absolutely subject to the all-glorious ‘Author, Lord, and Life of the whole creation; to be composed when others are perplexed, and daily blessing Grod, and daily blessed by Him, easy in life, calm in the approach of death, and happy in the hope of heaven — this is true Christian consolation, and shows the religion of our divine Master to some advantage. And what is death to such a man but a release, a favor, a speedy conveyance to the full possession of all its hopes and joy? Thus, Doddridge, is it with that .devout, dutiful, laborious, benevolent spirit of thine; while mine, unless I increase my diligenqe and speed by such books and such an example as yours, and God be merciful to me, will be like an ill-favored plant, languishing, fruitless, and ready to wither; or at best, not like a tree planted by a river of water, living, flourishing, and fruitful.

“The face of public affairs seems changed a good deal for the better. I hope Providence is bringing about our deliverance out of the hands of our merciless enemies; and that the rebels at home, and the French at Boulogne, are now more afraid of us than we are of them; so gracious is God to his people, and so loath does he seem to give up these favored nations.

“I wish I was able to give you any very good account of the state of religion among us. I see with joy the spirit of prayer among good people continues lively and vigorous; bui what shall I say of our great people, or common people, or of the success of the gospel, or of a zeal for the glory of God, the honor of Christ, and the revival of the doctrines of the Reformartion, and of the growth of pure and vital religion?

for the pouring out of the Spirit of the Lord from on high.”

From the Rev. Thomas Hunt, D. If.

“Hektfoed OoiiLBQE, Feb. 26, 1746.

“Many, thanks for your excellent sermon on the

death of the valiant and worthy Colonel Gardiner.

1 was most sensibly -affected with it; nor can I easily tell you whether I was most pleased with the. ingenuity of the discourse, or moved with the tenderness of -the application. Both- your lamentation over your dead friend, and your moving epistle to his disconsolate widowv are plainly formed on Horace’s plan, si vis me fiere, etc., and therefore it is no wonder they should draw tears from your .readers, as I assure you they did not only from my dear Mrs.. Hunt, but from myself, in great abundance. How mournfully pleasing to Lady Frances must the honor you have done her gallant consort be! And as for the deceased hero himself, methinks I hear every brave soldier in the British army saluting his ashes, in the words of Alexander, when he stood before the tomb of Achilles,, and reflected on the honor that had been done that warrior by the verses of Homer,

“’ fortunate Gardinere, qm tu» virtutis
Talem prseconem inveneris!’

At least, I am sure these would be their sentiments were your sermon put into their hands, as I could heartily wish that it were. ‘I need not tell you how glad I should be to see the remarkable passages of a life, the conclusion of which was so glorious-.

“I am glad to hear that the third volume of your ‘Family Expositor’ is in such forwardness. It is a work calculated to do great good, and will therefore, ■I hope, soon be in the hands of every serious family in the kingdom.. May God give you life and health to finish this, and every other design for the advancement of his religion and the benefit of mankind.”

From the Rsy. W. Warburton, D. D.

Peioe Park, Oct. 10, 1747. “I had the favor of your letter, and along with it ‘Colonel Gardiner’s Life,’ which I have just read through with great pleasure. Nothing can be better or more judicious than the writing part.

“Many considerations made the subject of great importance and expediency. The celebration of worthy men who sacrificed themselves for the service of liieir country; the tribute paid to private friendship; the example, particularly to the soldiery, of so much vir- ,tue and piety, as well as courage and patriotism; the sesrvice done to the survivors of their families, are such important considerations asequally owjern the writer and the public.

“I had a “thousand things to remark in it which give me pleasm-e, but I have room only for two or three. The distinction you settle between piety and enthusiasm is highly just and important, and very necessary for these times, when men are apt to- fall into the opposite extremes. Nor am I less pleased with your observations on the ‘mutilated form of Christianity:’ we see the terrible effects of it. Your hymns are truly pious and poetical. I entirely agree in your sentiments concerning the extraordinary circumstances of the good man’s conversion. On the whole, the book will do you honor, or, what you like better, will be a blessing to you by its becoming an instrument of public good.”

From the Rev. R. Pearsall.

“Taunton, Nov. 2, 1747.” The imminent danger of a father, it is said, burst the restraints of a tongue, that had never spoken; a different event, producing a different passion, causes me to break a long silence: I mean your ‘Life of Colonel (lardiner.’ And how shall I express my joy and thanks? I want words: affections uncommonly great swell the mind, and crowd to the outlet of the soul, and obstruct the passage of words. I own I longed greatly for the publication, and am abundantly satisfied. I congratulate the church of Christ upon such an addition to its treasure. I would glorify God in him, and on your account too. Adored be that grace which rescued such a vessel out of the snare of the devil, and that in a wAy so extraordinary; and which strengthened the redeemed captive to stand his ground, and to oppose all the methods of the roaring lion Sfjii cunning serpent, and to remain in the midst of showers of darts more than a conqueror.

“Indeed, the whole book opens a scene of wanders which, I pray, may be blessed to the awakening and confirming of many souls, I wish it may be read By the whole army, and weighed according to its deserts by all, from the duke himself to the meanest soldier who carries a musket. And, my good fpiend, blessed be you of the JJof d, who have been the honored instrument of holding forth so glorious a light to the view of thousands.

“Such a remarkable event as the colonel’s conversion,, such a system of sentiments as those which he imbibed, such a spirit as that which animated him, and such sacred joys as crowned all, will be animadverted on in a way agreeable to every one’s taste; so th§,t you will not wonder if, in this rational, self-opinionated, erroneous, and unbelieving age, some may call it a scene of enthusiasm, and load it and you with reproaches; and indeed, doctor, you stand fairer than ever for the honor of being a sort of martyr, I mean in your character, for the glorious cause of gospel truth, yital religion, and free grace. I trust, in the midst of all, you “sHU not be dismayed.” ’

To the Rev. Samuel ClaikeiD. D.

“Northampton, Jan. 1, 1748. “I thankfully own the goodness of God in the kind reception which Colonel Gardiner’s Memoirs Tiave met with, at wJiich I wonder much more than at the faults found by some, or even at the- virulent Scotch pamphlet addressed to me on the occasion. I have the satisfaction to hear that a blessing seems to have attended the book to some military men of considerable rank, and to some persons of quality about the court. Of this I am informed by a very obliging letter, which I may perhaps give you, but I must beg you will not make it public. They are translating the memoirs into Dutch, in which language ‘The Rise and Progress ’ is already published, and I believe a French translation will soon follow. I hope it is a better principle than the desire of applause tha,t makes these last advices so comfortable to me as they are.”

From Gilbeft West, Esq., LL. D. [Author of” Observations on the Resurrection «f Christ.?’]

»” WiCKHAM, March 14, 1748.

“Upon my going to town some time ago I received, by your order, a present of your Memoirs of Colonel Gardiner, for which mark of your regard I return you my particular thanks, over and above those which are due to you from every one who wishes well to Christianity, for this and your, many otter zealous labors in that noble cause.

“Example has always a greater influence upon the generality of mankind than precept, though founded upon the strongest reason, and enfof ced by the behest authority; it cannot, therefore, but be very serviceable to the men of this world, and particularly of this age, to show them, from the instances of Colonel Gardiner, and the three excellent brothers whom you treat of in your appendix, that it is possible for a man to be a sincere Christian, and at the same. time a soldier and a gentleman, characters that are but too commonly thought inconsistent. All I am afraid of is, that the example of Colonel Gardiner should be looked upon as too bright for imitation. Men of cool hearts are apt to suspect those degrees of zeal which they never felt, to be unnatural and affected; for which reason I could wish that you had not inserted so many of those rapturous strains of piety, which Colonel Gardiner poured into the bosoms of those friends to whom he opened all his heart. Those Christians,’ indeed, whose piety is warmed to the same exalted pitch, may be touched and thrilled by “them, and like unisons, answer in the same key; and I am persuaded there are many such% But to the generality of men, especially men of the world, I am afraid these strains, the genuine effusions onlyjsf those hearts which are smitten with the love of religion, will give the whole character of Colonel Gardiner an air of enthusiasm; an effect which the warmth of your affection for that excellent man, and your intimate knowledge- of him, kept you, I dare say, from suspecting.

“This, and a few peouliapities of expression, are the only exceptionable things in your book; but they are abundantly outweighed by the many strokes of piety and good sense which appear in almost every page. One I cannot help taking notice of to you ’ upon this occasion, namely, your remarks upon the advantage of an early education in the principles of religion, because I have myself most happily experienced it; since I owe to the early care of a most excellent woman, my mother, whose character, I dare say, you are no stranger to, that bpnt and bias to religion, which, with the cooperating grace of God, hath at length brought me back to those paths of peace, from whence I might heiye otherwise been in danger of deviating for ever. The parallel between me and Colonel Gardiner was in this instance too striking not to affect me exceedingly. I hope, therefore, that you win pardon me for mentioning it. I should also beg your pardon for delivering so freely my sentiments of your book, could I imagine that speaking truth would be offensive to a lover of truth, and did I not think that general praise, or a total silence on this occasion, was incofisiatent with the character of a friend; a character which I am ambitious of deserving at your hands.

“I have frequent letters from that admirable friend of ours. Rev. John Jones of Alconbury, Tfhich give me great pleasure, as they breathe the true benevolent spirit of Christianity. I am glad to find that Christianity begins to be so well understood, and taught by so many men of parts and learning in all sects’; the fruits of which appear in a candor and charity unknown to all the ages of the church, except the primitive, I had almost said the apostolic age. Does not this give you a prospect, though perhaps still very distant, of the completion of the famous prophecy that speaks of the lion and the lamb lying down together in the kingdom of the Messiah? Lions there have been hitherto in all churches, though often disguised likfe lambs; and some lambs have there been simple enough to think it expedient for the flock to assume the habits and terrors of lions. But I hope they now begin to undeceive themselves, and to consider Christianity as intending to bring back the world to that state of innocence which it enjoyed before the fall, when in one and the same Paradise, to use the words of Milton,

, ‘”FriBking^layed
All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase,
In wood or wilderness, forest or den:
Sporting, the lion romped, and in his paw
Dandled the kid/

To attain this happy state, all Christiais. should unite their endeavors; and instead of looking out for and insisting upon points of difference and distinction seek for those only in which they do or may agree. They may at least sow the seeds of peace and unity, though they should not live to reap the fruits in this world. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ says the Prince of peace, ’ for they shall be called the children of God,’ an appellation infinitely more honorable than that of archbishop, patriarch, cardinal, or pope, and attended with a recompense infinitely surpassing the richest revenues of the highest ecclesiaetieal dignity.”

From the Rer. Francis Ayscough, D. D.

“Oliffden, Sept. 8, 1748.

“I took the first opportunity, after my return, to present the third volume of your Expositor, with your inost humble duty, to her Royal Highness, and I have her commands to return you her thanks for it; and I must beg you to accept the same from myself for that which you sent me, [the Life of Colonel Gardiner,] and indeed I think it a very good and useful performance. Did. I not really think so, God forbid that I should tell you so; for 1 think no compliment should be made in any thing which relates to, or is to direct the faith and morals of mankind.

“. I thank you much for your prayers for the ypung royal family. I hope they have been effectual, for I can most truly assure you that they go on very-well, and promise to be a future blessing to the nation.”

It gives us great pleasure now to call attention to the noblest literary and theological production of our 3,uthor’s genius, learning, critical acumen, and preeminent piety: “The Family Expositoe, containing a Version and Paraphrase of the New Testament, with Critical Notes, and a practical Improvement of each Section.” Such is its title, and such is a brief but complete description of its valuable contents. From his introduction into the ministry he had a work of this kind in view, and sedulously directed all his subsequent studies to the accumulation of materials for it, or to the preparation of his own mind for accomplishing the task. in a creditable and useful manner. The first two volumes, as soon as ready, were published by subscription; the names of the learned, the noble, and the devout, swelled the list; the last three were published after the decease of the lamented author. The new version given by- him does great credit to his learning, taste, and judgment. In 1765 it was extracted from the paraphrase with which it was incorporated, and published, with some alterations, by the editor, in a separate volume, an introduction and some short notes being included.

The author lived long enough to .finish his paraphrase and improvement of the epistles of the New Testapaent, and of the book of the Revelation, and to write these out fairly in shorthand. He had also added the principal notes which were designed for publication. The. manuscript volume containing the Revelation, is concluded in these words: “Through the good hand of God upon me, which I desire most ’ thankfully to acknowledge I ended the first copy of the Family Expositor Dec. 31, 1748, exactly two years after I began to write upon the Romans; having pursued it during that time without the interruption of one single day.; such health and such resolution did. it please God to give me, amid the various scenes of business, danger, and amusement, through which I passed. May his grace raise to himself a monument of praise from this feeble effort to explain, illustrate, and enforce his word.” Afterwards he writes, “I ended my notes on the books I had thus paraphrased and improved, Aug. 21, 1749, having- daily pursued the work in like manner, whether at home or abroad.”

The manuscript preparations detailed above were transcribed after the author’s decease by Rev. Job Orton, or under his inspection by some of the pupils of Dr. Doddridge, from the shorthand copy. In the year 1750, during the author’s lifetime, a fire origibated among his papers, which very soon would have destroyed the valuable toils of many years.

No one can read without deep interest the account which he himself gives of the event in a letter

To the Rev. Benjamin Fawcett.

“Northampton, June 26, 1750. “As I was setting out on my blessed journey to Lady Huntingdon, for such indeed it was, yesterday was sevennight, a terrible accident happened in my study which might have been attended with fatal consequences. I had been sealing a letter with a little roll of -wax, and I thought I had blown, it out, when, fanned by the motion of the air, as I rose in haste, it was rekindled. It burned about a quarter of an hour while we were at prayer, and would have gone on to consume perhaps the closet and the house, had not my opposite neighbor seen the flames and given an alarm. When I came up I found my desk, which was covered with papers, burning like an aiar. Many letters, papers of memorandums, and schemes’ for sermons, were consumed. My book of accounts was on fire, and the names at the top almost burnt through, a volume of the Family Expositor, the original manuscript from Corinthians to Bphesians, surrounded with flames, and drenched in melted wax. The fire had kindled up around it, and burned off some leaves, and the corners of the other books, so that there is not one leaf entire; and yet so did God moderate the rage of this element, and determine ia his providence the time of our entrance, that not onie account is rendered uncertain by what it sufl”ered, nor is one line which had not been transcribed destroyed in the manuscript. I have to add, that all my sermons and manuscripts intended for the press, and among the rest the rem&,inder of the Family Expositor, were all in such danger, that the fire, in an another quarter of an hour, had probably consumed them. Observe, my dear friend, the hand of God, and magnify the Lord with me.

“I earnestly beg your prayers, and entreat you to salute my praying friends with redoubled salutations in this view, and- with this message, ‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all your spirits, and with your families.’”

To. the Rey. Samuel Wood, f). D.

“NoiiTHAMPTO»r,f AprU 9, 1761.

“My heart has been much set on pr«Hnoting the youth’s scheme, but to my great grief I have not found in majiy of our congregations that encouragement which I hoped. Something however is done, and much more in proportion from London than from the country. There are, however nine lads, some of them very promising, who are supported by it; I sometimes think two of them wUl offer themselves as missionaries to New York, to plaht the gospel among the Indians thete, and glad at my heart should I be if my only son were desirous of being the third.

“I am at present under great concern for the illness, I fear the dangerous illness of my generous, faithful, endeared friend Mr.’ Lyttelton, It is the smallest part of this concern, that it prevents him from doing that service to my subscription, to the remaining volumes of the Family Expositor, which he was- resolved to have .attempted, and which, with so great an interest, he might probably enough have effected. The-greater part” of that disappointment to me is, that it may prevent its coming into the hands of some in higher life, to whom it may otherwise have no access; but God limits or extends all such prospects at pleasure; aad I desire to refer it to him, with what degrees of encouragement the work shall be published, and indeed whether it shall be published or not. The; three volumes will hardly be published at so small a price as a ttiousand pounds, and I shall judge it the part of prudence, and therefore of duty, not to send them to the press on any terms on which I shall not be secure; and if there be such a number subscribed or bespoke by booksellers as to effect that, I shall go on with the publication as fast as I can, and bless God for such an opportunity of doing my public homage to his word, and endeavoring, with all integrity and simplicity, to make it understood, and to enforce it on men’s consciences, according to the little ability he has been pleased to give me; which truly I think so little, that I am sometimes almost ashamed of having undertaken so great a work.

“I have of late been much indisposed with a cold, which is returned again, but not with so much violence as before. I know I have your prayers, and I delight in the thought we are tending to one blessed home. Our interview at Norwich was pleasant; how much more so will that be which we expect in our Father’s house. This poor letter has been written raptim at several times. I have filled my’ four pages, and yet seem but to have begun. But I must conclude with every good wish for you and yours that the tenderest friendship can form.”

Dr. Thomas Hartwell Home characterizes the Expositor as a masterly work, an admirable commentary, and quotes with approbation the opinion of it expressed by Dr. Barrington, late Bishop of Durham, in addressing his clergy on the choice of books: “In reading the New Testament I recommend Dr. Doddridge’s ‘Family Expositor,’ as an impartial interpreter and faithful monitor. Other expositions and commentaries ihight be mentioned, greatlyte the honor of their respective authors, for their several «excellences, such as. elegance of exposition, acuteness of illustration, and copiousness of erudition; but I know of no expositor who unites so many advantages as Dr. Doddridge ;. whether you regard, the fidelity of his version, the fulness and perspicuity of his composition, the utility of his general and historical information, the impartiality of his doctrinal comments, or lastly, the piety and pastoral earnestness of his moral and religious applications. He has made, as he professes to have done, ample use of the commentators that preceded him; and in the explanation of grammatical difficulties, he has profited much more from the philological writers on the -Greek Testament than could almost have been expected-in so multifarious an undertaking as the Family Expositor. Indeed, for all the most valuable purposes of a commentary on the New Testament, the Family Expositor cannot fall too early into the hands of those intended for holy orders.”

Bishops Watson and Tomline, and various other theological instructors of high repute in England and in this country, join in the recommendation of this excellent production.

One short extract of a letter from Warburton to Doddridge, soon after he had received the first volume of the “Family Expositor,” will show something of the friendship between them: “Before I left the country I Jiad the pleasure of receiving your ‘Family Expositor.’ My mo titer and I took it by turns. She, wjio is superior to me in every thing, aspired to the divine learning of the ‘Improvements,’ while I kept grovelling in the human learning of the notes below.

The result of all was, that she says she is sure you are a very good man, and I am sure you are a very learned one.”

Of the preparation, the admirable qualities, and benign effects of this production, nothing could be said more beautiful or just than has been put forth by Dr. James Hamilton, in the North British Keview:

“It is delightful to us to think of all the joys with which, for twenty years, that Expositor filled the dear mind of Dr. Doddridge; how one felicitous rendering was suggested after another; how a bright solution of a textual difficulty would rouse him an hour before his usual time, and set the study fire a blazing at four o’clock’ of a winter’s morning; and then how beautiful the first quarto looked as it arrived with its laid sheets and snowy margins. We see him setting out to spend a week’s holiday at St. Albans, or with the Honorable Mrs. Scawen, at Maidwell, and packing the ’ apparatus criticus ’ into the spacious saddle-bags; and we enjoy the prelibation with which Dr. Clarke and a few cherished friends are favored. We sympathize in his dismay when word arrives that Dr. Guyse has forestalled his design, and we are comforted when the doctor’s chariot lumbers on, and no longer stops the way. We are even glad at the appalling accident which set on fire the manuscript of the concluding volimie, charring its edges, and bathing it all in molten wax; for we know how exulting would be the thanks for its deliverance. We can even fancy the pious hope dawning in the writer’s mind, that it might prove a blessing to the princess ,to whom it was inscribed; and we can excuse him if, with bashful disallowance, lie still believed the fervid praises of Fordyce and Wairburton, or tried to extract an atom of intelligent commendation from the stately compliments of bishops.

“But far be it from- us to insinnate that the chief value of the Expositor was the pleasure with which it supplied the author. If not so minutely erudite as some later works which have proiited by Gcerman research, its learning is still sufScient to shed honor on the “writer, and on a community debarred from colleges; and there must be original thinking in a book which is by some regarded as the source of Paley’s ‘Horse Paulinse.’ But next to its practical observations, its chief excellence is its paraphrase. There the sense of the sacred Vrriters is rescued from the haze of too familiar words, anjd is transfused into language not only fresh and expressive, but congenial and devout; and while difficulties are fairly and earnestly dealt with, instead of a dry grammarian or a one-sided polemic, the reader constantly feels that be is in the company of a -saint and a scholar. And although we could name interpreters more profound, and analysts more subtle, we know not any who has proceeded through the whole New Testament with so much candor, or who has brought to its elucidation truer taste and holier fefeling. He lived to complete the manuscript, and-to see three volumes published. He was cheered to witness its acceptance with all the churches; and to those who love his memory, it is a welcome thought to think in how many myriads of closets and family circtes its author when dead has spoken. And as Ms death in a forfeign land forfeited the insurance by -which he had somewhat prcwided for his family, we confess to a certain comfort in knowing thai; the loss was replaced by. this literary legacy. But the great source of complacency is, that He to whom the work was consecrated had a favor for it, and has given it the greatest honor that a human book can have, making it extensively the means of explaining and endearing the book of God.”

From the Rev. J*ohn Barker.

“WjiMHAMSTOw, July 4, 1749. “I have several reasons for writing sp soon again to my dear and reverend friend; the first of which is, to congratulate him on his birth-day. What you say of it is hardly civil. Had you said it to an enemy, it had been exceptionable, but to a friend it is intolerable. What, have you prayed and preached, and written so many useful, learned, profitable books at forty-seven years of age, arid yet call your next birthday ’ the forty-eighth year of an vmprofitaUe and sinful life?’ Grive me leave, sir, to bless God for your life and labors, and to tell you that I know not a more profitable or a less sinful life than yours in this world; and I pray God may prolong it for his glory, and the good of his church.”

It appears from his correspondence that Dr. Doddridge entertained much concern for the propagation of ChristianKy among the aborigines of this country. He wrote a dedication of an abridgment of David Brainerd’s journal of his missions among the Indians of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to the Honorable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in the Highlands of Scotland, and in Popish and Infidel Parts of the World. Of this society, Dr. Doddridge was one of the corresponding secretaries, and Mr. Brainerd was a missionary. Writing under date of August 25, 1750, to the Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., he

‘” You may remember that there were three affairs of a public nature which were the objects of my particular solicitude: the procuring a third tutor for my academy, the providing for lads not yet fit for academical education, and. the doing something for the service of New Jersey, in the propagation of Christianity abroad. Providence has accomplished the first of these schemes by the unexpected success of the second; and has opened some promising hopes concerning the. third, beyond what had entered into my mind when I parted with you. The want of ministers and students is so seen and felt, and the necessity of the scheme for educating lads not yet ripe for academical studies is grown so apparent, that between three and fourscore pounds per, annum have been, without any pressing solicitations from me, subscribed for that purpose in and about London.

“As for the scheme of the New Jerseys, Colonel Williams encourages me to hope that Mr. Pemberton, the minister at New York, on my favoring the scheme, as I certainly shall, will come to Britain, and make a tour over its northern and southern parts, carrying along withNhim two converted and civilized Indians, as a specimen of what has been already done. He proposes to attempt a collection in the chief congregations which he may visit on this journey, after which he may very properly write such a letter in his own name to the dissenting ministers in England, as I expressed my thoughts of writing, and may with yet more propriety recommend and enforce the advice laid down in the preface to my sermon at Kettering.”

In 1748, Dr. Doddridge rendered a good service to the cause of piety and theological literature by revising the Expository and other works of Archbishop Leighton, and translating his Latin Prelections, which were published at Edinburgh in two volumes. The editorial labor thus performed is described - by himself in a letter to his friend Dr. Samuel Clarke, Oct. 22, 1747.

“I have almost gone through my corrections of Archbishop Leighton’s Commentary on Peter, which I esteem one of the most excellent pieces I have ever read; yet I never saw any thing equally incorrect. L have, with the strictest care, avoided adding or retrenching any thing, but I hope jou will find them read the better for having passed through my hands. I have restored the true division of the sentences, which were everywhere perplexed, three or four being generally thrown into one; and commas, colons, and periods everywhere confounded, so that they might frequently seem to be placed by chance. Besides, there was hardly a passage where there was not some woTd wanting to complete the sense, and frequently the most gross errors that can be imagined. I have received a large collection of his letters never before printed; among them are those from which Mr. Bennet made his extracts in his Christian Oratory.

“I have seen Mr. West, with whose conTersation I am charmed, and who sefems to breathe in a remarkable manner the true spirit of Christianity. I have engaged him, I hope, to pursue a work of which’ I had once some thoughts myself, but which I was extremely glad should devolve upon one capable of executing it so well. I mean the Proof of Christianity which arises from what remains of the writings of Celsus; and I doubt not that the world will then see, in a stronger manner than it was aware, that ’ out of the eater cometh forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness.’”

The revised edition of Leighton, so largely indebted for its aoceptableness to the taste, diligence, and care of Dr. Doddridge, appeared in two volumes, having consumed a large amount of valuable time; yet, perhaps, time could not have been more usefully employed, for, as Mr. Orton says, the delight and edification which he found in the writings of this wonderful man, whom he calls an adept in true Christianity, he esteemed a full equivalent for his pains, s)arate from thie prospect of the good effect which they might exert on others. Dr. Doddridge, in his preface, states that he never spent a quarter of an hour in reviewing any of them, but amidst the interruption which a critical examination of the copy would naturally give, he felt some impressibns which he desired always to retain. He found in them such heart-affecting lessons of simplicity and humility, candor and benevolence, exalted piety without the least tincture of enthusiasm, and an entire mortification of every earthly interest without any mixture of splenetic resentment, as he thought could hardly be found anywhere else but in the sacred oracles. He expressed a oheerfnl hope that God -would make the reTised work the means of promoting true Christianity, and that spirit of Catholicism for which the archbishop was so remarkable, and also of extending it among farious denominations of Christians in Great Britain.

Of the Hymns written by Doddridge, of which his biographer Orton published after his death nearly four hundred, much might be said. Many of them, as we have already intimated, were expressly prepared to” be sung after his sermons by a congregation of plain people, who, with many others, had often requested their publication; but the time of their author was wholly occupied in what he regarded more important labors. Orton arranged them according to the ord-er of the texts on which they were founded, with a preface, and notes in which he expFained words which he considered “not sufficiently intelligible to. common readers,” and “added some more plain and familiar ones in the margin, that they inay be read and sung with understanding.” It is somewhat amusing to see among the words claiming in the editor’s opinion to have “more plain and familiar ones” — ^“Hail,” “hr tent,” “stern,” “pervades,” “Afric,” etc. Some time after they were published, Mrs. Doddridge wrote to Orton, under date of May. 4, 1755, “I have the pleasure to find, so far as this book has yet been known, it has met with pretty general acceptance. Many of my best friends consider it as a valuable supplement to Dr. Watts, and as such are solicitous to introduce it into their respective congregations. I think I can truly say I wish this may be generally done, more from the hope I have they may do something to revive religion in the world than from a,ny personal advantage.” In not a few English congregations the book was thus used in connection with “Watts’. Psalms and Hymns,” and the reader need not be told that many of them are yet retained in most of the hymn-books now. used.

Prom a manuscript written by Doddridge, which in 1836 was in the hands of an excellent English minister a few pleasant incidents may be gleaned as to the origin of some of these compositions. The well-known hymn,

“Let Zion’s watchmen all awake,”

was written on the occasion of an ordination, Oct.. 21, 1736. The hymn,

“My God, th.^ Befvice well demands,”

bearing for its title in Orton’s volume, “On recovery from sickness, during which much of the Divine favor had been experienced,” has in the manuscript this note: “Particularly intended for the use of a friend, Miss Nancy Bliss, who had been in the-extremest danger by the bursting of an artery in her stomach. Nov. 14, 1737.” The second verse, as printed by Orton, stands:

“Thine arms of everlasting love
Did this weak frame sustain,
“When Uf was hoveriag o’er the grave,
And nature sunk with Jain.”

The closing couplet of this verse is, in the original.

far more poetical, and lias a distinct reference to the occasion on which it was written:

“When life in purple torrents flowed
From every sinking vein.’’

The beautiful hymn, less known than it should be,

“Awake, my soul, to meet the day,”

was one of his productions. He rose every morning throughout the year at five o’clock, a habit to which ’ we owe his “Family Expositor of the New Testament.” This hymn originally consisted of seven verses, and was constantly used by him as an act of devotion, on which account he entitled it “A Morning Hymn, to be sung at Awaking and Kising.” We are told that as the sixth verse was yet upon his lips, he sprang out of bed —

“Pardon, God, my former sloth,
And arm my soul with grace.
As, rising now’, I seal my vows
To prosecute my ways.”

Instead of attempting to prepare a critical estimate of the great merit of Dr. Doddridge as an author, we prefer to introduce a letter from the learned Dr. Isaac Watts upon this subject, addressed to the Rev. David Longueville, minister of the English church in Amsterdam; first giving a short letter to Dr. Doddridge, which enclosed or referred. to a copy of the former.

From the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D.

“Stoke Nbwington, Jan. 26, .1746. “I know of nothing that I have taken amiss from you, nor would I have you suspect it. Let my letter of recommendation which I wrote to- Mr. Longueville be a constant memorial to you how near you are to my heart, and that I suffer no slanders to make a division between, us. I have much to thank you for, besides your daily prayers; but I would take leave to admonish you, that your speaking of the books you design to publish so many months before any of them appear, does not do you much service; your comment on the Acts especially, and your ‘Life of Colonel Gardiner,’ have long been expected with tiresome desires, but I know your daily calls of duty fill up almost every indi of your time.

“May the grace of God ever assist and bless you in all your labors -and designs for his honor, and the praise of our dear Redeemer, which is much more on my heart as I come nearer to the end of my race.”

From the Rev. Dr. Watts to the Rev. David Longueville.

“Reverend Sib — It is a very agreeable employment to which you call me, and a very sensible honor you put upon me, when you desire me to give you my sentiments of that renowned and learned writer Dr. Doddridge, to be prefixed to a translatioa of any of his works in the Dutch tongue.

“I have well known him many years; and have enjoyed a constant intimacy and friendship with him ever since the providence of God called him to be a professor of human sciences, and a teacher of sacred tholp to young men among us, who are trained up for the ministry of the gospel. I have no need to give you a large account of his knowledge in the sciences, in which I confess him to be greatly my superior; and as to the doctrines of divinity, and the gospel of Christ, I know not any man of greater skill than himself, and hardly gufflcient to be his seoond. As he hath a most exact acquaintance with the things of God and our holy religion, so far. as we are let into the knowledge of them by the light of nature and the revelations of Scripture, so he hath a most happy manner of teaching those who are younger. He hath a most skilful and condescending way of instruction; nor is there any person of my acquaintance with whom I more entirely agree in all the sentiments of the doctrines of Christ. He is a hearty believer of the great articles and important principles of the reformed church; a most affectionate preacher and pathetic writer on the practical part of religion; and, in one word, since I am now advanced in age, beyond my seventieth year, if there were any man to whom Providence would permit me to commit a second part of my life and usefulness in the church of Christ, Dr. Doddridge should be the man.

“If you have read that excellent performance of hrs, ‘The Else and Progress,’ -etc., you will be of my mind; his dedication to me is the only thing in that book I could hardly permit myself to approve. Besides all this, he possesseth a spirit of so much charity, love, and goodness towards his fellow- Christiana, who may fall into some lesser differences of opinion, as becometh a follower of the blessed Jesus, his Master and mine.

“In the practical part of his labors and Ms ministry, he hath sufficiently shown himself most happily furnished with all proper gifts and talents to lead persons of all ranks and ages into serious piety and strict religion.

“I esteem it a considerable honor, which the providence of God hath done me, when it makes use of me as an instrument to promote the usefulness of this great man in any part of the world: and it is my hearty prayer, that our Lord Jesus, the Head of the church, may bless all his labors with the most glorious success.

“I am, reverend sir, with sincerity, your faithful

humble servant, and affectionate brother in the gospel

of our common Lord,

“ISAAC WATTS.’;

In closing this account of Doddridge as an author, we avail ourselves of a paragraph from Stoughton’s Memorial, which conveys an accurate and just idea of his style of composition:

“A remarkable evenness appears in Doddridge’s compositions. They do not present much to provoke or invite criticism. Their faults are not such as to call for severe censure, nor their excellences such as to’ extort rapturous praise. In reading his works, we are not detained either by glaring imperfections or by glowing beauties, but we glide on quietly, pleased in a high degree by the calm loveliness of the whole prospect. Doddridge compared Baxter to Demosthenes; Kippis has paid Doddridge the compliment of comparing him to Cicero. The compliment betrays partiality, especially as it regards the diction, of the English divine, which lacks the perfect finish and peerless rhythm of the classic model. There is a polish, however, in Doddridge’s style, such as we miss in most of his non-conformist and many of his Episcopal predecessors. He had studied in the Addisonian school, but he suffered himself to indulge in too great a redundancy of expression; yet many happy turns of language show his power over that instrument of thought; and several of his hymns, while they pretend not to the higher characteristics of poetry, are eminent examples of that mastery over words which makes a skilful versifier. His famous lines on the family motto, Bum vivimus vivamus, deserve the warm eulogium of the old king of critics. Dr. JohnSon, as one of the finest epigrams in the English tongue.

“Live while you live,” the epicure would say, ‘< And seize the pleasures of the present day.” “Live while you live,” the sacred preacher cries, “And give to God each moment as it flies.”

Lord, in my life, let both united be;

I live in pleasure, when I live to Thee-To the above lines may be added those which were written by Dr. Doddridge, when his daughter wounded her foot by treading on a thorn:

Oft have I heard the ancient sages say,
“The path of virtue is a thorny way.”
, If so, dear Celia, we may know
Which path it is you tread, which way it is you go.