Rev. Robert Hall, A.M.
With this very eminent man I became acquainted when, before my settlement in Bath, I was preaching for Lady Maxwell, at Hope Chapel, at the Hotwells. Being so near Bristol, I had opportunities of hearing him, and also of visiting him in his own house, and meeting him in various companies. He was then co-pastor with Dr. Evans, of the Baptist church in Broadmead, and co-tutor with him in the academy. He had been for some time before noticed, but he was then exciting peculiar attention, and rising into great fame.
In speaking of him as a preacher, I have one advantage which Mr. Foster had not ;* viz., an early, as well as a late, acquaintance with him; so that I can view him comparatively in different periods of his history.
His preaching, when I first knew him, was certainly intellectually greater and more splendid than it was for many years before his death. This was the case with sermons I well remember, from these texts, — “Ye err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God; “—” The wrath of man shall praise thee, O Lord; — “The spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death •/’ — “The inheritance of the saints in light,^’ &c. These sermons, considered only as the productions of genius, rose above any I ever heard from him years afterwards. This, however, was not the effect of any
* Mr. Foster wrote “Observations on Mr. Hall’s Character as a Preacher.” These are appended to the “Memoir” by Dr. Gregory, in the sixth Volume of Mr. Hall’s Works. — Hditors.
declension of ability; and, therefore, he still occasionally brought forth a discourse far above the level of his usual performances, as if to show that he had not become unequal to his former doings j but from mere pious consideration, and a growing wish to accommodate himself to the common apprehension, and to general usefulness. Another reason, too, had some influence; viz., — the increased number of his sermons after he became a sole pastor, which allowed not so much time to elaborate and polish.
Mr. Hall sometimes expressed himself as if he believed his real conversion was subsequent to his first awful visitation (insanity). We do not admit this; but it is well known that he became more and more spiritual and evangelical; and that at first, while he drew the admiration of all, he awakened the fears of some. Nor need we wonder at this, when we take into the account the occasional (though not criminal) sportivenesses and levities he betrayed; his freedoms in conversation, when, for the sake of a contest, in which he was always pretty sure of victory, he defended things which he did not believe; and that, for a while, he avowed materialism, and denied the common notion of the Trinity, by contending for a Duality of persons in the Divine Essence. With regard to the latter, the scheme had all the difficulties supposed to attach to Trinitarianism, without some of its scriptural supports. Hence, many have questioned whether he was in earnest in his belief of so strange a doctrine; but I have heard him avow it with firmness; and I remember spending an evening with him in Bath, in a company that included a Sabellian, two Trinitarians, and himself as a Dualist; and when the Reminiscent, afraid to enter into the metaphysical part of the discussion, ventured to mention the baptismal form of words as a difiiculty, and to ask whether it was not very strange that — “in the name of the Father and of the Son,” should intend personality, and, “in the name of the Holy Ghost’^ — only a mere power or influence; and,, also, whether it was not strange to baptize any one “in the name of an abstraction; he acknowledged that it presented a difficulty, but incautiously said, he did” not think it right to hang a Divine Person on one text/^ This was obviously improper and unbecoming, and he ingenuously acknowledged it, as soon as it was noticed by one of the company; and nothing, in his after-years, was farther from his disposition than to treat anything sacred lightly; though it must have been always difficult for him to refrahi from jeux d’ esprit on many subjects, with his amazing force and quickness of imagination.
Some individuals (for there was no party) complained and frequently absented themselves when Mr. Hall preached, and there was considerable probability that the number would increase. I speak from personal knowledge at the time, and as one who, standing out of the scene, could observe and judge with less bias than those who were thus drawn into an unpleasant dispute and division. In the painful breach that took place between Mr. Hall and Dr. Evans, I must think that Dr. Evans was perfectly blameless of the motive which some of Mr. Hall’s friends were led, by some circumstances, to impute to him. I am fully persuaded that nothing could be farther from the spirit of Dr. Evans than an uneasiness at the growing fame of his associate. He loved and esteemed him almost to idolatry. I happened to be in Bristol for a Sabbath but a little while before the breach. I attended Dr. Evans in the morning; preached myself in the afternoon; and heard Mr. Hall in the evening. As we were goiag to the evening-service. Dr. Evans leaned upon my arm, and all his conversation was of the wonderful man we were going to hear; and it was all full of what some would have deemed excessive honour and praise. “His eloquence,” said he, “is unequalled, and his powers of mind seem bordering on infinite. If some are not so satisfied with regard to his piety, I have had better opportunities of knowing him, and whoever shall live long enough will see the excellency of his character, I find him distinguished, not only by his talents, but by his grace also.” But, on the other hand, as from this motive Dr. Evans did not hail Mr. Hall’s invitation, (and never did use means to procure it, as some have surmised,) I believe he had no objection to Mr. HalFs removal, on another ground, viz., the danger of a schism, owing to some respectable persons who were suspicious of his orthodoxy, occasioned by appearances likely to operate on some minds. A rent in, or even a considerable secession from, such a respectable and kindly mother-church, Was to be earnestly deprecated; but the evil would be prevented by Mr. HalPs translation to another sphere, and what place seemed so suitable as Cambridge for the exertion and display of his mighty mind?
There is little doubt but Mr. Hall, in process of time, saw this. He spake cordially of Dr. Evans before his death, and he has now joined him in a world where mistakes and infirmities are known no more. Yet we cannot help remarking with lamentation, what trifling causes give rise to surmisings, and strifes, and discords, even among good men, which a little seasonable explanation would hinder or heal. But there is nothing new under the sun. Paul and Barnabas contended, and parted for a season; but this was overruled for good, and caused the Gospel to be spread in several currents, when it would otherwise have been confined to one; while it served to prove the excellency of their principles in their eventual reconciliation and harmony. But how ought we to rejoice and praise God, that a man of his extraordinary ability and influence so soon had his ^’ heart established with grace!” fully preached the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel! and through the whole of his after life, acknowledged and defended their importance, as well as their truth! His path was like the shining light, which, though it may be a little hazy in the dawn, yet shineth more and more unto the perfect day, and sets in cloudless glory.
It is needless to dwell on Mr. Hall as ‘^ the eloquent orator.” But in his preaching, there was not only eloquence which charmed numbers who sought for nothing else, but the fervour of the man of God. It was impossible to hear him and not be impressed with his earnestness, and concern to do good, rather than to be admired; and the entire forgetfulness of himself in his subject.
His powers of conversation were equal to those of his preaching. Some have thought they even surpassed them. I remember Mr. Foster, when he had been introduced to Mr. Hallp remarking that, after being in his company, you might be comparatively disappointed in hearing him preach; for, after hearing him speak off-hand upon any subject with such ease, and force, and purity, and precision, and exquisiteness, you might be naturally led to expect something proportionably greater after much study and preparation.
Some mens minds seem to resemble a reservoir, laie and deep; yet, having been filled, capable of being emptied. But Mr. HalFs mind always intimated a mighty spring; not made, but created; always full, yet pouring forth streams of clear and living water. There was not only a constant plenty, but a constant freshness of communication. Whoever heard him repeat any image, or maxim, or saying of his own? Perhaps the following is not an exception: — A minister has stated in print that, in a conversation with him not a great while before his death, he called Dr. Owens works “a continent of mud.” I am sure I heard this from him more than thirty years before, and I had often repeated it. Might not the report of an old sarcasm have been taken for a fresh one? And what was related by another be mistaken for what was so unlikely to be repeated by himself?
As to the reflection itself it always surprised me. I think he could only have read some of the doctor s least valuable works, and in an unfavourable mood. A voluminous writer he was, but surely he was anything but a dull one; and even in the presence of so great an authority, I must judge for myself, and rather join with Newton and Cecil, who pronounced him ‘^ the prince of divines,” How searching and quickening are some of his treatises! what specimens also of fine reasoning have we in them! how much does he carry us always with him! and how little are we able to question his conclusions as we peruse them! We say not this of all his numerous publications, but we could specify many of his works which, for their practical bearing, and experimentality, and evangelical sentiment, and the savour they diffuse of the Redeemer’s knowledge, we are ready to say are incomparable J and we wish many of our young divines were more familiar with them. I have a little work of his, I believe very little known, (of which I have never seen any other copy,) “Evidences of the Faith of God’s Elect.” It was written for the encouragement and comfort of his wife under her doubts and fears, and was given me many years ago by Mr. Wilberforce, who much commended it; only wishing, for the sake of some readers, that it had been differently entitled. So I remember he did also with regard to Fuller’s unanswerable publication, “The Calvinistic and Socinian Systems Examined and Compared,” remarking that, if the word “evangelical” or “orthodox” had. been used instead of “Calvinistic,” many would have read that wonderful performance whose narrow and prejudiced minds had. been revolted by a term unnecessarily adopted.
Mr. Hall, like Dr. Johnson, professed to believe in preternatural appearances; and certainly, from his manner, when speaking of such subjects, his credence seemed to be sincere.
The first evening I ever spent with him was at the house of
Mr. W y, near the Bristol Bridge. Of course he was the
lion of the company. The party broke up late, and the latter part of the conversation turned upon apparitions. He defended his belief, not only in the possibility, but in the actuality, of these appearances, with much ingenuity and ability, and seemed to convince himself, if not others; and when we were to separate, he refused to go home at that midnight hour unless some of us accompanied him. His arguing and fear certainly seemed more than oddity or affectation.
Mr. Hall was fond of referring to Satanic power. In his sermon on this subject, taken imperfectly in short-hand, finding a difficulty in his view of such agency, as immediate, personal, and individual, without admitting omniscience and omnipresence, he seems to solve it by pleading for an infinite number of agents. Is not this strange?
It is remarkable how he noticed little incidents and circumstances which seemed likely to escape the observation of so great a mind, and what proof he gave of this in adverting to them long after. How many instances of this have I witnessed! No one could express a compliment or a commendation more tersely and perfectly. I remember his saying of Dr. Ryland, “Sir, I would as soon take Dr. Rylands word as Gabriers oath.^^ At another time he said,” Sir, he s piety itself; and if there was not room for him in heaven, God would turn out an archangel to make room.^^ I one day asked him his opinion of a female who attended his ministry at Leicester. “Sir,’^ said he,” she has the manners of a court, and the piety of a convent.^’
He was at the Tabernacle the first time I ever preached in Bristol, and when I was little more than seventeen. When I came down from the pulpit, as I passed him, he said, “Sir, I liked your sermon much better than your quotations. I never knew him severe upon a preacher, however moderate his abilities, if, free from affectation, he spoke with simplicity, nor tried to rise above his level. But, as to others, nothing could be occasionally more witty and crushing than his remarks. One evening, in a rather crowded place, (I was sitting by him,) a minister was preaching very finely and flourishingly to little purpose, from the “white horse,^^ and the “red horse,” and the “black horse,” and the “pale horse,” in the Revelation. He sat very impatiently, and when the sermon closed he pushed out towards the door, saying, “Let me out of this horse-fair.”
I was once in the library at the academy, conversing with one of the students, who was speaking of his experience, and lamented the hardness of his heart. Mr. Hall, as he was near, taking down a book from the shelf, hearing this, turned towards him and said, “Well, thy head is soft enough; that ’s a comfort.” I could not laugh at this; it grieved me; for the young man was modest, and humble, and diffident. He must have felt it severely; and I have no doubt but Mr. Hallos reflections smote him afterward for this apparent harshness and offence. There is no just excuse for such things. We must not fling about arrows, and, if any of them pierce, say it was in sport. Should not only ill-nature, but wit or humour, expose us to this evil, we know the prayer, —” Set a watch, O Lord, upon my mouth: keep the door of my lips.^^
A minister, popular too, one day said to me, “I wonder you think so highly of Mr. HaPs talents. I was some time ago travelling with him into Wales, and we had several disputes, and I more than once soon silenced him.” I concluded how the truth was; and, some weeks after, when his name was mentioned, Mr. Hall asked me if I knew him. “I lately travelled with him,” said he, “and it was wonderful, sir, how such a baggage of ignorance and confidence could have been squeezed into the vehicle. He disgusted and wearied me with his dogmatism and perverseness, till God was good enough to enable me to go to sleep.”
Though the Reminiscent so much admires the whole of Mr. Hall’s writings, nothing strikes him so powerfully as his” Reviews.^’ Who does not wish we had more of them? The Reminiscent also is compelled to acknowledge, contrary to the opinion of some dissentients, that he believes Mr. Foster has done justice to Mr. HalFs character as a divine and a preacher. I cannot forbear inserting here Mr. Hall’s character of Popery:
“Popery, in the ordinary state of its profession, combines the form of godliness with a total denial of its power. A heap of unmeaning ceremonies, adapted to fascinate the imagination, and engage the senses; implicit faith in human authority, comhined with an utter neglect of divine teaching; ignorance the most profound, joined to dogmatism the most presumptuous; a vigilant exclusion of Biblical knowledge, together with a total extinction of free inquiry, — present the spectacle of religion lying in state, surrounded with all the silent pomp of death. The very absurdities of such a religion render it less unacceptable to men whose decided hostility to truth inclines them to view with complacency, whatever obscures its beauty, or impedes its operation. Of all the corruptions of Christianity which have prevailed to any considerable extent. Popery presents the most numerous points of contrast to the simple doctrines of the Gospel; and, just in proportion as it gains ground, the religion of Christ must decline. On these accounts, though we are far from supposing that Popery, were it triumphant, would allow toleration to any denomination of Protestants, we have the utmost confidence, that the professors of evangelical piety would be its first victims. The party most opposed to them look to papists as their natural ally, on whose assistance, in the suppression of what they are pleased to denominate fanaticism and enthusiasm, they may always depend: they may, therefore, without presumption, promise themselves the distinction conferred on Ulysses, — that of being last devoured. From a settled persuasion that Popery still is what it always was, a detestable system of impiety, cruelty, and imposture, fabricated by the father of lies, we feel thankful at witnessing any judicious attempt to expose its enormities and retard its progress.” *
* Rev. Robert Hall, Works, Vol. IV. p. 230.