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PHILIP DODDRIDGE AND HIS CORRESPONDENTS.

Remarks - Monument — Letter of —Rev. Thomas Scott-Letters of-Right Hon. Earl of Halifax-Letter of—Mrs. Doddridge-Remarks-Letter of

No. IV.

No. II.

REV. ROBERT BLAIR TO DR. DODDRIDGE. Athelstaneford, March 14, 1745. REVD. AND DEAR SIR,-I return you my sincere thanks for your most affec. tionate letter, which I am sorry did not come sooner to hand. Tho' it bears date Jan. 26 (by what means it has happened, I know not) it did not reach me till Feb. 26. You may easily judge, by what your own heart feels upon a like occasion, what joy it must give me to hear of your recovery from so threatening an illness. I desire from the bottom of my heart, to mingle my thanksgivings with yours, to a Gracious God, for the more than ordinary supports of his staff in the hour of your distress: and that he hath in his own good time restored you to your family and friends, and [to] your wonted usefulness in his vine-yard. Death and the grave cannot celebrate him; the living they shall praise him, as you do this day. And now that your Lord and Master, hath been pleased to give you a new lease of life; I trust he has much good work in store for you: and that under your care, children yet unborn shall be made to shoot up [in faith] like willows by the water courses.

I hope by this time your Lady is recovered of her indisposition. I can easily figure to my self the many pangs she must have suffered, during the progress of so insidious a distemper as that you labourd under; But as it hath pleasd a merciful God to preserve him, who was the desire of her eyes, and to lengthen out those intercourses which I am sure she holds dearest upon earth: I desire in a particular manner to congratulate her, upon so joyful an event;

and as I was not permitted to bear a part with her, in her griefs and fears, I must begg leave to join with her in her praises.

The prospect you have given me (however distant) of seeing you in this country, gives me the sincerest joy. Happy should I count my self to have so valuable a freind under my roof. I long much to see your book of the Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, and am quite ashamed of your kindness in ordering me a copy of it.

I am truly afflicted to hear of the infirm state of health of your eldest daughter, of whom I have conceived a very amiable idea, and who I can easily perceive has no small room in your affection. I would fain hope taat as the season of the year becomes more kindly, your tender anxietys about her [will] be happily removed. I thank you for your kind enquirys after my health; I bless God I enjoy any measure of it, who am less than the least of all his mercy's. My wife (who is well, together with the young ones) joins with me in offering our best respects to your Lady and family, and in recommending you and all you hold dear to the Father of Mercies.

I am, Rev. and Dear Sir, Your most affect: Brother and most obliged Humble Servant ROBERT BLAIR. *

*Robert Blair was the son of the Rev. David Blair, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, and grandson of a former Rev. Robert Blair, Minister of St. Andrews, Chaplain to Charles I., and a zealous clergyman. He was born in 1699: educated for the church, at the

University of Edinburgh: and afterwards travelled. In 1731 he was "presented" to the parish church of Athelstaneford in East

Leaving Scotland, our next Letter, | concerns. For it is a very great numreferring mainly to Dr. Doddridge's ber of months that I can say I never "recovery," alluded to in the letter of put up a Secret, solemn Prayer without Blair's, is from one who was very much a very particular remembrance of Dr. beloved by the family circle at North- Doddridge, his family, his Assembly ampton... the Rev. Thomas Scott, an and Seminary and as a composer of immediate ancestor, if we err not, of ye most excellent books, and a Visitor of the world-famous Commentator... Mr. our Churches; and for the continuance Scott was the author of various pub- of his Precious Life and usefulness, wch lished "Sermons" on the personal God-puts me in mind of returning you thanks, head of Christ, which he endeavours to settle categorically by enforcing John xx. 28 in a literal sense. These "Sermons" gave rise to an interesting Correspondence with Dr. Doddridge, which is given by Humphreys, more or less faithfully....

No. V.

REV. THOMAS SCOTT TO DR. DOD-
DRIDGE.

Norwich, April 17th, 1745. REVD: AND VERY MUCH HONOURD SR. -It is ye pure indisposition of my child yt hinders her being the Inditer of a Letter to a man she so much honours, but as she finds ye shortness of ye time pressing and her own disorder disabling, yr wish devolves on me, who yet am very unfit to write at all; but much more to one, of wm I have such an idea impressed on my heart as disheartens me from addressing to him any thing of

mine. I cannot however forbear expressing our joint gratitude to God for the 2 fold deliverance lately granted yr Dear Self and ye other to yr Spouse and Child, and our hearty thanks to you Sr for communicating such desirable events to us. For tho' I know my Dr [daughter] interests herself at ye throne of Grace in behalf of Your Self and family, I question much, whether my Prayers go not up as numerous and as ardent for Yr Self and all yr

Lothian, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was an excellent botanist, and corresponded with Barker. He left a considerable family: one of whom was the afterwards able and upright President Blair. The author of "The Grave" died on 4th February,

1746.

my excellent Friend for all ye kind supplications you have been putting up for me; wch I beg ye continuance of.

It is not possible to express ye sense my Daughter and many here have of ye Work, and importance of your last Piece, ye Rise [and Progress of Religion in the Soul]. But a thousand thanks to God for his assisting you in it-many to yr Self under God for undertaking it and so happily executing it, and also to Dr. Watts for recommending to yr Self ye design of it. [I am,

Revd dear Sir,

Your most obedt very
faithful Servt.

TH: SCOTT.]

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much you had endeared yourself to me | foundation, and you will do well to conby your worthy and good disposition.

This must make you valuable in the eyes of every honest man. Give me leave, who have seen so much of it, to be particularly affected by it; amiable, however, as it is, don't suppose I mean it will universally meet with the reward it ought; it is with great concern I am obliged to think above half the world knaves or fools. Those whose intentions are the most upright are most subject to the secret weapons of envy, jealousy, and malice; and though there is nothing to be alledged against them but that they have eminently done as they ought, that, believe me, is sufficient to draw numberless enemies upon them. God knows, I heartily wish I had in my sphere as singular merit as you have in yours; but if I had, my enemies perhaps would not be fewer than they are; for I must observe to you that I never attempted anything I thought essentially, though perhaps uncommonly right, but that I was immediately exposed to calumny, reproach, and to the false constructions of those who had not the nature to attempt the same.

I disregard and despise them; and would rather have the approbation of one such man as you, than that of the corrupted misled multitude. In this light I consider the manner in which (behind my back) I have been treated in return for the great fatigue and la bour I have been at to serve my King and country in this time of danger. The shafts which malice and resent ment have directed towards me, will miss their mark and recoil upon those who are the authors of them.

What you mention in your letter I own surprises but does not concern me. I mean that [had] have got a pension from his Majesty of £2000 a-year for my services.

This is absolutely false, and I desire you would tell them who spread such news that they are guilty of a notorious falsehood; such a report is without

VOL. XXX.

tradict it. As I told you solemnly at Northampton, and protested to God, I had no other motive in what I did but the public welfare, so I can with greatest truth assure you I have never had any other thought, any other Inducement but the service of my country; and however his Majesty might consider me as a subject worthy his favour, He never has, and I never wished he should reward me for what I have done. (What gave rise to this infamous lye, is I suppose that Parlia ment has thought fit that these new regiments are to be paid, as all others in his Majesty's service.) So far from being a gainer by my Regiment I am confident I shall be a sufferer above a thousand pounds, not a farthing of which I ever shall or ever will be reimbursed. When I see you at Northampton, which I purpose doing in a very few days, I will bring you signed the papers you sent me: and I think myself obliged to you for putting it into my power to relieve the distress'd. Now let me return you my hearty thanks for your friendly congratulations. upon Lady Halifax's safe Delivery, and assure you,

I am, Dear Sir,
Your most faithful and obedient,
humble Servant,
DUNK HALIFAX.

The preceding very interesting letter sheds broadcast light on the thorny anxieties attending office. But turn we from the chafed and indignant statesman to that "meek and quiet" spirit who was in the fullest sense the life-long help-meet of Dr. Doddridge.

Mercy Maris" was come of gentle blood, and her dark eyes and raven hair and brunette complexion were true to their Norman pedigree; and her refined and vivacious mind was only too well betokened in the mantling cheek, and the brilliant expression, and the light movements of a delicate and

sensitive frame. Fascinating, and good, and gifted, what wonder that Doddridge deemed the 22nd of December (1730) the brightest of days when it gave him such a partner? Neither of them, observes James Hamilton, had ever cause to rue it; and it is fine to read the correspondence which passed between them, showing them youthful lovers to the last. How full of affectionate naïveté is the sentence which closes our first Fragment, "She is a very good Lady, for she reads your books!"

No. VII.

MRS. DODDRIDGE TO DR. DODDRIDGE.

Bath, Saturday Night, August ye 30th, 1746. MY DEAR LOVE,-It is very vexasious that I have but a minute or two left to answer that delightful Letter of yours, which deserves a volume to be writ in its praise, but such [h]as been ye unforeseen accidents of the days, not much indeed to be complain[ed] of in any other connectione, but this, as it deprived me of the pleasure of conversing with my dear a little longer, and him of reading a little, or rather a great deal more of my impertinence, which he would certainly have been favoured with, had it not been for Dr. Oliver's breakfasting with me yesterday morning, and kindly engaging me to Spend ye afternoon at his house to see ye Cavelcakd [Cavalcade ?] of ye tow Princesses; glad at heart does ye princess of Hess seem to be that she is got again on English ground. She 'as been walking to day all round ye Parade-Grove, and most part of ye town,-was at the rooms to night, and 'as [does ?] by that and her obligeing behaviour so much ingage ye hearts of ye people hear already, that I fear poor princess Carolina is in great danger of being a Second time supplanted by her younger Sister: but notwithstanding that, she is a very good Lady: for She reads your books.

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No. VIII.

IBID.

Northampton, Friday Noon,
July ye 31, 1747,

DEAREST AND BEST OF MEN,-No words can tell you how welcome your Dear Letter was to me. Dr. Stonehouse being out of Town, I had not the pleasure of receiving it till Last Night at Mrs. Renkin's, wear [where ?] Mrs. Stonehouse and I spent the Evening. My Heart can feel tho' it is not blest with an Eloquence like yours and Mr. Lyttleton's to describe: yet sure I am that 'tis hardly possible for one Human Heart to feel for another more esteem and tenderness than mine does for you. Your last I have read over and over with many tears of pleasure and thankfulness to that Supreme Power that has given and continued to me so delightful and invaluable a friend, whilst in His wise providence, he has been pleasd to suffer the hearts of many of our Friends to be torn with that extreem anguish which none but Hearts so perfectly united as Mr. Lyttleton's and ours, are capable to Feel: I believe there are few persons better qualified than our Selves to sympathys with him: I long to hear his story, tho' it should cost me many Tears and break a night's rest.

How charming a passion is Love: pitty pain should be its attendant: Lett me intreet you then my Dearest to Dismiss all anxiouse care about me and cheerfully Leave me, wear [where?] I am persuaded you are dayly committing a Far Greater Treasure: I bless God I continue pure well, and am for your sake, I can truly say more than my own, carefull to avoid every thing that may Expose me to the Least danger.

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A COLUMN FOR THE DEVOUT.

Thus tender, and dewy, and heart- | dridge's own, which, from its touching warm did the love of this most estimable allusions to Colonel Gardiner, will be pair continue "even unto the end." Our read with interest. next is a similar fragment of Dr. Dod

(To be continued.)

A COLUMN FOR THE DEVOUT.

No. I.

A thought will often strike, when even a volume will produce no impression.

Exalted Views of the Saviour. HIGH thoughts of Christ constitute the very essence of a sinner's religion. They are the foundation of his hopes, and the materials of his happiness. Bradley.

Secret Prayer.

I MAY term secret prayer, the invisible light of the soul into the bosom of God. Out of this heavenly closet rises Jacob's ladder, whose rounds are all of light; its foot stands upon the basis of the covenant in thy heart; its top reaches the throne of grace.-Lee.

Answers to Private Prayer. Ar the great day, secret prayers shall have open and public answers.-Ibid.

What occurs after Prayer. WE halt, like Jacob, both in and after our strongest wrestlings.-Ibid.

Where the Believer reposes. I LAY my head to rest on the bosom of Omnipotence. Rutherford.

The Path to Eminence. LABOUR, want, and pain are the beaten roads to greatness.-Cecil.

The Divine Refiner.

I PERCEIVE clearly that the Refiner sits watching his gold during the process, and makes the fire merely purifying.-Ibid.

The Value of Fellowship with the
Saviour.

ONE moment's communion with

Christ, one moment's sense of union with him, one moment's view of interest in him, is ineffable, inestimable. Toplady.

Obvious Cause of Socinianism. IGNORANCE of the purity of God, of the extent and spirituality of his law, and of the total depravity of their own hearts, is that which makes any persons commence Arians or Socinians. Were they duly convinced of sin, they would need no other arguments to convince them that the Saviour whose blood is able to expiate its guilt is, and must be, very God.-Dr. Haweis.

The Threefold Victory.

He who overcomes evil with good, conquers three at once,-the devil, his immediate adversary, and himself; and this is no trifling conquest.

The Dangers and Unhappiness of
the Great.

EMINENCE of situation is no proof of superior happiness. Hence Pope Adrian VI. had this inscription on his monument:-"Here lies Adrian VIth., who was never so unhappy in any period of his life, as at that in which he was a prince."

Want of Faith in Prayer.

THOSE prayers suffer shipwreck which dash upon the rock of unbelief. Watson.

The Three Jewels which God gives his Children. THERE are three jewels, which God 2 x 2

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