951 Review-Memoirs of the Rev. Dan Taylor. neighbourhood of Boston, their primitive dignity and importance. This volume also contains a list of all the members of grand councils, and of parliament, who have stood for this borough from the year 1352 to the present time; and this is followed by a catalogue of all the mayors, of the recorders, deputy recorders, townclerks, and judges of the admiralty, so far as their names could be ascertained. The geological observations which Mr. Thomson has introduced, from the information he had been able to collect from the inhabitants, or from personal inspection, and from various old documents, are replete with sensible and philosophical reflections. Several of these carry back our views to the days of the Romans; and the vestiges of art which have been dug up at various times, confirm the opinion of that high antiquity which the author advocates. From the town of Boston, Mr. Thomson makes an excursion into the adjacent parishes of Skirbeck, Fishtoft, Freiston, Butterwick, Bennington, Leverton, Leake, and Wrangle. Of these parishes he traces the ancient history, noting whatever they furnish that may be deemed remarkable, either in nature or art. The botanical history furnishes nothing remarkable; but the agricultural survey makes ample amends for this deficiency. In this survey it is pleasing to observe the furface of the soil, which formerly swelled the bogs and deserts of the world, teeming with pasture, and waving an abundant harvest to the sun. In no part of England are the effects of persevering industry more visible, perhaps, than in the fens of Lincolnshire. The appendix contains miscellaneous articles alphabetically arranged, but we cannot enter into any thing like an analysis of its varied contents. This work concludes with an index chronologically arranged, and with a general index referring to every thing remarkable in the volume. From several pages it was our intention to give some specimens of the author's talents as a writer, and of his indefatigable perseverance in collecting his materials, but the length of our observations will prevent their being introduced. Boston is certainly a place of consi 952 derable antiquity and importance; and to the antiquarian and the historian the work before us will prove highly interesting. On some doubtful points, a difference of opinion will probably be found between the author and his contemporaries in the same, or similar departments of literature; but the authorities which he has quoted in support of what he has advanced, are sufficient to shield him from the shafts of captious criticism, where his reasonings and arguments are incompetent to produce conviction. For his laudable attempts to rescue from oblivion the history of a place of no common renown and veneration, Mr. Thomson is entitled to the thanks of his readers; and his successful perseverance entitles him to an equal degree of praise. To the inhabitants of other districts he has set an example worthy of imitation. Should this be followed with similar ardour, and with the same degree of persevering inquiry, we shall soon be in the possession of better materials for a general topographical history of our country than has hitherto been submitted to the public eye. The work we conceive possesses considerable merit; we are pleased in being able to recommend it to public patronage; and we shall be glad to find the author's industry and talents recompensed according to their deserts. REVIEW.-Memoirs of the Rev. Dan. WHATEVER opinions may be enter- Mr. Dan Taylor was born in December, 1738, at a place called Sour-Milk Hall, in Northowram. His strong attachment to learning was noted in his early years; and it is almost needless to add, that his proficiency kept pace 953 Review-Memoirs of the Rev. Dan Taylor. 954 and discharging the duties of his own particular station, Mr. T. was actively engaged until the end of November, 1816, when, in a manner almost sudden, he exchanged time for eternity, in the 78th year of his age. with this attachment. The ciroum-ter, however, not answering the exstances of life, however, in which he pectations that had been entertained, was placed, were by no means fa- was soon discontinued; but Mr. Taylor vourable to literary pursuits. Having found no want of employment. In attained the age of five, he was taken visiting distant churches, attending to labour with his father, in a coal- public meetings, joining in the delimine, in which employment he conti-berations of numerous associations, nued many years. His mind, nevertheless, rose superior to the disadvantages of his situation; for, at an early period, his fame for learning spread throughout the neighbourhood; and, before he had attained the age of ten, he was frequently engaged in teaching others to read. In the year 1758, he lost his mother, to whom he had been chiefly indebted for his religious in-ced many of Mr. Taylor's letters, and struction. At this time, being about twenty-one, he had attained a considerable acquaintance with the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. At an early period of life, his mind had received some serious impressions, which a succession of events concurred to renew, and, finally, to render permanent. The first religious people with whom he was connected, were the Methodists, among whom he officiated for some time as a local preach er. In this connection he continued until 1762, when, with several others, he entirely withdrew, and became the minister of the party that had seceded, and of such others as felt disposed to join them in their public worship. At Michaelmas, in the above year, Mr. Taylor removed from Halifax, near which he had lately resided, and took up his abode at Wadsworth, where, having taken leave of the coal-mine, and devoting himself entirely to the work of the ministry, he was rendered instrumental in forming and establishing a church. The question of adult baptism, now occupied his mind: to this doctrine he soon became a convert; and, to the principles thus adopted, he adhered through life. Differing, in some essential points, from those with whom he had associated, Mr. Taylor, in conjunction with a few friends, laid the foundation of a new connection; and, after encountering many difficulties, engaging in many controversies, travelling to various places, and preaching to several congregations, he finally repaired to London. In this place, in addition to his ministerial labours, he became tutor to an academy, and Editor of the General Baptist Magazine. This latNo. 32.-VOL. III. In addition to this personal history, of which we have just sketched the outlines, the biographer has introdu given to his readers a general view of the controversies in which he was engaged. These letters, and this view, are very interesting; and without them, the narrative, which comprises Mr. Taylor's life, though enlivened by all that variety which the character and labours of a pious minister can be supposed to afford, would have appeared incomplete. The delineations appear to have been drawn with a steady, but an impartial hand. The character of Mr. Taylor is set in a favourable light; but his defects are not passed over in silence; nor is he represented as a being exempted from the common frailties and infirmities of mortality. The numerous extracts which are taken from Mr. Taylor's Diary, pleasingly display the various exercises of his mind, his humility, patience, selfdenial, and devotedness to God. They exhibit in a convincing, but an unexpected manner, the deceitfulness of the human heart, its propensity to cherish pride, and rob the divine Being of that glory which is alone his due. We have no doubt that many will acknowledge the faithfulness of this picture, by finding its counterpart deeply lodged within. Mr. Taylor's publications are more diversified than voluminous; they amount to nearly fifty in number; but, with few exceptions, they are chiefly either pamphlets, to which the occasions of the moment gave birth, or sermons which owe their existence to some peculiar circumstances. Of all these we have a list at the conclusion of the volume; and another, of the numerous ordinations at which he assisted. This volume, we think, contains a 3 P 955 Review-Memoirs of the Rev. Dan Taylor. faithful delineation, not of an abstract and impersonal character, which a biographer might advertise to be let; but the portraiture of a laborious minister, spending his time and talents in the service of his Master, whose cause, such publications as this, are calculated to promote. On the Eternity of future Punishments, Mr. Taylor thus writes to his friend Mr. Wm. Thompson in answer to a list of Queries proposed by an "Honest Inquirer." We give this letter entire, because it shows at once the author's religious sentiments on the points controverted, and places his talents in a commanding light. "Turville-Street, Jan. 6, 1791. "MY DEAR BROTHER, "Though much behind with business, and not much fit for it, especially by a disorder in my eyes, probably arising from my late night fatigues with my family, who, blessed be God, are now in a good measure recovered, I do myself the pleasure of giving you a hasty scrawl on the Queries of an Honest Inquirer.' But you must excuse great brevity. "Query I. If a great part of mankind be eternally miserable, in what sense is it true that all flesh shall see the salvation of God?' and all the families of the earth be blessed in Abraham's seed, the Messiah?"" "Ans. 1. It is merely as an indulgence to you that I attempt to answer this and several other queries. In strict reasoning it would be highly improper. It is the business of an universalist to prove that these texts are true in his sense, and can be true in no other sense. Without attention to this, disputes would be, as they often have been, shamefully prolonged and confused. 2. All flesh shall see the salvation of God,' was fulfilled in the first preaching of the gospel, Col. i. 6, 23.; will be more fully accomplished in the Millennium state, and it will be awfully seen by all at the day of judgment, even by those who have rejected it, and shall then be eternally excluded from it. 3. All the families of the earth have been more or less blessed in the Messiah ever since the days of Christ. They were particularly so in the first centuries, and will be in the Millennium. If sinners turn divine blessings into curses, by abusing them, that is no proof that they are not blessed by Christ." Query II. "If a great part of mankind be eternally miserable, is not the death of Christ then rather a curse to them than a blessing?' Answer 1. It is allowed on all hands, and on all schemes, that sinners who sin under the gospel have their sins more aggravated, and will be more severely punished, in proportion to the advantages which they have had, or might have had, from Christ. This is not only the language of revelation, but of common sense. 2. Yet it does not follow that the death of Christ is in itself a curse to them; but that they are more awfully condemned for their slight or abuse of so great a blessing. 3. I may add, this is true 956 of all the blessings of providence, as well as the death of Christ.' eternally miserable, what proportion of future "Query III. If a great part of mankind be punishment is there between the least sinner and the greatest offender?' Answer. It is manifest to every one, that two persons may be punished an equal time, and yet the one punished, by many degrees, more severely than the other.' "Query IV. Is it consistent with the nature of a Being, who has declared himself love itself, to punish eternally creatures born in such unhappy circumstances, for once transgressing his law? Answer 1. I do not pretend to un derstand what is consistent in every thing with the nature of God. Though in some instances this is plain, and may deserve notice; yet the great inquiry is-What is contained in his word? 2. I do not think he ever did, or ever will, punish any man for once transgressing his law. 3. How far it might be just if God did this, is another and very different inquiry?" Query V. Does not your doctrine of universal love, and of Christ's dying for all men, leave the wicked exactly in the same state of eternal misery, as the Calvinist system does? If so, where is the difference?' Answer 1. I think it does leave the wicked, who continue wicked, in the same state, as to the punishment they must endure. The difference of my scheme and the Calvinist is this-the Calvinist leaves man necessarily exposed to this wickedness, and the misery consequent upon it. My scheme is, that provision is made for them that they may be saved; so that if they perish, the fault is wholly their own.' "Query VI. Would not the divine Being appear to us more abundantly glorified, on the supposition that wicked men were liberated from hell torments, after having been punished proportionably to the nature and number of their crimes? Answer. Yes, I think so. I have no notion that they will ever be punished more than the nature and number of their crimes require; nor do I believe they ever will be." "Query VII. Would it not appear a more wonderful display of the dying love of Jesus, to have all the human race for whom he died partakers of his glory, than for a great part of them to be punished in hell eternally? Answer 1. I do not know. Perhaps the love of Jesus will be the most displayed by the punishment of those who trample upon it. 2. Supposing it would, there are other attributes to be displaced besides love. 3. The very notion of men being delivered from hell by the love of Jesus, implies that they justly deserve that punishment from which he delivers them. If they did not deserve it, it would not be love but justice to deliver them from it. Therefore the principle of this query is inconsistent with the principle of several of the former." "Query VIII. Can it be supposed to be consistent with infinite power, love, and grace, to suffer the devil to keep millions of mankind for whom Jesus shed his blood, in hell torments eternally? Answer. I do not know that the devil keeps them in hell torments. I apprehend he is so far from keeping them in hell, that he would be glad to get out himself. As to love and grace-if redeeming love and grace are despised and rejected, I do not find, in scripture, any other way to be saved, or for 957 Review-The Eve of St. Hyppolito. love and grace to be manifested. It is right, so far as I can see, for those who have awfully excluded themselves from it, to be for ever deprived of it." Query IX. Would not preaching universal salvation to men, be more likely to affect them, and bring them to repentance than the contrary doctrine?' Answer 1. I think we are not very able to judge in theory what may be most effectual, nor would it be safe to attempt it, unless we were wiser than God. The evil of this is manifest; and has been awfully manifest in all ages. If the prophets and Christ and his apostles preached this doctrine, it is certainly useful. But if not, it must be hurtful. To me it is strikingly clear that the doctrine is a contradiction to the whole Bible, and to every thing that is good; and therefore I cannot in theory expect it to be profitable to men. 2. Does it appear in fact that this doctrine has been instrumental to accomplish the ends here mentioned? Have any been so affected as to be brought to repentance by it? 3. Is it not a fact to which all mankind are witnesses, that the contrary doctrine has frequently and certainly been the means of bringing sinners to repentance?" 66 Query X. However, is it not possible for a very good man to believe this doctrine to be scriptural,' &c.? Answer. I do not know but it is." "Query XI. If so, why call it damnable heresy, and other ill names? Answer. If people believe it to be a damnable heresy, I think they have a right to call it so. Surely we are not to estimate the enormity of errors by the supposed character of those who embrace them." Query XII. Is it to be supposed that men will all see eye to eye before the days of the Millennium?" Answer. Perhaps not." "Thus I have endeavoured, as a mere indulgence to an esteemed and beloved friend, to give a short answer' to his queries. But I beg leave to observe, that queries of this kind are not, in my opinion, calculated to assist in the investigation of truth; but rather to pervert and poison the minds of men, and have always had this tendency. Our business, I think, in inquiring after truth is, not to propose queries concerning incidental circumstances; but to read the word of God, and believe it." "I should take it as a particular favour, if you would inform me what you think of the necessity and propriety of writing a reply to Mr. Winchester's Five Letters to me. As you are better acquainted than I can pretend to be with the probable and certain effects of his pamphlet, you are better able to advise with respect to it. I must confess, if his five letters do not sufficiently convince every attentive reader that his whole scheme is a direct opposition to the word of God, I can hardly indulge a hope of convincing men. Yet if any thing be necessary to drive the nail to the head,' I think the destructive tendency of his scheme requires it. Advise me on this subject." 958 REVIEW.-The Eve of St. Hyppolito, a Play, in five Acts, pp. 70. Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy. London, 1821. THERE is something in dramatic performances, in which the reader, even though he cannot define its nature, always feels himself particularly interested. The numerous persons that are introduced, the various speeches which they make, the diversified characters which they sustain, all tending to one important issue, conspire to awaken the feelings, and to throw the passions into a pleasing agitation. Dramatic Poetry has, among all civilized nations, been considered as a rational and useful entertainment; and being employed both upon the light and the gay, and upon the grave and affecting incidents of human life, it has been divided into the two forms of comedy and tragedy. These, however, in the representations which appear, are generally exaggerated, so that life, in its volatile movements, assumes a gaiety and ludicrous form which nature has rarely imparted; and in its deeper scenes, its aspect acquires a degree of terror, which, even amidst the distresses that afflict the world, we endeavour in vain to find. The stage, without all doubt, is a powerful engine, which, by its proper or injudicious management, might be made subservient either to virtue or vice. Viewed merely in the abstract, dramatic representations assume their existence on a kind of neutral ground; and when contemplated in reference to theory alone, they seem to be no more entitled to censure than to applause. But when we turn from theory to fact, and survey the stage as it really exists, it is to be regretted, that its standard of morals is assumed on the ground of public taste and opinion. Hence, too many of our tragedies varnish suicide, and countenance the detestable practice of duelling; while our comedies degenerate into licentiousness, and soften down the deviations from virtue, which they record, by giving specious names to actions, which ought, by their colouring, to excite the abhorrence and detestation of mankind. "Thanks for your last; and thanks to God The composition before us, is not that I am able to write or preach to the satis- without its political bearing and asfaction of you and others! That every benediction may be the portion of you, Mrs. Thomp-pect; it, however, inculcates lessons son, and all friends at Boston, is the prayer of of wisdom and moderation; and, in your grateful, &c." every branch of the dialogue, the 959 Review-The Eve of St. Hyppolito. 960 Alph. Fain would I think you spoke not without cause; friend of order has always the advan- | And 'neath the splendid garb of sovereignty, tage of the argument. To illustrate Lurk care and danger. this position, and to furnish a specimen of the Author's talents, we subjoin the following extract from the conversation between Fernando and Alphonso, on the subject of political reform. Watched for that Country's safety? To enjoy the recompense Nature assigns Alph. 'Tis just it should be so. But are Dealt equally to all who merit them? Fern. That wealth and honours are the un- Of Genius and of Virtue, I aver not : And order in this varied scene, demand crown, Than on the sun-burnt brow of ruddy labour. The tranquil passions, and the mind serene, board Health and content ensure a calm repose; Gladly believe that all reform were needless, Fern. Scenes such as these would melt a And bid the stream of charity flow freely, Put want to flight, or from the poor man's couch With you I'd hail the dawning of Reform; The fatal consequence of such Reform! If all were equal, who would guide the loom? The hidden dangers of the trackless deep? The scene of this Tragedy is in Spain; the plot is not deeply laid, but the event is always sufficiently concealed from anticipation, to awaken in the reader much solicitude for the issues of those contests between men, those vicissitudes of fortune, and those conflicts of passion, in which he insensibly feels himself interested. In the character of Rodolpho we see a deep designing villain, concealing his unbounded ambition under the mask of patriotism, and deluding the thoughtless multitude with promises of liberty, reform, and plunder, to make them subservient to his own perfidious purposes. The intended murder of his wife and child, added to his former treachery, gives completion to his character; and, loaded |