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Memoir of the

REV. THOMAS STEDMAN, M. A.
(With a Portrait.)

THE life of a clergyman is seldom marked with incidents either sufficiently striking or sufficiently diversified, to furnish matter for general interest. His name, as well as his person, seldom travels beyond the precincts of his parish-the quiet scene of his professional labours-the centre of most of his other pursuits, attachments, or amusements; there he is, properly speaking, known. Hence, if brief memoirs of such men are of any use, or possess any interest, it must be confined generally to the objects of past professional labour; to the wider circle of personal friends, or multifarious acquaintance; or, enlarging still farther, at the most, to those of the same profession, and professional pursuits. To either, or all of these, such a memoir conveys an interest, and an interest much of the same kind; it being, as it were, a sort of posthumous voice, "by which, being dead, he yet speaketh."

The subject of the present sketch was born at Bridgenorth, Shropshire, Dec. 14th, 1745, of good and respectable parents.† He could number among his ancestry, with a triumph of a professional as well as a congenial kind, one in particular, who made a noble sacrifice to conscience and integrity, Rowland Stedman, a native of Diddlebury, in the same county; and distinguished, according to Calamy, by learning, piety, and zeal. He, with the memorable band of the two thousand, was ejected from his living

The present was drawn up at the wish and instigation of several esteemed friends of the deceased.

He often exprest his thankfulness that he was born of good rather than of great parents. Herein he differed widely in feeling, it should seem, from a late celebrated prelate, a native of the same town with himself: for whom "the boast of heraldry" had greater charms. Whilst, however, his humbler-minded townsman was ever forward to admit that prelate's undoubted claims to learning and genius, he certainly, it must be owned, was not equally prepared to allow, but (we fear) was rather 'sceptical, concerning his pretence to enrolment in a certain noble family. However the point of pedigree might have been settled-or whether still one of doubtful disputation, (" nam genns et proavos, et quæ non fecimus ipsi, Vix ea nostra voco;") an intimacy subsisted between the bishop and his humble friend and townsman 110-VOL. X.

[1828.

of Oakingham, Berks. These were famous in their generation; of old, men of renown.‡ Having encountered the disadvantage of removal to different schools, the last of which was that of Shrewsbury, not at that time so ably conducted as at present; he took rather an unusually long time to deliberate on his future profession. But, fixing on the Church, he entered at Pembroke College, Oxford; and proceeded regularly to the degrees of B. A. and M. A. On quitting the University, and entering into holy orders, he had the good fortune to become curate to Dr. Stonhouse, rector of Great and Little Cheverel, Wilts, through the friendship and recommendation of that excellent man, Job Orton; and thus was formed and matured a friendship, which had the happiest effects on his future conduct as a man and a clergyman, and constituted the joy and pride of his whole life. In this retreat, so congenial to his taste, and beneficial to the studies of the raw, unfledged divine, he spent the happiest days of his life. With an orderly and docile people to instruct, his labours were blest, and many "owned the seal." And, among what the great Lightfoot called his "russet coats," he could number "the Shepherd of Salisbury Plain," whose simple annals have been recorded by Mrs. Hannah Moore. There he could apply the words of his divine Master, "his sheep heard his voice, and followed him."

In 1775, he was unexpectedly presented to the living of Wormington, Glocestershire, to which he was instituted by the

for many years, and was only interrupted by an event that levels all distinctions-mors et commune sepulcrum.

We must beg not to be misunderstood. By the above is assuredly not meant to be implied that the deceased was a Nonconformist in disguise or as pledging him to the same line of conduct with the Nonconformists. The truth is, he had no disguise in his nature. He was, animo et corde, a thorough Episcopalian. Though, it must be remembered, that many of those good men, who resigned their livings and their all, by the Act of Uniformity, had received episcopal ordination. Their conscientious spirit of integrity was sure to find an echo in his breast: and (mutatis mutandis) would have found a true follower. Such a sacrifice for conscience sake, however erroneous in judgment, it is conceived, entitles those men to be ranked at least among "the remnant of the giants" of the English Church. Gen. vi. 4.

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Memoir of the Rev. Thomas Stedman, M. A.

108

celebrated Bishop Warburton: whose great the most comprehensive and enlarged nomind, then rapidly falling to decay, pro- tions of the Christian covenant. He rarely duced on our young clergyman an im- discussed points of a merely doctrinal napression he never afterwards lost. In allu- ture, or perplexed his hearers with subsion to this humiliating and affecting lesson,tleties and distinctions, in stating different he would often emphatically repeat those lines of the poet,

"From Marlbro's eyes what streams of dotage flow: And Swift expires, a driv'ller and a show!"

In 1788, he was called to a more active sphere of duty, at Shrewsbury, the scene of his education; having been presented to the vicarage of St. Chad. Owing this piece of preferment to the kind exertion of a valued, and, through a long life, much respected friend; he entered on his arduous duties with conscious diffidence. But though brought into contact, never into collision, with jarring sects and parties, more especially on one or two great, rather than memorable, occasions; he had the singular felicity of being respected by all. Good sense, conciliating manners, and an invincible love of peace, enabled him to steer clear of those rocks which sometimes prove hurtful, if not fatal, to the labours of the pastor. Respectful, but not obsequious; humble, but not servile; independent, but never dogmatical or dictatorial; his conduct, public and private, was ever marked with propriety-at the same time that his integrity was so unquestionable, that he never gave offence, save to those who mistook the purity of his motives.

In 1785, he married Catherine, niece of the Rev. Dr. Adams, his predecessor at St. Chad's, and master of Pembroke College, Oxford: the learned and gentlemanly antagonist of the acute but sophistical Hume, in his justly celebrated answer to the "Essay on Miracles," of that philosopher and sceptic. By this amiable woman, and best of wives and mothers, he left five children.

But it is time to view him more particularly in his pastoral character: and herein it was apparent that love to God and man inspired and invigorated all his labours. In his discourses from the pulpit, he was grave, sober, and impressive; and, as has been said of his valued friend, the learned and apostolic Townson, by his excellent and most instructive biographer, Archdeacon Churton, "You wouldhave pledged your life on his sincerity:" whilst his unaffected, but dignified deportment, his gesture, his look, so truly savouring of a proper sense of "his high commission ;" and, above all, his "doctrine and life coincident," gave "lucid proof that he was honest in the sacred cause.' His discourses were plain and simple; exhibiting the most cheerful and encouraging views of religion,

modes of faith. God is love, was the groundwork and master-principle of his discourses, as well as his constant theme: and with this ample shield he could repel every narrow, selfish, and demoralizing doctrine and opinion, so derogatory to the divine goodness, so contrary to every notion of justice, and subversive of practical holiness.*

At the bed of the sick, he gave full vent to his feeling. Whilst he laid the axe to the root of the tree, and imprest on the sinner the necessity of repentance, and amendment of life; he was ever forward to catch with delight the faintest spark of contrition, the slightest symptom of returning convalescence: these he was extremely cautious of quenching by too rigid and harsh treatment, especially at so critical a juncture; or of afterwards overlaying by too severe exactions.

These all-important duties were seldom interrupted either by illness, or absence from his flock: he was a constant resident among them for upwards of forty years: his parish was his home. He never sought preferment. Had this been his object, his numerous and highly-respectable acquaintance, and correspondence with persons in the highest stations of the church; not to mention his occasional visits, particularly in early life, at the houses of the great, to which his agreeable manners made him a no unwelcome inmate, and the ready communication of the literary stores he was known to possess, either by loan, or (what was most frequently the case) by giftthese circumstances and opportunities, had they been cultivated with those views, were the most likely to, and might, it is believed, have advanced him to more valuable preferment.

From the laborious concerns of a large and populous parish, and incessant devotion "angulis et libellis," to his "books and his retirement;" he nevertheless found time to give to the world some highly useful publications. Besides several sermons on particular occasions, and useful and

The following may possibly furnish an useful hint. In his sermon-case were deposited a few choice heads of some of his favourite divines and preachers. With these he would refresh his memory immediately before he stood up to preach. Hence, if his energies were inclined to slumber at the moment they were most wanted to give effect to his discourse; a glance at a Hooker or a Tillotson, a Baxter or a Doddridge, seldom failed to kindle a congenial flanie.

Hartlebury Castle; Blithfield; St. Asaph, &c.

popular tracts; his "Letters to a Young Clergyman," "(himself) from his inestimable friend, the Rev. Job Orton, form one of the most valuable manuals for the use and direction of the younger clergy, which has ever been published. Mr. Orton was â dissenter; perhaps the ultimus Romanorum: and the well-known biographer of the admirable Doddridge. Of their mutual and long-cherished friendship we have before spoken. But the publication of the Letters of a Dissenting Minister, addressed to himself, a clergyman of the Church of England, sincerely, too, devoted to her interests, and with uncompromising adherence to her doctrines and principles; does equal honour to the moderation, candour, and disinterestedness of the amiable editor, and to the liberality of those excellent prelates, who applauded the publication, and recommended it to their clergy. To these he added a second volume of "Letters (to himself), from the Rev. Sir James Stonhouse, Bart. ;* a name he never mentioned but with respect, and the most tender affection. In 1790, followed "Letters to and from Dr. Doddridge," published from the originals in his own possession: and subsequently, "Letters from Bishop Warburton to Dr. Doddridge."

.*"

In addition to the above, he occasionally made communications from his ample and richly-varied store of original Mss. to several ephemeral publications, and other larger works; one of which last was, some original letters of eminent persons, to his esteemed friend, the late Mr. Nichols, for his "Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century."

In the summer of 1825, he made a long journey for the purpose of once more seeing his beloved children, and their respective families, in Shropshire, Middlesex, and Essex. He frequently intimated that this would be his last, though no symptoms were visible to confirm the presentiment: "his bow abode in strength his step was still firm, his body erect, his faculties alert; with occasional failures of memory. In November, however, it appeared that he had not been wrong in his conjecture. A sharp fit of the gout brought on a general reduction of system, from which he had not sufficient power to rally. The wheels of nature could proceed no farther; and the machine stood still. This event took place Dec. 5th, 1825. Thus died this truly amiable and venerable man, in the 80th year of his age, and the forty

A new edition, with the introduction of several additional letters, is intended for publication, by son, Dr. S.

his

second of his ministry. - Post funerá virtus. Death stamps the estimation of the man, and fixes his worth. As he had lived in the affections of his flock; so, at his somewhat sudden, though gentle removal, he received at their hands the most unequivocal marks of respect; shops and private dwellings stood closed on the morning of his funeral. His pall was supported by eight of the clergy of the town; upwards of fifty respectable parishioners voluntarily accompanied his remains to the grave: and even the commercial pursuits of a large town seemed partially suspended in the payment of this last tribute of affectionate respect to the virtues of the deceased venerable pastor.

J. S.

ON THE EXPEDIENCY OE SUPPRESSING BLASPHEMY, WITH A PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE CASE OF MR. TAYLOR, WHICH WAS HEARD IN THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH, OCT. 24, 1827. SOME few years back, the prosecutions of persons for what has been termed Blasphemy against Christianity, were very numerous. During the last five or ten years, however, they have been much less common; and the result of leaving them to their career of iniquity has perhaps been upon the whole beneficial; yet circumstances will occasionally arise, which seem to demand magisterial interference, lest these deluded men should suppose that the law is supinely regarding their evil machinations.

So long as they keep their operations within the bounds of decency and decorum, they are or may be allowed to proceed; but when they would overstep these, and, in coarse and sarcastic language, heap contempt and ridicule upon a faith which holds out to us promises of so much real happiness both in this world and in the next, a faith we hold most dear; then public decency is insulted, and demands their removal.

A case has recently come before us, which has excited considerable interest. It is that of Mr. Taylor, who has been tried for blasphemy, and found guilty by a jury of his own countrymen and neighbours, notwithstanding his long and laboured defence. It is my intention to offer a few remarks on the subject generally, and then to examine this case particularly.

Great diversity of opinion has prevailed, and much has been said and written respecting the propriety and impropriety of inflicting punishment on persons guilty of disseminating opinions subversive of the Christian Religion. Now, although this

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