REVEREND SIR,

Homerton, Middlesex, Nov. 5th, 1812.

I feel obliged and gratified by your letter in reply to X. Y. My sentiments, as to the mode of executing the work desired, are probably the same as yours. The object is to present a complete statement of the positive evidence in favour of our doctrine, and as a subordinate, but most necessary part of the plan, to pursue the arguments and objections of our adversaries through all their details, and satisfactorily to answer them.

My earnest wishes have been to see the work executed by another, for the reason stated in my published letter, under the above signature; at the same time, I am compelled to state, that several applications have been made to me from different and unconnected quarters, and that these are urged upon me by considerations of more than ordinary importance.

I beg to mention my friend, Mr. Josiah Conder, as ready to communicate further with you on this business, and I shall be happy, personally, to assure you that I am, Rev. Sir,

To Z.

Yours in Christian bonds,

JOHN PYE SMITH.

Norwich, Nov. 18th, 1812.

DEAR SIR, It is now right to throw off the veil, and openly to acknowledge to whom you confided your last letter. X. Y. and Z. are convenient expressions (as in algebra) for what is unknown; but when they have answered their end they should then be laid aside. I am glad it is you with whom I now communicate, as you so well know the subject on which we may now correspond, and from your situation and vicinity to the most active Unitarians, have additional advantages of knowing the men, as well as their books.

Perhaps the applications made to you, "from different and unconnected quarters," may still lead you to think seriously of doing something in the controversy yourself, as these have evidently made an impression on your mind. If so, please to inform me.

The whole view which I have been led to take of the case, convinces me that the debate between us and the Unitarians is not like those between other classes of professing Christians, for a single doctrine, or a statement of one or more particular points, or for a rite or point of discipline; but, like the contest of two nations, for existence in fact, everything is connected with it.

The last part of this controversy, to which I have been paying

CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. PYE SMITH.

347

some attention, is that respecting Tertullian's Concession, adv. Prax. c. 3. Simplices, etc., quæ major semper credentium pars est. You know the passage and all its bearings. I have understood that you and Mr. Belsham had some controversy on this and some other things, in a publication of yours, which I have not had the pleasure yet to see. But from the slight review which I have taken of the subject, it does not appear that so much depends on the translation of the passage, as on the evidence that the doctrine of Praxeas was a new doctrine; that its popularity arose from its being then thought to be a discovery that would set all difficulties right, and that the impression made on the simplices, ne dixerim imprudentes, etc., proved nothing more than that a statement which may be both superficial and false, may become very popular. it assorts with the impression made on the Galatians in the very time of the apostles. If this be correct, no possible mode of translation can do the Unitarian cause any service. I mention this, as I am engaged in writing to you, and when you may have occasion to send me a line, I should like to have your view of the subject. I am, Sir, yours in the gospel of Christ,

Thus

JOSEPH KINGHORN.

Homerton, Dec. 4th, 1812.

DEAR SIR, My long silence, after having received your favour of the 19th November, has often excited uneasy feelings, lest you should impute it to negligence. The truth has been, that I am so constantly pressed upon with regular, and with extraneous duties, that I have been constrained to defer, from day to day, till the very thought has become painful.

On another account, also, I feel myself not a little embarrassed. When I wrote the letter signed X. Y. I wrote under the strongest impression of the desirableness of the work; but a decided resolution to decline, if possible, making the attempt myself. But within the last two months, and still more within one month, I have been surprised at the number and urgency of the applications made by different friends, most of them unconnected with each other, some in a remote part of the kingdom, and few of them apparently aware that they were writing to X. Y. These circumstances, however, would only have the more led me to solicit your prosecution of the proposed work, were they not combined with another consideration. The report has lately been propagated, that I had embraced the system called, by its partizans, Unitarianism. This very unjust

representation has been used by some evidently with a design to injure the academy in which I have the honour to hold an office. Hence it has been very seriously represented to me, by some of the most important men amongst our constituents, that I have not the liberty of opinion, and that my duty to the ancient and orthodox institution, obliges me to undertake this task.

Besides urging my time, already quite occupied, I have also replied that I had some prospect of the desired work being executed by a gentleman, eminently qualified to perform it to the honour and great advantage of evangelical truth. But my friends have insisted that it is my absolute duty to attempt this service, even if another work of the kind, however excellent, were published.

Thus I have laid open the difficulty of my situation. I consider myself as, in a manner, engaged not to attempt the work without a permissive approbation on your part; my published letter, inviting correspondence, seems to me to involve such an obligation.

I am much obliged by your remark on the passage in Tertullian; but have not been able to examine it since receiving your favour. Sincerely wishing you every divine blessing, and that this affair may be directed to the glory of our blessed Lord, and the benefit of his kingdom, I remain, dear Sir, yours very respectfully,

The Rev. Joseph Kinghorn.

DEAR SIR,

JOHN PYE SMITH.

Norwich, December 8th, 1812.

I clearly see the difficulty in which late circumstances have placed you, and I would have you, by all means, pursue the plan you think best. I would not have you refrain from writing on account of anything that has passed; and I completely absolve you from any obligation you may consider yourself under to me, on account of your letter in the Evangelical Magazine.

So vagrant a thing is report, that I heard a rumour, like that you mention, between my receiving your first and last letters. I was happy in saying that I could roundly contradict it.

Wishing you, in this and all your labours for the church of God, the best of his blessings,

I am, dear Sir, yours sincerely,

JOSEPH KINGHORN.

P.S. I ought to have added, that while I thus wish you to write, I shall probably pursue my own plan also. It is very unlikely that we should take the same track, and, if there be two defences, of what is important to all, it may not be amiss.

CHAPTER XIX.

1813-1816. ET. 47-50.

Death of John Kinghorn of Newcastle-Renewal of the East India Company's Charter-Letters from Bishop Bathurst and William Smith, Member for Norwich-Mr. Kinghorn's visits to Bedford, London, and Bristol-French Protestants-Reviewals-" Baptism a Term of Communion"— Opinions respecting the Work-Ordination - of William Hawkins-Correspondence with Rev. E. Bickersteth respecting the "Scripture Help."

IN January, 1813, Mr. Kinghorn received the news of the death of his father's only brother, Mr. John Kinghorn, of Newcastle. The following notice of his character appeared in a contemporary newspaper :

Died on Tuesday last, [Jan. 12th, 1813,] in this town, Mr. John Kinghorn, aged eighty-two. The last sixty-one years of his life were spent in the service of Mr. Benjamin Brunton, of the Forth. He discharged his different duties in life in a manner which reflects honour to his memory. He lived universally beloved, and died much lamented.

The Parliamentary Session of 1813 was distinguished by the debate on the renewal of the East India Company's Charter. On the 22nd of March Lord Castlereagh introduced such resolutions into the House of Commons as roused the Dissenters of England again to combine their energies by petitioning Parliament that such provisions might be made in the new Charter as should afford facilities for the propagation of the gospel in our vast Indian dominions by all classes of Christians.

Again the fire of religious zeal spread from city to town, and from town to village, throughout the kingdom. Public

The petitions to the House of Commons were intrusted to William Smith, Esq., a member of the Unitarian connection, and a great friend to religions liberty, who, in writing to Mr. Kinghorn, acknowledging the receipt of the petitions and informing him of their presentation, made the following remarks:

May 7th, 1813.

It is supposed that not less than 1200 petitions will be presented, and their effect must be great. The discussion of the question must be both serious and fall. I am happy that