CHAPTER IV. THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH. HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. RICH- OXFORD. CORRESPONDENCE. NOTICES OF SEVERAL PIOUS MINISTERS. AC TIVE BENEVOLENCE OF MR. RICHARD HILL. SIR C. HOTHAM. MR. RICHARD HILL'S EXPERIENCE AND ZEAL. OXFORD IN 1767. MR. HALLWARD'S ACCOUNT. STABILITY AND FRANKNESS OF MR. HILL. SOME time before he wrote the admirable letters to his brothers, the agitation of Mr. Richard Hill's mind had subsided into a calm and settled enjoyment of the happiness of true religion; and the records still remaining of his experience denote remarkable firmness of sentiment blended with deep humility. Like his brother Rowland, he never varied in the essential views of doctrine adopted in his early days, and was free from such fluctuations of religious opinion, as have distorted the understandings and impaired the usefulness of so many professing Christians in more recent times. He was naturally of a frank, confiding disposition, and delighted to open his mind to correspondents of a spirit kindred to his own, a privilege he could enjoy with very few of his own station, in days when vital piety called forth expressions of dislike scarcely credible in this century. The rancorous opposition of men of every grade to the THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH. 81 gospel would probably have ended in a crisis of awful darkness with all its consequences, but for the exertions and patience of the Hills and others, who, in example as well as teaching, may be truly considered as the lights of their age. Amongst these may be reckoned the generous, manly, and devoted Earl of Dartmouth. To this excellent nobleman Mr. Richard Hill unbosomed himself, with all the freedom and confidence of Christian friendship. Lord Dartmouth's house was always open to faithful ministers of Christ, nor was he ashamed to acknowledge how much he profited by the society of men whom the world nicknamed and despised. In my life of Mr. Walker of Truro, I have given several instances of his generosity and hospitality, as well as specimens of his pious correspondence. Mr. Hill fully appreciated the rare opportunity his lordship's friendship afforded him, of opening himself without reserve on religious topics, to one whose mental qualities and habits of life harmonized with his own. No letter passed between them without some allusion to those subjects which they had most at heart; and when they met and conversed, their constant theme was the advancement of the cause of their Redeemer. The tone of feeling which pervaded both their minds, appears in the following gentlemanlike note addressed to Mr. Hill by Lord Dartmouth. DEAR SIR, Sandwell, Aug. 25. I am very sorry we were not fortunate enough to be in the way when you would have made us a visit. at Blackheath: it would have been a surprise, but a very agreeable one. We came hitherto yesterday, and I have brought with me two copies of Mr. Venn's sermons, G which you commissioned me to procure for you. I shall be very glad to know by what method I may convey them to you. I heartily wish you a daily increase of every gospel grace and blessing, that you may flourish in the garden of God like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, till you are removed to that state where hope and faith shall be done away, and love be all in all. Lady D. is yours. I am, dear Sir, Your affectionate servant and friend, D. Expressions of this kind were sure to be met by the sneers and contempt of most of the laity, and what is still more awful, by the virulent opposition of great numbers of the clergy in those days of darkness. It is this which gives value to every memorial of the manly piety of Lord Dartmouth, whose honest zeal and selfdenial were accompanied by a uniform spirit of Christian cheerfulness. He had, however, felt the power of the grace of God, and saw that preaching morality instead of Christ, would never stem the current of wickedness that broke through every bound, and flooded the land. Accordingly, he conceived it was his duty to support by the whole force of his influence, those ministers who revived the forgotten doctrines of the Reformation, and taught them to their hearers. About the year 1761, considerable efforts were made by certain zealous members of the University of Oxford, and Lord Dartmouth, as well as Mr. Richard Hill, took a lively interest in their success. Among the most conspicuous promoters of revival there, were two friends of Mr. Walker of Truro, Mr. Haweis and Mr. Jones. Their exertions were much opposed, but not with that violence which marked the proceedings against certain LETTER OF LORD DARTMOUTH. 183 students a few years later, as will hereafter appear in the pages of this volume. As every thing that tends to throw any light on the progress of evangelical religion in England is important, I insert here a letter to Mr. Richard Hill, from his noble friend, which alludes to a demonstration made against the active Oxonians, and is also characteristic of its writer. DEAR MR. HILL, Herewith I send your watch, which I received from Mr. Mudge the day before I left Blackheath. We came hither last week, and are all in good health. I rejoice with you that Baron Smythe is to come our circuit. As soon as I know what day the assizes will be at Shrewsbury, I shall with great pleasure fix my time for waiting upon you, of which I will give you previous notice. I suppose you may have heard something of the arbitrary proceedings at Oxford; they are too long to relate here, besides which I should do it very imperfectly, though I have had the whole relation from Mr. Talbot. Nothing can be more unjust or cruel. The affair is by no means at an end, Mr. T. having given the bishop a bone to pick, by desiring his lordship to license him to Mr. Jones's curacy in the room of Mr. Haweis. His lordship's answer is to be given to-day; and Mr. T. if he should be rejected, as is most probable, is determined to lay the whole matter before the public. Jones is gone to take possession of an inheritance that fadeth not away. Here I was interrupted by the arrival of your letter, which anticipates the pleasure I expected in hearing of 1 Rector of Kineton. For an account of his character and ministry, I beg to refer the reader to my Life of Mr. Walker of Truro. 84 MR. STILLINGFLEET. MR. TALBOT. your health by the return of my messenger. Lady Smythe will be here about the middle of next month, and wait for the baron, who has promised to give us the pleasure of his company after the circuit. I I suppose I shall be with you early in the month of August. It will be a great disappointment to me if your sheriff should not be returned home at that time, though I suppose his office will make his presence necessary if it be possible. I fancy the reason of your not having received the parcel of books, is that Mr. Broughton has forgot them the case has happened to myself. I shall deliver your message to Mr. Stillingfleet in a few minutes. Mr. Stillingfleet sends you his compliments. He apprehends from Mr. Clements's letter that he does not intend to have a curate at present; if he hears anything further from Mr. Clements, he will let you know. The branches are much obliged to you, or I for them: they are all perfectly well. If in any future letter I should make no mention of them, I hope you will take it for granted without being affronted, that they are well. Sincerely yours, [Sandwell] June 25. D. Mr. Stillingfleet, mentioned here by Lord Dartmouth, was the pious editor of the Sermons by Mr. Walker of Truro, on the Church Catechism, to which he prefixed a judicious notice of his life and ministry. He was an excellent and devoted man, held in high esteem by many who knew his modesty and worth. The Bishop refused to license Mr. Talbot to the curacy vacated by Mr. Haweis. His conduct affords another proof of the violent animosity which existed in those times, against the teachers of evangelical doctrines. The occurrence drew from Lord Dartmouth some very |