The correspondence and diary of Philip Doddridge, ed. by J.D. Humphreys

HAVING now to introduce the Reader to the concluding volume of this Correspondence, I may, perhaps, be pardoned in reverting to some circumstances which have attended the progress of its publication.

Impartiality is a duty so imperative on a biographical writer, that, without it, if he awaken our attention, it is but to betray our confidence.

If, from tenderness to the deceased, he conceal what he may deem the foibles of his character; if, from subserviency to a dominant party, he suppress sentiments which might offend; or if, from a want of manly feeling, he fear for himself, lest he should encounter the obloquy and insult which honesty and candour ever have, and ever will receive from those who fatten by practising on the amiable weaknesses

VOL. V.

of their fellow men, and to whom prejudice is more important than truth! he is unqualified for the task he has undertaken.

The example furnished by the experience and conduct of the great and the good of past generations is of the first importance to the living. It is a chart by studying which we may guard against the hidden dangers which lurk beneath the ocean of life, and are most perilous when all is tranquil in the joyous morning of our youth. What would be said of a mariner, who, on going to sea, threw overboard the compass which would indicate his course? He, however, who gives us but half a character when he affects to paint the whole, does worse; he teaches us to form a false estimate of human nature, and a delusive idea of the providence of God! From the prevalence of this error half the fruits of virtue have fallen prematurely, and the characters of good men have appeared of so abstract and spiritual a nature, that they have defied imitation, and given a pretence for designing writers to represent them as specious hypocrites, or amiable enthusiasts.

The ample nature of the materials, and the decorous lapse of time have given me an opportunity of doing justice to the example of Dr. Doddridge, by presenting his character at large before the world.

As one who entertains a tender respect for the memory of that eminent Man, and still more, as his immediate descendant, had there been one questionable circumstance to have sullied the honourable record of his name, no consideration should have

induced me to have betrayed its existence; but there was none. I had the opportunity of looking into the inmost recesses of his character, and I found it clear as a vase of crystal; while the more I regarded it, the brighter became the light that beamed around it.

To give a full and impartial picture of such a man, was, therefore, a task of unmingled satisfaction; and the only question worthy of consideration, was as to the number of letters which should be printed illustrative of any leading feature of his mind.

The peculiar tenderness of his heart, and the innocent vivacity which marked his social character, were the traits most likely to alarm the prejudices of many worthy and pious persons who had unfortunately imbibed the cautious formality of the modern religious world. Accordingly I felt it desirable that those amiable qualities should appear in their natural order. In early youth glowing with ardour, but ever governed by the dictates of conscience and religion; while, in the riper years of manhood, they throw a peculiar charm over a life of indefatigable exertion in the causes of practical piety and of public usefulness. With regard to those letters of this character which contain records of a tender nature, as any concealment in such matters might have excited unfounded and injurious suspicions, I felt the propriety, or rather the necessity of printing the whole. Nor was I unwilling to do so, as they are highly interesting, and present not only an amusing picture of the playful gallantry of a former age, but show that the natural ardour of youthful emotions may be

freely and yet innocently entertained, when under the command of religious principle. Of the pathetic and beautiful devotional letters, every where intermingled, no difference of opinion can arise; but the Cynic, who, while he renders these the ungracious tribute of his praise, affects to contemn the former, betrays no less the sterile coldness of his bosom than his utter ignorance of human nature. Had not the heart of Doddridge drunk so deeply of the sympathies of humanity, it had been incompetent to entertain those divine sentiments of an ecstatic piety, which, combined with the argumentative force of his practical writings, has thrilled the hearts of thousands, and will continue to do so till time shall be no more.

In fulfilling the editorial duties of this work, a much greater portion of my attention has been consumed than I had anticipated. Yet, notwithstanding much labour, I am aware that some errors have escaped notice; they are such, however, as I flatter myself, every candid reader will excuse. I have been fully sensible of the responsibility of the office undertaken, and I am thankful in having been enabled to discharge it conscientiously.

Upon the whole, I felt myself authorised to anticipate the satisfaction, if not the gratitude of the more enlightened and sounder portion of the religious public; and I have the pleasure of knowing that I did not judge amiss, notwithstanding the atrocious attack which the self-interested champions of religious party have levelled against the Work and its Editor. The periodicals to which I allude have, in

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The correspondence and diary of Philip Doddridge, ed. by J.D ..., Volume 5