Several of the specimens in the last chapter of this volume are taken from Doddridge's Sermons in four volumes octavo, published in London, in 1826, now a scarce work. It is believed that these selections, both in prose and in poetry, are among the choicest that can be made from his practical and devotional compositions. Of the sermons of Doddridge, in general, Mr. Morell has well remarked that they furnish delightful specimens of genuine pulpit eloquence;' that they breathe the very soul of tenderness, and pastoral fidelity;' and that they abound with earnest and pathetic appeals to the conscience.'

6

In the preparation of this volume the principal publications relating to Doddridge and his friends have been carefully consulted; while some information belonging to this subject has been gained in conversation with several of his descendants. The author would especially acknowledge his obligations to the biographical memoirs of Doddridge by Orton, Kippis and Stoughton; and to The Correspondence and Diary of Doddridge, in five octavo volumes, edited by his great grandson, John Doddridge Humphreys. Mr. Humphreys has been rather severely criticised in Stoughton's Memorial, in the Boston Christian Examiner, and in other publications, for laying before the public, in these volumes, some of Doddridge's youthful letters of a trifling character, and some written in a very affectionate style, and addressed to certain young ladies of his acquaintance under romantic names. Admitting that the volumes of Mr. Humphreys are, in some respects, injudiciously edited, we, nevertheless, regard them, on the whole, as very interesting and valuable.

While alluding to this foible of Doddridge's youth it may be proper to remark that other faults have been laid to his charge, such as 'his habits of speaking somewhat ostentatiously of his own employments, and particularly that accommodation of religious phraseology to the opinions or associations of others.' As Dr. Kippis has remarked, 'It is not the lot of the purest

virtue to pass through the world without reproach.' And Doddridge, with all his moral excellence, and in the midst of the applause he received from the great and the good in his day, also endured reproach from the tongues of the envious and the malicious. Orton in his Memoirs, has devoted a whole section to his behaviour under injuries. Doddridge himself thus gives us his own sentiment on this point: I settle it as an established point with me, that the more diligently and faithfully I serve Christ, the greater reproach, and the more injury I must expect.' With reference to some calumnies. that his enemies aimed at him, his faithful friend the Rev. John Barker very pointedly writes to him; 'As for the unmanly flirts, and ungenerous reflections of those who are not worthy to carry your books after you, it puts me in mind of a dog barking at the moon, which after all his impotency shines, and is still very far out of his reach.' With all Doddridge's trivial faults we verily believe that few persons have ever exhibited in so favorable a light the various excellencies of the Christian character. In the annals of sacred biography few names have been so universally revered by the Christian world for amiableness, zeal, devotedness and piety. And to the most distant posterity will his name continue to shine in the firmament of the Christian church as a star of the purest and gentlest lustre.

May the divine blessing still attend the labors of this saintly divine, who being dead yet speaketh in his valuable writings in strains of exquisite simplicity, tenderness and pathos, to thousands in all Christian lands; and by means of his writings may multitudes still be enlightened and guided to the blessed Saviour, who is the way and the truth, and the life,-THE

BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR.

The joy of earth and heaven.'

ARGYLE, N. Y., May 1st, 1864.

D. A. H.

DODDRIDGE WAS A BURNING AND SHINING LIGHT WHICH, IN DAYS OF MORE THAN ORDINARY COLDNESS, DIVINE PROVIDENCE WAS PLEASED TO ENKINDLE, IN ORDER TO IMPART BOTH WARMTH AND ILLUMINATION TO THE PROFESSING CHRISTIAN WORLD.

Bishop Jebb.

DODDRIDGE'S HEART WAS MADE UP OF ALL THE KINDLIER FEELINGS OF OUR NATURE, AND WAS WHOLLY DEVOTED TO THE SALVATION OF MEN'S SOULS. WHATEVER HE DID, HE APPEARS TO HAVE DONE TO THE GLORY OF GOD.-Dr. Dibdin.

DODDRIDGE IS NOW MY PRIME FAVORITE AMONG DIVINES.Robert Hall.

HIS THOUGHTS HAVE A DEW STILL ON THEM, LIKE FLOWERS FRESH GATHERED IN THE FIELDS OF HOLY MEDITATION.-Rev. Dr. Hamilton

LIFE OF DR. DODDRIDGE.

CHAPTER I.

HIS TIMES.

HE age in which Philip Doddridge lived was one of unusual brilliancy in the literary,

scientific and military history of England. The period of his youth

ful years, comprising the reign of Queen Anne, has usually been styled the Augustan era of English literature. This polished age, however, properly comprehends the reigns of William III., Anne, and the first two Georges.

Before sketching the life of the learned and pious author of The Family Expositor, and The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, let us glance for a few moments at the literary, political, moral and religious features of his age, - an age so fruitful in illustrious men; so remarkable for the rapid and extensive diffusion of general literature; and so eventful in political and military affairs.