These instances may be deemed sufficient to illustrate the methods employed by Congregationalists to advance the cause of Christ in the midst of discouragement and direct opposition. They sought to combine Church order with sound Evangelical instruction, and more active zeal to diffuse the truth around them. With this revival of religious interest it was determined by a few Christian friends to form a new institution in London for the Education of Young Men for the Ministry. HENRY BURDER writes: New English "ISLINGTON, May 22, 1778. "Mr. Welch and myself have met Mr. Wilson and several ministers and others, to consider of establishing an English Academy, wherein we propose the instructing proper persons in the English Grammar, in Divinity, and in the best method of composing sermons. Eleven articles have been agreed to, a tutor and treasurer chosen, and we are to meet again in a week, to pursue our plan. Do not our Churches in our day need a fire to purge the floor? not need a something to rouse up our sleepy souls? on others with grief, more so on myself." He writes again, December 26, 1778: Do we I look "There is a new society under the appellation of the New English Academy.* Your worthy friend, Mr. Wilson, of (124) 'Wood Street' (father of Thomas Wilson), and Mr. Welch, the Rev. Messrs. (Samuel) Barber and (Joseph) Brewer, and one or two more with myself, were the first projectors of this (I hope very extensively) useful design. The two divines are the tutors. The plan is this. Persons wishing to be admitted must be recommended by one of the society, or must bring written testimony from the pastor or deacon of the Church to which they belong. They are also to give in an account of their faith, experience, and reasons for going into the ministry. They are to be examined by a committee appointed by the society, before whom they are to engage in prayer, and to give a specimen of * Afterwards Highbury College. their abilities, and if approved, they are to be admitted as students, to continue under instruction not more than two years, and not to preach in less than one year from the time of admission, unless the tutors think proper. They are to be instructed in English grammar and in a course of Divinity, and to be assisted in understanding some of the more difficult parts of Scripture and in the best methods of study for the pulpit. We meet with much encouragement. Several respectable persons, both Dissenters and Methodists, have joined us, and several have subscribed five guineas per year. I think our subscriptions amount to nearly or quite one hundred and fifty pounds a year; but though we have had so much encouragement and unanimity, we are not without those that snarl at us, and start objections and difficulties; but I hope it will please God to smile on this design, and make it the happy means of spreading the light of the knowledge of the glory of Christ and of gathering in His elect." The first meeting of the new institution was held at the "Castle and Falcon," October 9, 1778. In the minutes the following entries are made: "1. That the students, encouraged by this society, shall be sent to any destitute Churches amongst Protestant Dissenters or Methodist congregations, wherever the Lord, in His providence, evidently opens a door for them. "2. That wherever, by the rules of the society, the students are allowed to preach, they shall be permitted to do it among any of the Lord's people that shall ask for their assistance." "July 9, 1799.-Each student presented with Ridgley's Body of Divinity, Scotch Edition, at the expense of the society. "Committee appointed to consider of a proper place wherein students may exercise their gift." CHAPTER XVII. In his resistance to American Independence, George III. by no means stood alone. For a long time the General Independence. majority of the nation was with him, until the enormous cost of the war and the increased taxation rendered it unpopular. American John Wesley wrote fiercely against the colonists. Cowper, the poet, decidedly opposed their views. Dr. Johnson offered a fanatical resistance to their claims; and, to add only another name in this enumeration, that might be largely extended, Chatham, the most eloquent advocate of the American cause, in his last speech vehemently opposed the dismemberment of the Empire. In a letter dated "Kew, Nov. 14, 1778, 1 min. pt. 1 p.m.," the King wrote: "If Lord North can see with the same degree of enthusiasm I do, the beauty, excellence, and perfection of the British Constitution as by law established, and consider that, if any one branch of the Empire is allowed to cast off its Letter of the King to dependency, that the others will infallibly follow the Lord North. example-that, consequently, though an arduous struggle, that it is worth going through any difficulty to preserve to the latest posterity what the wisdom of our ancestors have carefully transmitted to us, he will not allow despondency to find a place in his breast, but resolve not merely out of duty to fill his post, but will resolve to meet every obstacle that may arise { -he shall meet with the most cordial support from me; but the times require vigour, or the State will be ruined." The King, notwithstanding the obstinacy of his mistaken patriotism, was compelled to yield to the inevitable. At one time, through the criminal negligence of the Administration, the naval ports were in danger of bombardment. Charles James Fox wrote, "London, April 17 (1799)" : "DEAR OSSORY,-The French and Spanish fleets are certainly off the Lizard Point, and between Sir Charles Hardy and Plymouth. You may depend on this being true. English Ports Sixty-three were seen; but whether there were more in danger. or not, or how many of them were frigates, is not certain. There must be a battle, and Sir Charles has but thirty-six."† Favoured by hazy weather, the British squadron passed the enemy, and anchored at Spithead on September 2. Count d'Orvilliers declined to follow Hardy, fearing the intricate navigation; and as the equinox was near, and sickness prevailing, the combined fleets retired to Brest, without a single exploit except the capture of the Ardent man-of-war. The long-threatened invasion of England was not effected. But the miseries of the war changed public opinion, and led to the defeat of the Ministry of Lord North. On January 27, 1782, General Conway moved the following resolution in the House of Commons : "That it is the opinion of this House, that the farther prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North America, for the purpose of reducing the revolted colonies to Resolution in Parliament to obedience by force, will be the means of weakening Discontinue the efforts of this country against her European enemies, dangerously to increase the mutual enmity so fatal to the interests both of Great Britain and America, and, by *Donne's Correspondence of King George III., etc. Letter 523, pp. 215, 216. + Lord Russell's Life of Fox, vol. i., p. 239. the War. preventing a happy reconciliation with that country, to frustrate the earnest desire graciously expressed by his Majesty to restore the blessings of public tranquillity." The motion was seconded by Lord Althorp, and adopted by a majority of nineteen, the numbers being-Ayes, 234; Noes, 215. Five days after, another resolution was passed by the House, declaring that the House "would consider as enemies to his Majesty and the country all those who should by any means attempt the further prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North America, for the purpose of reducing the revolted colonies to obedience by force." After various ministerial changes, the signal victories of Rodney, and the exhaustion of America, the way was prepared for the negotiation Negotiation of Treaties of Peace with the four enemies for Peace. against which England had so long contended without a single ally. Practically, the Independence of the United States of America involved little more than a change of Administration, in which native talent No Social and influence might have its proper scope. No levelling process was needed in America, for there was no deeply-rooted aristocracy, related by ancient ties to the Court and to the people. Society, therefore, needed no reconstruction. Nor was it necessary to effect a social change in England. Corruption existed, inequality of taxation, and many political abuses, but there was moral stamina in a large section of the people. Many a battle had been fought and won by moral force— especially by the Nonconformists-within the lines |