the custom of holding its annual meetings in different towns of the Western counties, and of joining, upon these occasions, in a religious service.

On the second anniversary of

and the conduct to be observed not accustomed to look back. towards their descendants." This Great benefit has also been found subject and his application of it to accrue to the institution from had evidently been suggested to him by those memorials of bigot. ry and intolerance which he had recently perceived at Birmingham, Accordingly, in the Preface he makes some just and animated strictures on the riots which have this institution, September 3, fixed upon the name of that town 1793, Mr. Kenrick delivered a an almost indelible disgrace: and sermon, at Taunton, which, a in the discourse itself he paints the few months afterwards, was comguilt and evils of persecution in mitted to the press, and the ob lively but faithful colours. ject of which is to shew that the The steady and well directed period is probably arrived for the zeal of Mr. Kenrick prompted revival and diffusion of those two him in the same year to devise important truths, the unity of the and attempt the establishment of Divine Being and the humanity an Unitarian Book Society, in the of Christ; the expectation that West of England, upon the plan the latter doctrine, in particular, of one which had been instituted will speedily prevail in the world some months before in the matro- seems to be justified, observes the polis. Convinced of the desira- writer, by the simplicity to bleness of a provincial association which it is now reduced, by the for the like purposes, he exerted conduct of those who embrace it, himself in recommending it to his in making an open profession of friends, took an active part in their faith, and by the temper and framing the rules of it, drew up circumstances of their oppothe simple and perspicuous state- nents:" this reasoning is enforced ment which stands at the head of in a manner highly creditable to them, and, to his death, discharged the talents and feelings of the the office of its secretary with the preacher; and one of the notes utmost vigilance and punctuality. contains an interesting account of It was no trifling satisfaction to the present state of the Unitarians him that he witnessed the gradual of Prussia and Transylvania. enlargement of the catalogue of its members from small and apparent- circulated by the society of Unitaly unfavourable beginnings. The rian Christians in the West of EngWestern Unitarian Society has land are a volume of prayers for flourished amidst opposition which families, and another of prayers has not always been manly, gene- for individuals: both these works rous and consistent; and the per- were compiled by Mr. Kenrick, severing labours of Mr. Kennick partly from printed forms already were principally instrumental to in existence, and partly from its success: for having once put communications in manuscript by his hand to the plough, he was himself and several of his friends:

Among the useful publications

*Discourses, Vol. ii. No. xxxix.

both have been warmly approved Kenrick, in whose family most. and encouraged by the class of of them resided, and from whom persons for whose advantage they they received lectures in logic, were principally undertaken; and the theory of the human mind, it may be presumed that they have and the evidences, doctrines and. in many instances fulfilled the history of natural and revealed re-. editor's design, by enkindling and ligion. In general, the course of cherishing the spirit of pure devo- instruction and discipline pursued. tion.

Soon after the beginning of 1795 he printed "An address to young men, &c." which has been published since his death, in the first volume of his discourses.

in this seminary resembled that. which had been followed with success at Daventry. By the assist, ance of some of Mr. Kenrick's friends, in his immediate neigh, bourhood, and of others at a dis❤ In the year 1799 Mr. Kenrick tance, exhibitions were given to printed a sermon which has for a few students in divinity; and to its title, "The future existence of the same liberality he was indebted infants asserted:" the immediate for a small but elegant set of phidesign of it was to offer consola- losophical instruments, and for tion to an afflicted family; and, some valuable books, in addition being now published, it may to the use of an excellent library serve to communicate the same with which he was obligingly accomforts and hopes to Christian commodated by the trustees of parents in a similar situation. the former academy at Exeter.

About this time he entertained Most of the young men who were the serious wish of again under- placed under his care are now taking the office of a tutor. To filling respectable and useful sta❤ instruct the young, was an em- tions; and the cordial regard ployment congenial to his mind; which they express for his memory and his delight in it, added to his is a sufficient indication of the conviction of the urgent necessity merits of the tutor and the grati, of such exertions in the cause of tude of the pupils. learning and religion, now induced Considerable and various sacri him to project the re-establish- fices were made by Mr. Kenrick, ment of an academical institution with a view to the effectual djsat Exeter, principally with the charge of the duties of this rela view of providing for a succession tion. Nor should the obligation of Dissenting ministers. In the which he thus conferred on the summer of 1799 he opened his friends of learning, religion and house for this purpose; having free inquiry be lightly estimated. obtained the able co-operation of Had his seminary been situated in the Rev. Joseph Bretland in the the centre of the kingdom, it would classical and mathematical departments. Some of the students were designed for commercial and civil life; and all were under the immediate superintendance of Mr.

probably have attracted greater attention, and been more extensively advantageous. Such, however, was the reputation of its tutors, that it obtained increasing

*Discourses, No. xxxvi.

patronage.

Mr. Kenrick, who In the summer of 1804 he paid

was disinterestedly concerned to a visit to his friends in Denbighprovide a succession of ministers properly qualified for their work, and who wished to see others feel an interest in the support of theological students rather than of an academy, had the satisfaction to perceive the growing credit and utility of his undertaking: he witnessed with delight the improvement of his pupils; and there is reason to believe that, had Providence lengthened his life, the academical institution at Exeter, humble and domestic as it was, would have rendered signal service to the cause of sacred literature and truth, liberty and virtue.

shire: his health was apparently as strong as ever, and his spirits remarkably vigorous and cheerful. From a short excursion to Chester and Liverpool he returned, August 22, to Wrexham; and, during his walk, on the same evening, in the fields surrounding that town, he was observed suddenly to fall. Medical aid was instantly procured: but the spark of life was extinguished, beyond hope of its revival by human skill. At first there was some reason to suppose that he had been precipitated to the ground by an obstacle which he encountered in his path, A short time before his own and that he had received, in conseminary was set on foot, Mr. sequence, a mortal blow: on a Kenrick had been strongly invited closer examination of the circumto be lecturer in divinity and pre- stances attending the event, it was siding tutor in the New College at more probably considered as the Manchester: the situation was effect of an apoplectic seizure; honourable and important; but, a complaint with which he had upon mature reflection, he declin- been once alarmingly attacked, ed the offer of it, from a persua- many years before, and against sion that the success of his labours which, no repetition of it being in the joint characters of pastor apprehended, no immediate preand tutor, was, on the whole, caution had been taken. On more likely to be promoted by his Sunday, August 26, he was incontinuance at Exeter.-There, terred, among his ancestors, in among friends who were able to the Dissenters' burial ground at discern his worth, and eager to Wrexham. acknowledge it, and whose at- The sensation produced in his tachment to him was, in the high- family and friends at Exeter by the est degree, affectionate and re- intelligence of his death can more spectful, he passed the short re- easily be conceived than representmainder of his days. This happy ed. In every place, indeed, to connection was, alas! soon to be which the information was conveydissolved;-not indeed by the ed, it excited the deepest sorrow removal of Mr. Kenrick to a spot of those who had known him; but which appeared to present even it was natural that he should be fairer prospects of usefulness and most lamented in that city which comfort-but by the event which had been the principal scene of is hastening to dissolve all human his labours and his happiness and where he was most respected

ties!

and beloved. One of the mem- panying the resolution which cons bers of his late congregation thus tained this request, is highly howrote, upon the occasion, to the nourable to their principles and author of this memoir:-"As a feelings. While they deplore the friend, a minister and a tutor, Mr. awful and afflictive dispensation Kenrick was the cause of our re- which has bereaved them of a joicing, and the ground of our much endeared friend, and of "a most sanguine hopes and expecta minister whose learning and piety tions; and he will live in our commanded their esteem and ve memories while our memory shall neration-and the world of a chalast. The recollection of him racter which, by its superior exdraws from us the tear of affection cellence, challenged distinguished and gratitude the sorrow which respect:"-they add," It is our the event has occasioned among duty and will be our interest, to us must be seen to be conceived endeavour to recollect those just of; but then we weep not for and sublime views of the divine him: we know it is well with him perfections and government which but we weep for ourselves and our beloved pastor was for our families. When we look tomed to set before us, and which back on his labours of love among appeared to have so happy an us, we seem unable to calculate effect upon his own mind. And the extent of our loss."-By an- we would hope that many of his other respectable correspondent the surviving charge will have reason feelings of affection and regret for blessing his memory to the end were forcibly expressed in the fol- of their days, on account of the varie lowing paragraph :-"The late ous instruction and solid comfort mournful event has bereaved us he so ably and faithfully imparted." of a friend as dear as a brother; Mr. Kenrick's knowledge one whose memory I shall have was various and well-digest reason to bless to the end of my days, and to whom I indulge the pleasing prospect of a re-union, when the sleep of death is over, never more to suffer the pangs of a separation."

ed.

accus

With the several branches of theology he had an intimate a quaintance, which he was constantly improving. His favourite employment seems to have been the interpretation of the scripWhatever investigation

The united congregations of tures. Protestant Dissenters in Exeter he undertook, he was indefatigmade it their unanimous request able in pursuing it, and was able to Mrs. Kenrick, "that she will to communicate, with clearness consent to have published the and order, the result of his inExpositions on the New Testa- quiries. The principal features of ment delivered by their late pas- his mental character were a sound tor, and also two volumes of his and discriminating judgment and sermons." They justly con- a habit of deliberate attention. sidered that they could not erect His style, though seldom ornaa nobler monument to his me- mented, is usually neat, and al mory; and their letter, accom- ways remarkably simple and per

*Preface to Discourses, p. v.

his conversation, as it is in his writings, that he was no common place thinker and observer.

spicuous; and it was evident in in the spirit of religion; and it was some presumption of the truth of the doctrines which he zealously enforced, that they were embraced In a moral and religious view, by a person of such qualifications he attained to great eminence of and in such circmstances. While character. Firm, upright, inde. he avowed them with fortitude, he pendent, he was, at the same inculcated them in love. No time, kind and tender in his feel- man was less disposed to censure ings, candid in his judgments, others for using that liberty of cordial and steadfast in his friend- private opinion which he claimed ships, and generous and benefi- and exercised himself: but no cent in his various intercourses man was more hostile to dishowith the world. The purity of nourable concealment and accomhis mind, his disinterestedness and modation; no one was more faithself-denial, and the zeal which he ful to the obligations of Christians constantly exercised for the ac- and Protestants; and he might complishment of important ob truly have said, with the excellent jects, were the genuine fruits of Dr. John Jebb, "It is not my Christian piety and faith. His nature to give way to expediency devotion was a principle and habit; at the expense of right. and his consistency of conduct ration, when real, I honour: but procured him general respect; timidity, or craft, under that ap while, united with the valuable pearance, I detest." qualities already enumerated, it cemented and increased the attachment of those who had the happiness of knowing him in private life.

Mode

The sermons of Mr. Kenrick were plain and scriptural; intelligible to hearers of humble capacity and attainments, but instructive and acceptable likewise to men Nothing so much distinguished of reading and reflection; and him from the bulk of the profes- they treated, with happy variety, sors of Christianity, and even upon devotional, practical and from many of his brethren in the doctrinal subjects. Of the supeministry, as his ardent love of rior excellence both of his disreligious truth. To discover and courses and his expositions the pubcommunicate the pure doctrines lic has now an opportunity of judg of the gospel, and to promote their ing; nor have the two volumes of efficacy upon the human character the former, which made their apwere purposes for which he spared pearance in 1805, failed of obtain neither time nor case, neither ear- ing the approbation of persons who ly preposessions nor personal com are signally qualified to decide forts and expectations. A sound upon their merits. Every other understanding enabled him to part of the pastoral office was disform a satisfactory and mature charged by Mr. Kenrick in a very judgment upon points of theologi- exemplary manner. To the imcal dispute: his inquiries into provement of the young people of religious subjects were carried on his congregation, his time and

* Memoirs (p. 185.) prefixed to the first Vol. of his Works, VOL. III.