Testimony of my fincere refpect for you. I am, Reverend and Dear Sir, and moft humble fervant, THOMAS STEDMAN. Shrewsbury, In the CRITICAL REVIEW, for June, 1791, these Letters are thus noticed. Mr. ORTON was a very respectable dissenting minister; and his advice to the young clergyman, is truly excellent. It displays the full character of its author, strictly, rationally, and, in general, chearfully pious: judicious, zealous in doing good, and indefatigable in being useful. The Letters are not indeed of the fashionable mould, for they inculcate a strict attention to the duty of a parish-priest; a regard to the morals of his parishioners; frequent conversation on moral and religious subjects; an earnest endeavour to lead them to reflect, and to catch in turn, hints for the future conduct, by observing what seemed most striking, what appeared most interesting. The observations on different authors interspersed are frequently just. Extract from the MONTHLY REVIEW, for Mr. ORTON has been long known and esteemed, as a man of integrity, of exemplary piety, virtue and benevolence, as well as of erudition. Mr. STEDMAN, the editor, was the person to whom the Letters were originally written. They contain observations, which may be useful to all persons, but are particularly adapted for the service of the clergy, and the younger part of them. Among others, we find some sensible remarks on frugality; the necessity of attending to which is urged with great fervour, and perhaps, could never be more seasonably pressed than at the present time.This little volume is very deserving of the regard of those, for whose benefit it is immediately designed. LETTERS I AM AM very glad for Dr. STONHOUSE'S fake, and alfo for your own, that you intend accepting the curacy of Little-Cheverel.* The doctor is a learned, genteel, good tempered man; VOL. I. B * Near Devizes, in Wiltshire. truly truly ferious, rationally evangelical, and judiciously zealous. He will treat you like a friend and a brother, and you will be much pleased and improved by his company and converfation. He preaches, during his refidence, twice every Sunday, and has a lecture on Wednesday evening. But ill health obliges him to live the greater part of the year at Bristol, for the benefit of the waters there. I could fay more of his parish every way, than the doctor chooses to write to you of it himself, because he would not raise too high expectations. I am pleased with the lift of books* you intend taking with you, but you will allow me to add, that I hope you will "The head of my college procured me a curacy in a small country town. Thither I went, not without my collection of books, the use of which I would not have foregone for a mitre.". KNOX. |