critique, be denominates me arro- evidence I have adduced,) venture to re-assert, that infant baptism is spoken of by the earliest writers, in direct terms, and as a thing unquestioned ?"-Oh, says the Reviewer, "we will analyse this question of antiquity." Very well, and what is your analysis! Why, first," can Mr. C. so far impose upon himself," &c.-and secondly, "we do not dispute with him, whether it is mentioned in direct terms." Very good and very wise, on your part; for you well know there can be no dispute;-you well know you cannot answer my fifteen or sixteen lines upon that question; but you ought to have seen, that you have gone very far towards stultifying yourself by such an admission. gant and dogmatical Mr. Birt weak and absurd-Dr. Gale the most confused, illogical, and unfair of controversial writers, and in another place muddy-Dr. Campbell, (reiterating Mr. Ewing's allegations) rash, dogmatical and inconsistent; and has, at the same moment, the happy art of exhibiting, in most beautiful and luxuriant combinations, not one, but all these charming qualities himself; as if to show in every way his vaunted superiority! What a most wonderful circumstance it is, that every writer on our side the question should be so arrogant, and rash, and weak, and illogical; while every writer on the opposite side, should exhibit such perfect specimens of humility, caution, vigour of mind, and argumentative accuracy, that the one side should be all fools, and the other all logicians! save and except this Reviewer, who, as I have remarked, is determined to excel us all, even in our rashness, inconclusiveness, and prejudice! He writes thus-"would any one believe, that Mr. C. could so far impose upon himself, as to imagine that he had settled, in about 15 or 16 lines, a question of so much extent, (that is, whether infant baptism is spoken of in direct terms, and as a thing not questioned by the earliest writers,) and upon which the array of learned authorities is more than a hundred to one against him?"-Yes, Mr. Cox asserts and re-asserts, that not fifteen, but five lines are in fact sufficient to settle the question; and more than this, the Reviewer has the sagacity, amidst his loudest complaints, to concede the truth of my statement. After the preceding citation, he adds, "not to dispute with out friend, whether it is spoken of directly or indirectly."-Then, Sir, you have yielded the point; for what is my demand? "Will any Pædobaptist writer after this, (the uncontroverted "The array of learned authorities is more than a hundred to one against him!" This is absolutely one of the most shameless and wauton assertions that ever proceeded from fair or unfair controversialist. What, a hundred authorities to one where it is shewn that "infant baptism is spoken of by the earliest writers in direct terms, and as a thing not questioned?" Now, Sir, in the first place, I have shewn that not one of the earliest writers ever mentions infant baptism at all; for a proof of this I appeal to their own writings. If a hundred or a thousand learned men asserted they did, all their declarations united would amount to nothing in contradiction to the writers themselves: but so far from a hundred to one asserting it, I defy the Reviewer to produce ONE that ever made the assertion at all, and I, moreover, refer him to his own concession already noticed! This is merely one of those sweeping declarations in which an antagonist who is either absolutely ignorant or ineffably prejudiced deals, to save himself the trouble of examination, to escape out of a difficulty, or to gratify the illiterate multitude. (To be continued.) Miscellanea. THE ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION AT STEPNEY. (See Lithographic View.) THE tower between the two houses is commonly called "King John's Tower;" for what reason we could learn. Probably it was built never several hundred years after the decease of that monarch. All we have been able to ascertain is, that it remains a noble gate-way belonging to a mansion occupied, during Charles the second's reign, by the Marquis of Worcester. The mansion itself has long since been taken down; the rubbish and ruins of which are soon perceived in the gardens, in digging a little way below the surface. The brick-work and cement are objects of curiosity to the antiquarian, and attract the gaze of many passing strangers. The house on the left hand has been, in part, occupied, since the year 1821, by the Rev. S. Young, who is the classical and resident tutor. The house on the right hand, now the residence of Thomas Young, Esq., is of much greater antiquity, and includes a considerable portion of the house once inhabited by the Rev. Matthew Mead, one of the most eminent of the ejected ministers. Mr. Mead was the guardian of James Peirce, who afterwards rose to great celebrity at Exeter, and was rejected by his congregation, when he departed from "the faith once delivered to the saints." He was the champion of the Nonconformists, and, in his learned and famous "Vindication of the Dissenters," he evidently refers to a circumstance which took place while he resided in the house of Mr. Mead. "1682. Many ministers were imprisoned, and their goods seized and sold; and this without their having the least notice of any accusation, or re VOL. XVII. ceiving any summons to appear, and seeing the justices, or their accusers. answer for themselves, or their ever I forbear to mention the rudeness used towards women upon such occasions, and how they purposely frighted children; though I shall not easily forget, how I was myself, being very young, and in a minister's house, when it was broken open, put in great fear of my life by them; which, together with aversion to their cruel and persecuting what I then saw, begat in me such an practices, as I hope will never wear off. Warrants were signed for distresses in one parish, that of Hackney, to the value of £1400. What spoil, then, did they make, may we think, in the rest of the nation?" Part I. p. 252. See also p. 258. (son of the minister above-mentioned,) Here also lived Dr. Richard Mead, and his house was open to literary men a physician of the highest eminence; of all nations, whom he entertained with a princely hospitality. The wriWorks," tells us, that "no foreigner of ter of his life, prefixed to his " Medical any learning, taste, or even curiosity, ever came to England, without being have been a matter of reproach to have introduced to Dr. Mead, as it would returned without seeing him." "Bentley and Pope, soon after the publication of Homer, met at Dr. Mead's at dinner; when Pope, desirous of his opinion of the translation, addressed him thus: Dr. Bentley, I orbookseller to send you your dered my books: : I hope you received them." Bentley, who had purposely avoided saying any thing about Homer, pretended not to understand him, and asked, 'Books! books! what books?" My Homer,' replied Pope, which you did me the honour to subscribe for." "Oh,' said Bentley, ay, now I recollect, your translation:-it is a pretty poem, Mr. Pope; but you must not call it Homer." " Works of Dr. Johnson-Murphy's ed. Vol. II. p. 162. C These premises were purchased at the expense of £3600, which the late Wm. Taylor, Esq. generously gave for that purpose. He was, for many years, a worthy Deacon of the church in Prescott-street-the church to which the academy owes its greatest obligations. Mr. Gutteridge and Mr. Shaw, with a few other friends, were actively engaged in carrying Mr. Taylor's design into effect. Three students were eceived, and placed under the care of Dr. Newman, who became the resident tutor, at the opening of the academy in other denominations, in a scheme of piety and benevolence, so closely connected with the furtherance of the gospel? We have many pious young men, of good native talent, who long to be employed in the work of the Lord: let their hearts be gladdened at the sight of a house, in which they may pursue their studies, with a happy seclusion from secular cares, and prepare to blow the trumpet of the gospel. March, 1811. The excellent founder EPITAPH ON LORD E. O'BRIEN. died in the latter end of that year, having heard, with great pleasure and satisfaction, the reports made to him of an encouraging commencement. Nearly sixty students have been received. Of these, three have died; and their memory is embalmed in the affections of those who called them to the pastoral office, into which they were scarcely permitted to enter. Two or three have renounced the ministry altogether. Most of them are now faithfully occupying their stations, of greater or less importance, in our cities, towns, and villages. Within the last few years, an outbuilding has been converted into a neat little chapel, where the students, with the occasional help of London and country ministers, preach constantly, and in which they teach a large number of Sunday-school children. They have also zealously exerted themselves in the distribution of religious tracts, which have, no doubt, given valuable information to many of the poor inhabitants of this populous district. For the Report of the present state of the Academy, we must refer to our next Number. In the mean time we may be permitted to ask, Why should not the zeal and public spirit of the founder, be emulated by the opulent members of our body? Why should not the hands of the tutors be strengthened in their arduous and honourable toils? And why should not our ministers and churches co-operate with them, in assisting those, who, we trust, are destined to be pastors in our 'churches, at no very distant period? Why should we not keep pace with To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR,-You inserted, a few months since, an account of the dying experience of the late Lord EdwardŌ'Brien: I have reason to believe that it was read with considerable interest and profit. I now send you a copy of the Epitaph which is placed over his vault; I have no doubt that it will much gratify many of your readers; it exhibits a very just view of his character. I am, Sir, Yours respectfully, |