Clergy -- England -- Biography; Stoughton, John, 1807-1897
I must say, after all his antecedents, I found him a thoroughly hearty
and kindly disposed Englishman and Christian. “The Revision,” had a
powerful and permanent effect in the relations of several distinguished
Churchmen and Nonconformists. Some of my scholarly brethren, I need
scarcely say, were chosen on the committee, and nothing could be more
harmonious than their co-operation on both sides. Having enjoyed the
friendship of some, and the acquaintance of more, I can testify to their
mutual regard and affection. Some High Churchmen—as I know from having
seen notes in their handwriting—expressed thankfulness to Almighty God
for having brought them into this new relationship. It evidently removed
prejudices, and inspired a feeling of religious oneness, where there had
been before estrangement, if not alienation. At the same time Dissenting
scholarship rose in estimation; and I found from conversation, that
Churchmen held their fellow-revisers in high respect as critical students
of the sacred volume. Some betrayed their possession of an idea, that
Nonconformist learning in our day had risen far above what it was of old;
an idea I endeavoured to correct, by maintaining that, whilst there has
been a wider _diffusion_ of knowledge amongst our ministers, it may be
questioned whether the attainments of living men amongst us have not been
exceeded by those of a past generation. Distinguished Hebrew scholars,
such as Drs. Boothroyd, Pye-Smith, and Henderson, famous in the early
years of the century, are dropping out of notice in the present day.
Social intercourse went on between the revisers and their friends.
Reunions were held at New College, and Regent’s Park College, and also in
private residences.
An attempt on a bolder line to promote Christian union, came into
prominence about the time now under review. I allude to a proposal for
what has been called an “interchange of pulpits,”—more properly an
interchange of preaching officers. A hundred years ago it was not
altogether uncommon for Incumbents of the Establishment to preach in
Dissenting chapels, especially those of the Countess of Huntingdon’s
Connexion; in a few instances a Nonconformist occupied a parish church
pulpit. Such irregularities died out early in this century. But twenty
years since there appeared a willingness on the part of several clergymen
to revive the practice. Conferences were held with reference to the
subject, and discussions occurred as to what measures should be taken to
secure legally, what seemed desirable to many. The Right Honourable
Cowper Temple, afterwards Lord Mount Temple (now deceased), took an
interest in the matter, and prepared a Bill to remove legal impediments
out of the way. He sent me the following note:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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