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PLAN OF THE WORK.

THIS

HIS Magazine shall contain, Essays on the doc.. trines of Christianity :-Arguments to support its divine authority by a revelation from God:-Answers to the principal objections made by infidels and immoral persons, against its doctrines and duties :-Explanations of difficult and doubtful passages of scripture:-Remarks on moral, religious and experimental subjects:-Distinguishing marks of true and false religion:-Explanation and fulfilment of the prophecies:-With plain rules for a godly life.

Also, as a source of intelligence, this Magazine will contain accounts of missions of all Christian denominations, extracted from their own printed narratives, with the success attending their pious endeavours to spread a knowledge of the Christian religion :-Narratives of religious revivals:-Biographical sketches of persons, either ancient or modern, who have been eminently useful in the Church of Christ, whether they were placed in a public or more private station :-Anecdotes and authentic accounts of the Christian life in singular situations; with whatever else may instruct the minds and warm the hearts of Christians, comfort the afflicted, and awaken the sinful to attend to the things of their peace.

Polemic discussions will not be admitted into this publication. All Christian denominations who believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the known essential doctrines of his gospel, are invited to contribute their assistance, under the assurance that nothing shall be intentionally admitted which will wound their feelings, or increase divisions between the humble and faithful followers of our Divine Redeemer.

I. THIS work will be continued in monthly numbers through the year, each containing forty pages 8vo. printed on white paper with a handsome type, and a cover and contents on blue paper.

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The above are the prices at the office of publication. It is expected that payment will be made quarterly. Single subscribers who make full payment at the beginning of the year shall have 5 per cent. deduction.

It is expected that all letter's will be post paid; if they are not, the postage will be charged in account.

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Memoirs of the Life and Writings the free-school at Kingston-up

of Philip Doddridge, D. D.

on-Thames*.
Mr. Daniel Doddridge had

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was descended from a re-died young except one daughspectable family in Devonshire.ter, and Philip, who was born His great-great-uncle was sir in London, on the 26th of John Doddridge, knt. a justice June, 1702. So destitute was of the King's bench, in the reign he at his birth, of the signs of of James I. His grandfather, life, that he was thrown aside as John, rector of Sheperton in dead. But one of the attendants Middlesex, was ejected by the thinking she perceived some act of uniformity, in 1662. motion in him, cherished with Mr. Daniel Doddridge, his fa- such assiduous care the almost ther, an oilman in London, mar-expiring flame of existence, ried the daughter of the Rev- that it was happily preserved. John Bauman, of Prague, who, From his infancy young Dodin consequence of the troubles dridge had an infirm constitu which followed the expulsion of tion, and a thin, consumptive hathe Elector Palatine from Bohemia, came to England, and, having brought ample testimonies from many German divines, was appointed master of

*This gentleman likewise gave a great example of integrity. That he might enjoy the free exercise of the Protestant religion, he quitted the possession of a considerable estate, and withdrew, on foot, in the * At that time, he had ten chil-habit of a peasant; carrying with dren unprovided for; notwithstand him nothing but a hundred broad ing which, he quitted a benefice of pieces of gold, plaited in a leathern 2001. a year, rather than violate the girdle, and a bible of Luther's transdictates of his conscience. lation.

During Mr. Doddridge's residence at St. Alban's, he began to keep a diary of his life; from which it appears how anxious he was to be advancing in knowledge, piety, virtue, and usefulness. As he had the Christian ministry in view, beside his application to the languages, he read, every morning and evening, portions of scripture, with some commentary upon them; and it was seldom, indeed, that he permitted either his schoolbusiness, or any amusements, to divert him from this course. He recorded the substance of

bit, which rendered both him- | could not have proceeded in his self and his friends apprenhen- studies. sive that his life would be short. He frequently was accustomed, therefore, especially on the returns of his birth-day, to express his wonder and gratitude that his years were so long continued. His parents brought him up in the early knowledge of religion. His first initiation in the learned languages was in a private school in London. In 1712, he was removed to Kingston-upon-Thames, and placed at the school there under his grandfather Bauman. Here he continued till 1715, and distinguished himself by his piety and diligent application to lite-the sermons he heard, with the rature. The same year, he lost impressions they made upon his father; and he had been de- him; noting what was most prived of his mother some time worthy of imitation in the before. This circumstance, of preacher. his being left an orphan, excited In 1718, Mr. Doddridge left. in him very serious, but not the school at St. Alban's, and gloomy reflections; for he ex-retired to his sister's house, at pressed a devout, and even a cheerful trust in the divine protection.

On his father's death, Mr. Doddridge was removed to a private school at St. Alban's. Here he was happy in forming an acquaintance with a gentleman who behaved to him with the kindness of a parent-Mr. (afterward Dr.) Samuel Clark, the dissenting minister of the place. What rendered Mr. Clark's protection particularly seasonable, was a calamity that befel Mr. Doddridge. By the mismanagement of the person into whose hands the care of his affairs had been entrusted after his father's death, he lost the whole of his substance; and had not Providence raised him up such a generous friend, he

Ongar in Essex. Strong as his inclination was to the ministry, he had little prospect, from the narrowness of his circumstances, of being able to carry his wishes into execution. While he was in this state of suspense, the dutchess of Bedford, hearing of his situation and character, made him an offer, that, if he chose to be educated for the church of England, she would support the expenses of his education, and afterward provide for him. This proposal he received with gratitude, but declined it in a respectful manner, as he could not comply with the terms of ministerial conformity. In the distress of his mind, from an apprehension that he should not be able to accomplish what was so near to his heart,

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