1 856-1 857.] CONGREGATIONAL TROUBLES. 151 



there is an end to all growing light, and to the purpose for 

 which, as it appears, we have been thus far held together 

 by the hand of the Lord." 



Passages in these lectures were very objectionable to some 

 of his hearers, especially to two gentlemen of influence, who 

 had come to the neighbourhood after his settlement. He lent 

 the series to me, and has preserved a long letter of friendly 

 criticism which I wrote after their perusal. As they were 

 designed to combat what he regarded as hurtful and prevalent 

 errors, portions of them were one-sided. He meant to say 

 what would strike, and some felt hurt. 



A paper was privately circulated, charging Philip with 

 preaching Original Sin and Election ; and as it was known that 

 his stay at Warrington had been for some time in deference 

 to his mother's feelings, his friends after her death presented 

 him with an address of condolence (with ninety-four signatures), 

 which also assured him of the high regard they entertained for 

 him, both as a minister and a pastor. This address (which was 

 published) did not discourage his opponents from expressing 

 strong disapproval of his teaching at the annual meeting of 

 the congregation, at which he presided, and moving that he be 

 requested to allow his pulpit to be used by neighbouring 

 ministers for a course of doctrinal lectures.* However willing 

 they might have been to hear them in other circumstances, the 

 meeting felt that such a resolution would be regarded as show- 

 ing a want of confidence in him, and rejected it by an 

 overwhelming majority. The minority then sent a memorial 

 to the chapel committee, stating that many besides subscribers 

 had voted at the meeting : — " By the terms of the trust-deed 

 of the chapel, all power rests with the members of the con- 

 gregation, which expression has been universally, and even 



* In the previous month, Philip had finished a course " On the Good and 

 Evil in various Protestant Sects," and commenced a morning course on 

 "The Gospel History," which he continued for some time. The large 

 placard (printed at the Oberlin Press) ends with this announcement : — 

 "N.B. — Men and women who do not think their clothes good enough to 

 appear in a church or chapel, are particularly invited to attend and sit 

 where they like. " 



