A PRINCIPLE AT STAKE. 



159 



written on each side ; but it was striking to see how he retained 

 the personal esteem of his opponents. He sometimes wrote of 

 them with little tolerance, as " enemies of the truth ; " but 

 though some, who loved him best, regretted that he disregarded 

 the feelings of others when he thought great principles at stake, 

 showed little desire to conciliate, and was in danger of sacri- 

 ficing not only courtesy but candour through the ardour of his 

 convictions, it was known that he judged himself as severely 

 as he judged them, and that in simplicity and godly sincerity 

 he had his conversation in the world. There was such evident 

 goodness of heart, and kindliness, and genuine humility in his 

 deportment, that even those who disapproved of his course 

 were often charmed by his geniality. 



On Easter Monday (1857) a congregational tea-party was 

 held, at which persons were present from most of the religious 

 societies of the town ; some of whom, and the Rev. Dr. Bayley, 

 of the New Jerusalem Church, London, took part in the pro- 

 ceedings. Letters were read from the Revs. J. Martineau, J. J. 

 Tayler, and J. H. Thorn, expressing their firm attachment to 

 the principle of a free theology, which Mr. Carpenter and his 

 congregation had faithfully carried out. A reporter was present, 

 and a full account of the meeting appeared in " The Inquirer.' 7 

 Philip's predecessor, the Rev. T. Hincks of Leeds, and his 

 intimate friend from college days, the Rev. W. H. Herford, 

 were among the speakers. It is noteworthy that all these 

 ministers belonged to what was then called the New School of 

 Unitarians, who had given up the views held by his father, and 

 still more strictly maintained by himself, of the paramount 

 authority of Christ's words as related in Scripture. Philip said 

 in his address, "We do not possess liberty to think as we 

 like, but liberty to be taught by the Lord Jesus — liberty to 

 receive whatever doctrines the Lord in His mercy vouchsafes 

 to us through His Son. . . . We are a Christian society, and 

 we do not consider that any one has liberty to be among us 

 who does not believe in Jesus Christ — who does not put him- 

 self under the absolute and complete service of our Lord Jesus 

 Christ." Some of those who were most ready to sustain him 



