THE Theological Seminary which, on its recent removal from Wymondley to London, has paid a just tribute to the memory of its munificent founder, by assuming his name, ranks with the most ancient of our academical institutions. No precise date can be fixed upon as the era of its first establishment, as it seems rather to have arisen gradually, and almost imperceptibly, out of existing circumstances and events, than to have resulted from any concerted plan of co-operation.

In the earlier period of the History of Nonconformity in this country, the Dissenters being excluded, as they still are, by unjust and intolerant regulations, from participating in the literary advantages of our national universities, were thrown upon their own resources for the education of their rising ministry. Nor could they pursue this object, though carried on entirely at their own charges, VOL. XVIII. N. S. NO. 109.

without many and serious obstructions, and the risk of ruinous prosecutions in the Spiritual Courts, as they are most inaptly termed. In this state of things many of the most eminent Dissenting Ministers of that age, eminent no less for their sound learning and distinguished talents than for their humble and devoted piety, undertook, either as an act of private benevolence, or aided by the liberality of others, to train up pious youths for the pastoral office and other public stations in the Church of God. These more private seminaries were widely dispersed over the face of the country, and their location was unusually determined by the official duties and residence of the individuals who conducted them. Such were the academies of Messrs. Frankland, Timothy Jollie, and Wadsworth, at Attercliffe; of Messrs. Warren, James, and Grove, at Taunton; of Messrs.' Tallents, Owen, and Benion, at

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England; some from Scotland; and, some even from the continent of Europe. It was constituted on the most catholic basis; including persons of various denominations of Protestant Dissenters, and some distinguished members of the Established Church participated in the advantages it afforded. There were seldom less than from thirty to forty students in the seminary, the far greater portion of whom were designed for the Christian ministry. The whole number of pupils said to have been educated by Dr. Doddridge, during the twenty-two years that he filled the divinity chair at Northampton, somewhat exceeded two hundred, of whom more than one hundred and twenty entered upon the work of the ministry, and among these were found some of the brightest

ornaments.

It will excite no surprise in those who are conversant with the political history of that period, or who have marked the intolerant spirit which always characterizes religious establishments, to find, that lovely and catholic as was the spirit of Doddridge, he was called to encounter the most virulent opposition from the ecclesiastical bigots of the age. A prosecution was commenced against him (A. D. 1733) by the clergy of the diocese, in the ecclesiastical court, as "a corrupter and perverter of youth," which must have effectually obstructed his labours in tuition, as well as involved him in numerous expences, had not the shield of royal authority afforded him protection, and frustrated the designs of his enemies. It is known, that George II., who had, on ascending the throne, declared, that during his reign there should be no persecution for conscience sake, expressly commanded, that

the proceedings in the spiritual court should instantly cease. And who were the members, that they should rebel against their "Supreme Lord and Head?"

It is somewhat remarkable, that at the very moment in which strenuous efforts were making by the hierarchy, who had taken alarm at the popularity and reputation of this rising institution, to terminate its existence, "He who has the hearts of all in his hands, and who can cause the wrath of man to praise him, and restrain the remainder of that wrath," was secretly influencing the minds of several individuals to consecrate large portions of their wealth to the promotion of the cause of Christ in various ways, and among others, by providing for the instruction of youth for the dissenting ministry. Among these, W. Coward, Esq. holds a distinguished place, of whose personal history little is known; but the correspondence to which we have repeatedly referred, affords abundant evidence, that amidst a few peculiarities of temper and eccentricities of habit, he was a man of sound and judicious mind-of fervent piety-of almost boundless liberality, inflexible in his adherence to the great principles of evangelical truth, and unwearied in his efforts to do good. This excellent individual, who had amassed great wealth in the mercantile profession, lived, at the time now referred to, in comparative retirement, at Walthamstow, and employed his time and property in

* The official documents relating to this prosecution are preserved among the MSS. at Coward College, and some interesting particulars respecting it will be found in letters written at that time, and published in " Doddridge's Correspondence," vol. iii. pp. 127-145.

the prosecution of various schemes of Christian benevolence. He had

for some years been a liberal patron of the academy (now Homerton College) then under the joint tuition of Dr. Ridgley and Mr. Eames, supported by the Inde pendent Fund Board, and also had contributed to the support of the academy at Northampton from

its commencement.

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But as he proceeded in his philanthropic career, the soul of this generous benefactor of the dissenting cause enlarged, and prompted him to devise yet more liberal things. In the spring of 1734, he seems to have first conceived the project of founding and endowing a distinct college for the education of dissenting ministers, the earliest information of which was communicated, as a great secret, to Dr. Doddridge, in a letter from Dr. David Jennings, the contents of which, as well as the reply, form so essential a part of the early history of the institution, that we deem it necessary to insert them in this place.†

* Mr. Eames was a man of high distinction among the literati of his day.

He had been educated at the Merchant Taylor's School; became Fellow of the Royal Society, of whose transactions he published a valuable abridgment; was intimately acquainted with Sir Isaac Newton, and highly esteemed by him.The testimony of Dr. Watts respecting him was, that "Mr. Eames was the most learned man he had ever known." All this erudition was humbly laid at the foot of the cross.

+ Allusions to this business are made in several letters contained in Doddridge's Correspondence, particularly in the following extracts: "On Friday," says Dr. D., in writing to his wife," I dined with Mr. Neal, at Clapham, who gave me great encouragement to hope that Coward's will may stand, and that the money due to me will be paid; the last half year, probably, in a few weeks."-p. 336.

And again;

Dr. Watts, in writing to Dr. Doddridge, As for Mr. Coward's exhibition, we

"Dear Sir, I am commissioned by Mr. Coward to inform you of his scheme of founding a college, after his death, to continue for ever; it is to consist of two tutors and twenty pupils upon his foundation. He has allotted six hundred and fifty pounds for the charge of it; out of which the Prored, as a certain salary, besides other fessor of Divinity is to have one hunadvantages, such as boarding the pupils, if he pleases, at a top price, and, perhaps, a house to dwell in, for I find that the old gentleman has a design to build for that purpose at Walthamstow.

He is desirous of naming the first tutors in his will; and I am to make you the offer, in his name, of being his Professor of Divinity, if you can think of removing to Walthamstow after his death. He designs Mr. Eames for the other tutor. (By the way, the place where he designs to fix his college is at present a secret, and must not be mentioned to any body.) He proposed, that you and your family should reside with him in his house

while he lives, and for you to preach at Walthamstow, but not to set up the Academy there till after his death: this I opposed for many reasons; one is (supposing you approve of the proposal as before stated,) that the likeliest way to keep in the worthy old gentleman's good graces is, perhaps, not to be quite so near to him. I brought him perfectly over to the proposal as stated before. And now, to give you my own thoughts of the matter, it appears to me of so much consequence, both as to yourself and our great interest, that methinks it should by no means be slighted. Suppose, if you should refuse-that the next offer should be made to Alexander T―r, what would our religious interest come to? Might not the congregation at

have all agreed, that we cannot take in any new student, while we are so many hundred pounds in debt already, and have never yet received one penny. Nor can

we see when we shall, though we have reason to hope it is still secure; but Doctors' Commons, and the Chancery, are both of them very tedious courts."p. 420.