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translation put every word that is found in the original? There is a note in the explanatory
articles, which declares that we have omitted those peculiarities, and, in the preface, it can also be
mentioned. Upon the whole, I think it will not only be
more intelligible to our people, if we leave those
parts out; but it will spare a number of apologies
and explanations, we shall be for ever obliged
to be making."
In a letter of June, 1793, he informed him that
the work was going on, and far advanced, and then
added — "I hope it will be executed in an acceptable manner. Some of the Anabaptists, in a letter,
have expressed their uneasiness at the harsh expressions in our articles of faith respecting them.
The people meant in those articles were then called Anabaptists; but those who now pass by that
name, do not hold such sentiments. Notice must be
taken of that in the preface: I wish a note had
been added at the foot of the article, for it is not
our design to give offence; but the articles are already stuck off."
The publication of the work was completed
soon after, and in the preface, he inserted a paragraph explanatory of the terms which had been
considered objectionable and injurious to the
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character of the Baptist denomination, as known in this
country.
The Doctor watched over the Church, as a tender
and faithful parent watches over a beloved child: and,
the relation which he sustained to her, as the professor of theology, gave him a kind of paternal
influence in all her concerns. It was not viewed as indelicate obtrusion in him to offer his advice, though
it were not expressly solicited, upon any question
of general importance, or likely to affect in the issue,
the welfare of the Church: — That was, in fact,
his prerogative, seemingly by common consent, on
account of his station and eminent personal qualities; and he would, whenever the occasion was
such as to require it, promptly and without reserve,
yet modestly or without assuming authority, exert himself to prevent, if possible, an apprehended
evil.
The Trustees of Queen's College had, the preceding year, with the approbation of the General
Synod, made some attempts in the Churches to increase the funds of their Institution; but these
attempts proving only partially successful, they
became discouraged and desirous, it would seem,
to rid themselves of a charge, which had hitherto
continually disappointed their hopes, and involved
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