THE CHRISTIAN REFORMER. No. CIX.] JANUARY, 1843. [VOL. X. OBITUARY MEMOIR OF THE LATE DR. PHILIPPS. DIED on Thursday, October 20, 1842, the Rev. NATHANIEL PHILIPPS, Doctor of Divinity, of Moor Lodge, near Sheffield, Yorkshire. In the 85th year of his age he breathed his last, calmly and serenely, in the assured hope of that blessed immortality which awaits the just, and was interred on the 26th, in the beautiful grounds of the cemetery of that town. He was the only son of the Rev. Daniel Philipps, minister of the Old meeting at Sowerby, near Halifax, -a place celebrated as being the residence of Oliver Heywood in the days of Nonconformity, and as the birth-place of Archbishop Tillotson. He was descended lineally from an ancient and honourable family of long standing and influence in Wales, of whom Sir John Philipps, in later times, was created a Baronet by James the First. The grandfather of Dr. Philipps, however, imbibed Puritanical principles, his adherence to which produced finally a separation from his father and family, who were all of them high Cavaliers. It was on the sabbath-day, December the 4th, A. D. 1757, that the subject of this obituary was born; and his father consecrated him from his infancy to that profession which he afterwards pursued, and of which he was so bright an ornament. He received the rudiments of a classical education at Sowerby, and was afterwards placed at the Halifax school, then in high repute under the mastership of the Rev. Richard Hudson, M. A., where he distinguished himself by the rapid progress he made in his studies. During his boyhood, he had many narrow escapes from death; but amidst the attacks of disease or accident, he never despaired; having, as he has expressed it, a presentiment that he should live to exercise, in future life, the duties of that profession to which he had been devoted. Religiously brought up, he also retained religious habits and impressions, practised secret prayer, and attended much to public discourses, and often heard the venerable Wesley, from whom he received a parting benediction. Mr. Ralph was at this period the minister of the Northgate chapel at Halifax, whilst Mr. Wood was pastor at Leeds, and Mr. Dean at Bradford. By these gentlemen the young son of their neighbour and friend was much noticed, and to their kindness of disposition and independence of spirit, as well as to their learning and eloquence, he has often in after life borne ample testimony. In the year 1773, he was placed at the College at Hoxton, the Tutors of which were Dr. Savage, who filled the chair of Theology, Dr. Kippis that of Belles-Lettres, and Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Abraham Rees that of Mathematics and Experimental Philosophy. Under their instructions, he passed through the usual academical course with much credit, and whilst at college formed friendships which in after life were long cherished; and though the immediate objects of them may have sunk into the slumber of the tomb, yet amongst their descendants their father's friend has ever been held in affectionate regard. Upon quitting college, an unanimous invitation was sent to him from the congregation assembling at the High-Pavement chapel, Nottingham. Here he spent eight years as co-pastor with the Rev. George Walker, enjoying the confidence of his distinguished colleague, happy in the respect of the town and of a numerous and attached congregation. In the year 1782, he married his first wife, the daughter of Mr. Dale, a merchant of that place. During his residence at Nottingham, he received an invitation from Cockey-moor, on Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Barnes's removal to Manchester, another from Hampstead, and a third from Palgrave, in Suffolk. It was at this time that the Rev. Mr. Barbauld, with his wife, the literary, poetic and highly accomplished Mrs. Barbauld, had resigned their school, and an opportunity was thus offered to an ardent spirit to embark in an enterprize requiring industry and application. This opportunity was seized, and the invitation to Palgrave accepted; and under the blessing of Providence, the successor to the pastoral and scholastic duties there was enabled to go on with reputation in his new career as an instructor of youth, and with success as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ. In addition to the general routine of education usually adopted, a college course of Mathematics, Ethics, History, Natural and Experimental Philosophy, was pursued with a select number of pupils who were studying at the English and Scotch universities, who came to him during the vacations at their respective colleges, and many of whom, in after life, became distinguished ornaments of society. From the reputation in which he was held as a man of literature and science, the University of Edinburgh in the most handsome manner conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in the year 1794. The learned men whose names are appended to that diploma, and who shed a lustre on the age in which they lived, are now no more; yet it was with a melancholy pleasure that, on the occasion of a visit to Scotland a few years ago, Dr. Philipps met with the last surviving one of that number, Dr. Baird, but who now likewise is gathered to his fathers.* A circumstance of a very pleasing nature occurred about this time, viz. the settlement of the Rev. Daniel Philipps as minister at Hapton, within a few miles of Palgrave. This was effected principally through the kind instrumentality of his much-valued friends, the late Mr. Meadows Taylor and Mr. Dyson, both of Diss. It was As it may be interesting, we give a copy of the diploma :-" Quem honos sit virtutis præmium, ideoque apud omnes academias usitatum sit ut qui moribus ingenio et optimarum artium cognitione præ cæteris eminent, ii maximis laudibus et summis bonoribus officiantur; nos igitur Academiæ Jacobi VI. Regis Scotorum quæ Edinburgi est, Primarius cæterique Professores hoc scripto testatum volumus Virum Reverendum Nathanielem Philipps verbi Divini Ministrum apud Palgrave in agro Suffolciensi, luculento testimonio nobis commendatum, Sacrosanctæ Theologiæ Doctoris Titulum consequutum esse; eique amplissimam potestatem Sacrosanctam Theologiam ubique gentium legendi, docendi, profitendi concessam, aliaque gratifying to the feelings of the son to have a venerated parent living so near him, and to be able to soothe by his attentions the declining years of his life, ere he sank into the grave, after having reached the same age, within a few days, as that to which his son, Dr. Philipps, has so recently attained. In the year 1794, Dr. Priestley quitted England for a foreign land. Dr. Philipps had always held him in high esteem, and the friendship was reciprocated, as the following letter will shew. It was one of the last which Dr. Priestley wrote before his departure, and is subjoined, as it manifests the feelings and motives which influenced his removal from his native land to the shores of America, as well as the kindness of his disposition and goodness of heart. DEAR SIR,-I am much affected with the generosity of my friends in your neighbourhood, and beg you will return them my warmest thanks for their kind benefaction. It is with sincere regret that I leave this country, especially after flattering myself that I was fixed for life, and had resumed my former pursuits. I now go on an absolute uncertainty, and rather too late in life. But all my sons are already in America, and their situation, together with the state of things here, make it expedient for me to go to them. Our captain has fixed our departure for the 26th instant, but it will probably be about the beginning of April. However, I shall be ready in good time. I leave this country with every good wish, not only to my friends, but to my enemies, and hope that, when prejudices are removed, we shall meet in a better world. I yesterday dined at Dr. Aikin's, and met Mr. and Mrs. Barbauld and Dr. Enfield: they were all very well. Mrs. Priestley joins with me in best respects to yourself and Mrs. Philipps. After spending eleven years at Palgrave with much credit to himself and advantage to his pupils, Dr. Philipps, finding his engagements almost too much for his health and strength, removed to Walthamstow, near London, where, with lighter pastoral duties and confining his attention to the education of a smaller number of young men, whom he carried through the higher branches of educa omnia Privilegia, Immunitates, Jura quæ hic, aut usquam alibi ad Doctoratus apicem evectis concedi solent. Cujus rei quo major esset fides, nos sigillo communi Academiæ appenso, Chirographa apposuimus, Edinburgi anno Salutis Humanæ Millesimo septingentesimo nonagesimo quarto, Mensis Januarii die trigesimo primo. GEO. BAIRD, S. T. P., Primarius. Jacobus Gregory, Med. Pract. Prof. Robertus Dick, Jur. Civ. D. ritus Andr. Dalzel, Litt. Gr. P. Thomas Hardy, Hist. Eccl. & S. T. P. Dugaldus Stewart, Eth. P. Gul. Moodie, L. L. O. O. P. Joannes Playfair, Math. & Ast. Prof. J. Robinson, Phys. Prof." M. Frazer Tytler, Un. Civ. Hist. & G. & And. Coventry, Agric. Prof. tion, he remained five years. He was at this time elected a Trustee of Dr. Williams's Library, Red-cross Street, of which his relative, the Rev. Thomas Morgan, LL.D., was the Librarian. Whilst at Walthamstow, he formed an extensive circle of acquaintance, and would probably have long continued to reside there, had not the declining health of Mrs. Philipps rendered a change necessary. The Presbyterian chapel at Bury St. Edmund's was then without a minister, and the bracing air of that town and neighbourhood was strongly recommended. He at once resolved, therefore, to remove thither. Yet a comparatively brief period only had elapsed when the death of Mrs. Philipps took place, and the melancholy which this event produced on his mind caused him once more to return to London, leaving the town amidst the regret of persons of all classes and shades of religious opinion, and a congregation whose numbers were then trebled through his exertions. Before, however, he finally quitted Suffolk, it was with no little degree of satisfaction that he saw a society arrive at a state of usefulness and efficiency which he had been the means of founding, with the assistance of a few zealous friends, when he was living at Palgrave. It is called the Suffolk Benevolent Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Dissenting Ministers residing in that county. Often has assistance from it caused the heart to leap for joy which otherwise might have been a prey to despair, and stayed the tears which bedewed the cheek of the fatherless, thus alleviating the sorrows of the house of mourning. To its benevolent founders it has also brought frequent and sweet reflection as they witnessed these results arising to the relatives of such as had worked with diligence and zeal in their profession whilst it was day, ere the night had closed for ever the eyes of the labourers in the darkness of death. The secession of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Winter from the chapel in Hanover Street, London, having caused a vacancy in the afternoon duties of that place, Dr. Philipps was invited to succeed him, and became co-pastor of the congregation in conjunction with his muchesteemed friend and the popular preacher, the Rev. Hugh Worthington. As Mr. Worthington conducted the morning services at Hanover Street, Dr. Philipps officiated at Leather-Lane chapel in the early part of the sabbath-day, and was also one of the lecturers at Salters' Hall. A few years afterwards, a pressing invitation was forwarded to him from the congregation assembling at the Presbyterian, or, as it is called in the deeds, the Upper chapel, Sheffield, founded A. D. 1700, by the Rev. Mr. Jollie, son of one of the ejected ministers. Naturally of an ardent turn of mind, Dr. Philipps was willing to engage in an extended sphere of usefulness, and to give his talents to support the cause more particularly in his native county. Sheffield was a town of increasing importance, which though it then contained only a population of forty thousand persons, now numbers more than its hundred thousand. The beauty of the scenery in its neighbourhood, the ingenuity of its artizans, and the spirit of its inhabitants, manifested in its various institutions and public works, with a people distinguished for their love of freedom and intelligence (among whom |