in the environs of London, where he continues to preach the Gospel. His successor was John Pye Smith, who was called, 1801, from the forms of the academy at Rotheram, in Yorkshire, to fill the chair at Homerton, for which, notwithstanding his youth and inexperience, wisdom and learning fully qualified him. He has since received a diploma of D. D. Dr. Fisher, having resigned the office of theological tutor, it was for a few months filled by James Knight pastor of a church in Southwark; but when he quitted it, Dr. Smith was placed in that chair, and Thomas Hill, who was also called from his studies in the academy at Rotherham, was chosen to succeed Dr. Smith as teacher of the classics and mathematics. An eminent professor of elocution gives lectures at this seminary, which contains near twenty students, and its funds have received a considerable addition by the will of the late William Fuller, banker, of London, who bequeathed to it the interest of five thousand pounds. This, which is the dissenting Oxford, is considered to be now in a more flourishing state than it has been for many years. Increased attention has been paid to the personal religion of the students, and the learning of the tutors, which is of the highest estimation, has been ardently devoted to the formation of useful ministers, in which they have so happily succeeded, that the disenting churches have lately received some of their most valuable pastors from this ancient college.

The other academy which was early established in the neighbourhood of London, and connected in some way with the preceding, was at the commencement of this period under the care of Dr. David Jennings, who presided as theological tutor eighteen years,

and was removed by death in 1762, when he was seventy-one years old. Dr. Samuel Morton Savage was classical and mathematical tutor, and the lectures were delivered in his house in Well-close-square, London the students boarded in private families. But when Dr. Jennings died, a situation was procured for the seminary at Hoxton, and Dr. Savage removed from the classical to the theological chair. Dr. Andrew Kippis and Dr. Abraham Rees, gentlemen of literary eminence, but of theological sentiments widely different from those of the former tutors, were chosen to fill the other departments in this academy. This heterogeneous association could neither be expected nor wished to continue long. Dr. Kippis withdrew from the institution in 1784, and the two other tutors followed his example, the next year; when the seminary which had furnished many valuable ministers was dissolved.

Dr. Savage was born in London, July 19, 1721, and though descended from dissenting parents was strangely destined for the national church; in hopes that he might rise to eminence under the patronage of his relative the lord primate of Ireland. Conscience, which has blasted many a worldly scheme, interposed and made young Savage a nonconformist. Having introduced himself, by a letter, to Dr. Watts, he was encouraged and placed under the care of Mr. Eames. So highly was he esteemed as a student, that Dr. Jennings refused to accept the theological chair until he consented to lecture on mathematics

He was a direct lineal descendant of John Savage, first earl of Rivers. Life of Dr. Savage, prefixed to his sermons by Dr. Toulmiu, who is by the mother's side descended from him. Wilson, 320.

p.

and natural philosophy. He was chosen, also, first to assist, and then to succeed Mr. Price in the pastoral office which Dr. Watts had long filled. He resigned this charge at the end of the year 1787, after having laboriously, but not successfully discharged its duties forty years. He was afternoon preacher seven years to Dr. Earle's congregation, in Hanoverstreet, and lecturer at Little St. Helens. His theological diploma he received from Aberdeen, in 1767. Midnight studies in early life, injured his constitution and in advanced years he was attacked by a disease of the esophagus, which rendered it so difficult to take food, that after having been reduced to a skeleton, he was literally starved to death. With consummate patience he endured an affliction so tremendous to nature, and after expressing his composure in the prospect of death, he fell asleep February 21, 1791, in the seventieth year of his age. His talents were the fruit of labour, unaided by what is called genius, for while his sermons attested his extensive reading and accurate learning, they were not illuminated by those corruscations of sentiment, imagination, or passion, which strike and charm,

The academy that now exists at Hoxton, was first established at Mile End. Several friends of evangelical truth, lamenting the heterodoxy or coldness of the seminary which we have last mentioned, associated to provide for the churches pastors of a different spirit. They engaged some ministers of established reputation for piety and orthodox sentiments to give lectures at their own houses, to such young men as were selected from the churches in London and its vicinity. This mode, however, soon proved so inconvenient, that they were compelled to

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provide, in 1783, a building at Mile End, to which they invited Stephen Addington, minister of Market Harborough, as tutor of what was now called the Evangelical Academy. The friends of the institution procured him the diploma of D. D. But as he had lately relinquished a similar charge under the impression of declining vigour, he had scarcely begun to gird up the loins of his mind" to the duties of his new office, with the hope of extensive usefulness, before he was attacked by a severe indisposition which laid him aside for some time. Though he recovered beyond expectation, and resumed his labours with new ardour, he was again disabled by affliction, and at length compelled, in 1798, to resign his office. As he had been chosen pastor of the congregation in Miles' Lane at the close of 1781, he continued to labour there under the pressure of infirmities; but encouraged by the generous attachment of his flock, four years after he resigned his academical charge. In February, 1796, he was called away from his labours and sorrows by death in his sixty-seventh year. He was an amiable man, of correct deportment, ardent piety, and zeal for usefulness; his learning, which was extensive rather than profound, projected more works than he found time to execute, and his dread of living in vain, induced him to grasp at objects to which his strength was inadequate. As a preacher, he was more esteemed than admired, for his elocution was defective, though earnest; and his thoughts, always good, were seldom great. His treatise in defence of infant baptism, and his "Life of the apostle Paul" are the best known among his publications, of which our limits will not allow us to give a full list.

The academy over which he presided was, in 1791, removed to Hoxton, to the house occupied by the former seminary, and placed under the care of Robert Simpson, M. A. who was called from the charge of a congregation at Bolton, in Lancashire. As this gentleman, who is a native of Scotland, is still presiding over the institution, in the office of resident divinity tutor, we are forbidden to indulge our feelings in giving an estimate of his qualifications for the important post. The classical tutors, who have successively assisted in the labours of this seminary, are, Mr. Collison, now at the head of another academy, which will occur to our notice; Mr. Atkinson, who was afterwards elected head master of the dissenting grammar school at Mill Hill, near London; and Mr. Hooper, who now combines, with his labours at Hoxton, the pastoral care of a church in Old Gravel-lane, Wapping. Henry Foster Burder, A.M. has lately been chosen lecturer in logic, rhetoric, and mathematics. From its treasurer, Thomas Wilson, this institution receives the most active and generous services. The building, in which the academy is held, has lately been enlarged by the erection of studies for thirty students, which is their present number; and the plan of education, which was at first rather superficial, has been much extended and improved. Nearly a hundred and fifty persons have been introduced into the ministry by this seminary; several have gone from thence to the university of Glasgow; one is now labouring as a missionary among the heathen; and others are preaching with acceptance and success in our own country.

Hackney, in the vicinity of London, was the seat of another academy, of different principles and spirit.