The next pastor of the Church is one concerning whom the language is verified, that "the memory of the just is blessed"; for though the modesty and deep humility of Mr. Some were such that he forbade any memorials being published of his life and character, and before his death destroyed all his papers that presented anything of this kind, yet his name is mentioned with great veneration and esteem to this day. It appears probable that he was assistant or co-pastor with Mr. Clarke a short time before the close of his labours; that he came to Harborough about the year 1706, as his name stands in the first trust deed of Ashley Meeting House about that time, as the recognized minister of both places. He took the sole pastoral charge in 1709, as he then entered the names of all the members of the Church in a book, which he preserved. He united the pastorate of Ashley with Harborough, and laboured at both places in the manner of his predecessor, connecting with them also a considerable extent of village itineracy, by which his character was much endeared and his ministry greatly blest.
Mr. Some had one son, who was training for the ministry, but who died before he fully entered on the work. He was for a time a fellow-student with Doddridge, and became his most intimate friend; so that, immediately after his death, Doddridge writes to Mr. Clarke, of St. Albans—
It pleased God, in the afternoon of yesterday, to take away my dear companion and brother, Mr. Some. There was no person in the world of his age whom I respected more or loved so well. At the academy we were partners in study; and since I came to Harborough he would, when his health would permit it, take frequent journeys with me to Kibworth on the Lord's-day. And what sweet counsel have we taken together when "we went to the house of God in company!" I have been informed of some of his expressions of respect and tenderness for me, which affect me exceedingly. He has ordered me to preach his funeral sermon from Psalm lxxiii. 26: "My flesh and my heart fail me, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." But my mind is so shattered with grief, and mine eyes filled with tears, that I hardly know how to read or write.
In another letter he says: "Mr. Some, though he appears to feel it like a parent, yet supports himself under it with a serenity and fortitude worthy of so excellent a Christian and minister."
The eminence to which Mr. Some attained, and the success of his ministry, is partly attested by the fact that 270 persons were added to the Church during his pastoral labours.
Doddridge came to reside at Harborough while minister at Kibworth, to enjoy the society and friendship of Mr. Some. In the year 1729 he became his assistant, taking services alternately at Kibworth, Harborough, and Ashley; and by the earnest advice of Mr. Some he commenced his academy at Harborough.
When the Dissenting ministers in the neighbourhood agreed to meet at Lutterworth, to spend a day in humiliation and prayer for the revival of religion, Mr. Some preached upon that occasion a very important appropriate discourse—from Rev. iii. 2: "Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die"—"On the methods to be taken by ministers for the revival of religion." He also published a very excellent funeral sermon for Mr. Saunders, of Kettering, from the text he had chosen, 1st Cor. xv. 10: "Not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
We have further discovered a small volume of 56 pages, entitled 'The Assembly's Catechism Explained, and the principles of religion therein contained confirmed by the Holy Scriptures, by David Some. Second edition, 1727.' It has an interesting preface, a part of which we shall copy, as illustrative of the views entertained by this eminent man, and the methods he adopted for the improvement of the rising generation.
The design of the following pages is to render public catechising easy and profitable.
When young persons see a great deal before them, which they are required to commit to memory, they soon grow weary of this exercise, and find excuses to absent themselves from it. This difficulty is removed by the narrow limits of this essay.
I fear there are many in all our assemblies "who need to be taught the first principles of the oracles of God," and yet their age and circumstances prevent their submitting to this way of instruction. There is a particular regard had to these in this composure. The questions are so framed that there is room for enlarging upon them, as the importance of the argument may require. The treating upon the heads of divinity in this way insensibly leads into a freedom and easiness of expression, which is hard to attain in a more set and continued discourse: this hath the more direct tendency to inform the judgment and fix the attention. I have seldom observed a drowsy hearer whilst I have been engaged in this part of my work; I wish I could say so of the other parts of it.
I hope I need not make any apology for adding the Scriptures; this will be acceptable to everyone who values them. Besides, this will acquaint children betimes with their Bibles, and teach them that their religion is derived from that sacred book as the fountain of it. * * * * * * If any should condemn the whole of this undertaking as paying too great a regard to human composures, I can assure them that I have long since learned to call no man master upon earth. I have not attempted to explain the doctrines contained in this Catechism because it was composed by that learned body of men, the assembly of divines, but because I verily believe that for the substance of them they are agreeable to the word of God. I was early instructed in them, and have now reviewed them with some attention and care, lest the prejudices of education should have been the principal reason of my adherence to them; and after the most impartial search, I cannot discover anything so absurd and inconsistent in this scheme of religion as some have represented: and I hope I may be allowed the liberty of judging for myself.
I am fully convinced of the usefulness of public catechising, by more than twenty years' experience. I have seen the good effects of it, and purpose to allow it a share in my public labours while God continues life and a capacity for service; and if any of my worthy brethren shall make use of this weak performance, I heartily wish that the divine blessing may attend their endeavours to promote real religion and practical godliness.
D. S.
As a specimen of the method he adopted, we present to the reader the short section "of assurance and other blessings."