[237] This criticism on Blair's Lectures seems to be too severe. There was a period when his Sermons were among the most admired productions of the day: sixty thousand copies, it was said, were sold. They formed the standard of divinity fifty years ago: but they are now justly considered to be deficient, in not exhibiting the great and fundamental truths of the Gospel, and to be merely entitled to the praise of being a beautiful system of ethics.
[238] Private correspondence.
[239] Private correspondence.
[240] See "Christian Observer," Jan. 1835.
[241] A spirit of insubordination had manifested itself at the Theological Seminary at Newport, under the superintendence of Mr. Bull.
[242] Private correspondence.
[243] Private correspondence.
[244] Some of the learned have been inclined to believe that the Eleusinian mysteries inculcated a rejection of the absurd mythology of those times, and a belief in one Great Supreme Being.
[245] Vincent Bourne.
[246] We presume that this is the same circumstance of which more particular mention is made in the beginning of the letter to the Rev. Mr. Unwin, p. 177.