CHRISTIAN PIONEER.

No. 8.

APRIL, 1827.

Vol. I.

Unitarian Worthies.-No. 1, Thomas Firmin.

"Pure Charity, that comes not like a shower,
Sudden and loud, oppressing what it feeds;
But like the dew, with soft refreshing power,
Felt in the bloom it leaves along the meads."

THOMAS FIRMIN was born at Ipswich in Suffolk, in the
year 1632. His parents owed the respectability which
they enjoyed, not so much to their worldly substance as
to the right and full discharge of the duties of their station.
They belonged to the class of Christians whom our ances-
tors designated Puritans, by way of opprobrium, as Uni-
tarians are now termed Socinians, by every bigot. Under
their influence, Thomas was educated in Calvinistic prin-
ciples. Upon these, however, our good Puritan forefathers
did not lay so much stress, as upon the right of free in-
quiry and individual judgment; and the parents of Thomas
Firmin, whilst they inculcated these primary principles
upon the mind of their son, took especial care of the for-
mation of his heart to piety and goodness. Never was
there presented a more illustrious instance of the beneficial
effects of a religious education. His parents apprenticed
our "worthy" to a tradesman in London, who was ac-
customed to attend the ministry of the celebrated Mr.
John Goodwin. Mr. Goodwin was an Arminian.
now began to appear the good effects of a liberal educa-
tion. Mr. Firmin's attention was drawn to his Calvinistic
opinions, by the elegant and learned sermons of his minister.
He contrasted the arguments adduced in favour both of
Calvinism and Arminianism, and, in spite of the prejudices
of education, he was led, to use the words of his friend
and first biographer, "to exchange the harsh opinions of
Calvin for those, more honourable to God, and more ac-
countable to human reason, of Arminius and the Remon-
strants." His piety evinced itself, not only in thus far
purifying his creed, but also, in well digesting and apply-
ing to himself the discourses of Mr. Goodwin. By the
assistance of short-hand, he was enabled to carry away

And

whatever was uttered in the pulpit. "Of this," says his biographer, "he made a double use, both then and in the very busiest part of his life; for, if the sermon was considerable for judicious morality or weighty arguments, he often read it, in his short-hand notes, for his own further improvement, and then took the pains to write it out in words at length, for the benefit of his acquaintance."

After having passed through an apprenticeship, in which he had demeaned himself with unusual amiableness and integrity, and also, with so much activity that he was called "the spirit," he entered upon business on his own account, with the slender capital of £100. But the habits which he had formed whilst a servant, soon procured for him an extensive and profitable business; and he quickly overcame the difficulties of a commencement with so small a sum, so that, in the year 1660, he was enabled to marry a citizen's daughter with a portion of £500.

A short time after his marriage, he became acquainted with Mr. Biddle. In consequence of his intimacy with this excellent and persecuted man, he was confirmed in his Arminian opinions, and led to the adoption of the distinguishing feature of Unitarianism, the unrivalled supremacy and strict unity of God. Of Mr. Biddle's piety, exemplariness, and learning, he entertained a great and just esteem. His hospitality towards him was kind and unbounded. And when Mr. Biddle had been sent prisoner to the Isle of Scilly by the Protector, he used his influence both with Cromwell and his friends, to procure him the means of subsistence.

We may mention, as illustrative of the character of Mr. Firmin, that he was devoted to the pleasures of gardening. This, we might have expected, in one whose heart was so sensitive and pure, and whose mind so fondly conversed with the word of God. Between the works and the word of the Divine Being, subsists the most intimate connection; and the man who studies the one, will find delight in conversing with the other. And his biographer informs us of a fact, which is also beautifully in unison with the foregoing. Either as he went, or as he returned, he was wont to visit the poor and the sick; he chose well his time for these deeds of mercy, for his soul would then most harmonize with the spirit of his Maker, when fresh from the contemplation of his wondrous doings. This practice of visiting the poor we much admire; and earnestly

wish, that those who give would always see also to whom they give. "This," says his biographer, 66 was one of Mr. Biddle's lessons, that it is a duty not only to relieve, but to visit the sick and poor, because they are thereby encouraged and comforted, and we come to know of what nature and degree their straits are; and their condition being known, we are able to assist them, by our counsel or our interest, much more effectually than by the charity we can bestow upon them." At the present period, though his means were not affluent, and the claims upon them from charitable objects numerous and weighty, yet he was most beneficent to a great number of persons who stood more or less nearly related to him. And as his property increased, so did his heart expand. He now became universally known and respected, for deeds of splendid charity. Nor less ought it to be spoken to his praise, that his charity was never indiscriminate. It is to be deeply regretted, that both private and public charity in these days, has a tendency to increase the evil which it strives to diminish; and this it does, by providing funds and institutions, upon assistance from which the improvident and the idle may securely reckon. It will be seen how much more judicious was the conduct of Mr. Firmin in this important matter.

In the year 1665, happened the great plague, of which there died, in that one year, and in London only, nearly 100,000 persons. On this occasion, Mr. Firmin's benevo lence was not supine. Weekly relief was administered to the poor, and especially he found employment for vastnumbers. This was done at a very great risk: he afterwards found, however, a merchant, who was so pleased with his adventurous charity, that he purchased the chief part of the goods so manufactured, and indemnified Mr. Firmin.

The year after the sickness, came the great fire, by which the city of London sustained a damage of ten millions sterling. Mr. Firmin suffered equally with his neighbours. But now, his noble spirit and generous manner of trading were so well known, that he soon repaired his losses, and again began to consider the poor. His first service to them was the erection of a warehouse, by the waterside, in which he might store up corn and coals. These he sold out to the poor, in times of scarcity, at the prices at which he had purchased them. He then pro

ceeded to erect a warehouse, in order to employ those who were destitute of occupation in the linen manufacture. "He bought," says Archbishop Tillotson, "flax and hemp for them to spin; when spun, he paid them for their work, and caused it to be wrought into cloth, which he sold as he could, himself bearing the loss." "By this excellent device," says the good Archbishop, "many hundreds of poor children, and others who lived idle before, unprofitable both to themselves and the public, now maintain themselves, and are also some advantage to the community. By the assistance and charity of many excellent and well-disposed persons, Mr. Firmin is enabled to bear the unavoidable loss and charge of so vast an undertaking; and, by his own forward inclination to charity, and unwearied diligence and activity, is fitted to sustain and go through the incredible pains of it." Concerning this institution, Mr. Firmin would often say,-" To pay the spinners-to relieve them, with money begged for them, with coals and shirting—was to him such a pleasure as magnificent buildings, pleasant walks, well cultivated orchards and gardens, the jollity of music and wine, or the charms of study were to others."

Mr. Firmin was one of the governors of St. Thomas's Hospital in Southwark, and extremely active in his endeavours to render it as beneficial as possible; and, during the last twenty years of his life, he was also a governor of Christ Church Hospital in London, of which he proved himself a great benefactor, not only by his donations, but also by his constant supervision.

(To be Continued.)

The Autumn Evening.

(From "THE POETICAL CATECHISM," America.)

Behold the western evening light!

It melts in deepening gloom!

So, calmly, Christians sink away,
Descending to the tomb.

The winds breathe low, the withering leaf

Scarce whispers from the tree!

So, gently, flows the parting breath

When good men cease to be.

How beautiful on all the hills,
The crimson light is shed!
'Tis like the peace the Christian gives
To mourners round his bed.

How mildly on the wandering cloud
The sunset beam is cast!

'Tis like the memory left behind

When loved ones breathe their last.
And now, above the dews of night
The yellow star appears;

So faith springs in the heart of those,
Whose eyes are bathed in tears.
But soon the morning's happier light
Its glory shall restore;

And eye-lids that are seal'd in death,
Shall wake, to close no more.

On Unitarians attending Trinitarian Worship.
(Concluded from page 257.)

THE Consistent and devout Unitarian regards the doctrine of the Divine Unity of great consequence. He esteems it of no small importance, that the glory which is due to the Father only, should not be given to another. His mind revolts from joining in a religious service, in which the Creator is deprived of his right, robbed of his glory, and spoiled of his supremacy. He is jealous for the honours, glories, and attributes of his heavenly Father, and will by no means, join in religious communion with Christians who give him a divided homage and a divided heart, and who raise others to be the partners of his throne. His pious feelings are wounded, when he thinks of the prevalence of Christian idolatry, when he considers that the attributes of benevolence and mercy are ascribed to Christ, and that the Father is worshipped as a stern, inexorable tyrant, "by whose decree, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death." The Unitarian rejoices in the conviction, that God is his Father, the Father of mercies, who, of his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; but the Trinitarian regards the Father as a vindictive Being,