Diary: "Mem. To write to Mr. Fuller my experience and account of the Consequences of Socinianism

It is not a little creditable to Fuller's sagacity that he perceived that the workings of such a mind as Vidler's, and the changes of his character with regard to religion, must be interesting and instructive. On his side, there was another evident motive for his soliciting a correspondence he was now about to throw down the gauntlet to the "Socinians," and he contemplated his undertaking with fear and trembling, expecting, as he once emphatically expressed it, to be "torn limb from limb:" he must therefore have been very desirous of the assistance of his brethren, and especially of such of them as thought for themselves, and were not led in the trammels of books. Those that knew Andrew Fuller intimately may conjecture that there was another reason of his engaging Vidler to put his story and his thoughts upon paper; namely, that he might ascertain whether his new acquaintance were thoroughly sound in the faith. He was very sus picious of heresy, at least in others; and it is very probable that he discovered some train of thought in the mind of his companion that bore an heretical complexion. In a letter which he addressed to Vidler in less than two years after this period, he tells him that he had observed him to be of a speculative turn of mind;" a phrase by which Calvinists denote an incipient heretic, or one who not satisfied with first appearances or common explanations will look at an opinion or system on all sides and examine its bearings, connections and tendencies.

Whether the agreement to correspond was fulfilled by either or both of the Baptist brethren, and to what degree, we have no means of determining; no letters remaining among Mr. Vidler's papers but such as have been made public. His relation of his experience, or religious conversion and progress, and, above all, his thoughts on "the consequences of Socinianism" would be extremely interesting now that we have seen the conclusion of his life and earthly history, and have witnessed the happy effect of his "Socinian" belief in sup porting him in the midst of acute

pains and protracted sufferings, and in delighting his soul in his last moments with divine comforts and heavenly hopes.

From the association at Olney Mr. Vidler proceeded to Norwich, on the invitation of Mr. Mark Wilks, by whom he was cordially received; though he obtained but little aid in that city, owing to several applications similar to his own having been made to the Baptists there just before his arrival. He met with many disappointments on his journey, and even where he succeeded his temper was sometimes severely tried. One of the persons on whom he called, in some town in Norfolk, a tradesman and a member of a Baptist church, no sooner heard his case explained than he began to reprimand him; complaining that

he was perpetually called upon by idle parsons, who ran up and down the country on the same errand." He concluded his railing, however, with throwing a guinea upon the counter and bidding Mr. Vidler be gone. Mr. Vidler coolly took up the guinea and thus addressed the giver, “Sir, I take up the guinea, which you are pleased to throw down with so much anger. It is a guinea, and as such it will go as far in the discharge of our debt as any other of the like kind. But, Sir, I grieve on your account to think that though this guinea has come out of your pocket towards relieving our distresses, your unfeelingness in upbraiding my motives, and your making this donation an occasion of abuse, will prevent my acknowledging the gift at the Resurrection of the Just." This reproof, which was delivered with calmness and solemnity, produced its effect; the churlish contributor was softened by it, and taking Mr. Vidler by the hand thanked him for his faithfulness and earnestly and cordially invited him to his table.

The fruits of this collecting tour were not equal to the expectations of the pastor and his flock: the debt contracted in such strong hope, was in reality but little diminished: in another way, however, the journey was exceedingly profitable to Mr Vidler, for it introduced him to a large circle of religious acquaintance, amongst whom were many dissenters from what he himself considered as the orthodox faith. He has himself described his

The publications of the late Mr. Winchester in favour of universal restoration had found their way into Sussex, and had made considerable impression at Battle and the neigh bourhood. Great alarm was raised amongst the believers in Calvinism: Mr. Vidler would not have been allowed, if he had been disposed, to be an idle spectator of the contest: he was indeed for some time silent, but he was busily engaged during this period in correspondence with friends upon the subject, in reading and especially in examination of the Scriptures. At length, he remarks, 1792. Au22. Lord's Day. It is long since Bust wrote any thing of the state of iny soul. I have been lately much stirred up again by reading Mr. Winchester on the final restoration of all things, which doctrine (upon a consideration of several years, and much fear and prayer for direction), I am constrained to say I believe. I preached this morning from the parable of the pounds, Luke xix. and found myself much confined in speaking, as I have always found myself when treating on such passages. I suspect I have something wrong in my sentiments which I ought to get rid of. O Lord! I desire to have no sentiment but what I receive from thy word."

On the last Sunday in this year, at the annual church meeting, Mr. Vidler openly declared his mind in favour of universal restoration, and entered into an explanation and defence of that doctrine in an address which occupied three hours in the delivery. The church, which now consisted of nearly two hundred members, was divided in opinion, and a separation ensued: the majority adhered to their pastor; the minority, including some of the oldest members, formed them selves into a Particular Baptist church, which exists, though not in a Aourishing condition, to this day. In the midst of the agitation and affliction of mind which this event brought on, Mr. Vidler consoled himself and animated bis friends with the rich truths of the gospel. He had counted the cost of heresy: though as yet he had renounced Calvinism only so far as it respected the efficacy of the death of Christ and the extent of redemption, he foresaw that he should be disowned by his religious connexion, and that

almost every pulpit in the kingdoni would be shut against him; but noneof these things moved him; he had already borne and was still willing to bear evil report as well as good for the sake of truth and a good conscience. Letters of expostulation and reproach poured in upon him from many sources: his apostacy was the theme of general discourse amongst the Baptists; and in the summer of 1793, he and his church were formally excluded from the Kent and Sussex Yearly Association; the presiding elder of the Assembly, which was held at Chatham, pronouncing the sentence of excommunication on Mr. Vidler, who was present, and in true papal style fulminating an anathema under the guise of a benediction: his wish for the disowned brother was that the hell which he advocated might be his portion. On the Sunday after this synod had been held, Mr. Vidler preached a sermon designed to encourage his proscribed friends, from a passage of Scripture, which both minister and people appropriated to themselves, viz. Isaiah Ixiii. 16, Doubtless, thou art our Father,though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

In addition to these religious trou bles, Mr. Vidler was at this period subject, in common with his brethren throughout the kingdom, to some annoyance on the ground of political opinions. He was indeed far from being a political partizan, but it was suspected that the Dissenters as a body were friendly to the French Revolution, and inimical to the war declared by the monarchies of Europe against the infant republic of France, and hence without any proof of disaffection to the government or any cause of offence to the public, they were treated by the populace in various places with rudeness and even violence. Battle was not exempt from the contagious poli

Mr. Wright has already given an siastical council, Nonconformist creedaccount of the proceedings of this ecclemakers and Dissenting tryers of heresy. M. Repos. XII. 2. The assembly was held at Chatham as is recorded above, and not at Lewes, as Mr. Wright, through a slight forgetfulness, has stated.

the advocates of French freedom was burnt in effigy by the mob of that town; and Mr. Vidler escaped insult and outrage only by his fortitude and good humour. t

Throughout the whole of his life, Mr. Vidler was a decided friend of liberty, civil and religious, but he was not an habitual, indiscriminate opponent of the measures of government. Latterly, he displayed a great leaning to the political sentiments of the majority of his countrymen. No man regarded the late extraordinary Ruler of France with a stronger. or more honest detestation. His hopes were particularly high with regard to the Spanish nation, and he confidently foretold from the beginning of the unprovoked contest which Napoleon carried on with that people, that the invader would be repelled and overthrown. He even vindicated Great Britain in the recent quarrel with the United States of America, and anticipated a result very different from that which history will describe. In all these opinions he was moved by the purest feelings; and they are recorded, not because they agree entirely with the sentiments of the writer of this meinoir, but because they shew that Mr. Vidler's habits of thinking were not formed by

+ Thomas Paine, the author of "The Rights of Man," was burat in effigy at Battle, as well as most other large towns.

The loyal procession which surrounded the man of straw in its progress through the town stopped at the doors of the principal Dissenters and others suspected of holding free political principles, and demanded that they should cry No Paine, A halt was made before Mr. Vidler's house, and the vociferations of the popuHe stepped forward, and with the greatest self-possession, congratulated them on their good spirits and on the ingenuity which they had shewn in making their effigy. They demanded to know whether he was for Paine? He promptly replied, "No, my lads; be assured I have no liking for pain, I am for ease," This well-timed pun put the mob into good humour; and they pronounced him a hearty fellow, gave him three cheers, and proceeded with their victim to the pile, prepared for the 'destruction of the representative of the wicked republican..

lace seemed to threaten mischief.

Mr. Vidler's embracing the Universal doctrine led him into acquaintance with Mr. Winchester, the apostle of that faith, who had come over to England from America, his native land, to make it known. By his popular eloquence, Mr. Winchester had already made many converts and established a considerable congregation at Parliament Court, Artillery Lane, London. He did not confine himself to London, but travelled into various parts of the country, as openings for the Universal doctrine presented themselves. Amongst other places he now visited Battle, and from this time a warm intimacy subsisted between him and Mr. Vid. ler. The churches also, at Battle and Parliament Court, were brought into correspondence by means of their pastors. At the joint request of Mr. Winchester and his people, Mr. Vidler was invited on account of Mr. Winchester's infirm health to administer the ordinance of baptism, by immersion, to some candidates in the congregation at Parliament Court: he accepted the invitation and accordingly came up to London and officiated in this service on the 9th of February, 1794, which was the first time of his appearing in the metropolis under his heretical character. His preaching was highly acceptable to his new friends, and on Mr. Winchester's sudden departure for America, in the same year, he was unanimously

chosen to succeed him.

It may be supposed that Mr. Vidler. could not be easily induced to desert his interesting charge at Battle. The congregation was wholly of his own raising, and he was with them as a father amongst children; they had gone on together in the road of reli gious inquiry and had jointly borne much shaken by the late disputes, the reproach and persecution; though church was in a promising, if not a flourishing condition; and in addition to all this, a considerable debt yet remained on the new place of worship, which nothing but the union of the pastor and the people and the prosperity of the whole society afforded