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A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete), William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)
Chapter 11
"Patient continuance in well-doing.”—Romans 2:7 The inevitable result of the Norwich Chapel case, was to widen the already existing breach between the Strict and Particular Baptists, and the rest of their denomination. By the latter the issue of the celebrated suit was almost universally regarded as a victory of charity and candour over narrowness and bigotry. Nearly all the public references to the men who had dared the desperate venture expressed the utmost exultation that they had been worsted in the unequal fight. Few appeared to regard their self-denying heroism with any other sentiment than pitying contempt. Men who had secretly desired to introduce a similar innovation in other quarters, but had hitherto lacked the courage of their convictions, now began to wax bolder; and…
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A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete), William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)
Chapter 12
"His character was marked by great caution and wisdom. Some deemed him too hesitating and slow. Still they generally found that at last he was right, and that the steps he had taken were safe. He was a prudent, and admitting our individual and characteristic infirmities, a truly wise man. He never involved himself in difficulty, or plunged into danger through his imprudence. He always thought much before he decided, and when he moved he felt that his ground was firm. He was cautious in abstaining from everything violent. He was no mere party-man; he never committed himself by any political demonstration, and studiously avoided the arena of warm and angry debate, of violent, of clamorous controversy, He strictly confined himself to his duties as…
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A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete), William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)
Chapter 13
ANALYTICAL.—THE PREACHER. I would describe him simple, grave, sincere, In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain, And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste, And natural in gesture; much impressed Himself, as conscious of his awful charge. And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds May feel it too; affectionate in look, And tender in address, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men.—Cowper. Nothing was further from the character of John Hazelton than the common ambition to figure as "an all-round man." He had thoughts on politics, and deemed it right for a Christian to vote according to his convictions, but he attended no meetings that were not distinctly religious or philanthropical, and he was always silent in public on the questions of the…
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A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete), William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)
Chapter 14
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee, peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, peace be within thee, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good."—Psalm 122:6-9 John Hazelton was as remote from the spurious catholicity which acknowledges and receives all professed Christians without inquiry into their faith and practice, as he was free from the bitter sectarianism which cannot acknowledge the existence of spiritual good without the pale of its own communion. He nevertheless at all times manifested a denominational spirit. He loved his own section of the Church with profound affection, identified himself with it with unconcealed satisfaction, rejoiced…
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A Biography of John Hazelton, by William Styles (Complete), William Styles, A Memoir Of John Hazelton (Complete)
Chapter 15
How fine has the day been! How bright was the sun! How lovely and joyous the course that he run! Though he rose in a mist when his race he begun, And there followed some droppings of rain: But now the fair traveller conies to the west, His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best; He paints the sky gay, as he sinks to his rest, And foretells a bright rising again. Just such is the Christian. His course he begins Like the sun in a mist, while he mourns for his sins, And melts into tears; then ho breaks out and shines, And travels his heavenly way: But when he comes nearer to finish his race, Like a fine setting sun, he…