Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-17

VINO liked his manner so much, that when Mr..
Irving made visit to some friends in ireland,
ne invited him 10 become his assistant in ii y
laborious duties of his ministry Mr.. Irvine
accepted his offer, though he had intended TO
devote himself for some time TO solitary travel
and when in Glasgow, he excited almost
much curiosity as Chalmers himself. Tho
| members Of the Caledonian Church, in Lon-
don, having heard Of Mr.. Irving, prevailed up
on the proper authorities to invite him to come
up to the Metropolis as a candidate for thc
vacant place in that Church Mr.. l. complied
with the invitation, and was introduced as the
Assistant OF DIR. Chalmers. The four success
eve days he occupied the pulpit on trial and
satisfied those who had invited him, of his
qualifications TO fill the vacancy. For somo
Time, however, his congregation in his little
churci: did not exceed fifty persons; but in
very short Tune, such was his popularity. il in
creased to number large enough TO have fill
ed IT. Pauls. Seven thousand pounds we're I'M
mediately ra scd to build national Scotch
Church, snd the foundation stone was laid in
July, 1924, by the Earl of Bradalbane. To-
wards the erection of this Church, the most
distinguished scholars, nobility, and members
OF Parliament of Great Britain subscribed; and
II has become, from the wonderful popularity
OF the preacher, place OF such fashionable
resort, that The access TO it, unless at very
eaflY hOur, ~ almost impossible.
Mr.. Irving's personal appearance is much in
his favour; his figure is tall and elegantly
formed; his face Is striking il not absolutely
fine; his hair dark and glossy; and his COM
plexion clear iron giey. He has defect or
obiquiiy in his vision, which, it is said, after
the curiosity and admiration he has excited
have ceased, often leads TO the inquiry wheth-
or IT be an advantage 10 the preacher or not.
MIR. |. shines more by flashes, than by contin-
uity Of thought--hs enthusiasm is said not be
deep or lofty or his genius burning or intense.
His mind, however, is one Of no ordinary pow
crs = he has a mems deuinor, ana yields its
energies with great force and skill. A writer
in the New Monthly, in speaking Of him, says:
"he has shrunk from no opinion, however
paradoSical; he has scrupled to avow no sem
iimcnt, however obnoxious: he has rev we'd ex-
ploded prejudices; he has scented prevailing
fashions; he has opposed the spirit OF the age,
and not consulted the esprit de corps; he has
turned religion and the Caledonian Chapel to
topsyturvy; he has held play book in one
hand and bible in the other, and quoted
Shakespeare and Melanchon in the same
breath; he has taken the thorns and briars Of
scholastic divinity. and garlanded thom with
the flowers OF mOdish literature; he has done
all this, relying on the strength of remark
ably fine person and manner, and through that
he has succeeded"
Although Mr.. Irving, is undoubtedly entitled
to all the popularity he has already acquired,
we suspect it is in the wane, and we shall mol be
surprised, if in fcw years, he is decidedly un-
popular. There is no fame, which il 50 preca-
rious as that which is acquired by c'ergymen,
and few Of these able to sustain it. Praise
and adulation is too often bestowed upon them
with prodigal hand, until he who was oneo
content to he considered as an humble follow
er of Jesus, and the herald Of peace, inflated
with the worlds adulation, departs from the
| linc Of duty, and falls like Luc ifer, never 10
rise again.
This we hope may not be the case with MI
Irving, for in this country, We have had too
many proofs of the baleful effects, arising Fl om
the prostration OF Clcrgymen.