Page:Our Hymns.djvu/385

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THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 865

his sons there. While there, the clergy of the Episcopal Church wished to welcome him to their pulpits. This led to an impor tant correspondence between Mr. Binney and the Bishop of Ade laide, and during his visit Mr. Binney published a work on " The Bishop of Adelaide s Idea of the Church of the Future." This work was afterwards published, with additions, in London, with the title, " Lights and Shadows of Church Life in Australia, including Thoughts on some Things at Home," I860. On his return, Mr. Binney resumed his pastorate at the Weigh House, where he still continues it. In 1866, the growing demand for space for railway purposes necessitated the purchase of the honoured pile for removal. Mr. Binney has received from Aberdeen a degree of LL.D., which he does not use. He takes an active interest in several benevolent and religious institutions, and especially in New College, London. He has been for many years one of the preachers of the Merchants Lecture.

Especially eminent as a powerful and eloquent preacher, Mr. Binney is scarcely less eminent as a writer. Without seeking to be an author, and without adequate time for authorship in his crowded life, he has in spite of himself become an extensive book producer. His lectures and sermons have been asked for in print, and have sometimes on revision grown into books.

The following are some of his works : " Life of the Rev. Stephen Morell," 1826 ; a discourse on the " Ultimate Design of the Christian Ministry," 1827 ; pamphlets discussing religious questions, and signed " Fiat Justitia," about 1830.

An address on the laying of the first stone of his new chapel, Dec. 12, 1834, attracted much attention, and he subsequently published it, entitled, " Dissent not Schism," and similar forcible productions, explaining and vindicating the position of Congregational dissenters. One of the best known of these is his " Conscientious Clerical Nonconformity." 1848; fifth edition, 1860. He is also the author of papers on " The Great Gorham Case," and of " An Argument on the Levitical Law, touching the Marriage of a Deceased Wife s

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