8G OUE HYMNS :
writer, who could teach alike young or old, in poetry or prose, by the pulpit or the press. Dr. Watts received his Doctor s degree in 1728, from the Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen, both of which had, without his knowledge, conferred it upon him with every mark of respect.
As we might judge from his hymns, Dr. Watts Christian cha racter was of the highest order. His humility and generosity were particularly conspicuous. During thirty-six years, he con stantly devoted a fixed part of his income to charitable purposes ; and he was not less noted for his liberality of sentiment towards Christians of other denominations, with many of whom he enjoyed Christian friendship. Nor is it necessary to say how zealous he was for the truths of the Gospel and for the cause of Christ, since this shines out in all his productions.
Dr. Johnson, the celebrated lexicographer, will not be sus pected of partiality to a Dissenter, yet he gives in his " Lives of the Poets" the following high yet just estimate of Dr. Watts. " Few men," he says, " have left behind such purity of character, or such monuments of laborious piety. He has provided instruc tion for all ages, from those who are lisping their first lessons, to the enlightened readers of Malebranche and Locke ; he has left neither corporeal nor spiritual nature unexamined ; he has taught the art of reasoning, and the science of the stars. His cha racter, therefore, must be formed from the multiplicity and diver sity of his attainments, rather than from any single performance ; for it would not be safe to claim for him the highest rank in any single denomination of literary dignity ; yet perhaps there was nothing in which he would not have excelled, if he had not divided his powers to different pursuits."
For his own sake we must regret the weakness and suffering of Dr. Watts life ; yet since thereby opportunities for retirement and composition were afforded him, and his deep experiences became the riches of the church, we cannot but recognise therein the wisdom and goodness of a superintending Providence. When the venerable poet, at the age of seventy-five, approached his
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