JAMES ANDERSON, D. D.-This learned Divine was a native of Aberdeen, North Britain, where he pursued his academical studies, and was honoured afterwards with the degree of Doctor in Divinity. After preaching for some time without any settlement in his own country, he removed to London, and collected a congregation from amongst per.. sons of the Scottish nation who resided about Westminster. His first preaching-place was in Glass-house street, from whence, in 1710, he removed to the French Protestant chapel in Swallow-street. There, he had a numerous congregation, and became well known in London by the name of Bishop Anderson. He was a man of considerable learning and abilities, as appears by the works he has published. His acquaintance with history, particularly the history of his own country, was very extensive; and he made large collections relating to that subject. The principal fruit of his researches in this way he gave to the world in 1732, under the title of "Royal Genealogies: or, the Genealogical Tables of Emperors, Kings, and Princes, from Adam, to these times; in two Parts." This was the first work of the kind that was ever undertaken upon a large scale in the English language. The author tells us that it cost him seven years hard labour; nor is this surprising, when it is considered what an immense number of books he must have turned over. The work was formed upon the plan of a similar publication by the learned Mr. John Hubner of Hamburg; but it is much more extensive, and may be considered a VOL. IV. PETER-STREET, SOHO. Scotch Presbyterian. complete abridgment of universal history and chronology. It was dedicated to Frederic Prince of Wales, and ushered into the world with a respectable list of subscribers. The reception it met with from the learned was highly flattering to the author, as well as a testimony to its merits; nor have subsequent publications diminished its reputation or value. A second edition was called for in 1736, to which the thor made some corrections and additions. Some other learned works, illustrating the history and antiquities of Scotland, have been attributed to Dr. Anderson, but they belong to another author bearing both his names. au He Notwithstanding his credit as a man of talents, and the good qualities by which he was distinguished, his character, is said to have been marked by some singular imprudencies. The writer of a manuscript history of Dissenting churches in London, speaks of him thus: " Mr. Anderson is a gentleman of learning, and of ready parts, but is of a lively brisk temper, and has not that guard upon his conduct that serious christians could wish, though it is hoped he is a good man, and has been useful in his ministry to many persons. lives at a part of the town where Dissenters are very little in fashion, yet has a pretty numerous congregation." Dr. Anderson married a lady of fortune, but lost a considerable part of his property by the failure of the South Sea scheme, in 1720. He continued pastor of the Scots church in Swallow-street till the year 1754, where, in consequence of a difference with his people he left them, and settled at another meeting-house in Lisle-street, Leicester-fields, to which place a part of his former congregation followed him. There he continued till his death, which happened May 28, 1739, when he was considerably advanced in life. - Dr. Anderson is said to have been the author of a work entitled, "The Constitutions of the Free Masons," to whom he was chaplain; and he published a few single sermons. The first we have met with is called "No King-Killers ;" preached at Swallow-street, Jan. 31, 1715; in which he vin PETER-STREET, SOHO.-Scotch Presbyterian. dicated the Dissenters from the charge of rebellion, and of raising war against King Charles I. About the time of the Salters'-hall controversy, in which he took part with the subscribing ministers, he published a tract entitled, "Unity and Trinity; a Dissertation establishing that Doctrine against the Anti-trinitarians." There is also another sermon of his preached at Swallow-street Oct. 27, 1723, on occasion of the death of the Rev. William Lorimer. The singularity of this discourse is that it was preached two years after the decease of the person whom it celebrates. Dr. Anderson left one son, and a daughter who married an officer in the army. He had a brother, Mr. Adam Anderson, who was forty years a clerk in the South-Sea house, and compiled that valuable work, the "History of Commerce." JOHN PATRICK, D. D.-Of this gentleman, we possess but slender information. He was a native of Scotland, and received his education in the university of St. Andrews, where he proceeded Master of Arts. After preaching some years in his own country, he removed to London in 1740, to succeed Dr. Anderson as pastor of the Presbyterian congregation in Lisle-street. In 1755 his people built him a new meeting-house, in Peter-street, Soho, where he closed his ministerial labours, after serving this society more than fifty years. He died on the 30th of July 1791, having nearly completed the 85th year of his age. Dr. Rutledge preached a funeral sermon to the bereaved church, and printed it in a collection of sermons about three years afterwards. As Dr. Patrick moved for so long a period in one uniform sphere, his life furnished but few facts for the historian. He appeared with great respectability as a scholar, and a man of science; but it was in the character of a minister of Christ that he appeared to most advantage. Although of a mild and gentle temper, he was warm and zealous in his Master's cause. Having formed his opinions from a careful AND PETER-STREET, SOHO.-Scotch Presbyterian. b. perusal of the scriptures, he maintained them with great steadfastness; yet was liberal towards those who differed from him, provided they acknowledged the great and leading truths of christianity. Amongst these, he considered the Divinity, mediatorial offices, satisfaction, and intercession of Christ, as some of the most prominent. He was a great enemy to schisms and divisions in the church of Christ; nor did he approve of the conduct of people in breaking off from an established church in which they had been brought up, without the most cogent and satisfactory reasons. Being himself the member of an establishment, it is not surprising that he looked upon Dissenters with a jealous eye. In his ministerial duties he was punctual and diligent, neglecting no opportunity of usefulness. Such was the attachment he discovered to his work, that notwithstanding his memory had been failing, and his bodily strength declining for three years prior to his dissolution, he still continued to preach, at least once every Lord's-day, until within nine months of his death. During that period, his earthly tabernacle decayed apace, and gradually wasted away; but without any pain, sickness, or uneasy sensations: so that it may be truly said, "He went down to the grave, in a full old age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." For the tranquillity he enjoyed, he frequently expressed his gratitude to his heavenly Father, to whose disposal he entirely resigned himself, and waited with patience the hour of dissolution.* DAVID TODD.-In consequence of Dr. Patrick's growing infirmities, it became necessary for the church to provide him an assistant, and in 1788, Mr. David Todd removed from Scotland to fill that situation. After the death of his venerable colleague, he succeeded him in the pastoral care of the church, and continued to take the oversight of it till 1796, when he returned to his native country, * Rutledge's Sermons, p. 469–477. DUDLEY-COURT, SOHO.-Bereans. to take possession of a living, to which he had been presented. JOHN DUNCAN, LL. D.-After a vacancy of about three years, Dr. Duncan, who was then resident in London, accepted the invitation of the church to become its pastor. He is a native of Scotland, and preached successively at Maidstone, in Kent; at Tadley, in Hampshire; and at Winborne, in Dorsetshire, from which last place he re moved to London about 1790. He is the present minister at Peter-street. L DUDLEY-COURT, SOHO. BEREANS. DUDLEY-CO UDLEY-COURT is situated in Hog-lane, near Denmarkstreet, Soho. The chapel we describe, belonged originally to the French Protestant Refugees, who seem to have been formerly very numerous in this neighbourhood. From them it passed to the Methodists in Mr. Whitefield's con nexion, and was occupied by a Mr. JOHN GREEN, who kept a school here. This was the same person that afterwards preached in Fetter-lane. When Mr. ANDERSON was compelled to leave Grafton-street, a little before his death, he retired to this place, with such of his people as adhered to him, but dying in a short time through grief, they joined themselves to Dr. Gill, who preached Mr. Anderson's funeral sermon. The chapel in Dudley-court was afterwards engaged successively by a Mr. UNDERWOOD, a Mr. BISHOP, and a Mr. READ, but they neither of them occupied it any length of time. A branch of the BEREAN sect also held this place for some time under the au |