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    he declined preaching ' , and removed to Bath . His successor was Mr . Youatt , who , in March 1812 , was succeeded by Mr . Fox , who removed to London in March 1817 .

    In the absence of any further authentic information , it may be conjectured that Kingston , where the first congregation is said to have assembled , is the place called also Kingsham ; which is a field or two distant from Chichester . That Mr . Predden , whom Mr . Neale would touch with his

    little finger only , p ^ ved the way by his liberal sentiments for the introduction of what some would call greater heresy , which was silently gaining strength under the successive ministrations of Mr . Watson and Mr . Youatt ; so that Mr . Fox was cheered , at an

    early period of his ministry at Chiehester , by the annual meeting of the Southern Unitarian Book Society being held there on the first of July , 1812 . I have only to remark , that Binderton , where the clergymen dropped the pall , is about four miles from

    Chichester ; and that if you think this communication suitable for your valuable monthly work , and I can glean any . more particulars connected with the above persons or subject , I will with pleasure transmit them . J . F .

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    Penzance , Sib , May 14 , 1823 . rM ^ HERE is a discouraging feeling , JL with which I suppose most are acquainted who are in the habit of contemplating public improvements . It is this , that what an obscure

    individual can effect towards these great objects , is so trifling and insignificant , so insensible and evanescent a quantity , compared with the mighty sum required , that it is not worthy of consideration , and can never afford a

    sufficient reward for much self-denial or exertion . * From such thoughts as these , two bad results are likel y «^ be produced in the mind . Iu the first place , they tend to enervate virtue ; for it cannot be expected that the

    bestflispoaed man will persevere in benevolent exertions , any longer than he pees before him a reasonable prospect erf success . Without this , indeed , virtue , becoming separated from wisdom , ceases to tie venerable . But , in the geooad plabe , such thoughts form an

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    excuse for wilful and sinful negligence . We can seldom attempt to- produce any favourable change in the state of society , without encountering more or less that is unpleasant ; painful opposition and misapprehensions , if not ridicule or persecution . And even when

    these are still absent , there is much unthankful and , to present appearances , fruitless labour . With . whatever ardour , therefore , the young philanthropist may enter on the

    prosecution of his schemes , however he may have been animated while tasting in forethought the pleasures of benevolence , and the luxury of doing good , a little real experience of the world will convince him that he has taken

    an erroneous view of the subject . Many , indeed , are the pleasures of virtue , nor are any sweeter than those which spring from deeds of love and compassion ; yet I apprehend that the practical philanthropist will find his

    feelings harmonize not so well with the sentimental descriptions of the pleasures of virtue , as with the words which encourage us to patient continuance in well-doing , and bid us not to be weary , for that in due season we shall reap , if we faint not . This ,

    then , being the true state of the case , we are likely enough to entertain very willingly ideas which represent our exertions a 3 unavailing , inasmuch as they seem to excuse us from an irksome duty , and allow ; us to sink into the apathy and supineness to which , perhaps , we are inclined .

    There are three considerations by which , I think , we should principally endeavour to counteract the injurious influence which we have been considering . In the first place , we may inquire whether we do not underrate the real value of our exertions . It is

    true , that very few individuals can sensibly influence public events , opinions or manners . He that can ao this performs , for an individual , an immense work . Every thing involving the interests of that vast and eversucceedirig multitude which constitutes the public , is a matter of great

    magnitude and importance . In . order to estimate aright the vahie of individual exertions in these things , we may conceive a sort of rough arithmetical operation . The amount of good , or evil . produced is to be ; divided { feirly amoi > g all those who liaVe ContFibuted

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    330 On Individual Contributions to Public Improvement .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1823, page 330, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1785/page/18/