&G BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
opinions were formed by the religious public regarding the conduct of Mr.
Baine, Whatever might be his motives in still seeking communion with the
Church-whether from a lingering affection for a body with whom he had long
associated, or from a desire to test its tolerance to the utmost, we shall not
attempt to divine.l His formal deposition at the ensuing General Assembly,
while it produced a strong sensation in the country, had the effect of exciting
the warmest sympathy in his new congregation, who not only gave him a kind
reception as their pastor-eagerly attending on his ministrations-but afforded
him a salary equal to the income he had enjoyed at Paisley.
During the more vigorous period of an active life, one distinguishing feature
in the character of Mr. Baine was his bold and determined resolution in condemning
and exposing, on proper occasions, whatever he considered to be a
violation of public morality. While in Paisley, he published a sermon preached
before the Society for Reformation of Manners in that town (instituted under
his auspices), in which he testified in strong terms against the prevailing vices
of the age; and, when prosecuting his labours in the metropolis in 1770, the
amusements of the stage called forth a similar manifestation of his zeal. This
discourse-the first edition of which was sold off in the course of a few dayswas
occasioned by the performance of the comedy of the Minor, written by Foote,
in which the characters of Whitefield, and other zealous ministers, were held up
to profane and blasphemous ridicule. The sermon was entitled “ The Theatre
Licentious and Perverted,” and had prefixed to it the following curious and
rather singular dedication :-
’
“TO SAMUEL FOOTE, ESQ.
“ Uncommon, or rather outre, productions (witness your diinor) suit the times. This dedication
pretends to be of that quality, and entirely out of the beaten track. Instead of adulation and fulsome
flattery, it is the reverse, and plain. Christianity is certainly worth something ; and you may
be assured, Sir, that in North Britain it has its admirers still. To
insult it, therefore, was neither pious nor prudent. An Aristophanes, worthless as he and his comedy
were, compassed the death of a great man. It was fond and foolish, if you aimed at the same success
against our holy religion, or what is most venerable in it; and wicked aa foolish. When I recollect the
whole of the horrid scene, Mr. Foote and his spruce band of actors performing their part, it has once
and again brought to my mind the day when the Saviour of our world was enclosed in an assembly of
the great and gay, dressed in a gorgeous robe, an ensign of mock-royalty, to be laughed at. In some
such manner have you treated what is most interesting in revelation, and dear to believen of it. Culpable
complaisance would not have told you the one-half of this. Genuine charity, perhaps, would
have said much more than I have done. Wishing, with all my heart, that you may speedily become as
conspicuous a penitent aa you have done despite to the Spirit of Grace, I am, Sir, your faithful servant.”
It has the countenance of law.
1 The circumstance of Mr. Baine aid some of his hearers having gone over to the Old Greyfriarg
for the purpose of communicating at the Lord’s Supper, is explained by his friends on the ground
that, though the Church in South College Street had been opened for public worship, it ww not then
in such a state of forwardness as to admit of the dispensation of the sacrament : that Mr. Baine had
not been formally cut off at that period by the Church of Scotland ; and therefore, though he himself
had taken a decided step towards ecclesiastical separation, he was willing to evince a friendly feeling
for the Establishment, in matten of Church fellowship, so long &s the Church should evince a similar
feeling towards him. Relief principles, then. as well as now, are not inimical to occasional communion
with those who may be regarded as true followers of Christ, though on some points a difference
of sentiment may be entertained.