Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/245

 A M O R Y. 209 AMORY (THOMAS), a diflbnting miniflcr of confider Biogr. But. able note, was the foil of a grocer at Taunton in Somerfet- Ihire, where he was born, Jan 28, 1701 ; and at that place acquired his clafllcal learning, under the care of Mr. Chad- wick. From Taunton he was removed to Fxeter, that he might be inftrufted in the French language by Mr. Majendic, a refugee minifter in that cify. After young Amory had ob- tained the knowledge of the French language, he returned to Mr. Chadwick, where he had for his fchool- fellow Mr. Micaiah Towgood, the ableft advocate among the diflent- crs, in the points of controverfy which occafion their fepa- ration from the church of England. At Lady-day 1717, they were both put under the academical inftrudlion of Mr. Stephen James, and Mr. Henry Grove, who during the reign of Queen Anne, had been joint tutors at Taunton, for bring- ing up joung perfons to the miniftry ; but upon the palling of the fchilm bill, had dtfifted from that employment, till George I. was well eftablifhed in the throne. Under thefe Preceptors, Mr. Amory went through the ufual preparatory learning; and in the fummer of 1722, was approved of as a candidate for the miniftry [A], Bcini defirous of improve- ment, he removed, in the November following, to London, and attended a courfe of experimental philofophy, under Mr. John Eames. Upon his return to Taunton, he preached alternately at feveral places in the neighbourhood, till, upon Mr. James's death in 1724. or 1725, and Mr. Grove's being chofen to fucceed him as Paftor of the congregation at Full- wood, Mr. Amory was fixed as a ftated affiftant preacher to Mr. Darch of Hull Bifhops ; befide which, he had one monthly turn at Lambrook near South-Petherton, and another at Weft Hatch, four miles from Taunton. At the fame time, he was requcfted by his uncle, Mr. Grove, to take a part in the inftruction of the pupil?, in the room of Mr. James ; with which rcqueft he complied. The bufinefs affigned him he difcharaed with great ability and diligence ; being well qua- lified for it by his knowledge in, and tade for, the fineft ^A] When young men, arrong the If (heir qualifications and moral ciia- Dilienters, have paflVd through, or ntar- rafiers be approvtd of, they receive * ly finished their academical courfe, they ttrtimonial fignifying that approbation, undergo an examination either of the accompanird with a recommendation of truftees and tutors of the leminaries in them to tbofe focieties among whom which they have been educated, or of they may be caileJ to officiate. This fom other miniften fixed upon for that method of proceeding may be confiderc-i purpofe. Upon thefe occafions, they as anfwering, in a greet rr.ealure, to tlir ufually deliver a fermon, maintain a conferring of Deacon's orderi in thf thefts, and fubmit to fuch exercifes be- Church of England, fides as are thought needful and frcper. VOL. I. P Grecian