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/246

 A M O R Y. Grecian and Roman clafiks, and by his thorough acquaint- ance with the beft and lateft improvements in found philo- Jbphy. In 1730, he was ordained at Paul's meeting in Taunton, and from this time was united, in the congrega- tion at Taunton, with Mr. Batfen ; but that gentleman keeping the whole falary to himfelf, feveral of the principal perfons in the fociety were fo difpleafed with him, that, early in the fpring of 1732, they agreed to build another Meeting- Houfe, and to choofe Mr. Amory for their paftor. In the beginning of 1738, on the death of Mr Grove, he became chief tutor to the academy at Taunion, and conducted the bufmefs of it with the fame abilities, and the fame candid and enlarged views, which had been difplayed by that emi- lient man. He had the advantage of the lectures and expe- rience of his excellent uncle, added to his own ; and he was animated by an equal fpirit of integrity and zeal, and an equal defire of cultivating and improving every intellectual and moral qualification in the young perfons committed to his charge. Many pupils were formed under him, of great worth and dillinguiihed literary improvements. In 1741, he married a daughter of Mr. Baker, a diflenting minifter in Southwark ; an excellent lady, who furvived him, and with whom he lived in the greateft afteclion and harmony. By this lady he had feveral children, four of whom furvived him. During his refidcnce in Taunton he was held in the greateft efteem, not only by his own fociety, but by all the neigh- bouring congregations and minifters ; and even thofe who differed the moft from him in private opinions, could not avoid paying a tribute of refpecl: to the integrity and excel- lence of his character. He was much reflected, likewife, by the gentlemen and clergy of the eftab'iihed church ; was particularly honoured, when very young, with the friend- fliip of Mrs. Rowe, and kept up a correfpondence with her by letters. One inftance of the refpecl entertained for him, and of his own liberal and hononourable conduct, cannot be fcmitted. When fome of the principal prfons of the Baptift' Society in Taunton, owing to the difguft they had received at their then pafior, would have deferted him, and commu- nicated to Mr. Amory their intention of becoming his ftated hearers, he generoufly dilluaded them from the execution of their defign, as a ftep which would prove highly injurious to the reputation, members, and intertft of the congregation they intended to leave. Mr. Amory was fo happy with his people at Taunton, and fo generally refpe&ed and beloved both in the town and the neighbourhood, that, perhaps, it may 3 ' be