The life of Robert Rodolph Suffield

Preface

THIS life is written by one whose acquaintance with Mr. Suffield began in 1864, when he was the popular and much-loved Dominican missioner, and closed — for the present — only within a few days of his death as a veteran in the ranks of the Unitarian ministry. Whatever be its imperfections, or possible mistakes, it has at least one merit, that which the subject of it would have valued the most — it is truthful. It is neither a panegyric nor a criticism, but the story of a fallible man, who sought to speak the truth as he knew it, and at the same time live in charity with all.

" My personal history," he once wrote, " wrill explain the mixture of opposing feelings with which I touch the Eoman Catholic question, viz., tenderness, gratitude, and love towards Eoman Catholics I have personally known and heard of, along with a great dislike and dread of the system." The writer of this memoir trusts that he has carried into effect what would have been Mr. Suffield's wish,

1063350 and that, painful as the story must prove to his former co-religionists, there will be found in it no word which will hurt the feelings of private friendship or insult the religious convictions of those he left.

But the true story of his change of faith, and his motives and troubles at the time, is best told in his correspondence with Dr. Martineau, who in the sorest trouble gave him invaluable help and encouragement. For the letters which he has kindly contributed, and for leave to publish his own in reply, the sincerest thanks are due not only from the writer, but from all interested in the subject of the memoir.

Feuianism and the English People

An Eclectic View of Roman Catholicism

Farewell Sermons — Cosmic Religion

Spiritual Religion

The Duty of Thought: a Sermon

Last Prayers in Public Service

POSTSCRIPT.

Letter to the British and Foreign Unitarian

Association