laimed, 'Oh, Lamb of
God! how would they pluck thee from thy throne!'"

The public prints flayed Rogers, and even the staid old Philosophical
Society indicated to him that such conduct ill became a member of that
august body. Accordingly humiliated he repented his error and in time
became strongly attached to Priestley, concerning whom he told this
story to a Mr. Taylor whose language is here given:

The Doctor (Priestley) would occasionally call on Dr. Rogers, and
without any formal invitation, pass an evening at his house. One
afternoon he was there when Dr. Rogers was not at home, having
been assured by Mrs. Rogers that her husband would soon be there.
Meanwhile, Mr. ----, a Baptist minister, called on Dr. Rogers, and
being a person of rough manners, Mrs. Rogers was a good deal
concerned lest he should say something disrespectful to Dr.
Priestley in case she introduced the Doctor to him. At last,
however, she ventured to announce Dr. Priestley's name, who put
out his hand; but instead of taking it the other immediately drew
himself back, saying, as if astonished to meet with Dr. Priestley
in the home of one of his brethren, and afraid of being
contaminated by having any social intercourse with him, 'Dr.
Priestley! I can't be cordial.'

It is easy to imagine that by this speech Mrs. Rogers was greatly
embarrassed. Dr. Priestley, observing this, instantly relieved her
by saying, and with all that benevolent expression of countenance
and pleasantness of manner for which he was remarkable, 'Well,
well, Madam, you and I can be cordial; and Dr. Rogers will soon be
with us, Mr. ---- and he can converse together, so that we shall
all be very comfortable.' Thus encouraged, Mrs. Rogers asked Dr.
Priestley some questions relative to the Scripture prophecies, to
which he made suitable replies; and before Dr. Rogers arrived,
Mr. ---- was listening with much attention, sometimes making a
remark or putting in a question. The evening was passed in the
greatest harmony, with no inclination on the part of Mr. ---- to
terminate the conversation. At last Dr. Priestley, pulling out his
watch, informed Mr. ---- that as it was _ten_ o'clock it was time
that two old men like them were at their quarters. The other at
first was not willing to believe that Dr. Pr