"I went several times to the Baptist meeting in Second Street,
under the care of Dr. Rogers. This man burst out, and bade the
people beware, for 'a Priestley had entered the land;' and then,
crouching down in a worshiping attitude, exclaimed, '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. Priestley's watch was
accurate; but finding that it was correct, he took his leave with
apparent regret, observing that he had never spent a shorter and
more pleasant evening. He then went away, Dr. Priestley
accompanying him, until it became necesary to separate. Next
morning he called on his friend, Dr. Rogers, when he made the
following frank and manly declaration: 'You and I well know that
Dr. Priestley is quite wrong in regard to his theology, but
notwithstanding this, he is a great and good man, and I behaved to
him at our first coming together like a fool and a brute.'
Many additional evidences might be introduced showing that the Doctor
was slowly winning his way among the people. It must also be remembered
that not all of his associates were of the clerical group but that he
had hosts of scientists as sincere and warm supporters. In Woodhouse's
laboratory he was ever welcome and there must have met many congenial
spirits who never discussed politics or religion. This was after the
manner of the Lunar Society in Birmingham in which representatives of
almost every creed came together to think of scientific matters. Hence,
it is quite probable that Priestley's visit to Philadelphia was on the
whole full of pleasure.
He was also in habits of close intimacy with Dr. Ewing, Provost of the
University of Pennsylvania, and with the Vice-Provost, Dr. John
Andrews, as well as with Dr. Benjamin Rush who had long been his friend
and with whom he corresponded at frequent intervals after his arrival in
America. To him Priestley had confided his hope of getting a college in
Northumberland and inquired,--
Would the State give any encouragement to it?