Knox, Alexander
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]
Sermons* are beautifully attractive, sweetly elegant and highly polished as to style, and exhibiting Religion in her most amiable dress, and her most lovely lineaments, but certainly not abounding in the prominent exhibition of certain important doctrines. They abound however with invitations and incentives to holiness and from a pleasing transcript of his own pure mind. They are, I think, best suited to those who have already made a progress in religion as they by no means take in its grand scheme and scope. I greatly love the Man, and was much disappointed that his sudden recal on the death of his brother stopped him on his journey hither.* Pray see all the interesting Society at Bellevüe, especially Mr. Knox, but take especial care that your ears do not run away with your heart, for he has a most fascinating eloquence. With great mutual regard we disagree on some very momentous points. As a teacher of holiness, and an inspirer of contempt for the world he has scarcely an equal. He is a good deal of a Mystic. You see how openly I write to you even respecting my real friends and favorites. I know my confidence in you is not misplaced. Letters which are not written in that confidential skein are not worth having, but the general habit would be dangerous.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [20? October 1815] [incomplete]
Yesterday was quite an Irish day as it brought me letters from the ,* Knox, and .* The latter was happy in the expectation of Lady O. Sparrow the next day. The Archp. gives but a gloomy picture of the state of his part of Ireland! I was sorry to see both Knox and Jebb date from Cashel or Limerick, as it makes me fear you missed them at Bellevue, but I hope not.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 13 December [1815]
I am sorry you saw so little of I earnestly hope that visit will be yet made; to say nothing of her residence which I wish to see of all places, she is herself very interesting, and a character of inestimable value. (by the way) I am astonished at what you tell me of Mr. Knox, if there is any coolness it must be on his part. I am sure it has not been on mine. We have not indeed corresponded as largely as we used to do, but he himself has apologized for it, from his other pursuits. My esteem for his virtues and admiration of his talents are great and undiminished. We do not indeed think alike on certain religious points and (whom I also much love) had the candor to tell me that our difference in this matter was the reason why he did not write to thank me for my books. but I did not know why this should make any coolness among /Christian/ friends, I am sure it will make none in heaven, and I am the last person who would lower my regard for a friend on account of their opinion of my writings. I shall hope to see both Knox and Jebb next Summer.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, September 1815
I hear is got back to . I dare say I shall soon see them. spoke kindly of him in his letter to me. I presume you have lost both him and :* but Mr. Dunn will repair the loss. I am sorry to hear that excellent and amiable Man a little too /much/ vindicates some of the peculiar opinions of our friend Knox. You must combat them if you find them carried a little too far. Of course you will not drop what I have said
Hannah More to Marianne Sykes Thornton, November or December 1809
I have been in much care for a most amiable friend. , of whom you must have heard Knox speak as one of the brightest ornaments of the Irish Church. He is indeed a Gem of the first water – His lungs being weak He was sent away from his pulpit for a year. was in good health, but near her time.9 She passed her confinement very happily at Clifton long after which she was seized with a fever of the most afflicting kind – She who came over well is dead, /he/ who was ill is recovered! – His loss is inexpressible, so is his piety – wrote instantly to me to get him here, I was thankful I had had the thought, and /had/ written to him to come instantly – He came but his relations being arrived he could not stay – I never saw so heroic a Sufferer – He does indeed glorify God by his behaviour. She was a woman of uncommon Merit, and [a] [tear] woman of fashion. He says her whole life was employd in leading him to heaven – Remember us all kindly to your friends