The National Register. — London, England, 1817-04-21 00:00:00

and prudence in their just st:.tion, and casts down pro rh:,:ility and impiety; and thus the ordinations of Pro % Men•l: are visibly exemplified in this world, and are not left to truth ; the things that are seen, are the grounds of irresistible conviction of a just and a superintending Providence ! What ingratitude, therefore, is found lurk ing in the heart of any man who, while he lives and moves, and has his being at the mercy of God, hesitates for a moment to submit, but repines and murmers at any dispensation which he is too selfish or blind to com prehend ; who cornplains, that in a state of discipline and prohimion, he is tried ! How short sighted to think he can be proved ivorthy, without being tried ! flow ill devoted to his Nfaker, who forgets the blessings of ex iltence and of immortality, when he might have been left as the sand of the desert ! I hope such reflections as these may teach us a patient resignation in every trial ; and however severe it be, the great precept, " Not :fly will but thine be done," should be embraced to strengthen as, as an angel of Gethsemane! H. THE COMFORTS OF OLD AGE. Closely connected with the foregoing subject, we lave great pleasure in recommending to the perusal of our readers Sir Thomas Bernard's recent walk, entit led, " On Me Comforts of Old Age, milli Biographical Illustrations." This is a truly valuable book ; treating of subjects of the highest interest to our present comtbrt and fixture salvation, in a style and manner eminently calculated to arrest the attention, inform the judgment, affect the best passions of our nature, and warm and invigorate the heart. The " INCONVENIENCES or AGE," are described to be, Ist. Lraßness . for public hflirmity of body, 3d. Loss if animal enjoyment, and, 4th. iln.riely abo r t death. As a kind of s e t- o ff t o these inconveniences, are adduced illustrative anecdotes a several eminent public characters who have, in a great degree, counteracted their effects by a vigorous mind, a virtuous conduct, temperance, and religion. The Con fort: of Old Age are described as being often found in melioration of temper, social intercourse, amusing books, and above all, in the exercises of re ligion, and the bright prospects it opens to the serious Christian. These topics are discussed in the form of a dialogue supposed to have taken place in the year succeeding the hard frost of 1739, between the venerable Bishop Hough, Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, and Mr. Lyt tleton, afterwards Lord Lyttleton. One or two short extracts are all that our limits will allow. In answer to a request from the Bishop of London, that Bishop Bough would import to them his antidotes e to the aches and infirmities of age, my Lord of Worcester replies :--- " I never peruse the account of the journey of the Is raelites through the Wilderness, as given by Moses i n th e Pentateuch or abridged by David in the lxxviii. Psalm, with out considering it as a type of the Christian's passage through this probationary state. The world is the wilderness, through which we are travelling ; and if we are asked what is our tawdry, we may point with Anaxagoras, to Heaven.—Like .the children of Israel we have difficulties and dangers to en counter, but we have the Light of Revelation to direct onr path, and to guide us by night and by day. We also have the living waters, are nourished with angels food, and fed with the bread of heaven. It therefore ill becomes us, as we approach the promised land, to murmur and be dispirited, because we are weaker and more wearied. With the blessed Jerusalem lo view, approaching the holy rest of God, we weed desire na more strength, than will carry us to our jour as y's end. Viewing this world in its true light , as a passage to a better, we shall find all the periods of life tinder the same directing providence ; and we may be assured that our Creator has not left the last stage of our corporeal existence imperfect ; but has apportioned to each its duties and enjoy. nests.—When every other part of the drama of life has been so well provided for, it can hardly be supposed that the last act should have been entirely negk cted. Every period of our existence has its gratifications, as every season of the year produces its peculiar enjoyments. The bloom of spring, the gleam of summer, and the rich produce of autumn may be passed and gone : but to those who have made due preparation, the cheerful fireside and the social comforts of winter will not be less acceptable. When, however, I say this, I exeept those cases, where individuals have so applied the former part of life, as to leave the latter blank and comfortless: I only mean to assert, that if our youth be so employed as not to embitter the decline of life, we shall find etijoymetits allotted to every period of our existence." In page 85, et seq. this good prelate, speaking of melioration of temper, is made to say, " When, therefore, I am in company with the young., I endeavour, as far as my station and time of life a iil permit, to assimilate any manners to theirs: and I find two good Elects from it ; one, that they listen with muds more pleasure owl attention, to any advice I may see occasion to °Wee: the other, that I prevent, what is far more odious than any wrin kles of the body,—tkose wrinkles of the Iniod (as Moutaiguc terms them) which are so destructive of the virtues of the he:tat, and of the intellectual features.—Why should sourness and peevishness of temper have any thing to ale with old age? 'They are the vices of the narrow and selfish. The liberal an.' benevolent, like aids and generous wines, improve with kerplar. What will turn acid in so short a life as ours, must owe its sourness to poverty of spirit and meanness of Charac ter. Nobler dispositions soften and meliorate, and become more and more kind and disinterested, with length of years; acquiring a smoothness, a milkiness, and sweetness o f d m _ itacter, commensurate to their period of existence, and pie- paratery to that intellectual side which they are shortly to enjoy. The handsomest and must elcgaideoinplintent, which is to he found in the father of epic poetry, comes from the aged counsellors of Priam; who, on the Night of Helen, claim, " We cannot object to stiffer so long the calamities of war, for a woman so like the immortals in beauty." Where is the yo:ing Bean, who could have expressed himself with more ell valrous gallantr ?—But in order to preserve O m , tl.vo6ition, a regular habit of BELV-EILAMINA- THE NATIONAL REGISTER. TION h necessary ; so that we ►nay relieve and disincna►be' the mind of all selfish and irritable feelings ; and cherish by daily habit, gentle and conciliating niannrrs, forbearance to our equals, kindness to our dependants. attention to the poor, and all the other dearest charities of life.—l ant therefore in practice a Pythagorean ; and before my karlar devotions at night, I strictly examine my conduct during the day ; and if I have been peevish or perxersc, or have done amiss, consider how I may make amends the next morning." We have no room for farther extract, but trust we have given sufficient to excite an earnest wish in the minds of the reader, for speedy perusal of this valuable little book. RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. (FITOM a LIVERPOOL tArrn.) LIVPRPOCIL, APRIL l4.—Last week Mr. Richard Wright, who has of late delivered religions lectures, mid held meetings for worship on Unitarian principles, in the Lung Room, Mar ble-street (a place which has been frequently ocempied by different denominations of Christians during the last 20 years), was summoned, on three intiirmations, to appear before the Magistrates, on the charge of holding meetings for worship in a place duly registered. Mr. W right attended at the Town Hall on Saturday last, at the appointed time, when the. Mayor (John Wright, Esq.) and Alderman Nicholson, took their plates as the sitting Magistrates. They were afterwards joined by Alderman Sir W. Barton. The first information was then read, relative to a meeting for worship being held in the Long Hoorn, on Tuesday, the Ist of April. The informer on this charge was Reece Davies, of the Li rerpoul Courier (.flee; w ho t being sworn, gave evidence of the statement in the information. The second information Wail then read, which made a • lar charge for Stiintay, the tith of April. The informer on this charge also was Reece Davies, of the Lireepoot Courier Once; who, being again sworn, gave evi dence of the statement in that information. The third information was then read, which made a similar charge for Tuesday, the nth of April. The informer cm this charge also was Reece Davies, of the Liverpool Courier Office; who, being again sworn, gave evi dence of the statement in that information. In answer to some questions from the Bench, and Mr. Statham, Town Clerk, as to the nature of the prayers, &c. Reece Davies stated, that they were similar to those usually made in other chapels. Mr. Wright being then called upon for his defence, stated, that in a life of mere than fifty years, he had never knowingly violated any of the lams of his country. He had reason to believe that the room in which his meetings were held was duly registered, as it had been used for worship about twenty years; and halted, he conceived, that if the place were not registered, yet, as he had always been informed that it was. he coulo sot be supposed to have offended against the statute, as its penalties were directed against those who losnwingly hold meetings for worship in places not registered. He then produced some written evidence from a most respectable quarter. stating at what time, and by whom, and for whom, the place bad been certified to the Bishop's Registrar at Chester. 'there had not been sufficient time allowed to pie cure a oesti6eate from Chester, but he doubted not he could do so In a few days. The Bench then agreed to adjourn the business to that day week, %hen the official evidence was to be produced. The penalty ineurred in this case would be, not exceeding 201. on each information, not less than 205.---one halt to the informer. Duriug the above examination, Mr. Wright, alluding to some disorderly conduct in the Long Room (lurk)g worship, on Tuesday, the Bth, stated, that the individual whom he meant to charge with that disorder, had refused at the time to give his address. He had since learnt, however, that his name was Scott, and he would now ask Reece Davies whe. ther lie knew that person. Being answered in the affirmative, lie farther demanded his full name and address ; when Scott himself, being in the court, was required to give it—which was, James Scott, of Liverpool, merchant, No. 11, Clayton square. Mr. Wright then declared his intention immediately to prosecute him, under the 12th clause of an Act 52 Geo. 111. fur disorderly conduct during worship on the above even ing. The business on which Mr. Wright was snmmoued being now, for the present, concluded, Mr. Wright was about to depart, when Mr. Statham rose and informed him lie had now to bring forward a charge of a more serious nature. Mr. Wright.-1 was summoned for a particular purpose, which I have attended to, and am not bound to attend to any other business. Mr. Statham.—Sir, this is an information upon which you will now be taken into custody. You are charged with blas phemy. He then read as information on the evidence of James Scott (the identical person Mr. Wright had just stated his intention to prosecute for disorderly conduct), which, being duly sworn to, charged Mr. Wright with having expressed and conveyed to his hearers the idea " that a belief in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was absurd and ridiculous—that it was folly to believe in what was called the atonement by the death of Jesus Christ, as it was impious to suppose that a good being would take an innocent victim to atone for the sins of the wicked—that as the idea of the soul surviving the hotly was an absard And ridiculous mental delusion, the idea of a Cloture state was mittally so." Mr. Statham then informed Mr. Wright, that his proceedings had beck watched ; that the Mayor had sent persons for die purpose to the Long Room every eliciting, since he had advertised his meetings in the Liverpool Me-entry of the 2istli of March ; and that it was at the Mayor's instance that the informer oil this charge (Scott) had now attended to give evidence. Mr. Wright.—Why, Sir, the sentiments /delivered are legal by Act of Parliament; and the last charge is an entire false hood, and contrary to all my sentiments. Mr. Statintia.—That you must show in another place. You must give bad fur your appearance at the nest Assizes at Laucaster s yourself m ;mud. and two sureties in HMI each. [Mr. Wright was limn placed in custody of the constables, and put to the liar as a prisoner.) Mr. Wright.—Bia,Sir, I must know under what law I am charged with this. Mr. Statham.—Underne particular Act, but under tie law attic land. Mr. Wiight.—Untler what law of the land? Mr. Stathain.—Under the common law? Mr. Wright,-•Udder what CO11:131311 law ? Have you never seewthe Act of Parliament, lately posed, which the exercise of religiem opinions, which were before lAA peranttedi—Ta tbis no answer w& given. APRIL M. Mr. Wright.— But if I he arrested, anal livid to bail. cons arary to the provisions of an Act of Parliament, can I not claim indemnity t Mr. Statham.--You can adopt what steps yon think proper. Two friends of Mr. Wright, ss ire happened then to be the court merely as spectatots, offered themselves as sho regoircd bail. One of them (Mr. P. B. Wright) in describ ing his residence, stated, that it was near Anne's Church. The Mayor and Mr. Statham instantly asked was it not Saint Anne's Church? Mr. P. B. Wright said he had spoken of it in the tesual way, and bad casually omitted the word Saint. tic did not know of such a Saint in Scripture, nor did he believe such an omission was criminal. Mr. Statham said, " Sir, I suspect you purposely omitted the word.' Mr. P. B. Wright here claimed the protection of the court. Mr. Wright.—! have now, Mr. Mayor, offered any bail, sad of course claim my liberation. Mr. Statham.—Yon must give tvrenty.four hours' notice of your bail, and ia.quiries must he made into its sufficiency. Bail is not a matter of course. You may he kept iu custody a week, Sir, for aught you know. Mr. Wright.—!l am certain, Sir, that if a short time were allowed, so that this business could be made known out of doors, I should have bail offered which the Mayor must know would be sufficient. Here another friend of Mr. Wright stepped forward anti said, Mr. Mayor, if only a few minutes be allowed before you leave the hall, I am sore I can produce fur Mr. Wright the most respectable bail to any amount. Time was allowed. Mr. Wright was removed in custody to the Jury Room, having objected to be sent down amongst persons charged with crime ; and, in about fifteen minutes, Mr. Wright's friend returned with two gentlemen, whose surety was not a moment objected to. Mr. Statham asked them if they were acquainted with the nature of the charges against Mr. Wright. He then read the information. One of the gentlemen remarked, that with Mr. Wright's religious creed he was not acquainted, but on his integrity he would enture his property. The other observed, that he agreed in the sentiments imputed to Mr. Wright, with the excep tion of the last, which he did not believe Mr. Wright ever espoused. Mr. Wright was then liberated, and his departure front (he Hall was only impeded by a number of other friends, eagerly pressing in to otter themselves as his bail. We have given the proceedings which the Mayor of Liverpool has thought it his duty to institute against the Rev. Richard (the Liverpool Paper calls him, by mistake, John) Wright. We regret exceedingly that the spirit of party should prevail so strongly as it does in that extensive town. We fear the Magistrates will not add to their respectability by their measures against Mr. W. This gentleman we happen to know very well; and though we differ from him greatly as to many of his religious tenets, we know him to be a sin es re Christian, and a zealoi:s and faithful Minister of Religion, inculcating what he conceives to be truth with great zeal and earnestness; but withal, in a manner not calculated to inspire any feelings of resent ment in the breasts of the liberal-minded of other de nominations. Mr. Wright is a good scholar, but a better man—his integrity of character is such as en. titles him to the profound respect of all those who have any means of knowing and appreciating it. A Serjeant in the army, dressed in his regimentals, with the Waterloo medal pendant at his breast, preached a sermon to a crowded congregation on Geod Friday, at the Dissenting Chapel at Gravesend, from the 19th chap. and 30th verse of St. John. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS. WEDNRSDAY, APRIL 16. Earl 13kTnt'nST laid on the table certain arts of the Letis latures of Jamaica and other West India Colonies relative to the registration of slaves, pursuant to his notire when the subject wa. mentioned by Lord Grenville before the recess. The Earl of LAUDERDALE moved for accounts relative to the national debt.—Acconnts ordered. LORD SIDMOUTH'S LETTER. Earl GRAY moved that a copy of Lord Sid Mouth's letter to the lord lieutenants of counties relative to the circulation of seditious pamphlets, be laid on the table. To that he un derstood there was no objection. He thought, however, that in order to have full information on the subject, their lord ships on7ht to have before them the case submitted to the law officers of the Crown, and the opinion given upon it, retiffred to in that letter. There was some doubt, however, as to the propriety of the production of these latter pa pers, and he would postpone moving for them till another day. The letter, and the opinion referred to, lie considered as very extraordinary, and well deserving their lordships' notice. 'lite letter ordered to be produced. Earl GriLs , then moved for an account of the nett amount of the consolidated fund in April ISIS, 10, 17. Ordered. PUBLIC BUSINFSS. The Earl of DARNLEY wished to know at what hour it was to be understood that public liminess was to commence. The Earl of LivErtpool. bad no objection to its being understood, that the public business was to commencu of five o'clock. The Irish laws execution bill was read a third time, and passed.—Adjourned till Monday-. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY, APRIL 14. This day the House met lair:al:int to adjournment, %hen there was a full attentla»ce of Menthe's. THE SPEAKER'S ILLNESS. At four o'clock Mr. Dv-on, the principal Clerk, stated, that he yentettlav received a letter from Mr. Speaker, %%kirk, Will the leave off' the ILttete, he would 'Tail --(Hear! hear) Mr. 1),,0ta that read the letter, which was in oubsta:tce as follows :