The National Register. — London, England, 1817-03-31 00:00:00

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER. 10 kuntop 2tinti4cmcntO. ON TIIE EXISTENCE, UNIFY, AND WORKS OF GOD. ••• Before we commence the prtsent article, we beg leave to info= one readers, Out we pin-pose in future regularly(exeept when absolutely prevented by the press of temporary niattvr) to devote a portion of our journal to stilk . ;ects of a moral and religious nature; and that we vhould f rl d articulately obli.fecl by the comutunication of any aaectlot:s or intelligence. foreign or domestic, which may tend to promote or illustrate the free progress and great ends of our common Christianity. . IT is highly gratifying to the lovers of our country and its venerable establishment, to observe, that, whilst the suns of anarchy and infidelity are holding up to -public scorn and ridicule the doctrines and forMuhiries of the Christian faith, there are not wanting a suf . & qient number of racn of sound learning and genuine . pi2ety ready to stand forth—and who do boldly stand fiwth—the champions of the " faith once delivered to .the saints." Men, whom no fear of the sne , vs of the •wieked—no scoffs of the profane—no dread of singula rity—can deter from that path of duty which religion and the laws so clearly point out as the road to true ho nour, substantial peace, and eternal happiness. The press, which, alas! is made the vehicle of an almost unbounded licen iousness, teems with publications tending to up hold the mighty pillars of our national presperity, by a fearless advocacy of the truths of religion, by able and lucid illustrations of its heavenly doctrines, and by a successful resistance of all attempts to undermine its foundations. The mischievous author of the " Age of Reason," so greatly admired by mist of our modern reformers, .boasted that he had plucked up, root and branch, the once flourishing plants of christian righteousness. " The priests," said this boaster, "may indeed stick them in the ground again ; but they cannot make them grow " Impious worm! never shall the trees of Lebanon fade whilst they arc watered and protected as they arc, under the fostering eye, and watchful providence of the Omnipotent " HUSHAVDMAN:" they will flourish and grow through eternal seasons, they will bloom through an immortal spring, and their unfailing fruits trill ever continue to be, what they always have been, " peace and joy." The bhophemons parodies have nearly disappeared, and Cie rewards of all unrighteous cupidity have been mocked "'The scat of the scorner" has been threaten ed, anti we must not look for martyrs amongst infidels. They are not ambitious of crowns, which, could they once, (as their brethren across the channel recently did) break the boundaries of legitimate authority, they would so lavishly bestow on the friends of Chris tianity-. But we must restrain our own observations to afford room for a brief notice of a work lately published, en titled, "Discourses on the .1J Iles' Creed, preached at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, in the Spring of 1816; and intended principally for the instruction •of the young. By the Rev. Robert Stevens, A.NI." This work is the production of a sound orthodox di 'inc, of one who ailvocates the cause of religion in the mount of a true christian, and a rational philosopher. As a specimen of his style and manner we quote apor tion of his first discourse. "The lust article of the Creed is, ' I believe in God, the Father Almighty ' Maker of Heaven and Earth.' " All nations have concurred in the belief of a Supreme Being. This asserti o n may be considered equally true, whe ther men worship the One Only God, or One Only God un der a similitude or image, or more gods than one; for, al thonch there be mistake in the mode of worshipping. or with regard to the object worshipped, yet the very set of adore lion proves a lichen!' a snnerior pows. .1i we look into the history of 111 nations, and observe their various manners, ha bitudes and propensities, we skill fi nal, that they have always been more prone to idolatry, than to Atheism ; and that svhere millions have bowed themselves before the altars of their gods, but a few solitary indi viduals hive dared to raise their voice, and say, there is tio God. Indeed it seems im possible, that creatures endued with reason, and capable of contemplating the works of nature, and the existence of effects beyond their ability to produce, should not acknow ledge all they see and atbuire to be the creation, at least, of a Aryerior, if not an Omnipotent cause. All men, however ignorant and uncivilized, possess the faculty of reason, by the exercise and operations of which, they cannot but enter tain notices of his existence, the moment they are capable of observation sail reflection. ...Resides this tuaiversal suffrage of mankind, we derive mart satisfactory confirmation of this great fit ridamental truth, Jnntt the in esistible evidence of cause and elect. We know that we did nut create oursi Ives, that we cannot create Anthers. We know that we did not produce inanimate matter, and that inanimate tuatter cannot produce itself. And we cannot but feel, that creation is an stet above our ability to perigee's. We arrogate not this power to ourselves; mail in others like ourselves, we will not allow it to exist. Hence it is clear, that creation must be the work of a Being superior to man. Nov, it we trace eve ry etiect to its cause, and con tinue to perform this operation of the mind, we shall, at best, • rivu at some cause which never was an effect, which has existed from all eternity, necessarily of itself, and indepen stela* of every oilier, anil which has prodnceel all thin:4s in the universe. This cause is God, the Deity we wurihip and Lime. •• He is, likewise, the One Only God. Theis senile the tor& the king of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts; I :rut the first, and I am the last, and beside rte there is no 00:1• ThAt there cannot he a plurality of gods is evident ; for were nwre gods than oar, either one of them mist have supremacy over the rest, or all antt,t be equal. If w e ae. • Isaiah knowledge this premacy, wee cannot consistently submit to any other au:horny ; we cannot consent to be subject to powers, themst Ives subject and subordinate. If we say ell are equal, then all are Omnipotent, till unr Creators. all go. eernors of the world, all kings that have a right to our 'massage and service; and what could result from such a belief, but the utmost olisrordancy and confusion :Nlialtiplication is re pugnant to the rat►tre of the Deity. Ile cannot admit of any association in power nod empire. Were we to allow a pia rabiy of gods, we could set uo limits to their aan►ber. Let one man affirm, that there ore two or three; and smother may, "with as much reason, assert, that there are thirty thousand. _ . _ B e s i des, let us observe the order and regularity that are every where seen in the creation and government . of the world. Does not every thing proclaim the unity o f God does not all created nature, dies not every arrangement of Providence, speak the same language, and say, there is but one God ; the same divine hand made as all? Let us take in our hands the telescope, by whirl) so many wonderful diseo veriea have been made, and pierce, as it were, into other worlds. What amazing visions open to our eyes! What ex enisite beauty presents itself in every object we behold! What a splendid magnificence is spread throughout the wide eapanse of heaven! What an infinite variety there is of means, all connected in the same grand system ; all cumperliting to produce, in different ways, anal with distinct properties, one great and glorious end! The farther we penetrate into die wonderful mechanism of the universe, and the mere we ex amine, as far as we are permitted, the complicated, but harmonious economy of creation, the stronger is bur (mimic thin, that the whole and every part, is the wot k of one Almighty hand. " If we descend from the heavens Rho e to the earth below, and view with the naked eye, and with the help of the mi croscope, the works of nature, which adorn and diversify th's globe, how a flood of wonders pours in upon our contemplation! Carryiug our views to the mountain's stimuli', WO thence to the occales bed; limn the mighty beasts that range the forest, to the small insects that crawl upon the ground; from the infinite variety of trees, and plaids, and flowers, that ornament the surface of the globe, to the ores that are extracted front the womb of earth, and the sulphure ons substances that Infra from the bosom of the volcano; and examining all the minute particles, all the singular propertie3, and all the inimitable workmanship and design of every par tien:ar. object that meets our eye, and rewards our search; we neat atsknowledge the timid of One Great Artificer, and proclaim, amidst the harmonious nutltiplicity of wonders that present themselves to us on all sides, the unity of the power that produced them. The simplest flower of the field, the wildest bramble of tile heath, the very thistle that springs from the barren soil, mocks the finest labour of human art, and diaplays a contexture and a grace, which liftman inge nuity in vain attempts to equal. Sal 00000 on. in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of the lilies of the field.' Fit st and noblest :ming the wilder* of this lower world, stands the errant's! man. The numerous miracles of his frame, distinct in thnetions, but connected in design, intri cately blends(' together without confusion, and mysteriously acting in concert without interrnption ; and the extraordis nary capaeitivs of his seal, alike as to their nature in all men, &tiering only in this degrees of power and penetration ; and agreeing in their susceptibility of knowledge, of rational improvement, and of religious con. temptation, plainly evince the contrivance and work of one and the same Divine Architect. All that we see in ourselves, all that we behold in nature, and all that we reflect npon in our minds, the uniformity, the order, the regularity, the coin. plea harmony, the general arrangement, and the particular adaptation of things in the whole compass (.1 creation, tend only to multiply evidences, that there is, and can be, but one God. All nature litters this truth, reason and experience attest it, and dit Me Revelation has proclaimed it to the world." In the other doctrinal parts of Mr. S.'s work, he writes in strict conformity to the religion of the Church of England; but carefully avoids all useless controYersv on abstruse and metaphysical suldects. Isis book will be found an useful and agreeable companion to every sincere churchman. • Matthew el. 29. JCIVISH HOSPITAL.---Wednesda:, was held the An niversary Meeting of the Governors of the Hospital, at Mile End, for the protection of old and decayed mem bers of the Jewish nation ; anti for the education of or phans, who are taught handicraft trades, and inured to habits of industry. The Duke of Sussex, Patron of the Society, arrived at half-past fbur o'clock, and was con ducted by a deputation to the Committee-room, where, he was received by the President, Vice-Presidents, and the Gentlem•lt of the Committee, and after having par taken of a cold collation, proceed e d t o t a k e a view of the interior of the building, with the cleanliness and convenience of which Royal Highness expressed himself highly gratified ; as also with the orderly and comfort able appearance of the inmates both of the senior and juvenile classes ; alter which his Royal Highness, with the President and House Committee, repaired to tke City of London Tavern, where about 350 friends and supporters a tbit Charity sat down to a mast sumptuous entertainment, his Royal Highness in the Chair, sup ported by the President and Vice Presidents. There were likewise several persons of eminence, both of the Jewish and Christian persuasion. Atter the cloth was removed, and the usual toasts drank, the children were introduced, each carrying spetimeas of their several trades. An ode written for the occasion was recited by one of the girls. After they withdrew, his Royal High neel in an impressive and eloquent speech, expatiated on the advanta:;es of this Society to the community at large, and he trusted no distinction of faith would pre vent men of every denomination from contributing to the general good. The subscriptions we are happy to say were very liberal. We have the satisfaction to state, that the health of Sir T. l'lnmer is sa much better, that he has been able leave hi:; chamber, ant th a t his friends arc 1c:1 to ex- Pe et his presence its Court next Sitt4lgs. POLICE. nolv-sTrzErr. MAW! IT )1. Mondsv, C.. Whetetrill and J. Savage were charged by Capt. Moure with having defrauded I • of a cheque for no guineas. under ciremustatiaes which have already been befe ll a the piddle. ('apt. Moore. of Bury-.tree,, it. James's, Stated, that on Tuesday last he saw in the Times Newspaper an ad vertisement, le4eribing a beatodid hunter 6,r sale ; applies- Con was to be made to the Kiii4's Aims Mews, Silver Street, Bloomsbury, and witness went there in consequence. He saw Savage, who shewed him the 111 , 140, and said th a t i t b e . lunged in a gentleman iw Shropshire, to whom he had been a servant for two years; but that he was wider the necessity of selling the horse. Witaess asked him if it answered the description in the Times% he replied it slid, and he could warrant it sound in every particular, but that ite could not let it go out of the stable withou: the peimissiim of a gentle. man w ho was commissioned to sell accordingly went for Whetenall, who came in about ten minutes. 1% hetenall edid that he would teat taut the horse sound, but that no trial would be allowed until a deposit of 60 guineas was made, as a gentleman had brought him hack one with brok tit kucei. Witness accordingly deposited with Sas age a cheer I,e on Messrs. Hainnictsley And Co.. for GJ guineas, and dirceed hint to bring the horse to his lodgings, he %Tit, to have tho cheque returned it' he did not like the horse upon trial. Whetenall gas e Savage instructions to wait at witness's house until he returned from trying the horse. lie arcortlingly brought the horse, and he desired him to wait until be re turned. Witness was absent about an hoar mai a (;,tatter; but on his return Savage was guile. lie went to the stables in the Mews, hut could not fool Savage. Witness did not find the horse answer the 11f...caption, he therefore lei' it with another groom. On the follsiwitig day he went to the stable., and saw Whetcnall; who said he Lid received the amount of the cheque. After saute trouhie witness karat th,tt %Vhete• nail lived at No. 15, Carlisle-place, Lambeth, and he made an appointment with him to pay the money, but he did nut keep the appointment. He had not seen Savage until he was takemip IWititess went I Ma•ssra, Hammersley's, and found the cheque though dated the 19th, had been paid within an hour after he had given it to Savage. In 11k:70w-examination he admitted that the horse answered the description of the advertisement in almost every particular. Mr. Barry contended, that no fraud had been proved ; and observed, that it' his chews were liable to criminal pro - seen:ion, every !wise dealer in the king dom mig,lit be equally liable. Whetemill said, that what Savage had done he authorised him to do; and Mr. Alley in sisted rat those words being taken down. Mr. Conant was of opinion that it was a vary strong ease of conspiracy, and Cie prisoners were ordered to find bail ;.and Mr. Alley ea se them to understand, that two indictments wrathd be preferred against ihem. Gen. Maitland said„, that he had bean ties branded out of 30 guineas in a similar manner. J. Byron underwent a private exatnination, charged with obtaining from a Mall of rank 201. under a threat of• charging him with being addicted to abominable pcopewities, and was fully commit , cd fur trial on the capital charge. __~ rr trroN utiwv. COBBETT'S REOMER.--MOllday J. Mat fit lane was charged with hawking for sale Cobbett's Politica! Register. In the of the examination, the defendant's brother in-law stated, that he called on Charles Cook, the informer, who told him if lie gave lii in three guineas fir himself and Mr. Dmine, the Solicitor to the Hawkers' and Pedlars' Offlee, be would dis. charge the prisoner without bringing the case t.:fore the Ma gestrates ; and then he produced a letter mitten by Cock, and which he gave him, to Ale. Donne, but Mr. Mame not being at home. he did not see hint. Cook retaliated, and said the last witness ()tiered him live guineas to settle it, and that he gave him the nine to Mr. Donne to get rid of him. The Magis►rates remarked, this was a ease which ought to be represented to the Commissioncrs of the Hawkers' and Pedlars' Oilier, but had nothing to do with the eharge before them, which was folly proved. The defendant was convicted iii the penalty of aZatinst which he appealed.--Sir Na thaniel Comiant and Mr. [taker sat alone with the presiding Magi'•trate ; and a Gmtleinau fr the Illawkeis and Ped lars' Office attended in behalf of the prosecution. GUMMI ENTR IONDIN tnv CtSE lilrrinTton, the keeper of a coffee shop in Long-lane, Smithfield, a• bronght before .11. dermati Heygate, upon the following charge : —Mr. W. It. Bitinpleby, of the thiroughmiurket, son to Mr. liumplehy, plumber, of Abchtitch-lane, member of the C CJIIII. ell, went at the desire of his father, to Harrington's house, to receive two (platter's tent, recently tine, on Monday night., baween tight and nine o'clock. Harrington, upon hearing his business, begged Mr. liumpleby to step •into the private room. whore he peoitti.tftl to wait 1111011 him in a few minutes. In ten minutes II arrington returned, amid a•keil Mr. Hunt. plaby whether hr had the receipts for the 1 . 4 nt, and upon lacing nits a mil in the affirmative, demanded to see them. Mr. thampleby said he would out part with the receipts un til the amount for which they were drawn, viz. 2131. a. was put int) hisband4. He, however, show e d them to Harrier ton, who lost-linty snatched them, thrust them into his pocktr, and said" Now you 1111: paid." Harrington had previously said, he believed he could not pay the w hole of the demand; and after he became num forcibly lss...est of the receipts, made towards the door, crying out, " 1 lase paid tau wi li q yen came for." Mr. Homplchy, althouge of very ink rior size endeavoured to prevent him from escaping, held the door, and called out repeatedly fur an officer. At lenztli he was overpowered by Barrington, who struck him with peat great violence several times. A pea.,on who resides in the neighbout bond heard the distiiroanec, came to the assistance of NH.. Ilionpleby and, lit his reqw.,st, applied to Simmons, of Long:lane, Iv lin immediately repaired to the where the coinplainatit was in great agitation._ Mr. Simmons swore, that upon entering the hoist., be heard Mr. Hiimpleby state the above nac intoned circuinstanees. When he asieed Barrington why he h;pl acted iti so atrocious a manner, his gill. wer was" It is no 111:1: ter, 1 hate receipts an my pocket, the business is nothing to you." It itoess heard Mr. Hun:Weil frequt oily say, " He says he paid roe the money, and 1 never mill leave the house until an of ict r searches tile." Worrell, the officer, swore that he searched Mr. flumplelty, at that Bentleinait's reiptzst, hut found un Bank-notes in his possession. Doting 'he smart+, flarrnig. ton persevered in essertitne that he had paid the The officer the two receipts mint of the priselo hslel I, and put them into the !rte's of the :Magistrate. Harrington de.. CIA ell that be had paid the money to Mr. lioin,,vby iu Bank notes of 111. 101. 21 and 11. ani th at Mr. Hunt bits might have thrown them into a coiner of the room tor a !Nit hi 1I t ; hitt he never looked about to execs tain it, as it vv.,* .a matt. r of judders:l-n to hint how they tyre si;.eo-ca! . note be had got ft•olu a lodger el bis, who Lil , l bUliti to sea;