The National Register. — London, England, 1814-06-12 00:00:00

JUNE W. . . on which the National Church is established ;" and his per suasion "that the Liturgy of the Church of England consults the exigencies of the soul, and meets the energies of the heart, as eftcaciously as any form of human corripositign 'can be expected *.o do." Notwithstanding such .persuasion, how ever, -be "desires to be understood as being, at the same time, a firm friend to spiritual freedom of sentiment in all who take for its basis that impartial policy which blends the interests of religion and those of (PH . country in one justly organised union of ctiristiat: love at d toleration." It is remarkable, that both candidates seem to concur in encomium of the late Rector of Clerkenwell ; who is charac terised by Mr. Sheppaio as a " reseected and lamented pas tor," while he mer.tion...d by Mr. White as "a minister who was justly reveied" by those whose immortal interests had been confided to him. • .Aecordingz, to the promises and professions on both sides, gratuitously avowed . and formally reiterated, each . party stands plcdged to proceed . with ingenuousness, and with the sing ;e design of eventuaqy appeasing those • " animo-; sities" which have confessedly existed in the. •i!liscOrdant . parishes of St. James's and St. John's,Cleikenwell. Both are so far fair. Excepting tl e c:aim of past. services on one side, both here seem, concerning the qualities of amiableness and benevolence, as equally entitled to the support of those pari,hionerS to whom their addresses have been directed. Where then do they part ? Spirituality is their line of separation. This may lie col lected or inferred from the Rev. Mr. ‘Vhite's address to the inhabitants of Clerkeziw'll, where, it has been seen, after pre mising his firm attachment to the National Church, he con side's it expedient to hint, at the same time, that he is ne vertheless disposed to allow something like toleration to that " spiritual freedom of sentiment'' which has hitherto been cherished by the very persons to whom he addresses himself; and hence we may gather, of course, that lie is not otherwise particularly partial to such liberty, though he cannot'with any propriety either oppose it, or omit to notice it at all. Preach-. ing, too, considered with reference to its spirituality, is but obliquely mentioned by him : for though he admits that 44 much of the faithfulness of the Minister of God's word is seen in the knowledge and zeal with which he delivers that' word from the Pulpit," he lays greater stress, it is clear, on the "influence of his conduct," professionally - contem'plated, than on the " authority of his instructions" or the " elfeel of his admonitions." Now, it is nothing less than "Gospel Preaching," lentil rnonly so called, that the majority of the inhabitant; of Cler kenwell," whether as worthy or unv orthy, arc }leased to re quire at the mouth of hint who shall hereafter address them in the name of the Nkst High! Preactring of this descrip tion is what they conceive has been enjoyed by them; and tie saute species of pre:tebnig they are 'till eetei mined to sit under. He who soliciis their vides, therefore, aspiring to become their minister, must approve himself this man of ( according to theiriudginc!it, or he cannel ex pect to be inyexied by them with the ochre he orcsunses to seek. Ex amination as to fitness in this essential patt:cular is the inte rest (.f ca h candidate. This is the ruck of oirnice, 'IA to be 2,.(,idel by either of the two, on wnich the respective clergymen must tirin or split. A nether of the (%Ovlidates for Clerkenwell, who at first Mutt d for the g , a!, ITceded as I,lde'lly fioln the stoggle The lieu \V. E. Fat;l:ner, BA. I owl-1y the Morning Preacher at Cletke.well) who bad apprised the whabitan:s, TTIP, Ist, _ _.. - sg3 only a few hours after " the death of his much-lameoted friend," •that be should " feel much obliged by their not en gaging their votes and interest, as it was his intention," after • the interment was over, 4. to offer- himselfsa candidate," has, Lotwithstanding, felt it prudent to withdraw .osze th ibt v from The contest, and, as report informs us, - not -in circumstances of the most desirable kind. Contrary•tb the exPectatioes of his friends, this young cleric; patronised fur his piety alone by the late minister, now seems, according to arlvices, ,grievously to have disappointed the hopes once entertained re specting hitn, by surrendering his influence to the onpoite side, in consideration, it is said, of being himself appointed to the curacy of Pentonville, in the .event of Mr. White's being returned for Clerkenwell. What an inconsis tency is here! Painful as is the recurrence of ter giversation in the religious world, still, is it not infinitely better that certain clerical characters should openly throw off the mask, though successfully worn, and separate from the ommunionof those to whom in reality they could never have been attached? He who :is . not with • me,' declared Jews, is.against Evangelical truth gains by the seces sion of each professor who is vacillating in his principles or cold in his devotion. It is asserted, however, from another quarter, that the statement thus rumoured as to the latter candidate is partly, if not wholly, incorrect; inasmuch as overtures were made to him by the antagonist side, instead of proceeding from him self, and that such overtures had been. declined by him. Im- partiality has obtained this explanation. But the reader will• perhaps, so far determine for himself, according to his ac. quaintance with the circums►ances of this contest, what re liance is to be placed on the party-rumours of either side. . Justice here requires it to be observed, also, that several of the-Committee, both on the part of Mr. Sheppard and Mr. White, althoirgh active partizans, might be supposed to have no legitimate interest in the success of either 'candidate. The fact is not to be disguised, that certain persons of Mr Sheopard's committee, and weighty persons too, are in. truth' Dissenters from the Establishment : while it is equally as no torious, on the other band, that many members in the com mittee of Mr. \Vhite, although staunch churchmen, can 'lie ver be expected to freTsent their Parish Church, more than once or twice, even should they be fortunate enough to •in sure his election ! The latter do not seek his triumph, but their own. However he may reckon on his supporters therefore, these will leave him to himself, without regret when they perceive that they have accomplished the object for :the atta;nment of which their favourite preacher is thus Anxiously brought forwards. If this representation he generally just, touching the main question now at it is, nevertheless, of more than or_ Binary import ; since the question is not as to-men, howeve r excellent,--nor as to parties, however formidable ; but as to principles and things of the highest moment, whether in tim or eternity, both to christian bodies and the individuals com prised. in then. Nothing like compromise can, indeed, he consistently set ab0nt...... If the Lord be God, follow but if Baal, then follow him !' Men cannot both serve God, and Mammon. • Choose ye then, this day, whom ye :will, serve.' ()NESIN TIO ..NA.kagrglagl9L,4 i 1• 4 . '