The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-08-18 00:00:00

STREET PREACHING.

Yesterday Irm. Chartnan anti !I'm. Wells, both dressed in the
garb of mechanics, with sanctified and solemn appearance, were
placed at the bar, at Lesion Hall, charged with preaching in the
open air.
Hepburn, a constable, stated, that on Monday afternoon
he was attracted to Saville-place, Lambeth. by hearing loud and
tumultuous proceedings going forward. (in nearer approach, he
observed a mob of about 200 persons collected round the two de-
i fendants, who were standing in the midst, and by their violent
gestures and loud haranguing. witness thought they had escaped
from a neighbouring Institution for lunatics. They were standing
side by side, and exerting their lungs to the utmost stretch of hu-
man power, while some of the bye-standers occasionally broke out
into a burrs for these Ministers of the Gospel. The constable
added, that the neighbourhood was frequently annoyed by these two
fanatics, one of whom was described as a journeyman shoemaker
out of employment, and the other (his fellow-labourer) swept the
crossings of one of the streets leading into High-street, Southwark,
a short time before his elevation.
The Magistrate inquired whether they had provid:d themselves
with licences for preaching?
Wells replied, that he bad no licence but the word of God, and
that allowed him to preach anywhere end everywhere.
The Magistrate observed, that it was a breach of the peace, col-
lecting mobs of people in the streets, and suggested, that 11 they
were bent on preaching they could, at the trifling expense of six-
pence. obtain a licence, which would quality thereto preach the
gospel in any dwelling, but they must not by any means persist in
doing so in the open streets. He was, he said. disposed to discharge
them, on their promise of not repeating. the ofrence.
Charman--Nrither of us will enter into any such compact, for
our exhortations on the highways, and in the public streets, have
been attended with the most happy results ; we have made many,
very many converts. and our flock is increasing fast.
Mills, the other defendant---I cannot in try conscience promise
anything of die kind ; I will suffer mr.dyrdom first.
Here a person amongst the crowd in the office called out—" flab,
bah ! Mr. Mills, where was your conscience the other day, when
you were caught in bed with another man's wife in the city ?"
Mr. defy any one to prove flint there. I was—
Here the Magistrate put an end to the recrimination by obsess.
ing, that he had only one course to pursue, and that was to hold
them to bail, in case they did not promise to exercise their calling
in proper places.
The defendants said, they would not procure bail, and expressed
their willingness to suffer any punishment in so righteous a cause.
They were then taken away, and both of them appeared to be
highly satisfied at the decision, for it was mentioned, that while in
confinement subscriptions would he raised for them by their fol-
lowers ; they would fare wel4 during their imprisonment, and
when they came out they would have the surplus of what re-
mained.

It is supposed that 3,000 houses will be built in Birming-
ham and its environs during the present year.
On Monday evening, between seven and eight o'clock, as
Mr. Blake, late landlord of the Tack's !lead public.bouse, in the
Kent-road, accompanied by a Mr. Emmett, were returning from
Mitcham in a eloade, to the residence of the former, on their
arrival at Peckham tiLp-lane. and only within 100 yards of Mr.
Blake's lions!, a waggon drawn by one horse was proceeding in the
opposite direction, when, by some cause not yet ascertained, the
horse took fright, galloped off at full speed, and in its progress
came in contact with the thane, she wheel of which it completely
knocked oil, and by the concussion the two gentlemen were throwa
out ; Mr. Blake pitched head foremost to the ground. and was un.
fortunate!! killed on the spot. 31r. Emmett, we understand, only
received a few bruises.