The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-02 00:00:00

NEW NJTIONAL SCOTCH CHURCH.

Yesterday the foundation-stone of the new National
Scotch Church, intended to he erected in Regent-square,
north of the Foundling flovital, was laid with the most
solemn ceremony. The stone was esti, ctrl to he laid by
hia Royal Highness die Duke of Clarence. The sub-
saribers, cos eeeee itte. s, and friends of the new National
I 'hurelt toil at the Caledonian Chureh, in Cross-stre:.t,
Ilatton-gitoltn, nt twelve o'clock, when. a very numerous
and t napctable onsenilde4e, of which a large portion
was of the fair sex, attended. Amongst those present we
noticed—the Right I lonottrable the Earl and Countess of
Ilreadalbane and daughter, Earl 4 :ow4 F:3T lof Rose-
berry, I 'ountess Conytighatn, and Lady thetwyml, with a
number of Scotch nobility and gentry.
At one o'cloek a communication arrived from his Royal
1 liOitiess the Duke of 4 :lamer and St. Andrew, express-
ing his regret that indisposition prevented his attelidalicr.
Divine service begat, at a quarter before our o'clock. The
Rev. John of the Scotch 7hurch. Swallow-street,
conimene.d with prayers; alter whir, the Cev. Edward
Irving, NI.A. delivered a most excellent discourse : he I
read what a Is Wt II seloeted for the occas:on, the 29th
chapter of the Second Book of Claromi, hs, which contains
the dedication of the Temple of Solomon. The Rev.
Gentleman observed—

We are about to erect to the Lord one of his Temples; and
we are enabled to do this by year bounty. IVe are about to erect
a teniple, where the orthodox principles of the Church of Setuland
shall be, by the grace of Chid. promulgated from age to age. It is
a peculiar principle of the Church of Sentland, that its dortrinix
shall not he perverted by ail vain forms—any carrying of banners,
or tinkling of music ; and, thenfore, let not any thing that may be
said or slime, this day, be so constructed. We arc about to ron-
sumer n house of prayer to toe and to our children, wherein we may
administer to the Lotd our f;ad, and look to hint in all our troubles,
in all our grieving% wherein, Soblva.h atter Sabbath', we may hold
communion with the clioseti and well.lieloved of nor souls. wherein
too :Lies ttihoen
,oerf
u:uinn of eint,f aff
~.toriz,,mbuwt we
hcrc we . a„.troe
bring the love of runnel. and strengthen each other on our MM.
mities—for n is to be the 'louse of Gist—die glee of lirnifro, anti
must be the shrine of charity. If any have transgressed the law of
the Lord, let him confess it, and he Anil be cleansed by the blond
of the Lord Jesus ('heist ; anti if any nian shall haven thorn in his
spirit, a trial of nature to endure--of jeopardy, of altheimn—let him
canoe into the temple ethic!' the Almighty has put into your minds
to sort. It shall he the wiling-place between our %infol souls
and the Saviour of this sinful world. Then he yet absolved in
prayer, while the first atone is laying of a temple which may lung
tumid proudly. (fur doctrine is the doctrine of the Reforniers, iu
its simplicity and truth. Our great Reformer, linos. was the
friend of 'Aril,, and he was chosen to assist in the radii/ohm of
the Rook of Prayer. The Westminster Confession of Fsith was
improvise ; hot we had a I 'onfnoion of Faith a centory older, more
to my taste aitt feeling; not because it contains anything fief-
, relent, hut bet.itise it contains less of the pragmatical and
controversial. It forced the Reformation into an offensive and de.
lin.ire situation. I abstain (ram seven!: our doctrine is Calvinistic.
I call it the Ifeformatimi, because we arc a system within ourselves;
and Again because (N)vin was not a system preacher. I take a
higher.-1114Ife ancient ground. The doctrines of Calvinism, not.
ithataniling its dry, heartless, metaphysical form, was the
licher ranee of Europe. I her dis.•ipline is simple:—it requires
tour years of clansical education ; it reei•ires the M. A. of
literature, and the voucher of Professimi. After a further ills.
ciplitie of four tear, he is rigidly examined as to his fitness
tor the Ministry—his ktiowledg!, and pit ty. This trial lasts
half a year; idler which he is on his plohation. Ile is then
ordained upon the call of the flock. Ile Is taken again upon
trial, and ultimately orilaihell. The elders preside over the flock.
Finally, I may may without offimcr. it is my duty to say the Church
which is to he built out of your offering is to be erllal the National
Church, and is Co.' the collecting of our people. To the eyes of
Spiritual men it is essential, perhaps, to have regard to the mature
of the edifice. We have endeavoured to unite dignity, simplicity,
and convenience. I dignity in reference to the Being of our devo-
te tttt ; siniplieity in reference to our doctrines ; and convenience
out Of Tegatil to thine who tire to worship therein. It is • shame
that natimusl feeling should an long have neglected this national
subject, in futtherance of the only rebgion which has never shed
blood tit' conscience sake. nut what is it unless erected nowt the
foundation of prayer It is anything, nothing, a toy, a sirht, a
delusion ; no uentiniem of the chinch, no pillar of truth."
After the serviev, offerings iii aid of the work were re-
ceived at the floors ; and a considerable sum was collectill.
The church was crowded lu nit overflow. 31r. Read, the
heatl officer of Ilattoti-uartlen Police Establishment, with
a numlwr of ollic,rn and connonlilta under his command,
attended to preserve Maur at the doors, &c.

At two o'eleek the procc.iimi al in the following
order to the site of the intended edifice :

Mr. Read, at the head of a party of the police-officers, to clear
the way.
Beadles of the Scotch churehes in London, with their batons,
and in liveries.
Soperinteminnt of the Caledonian School.
Fifty boys of the school, in South dresses.
The Sehool.nmsti r.
l'reecntors of the Scotch Churches in London.
Members of the tie:tend Miiniittee.
Members of the Finance
!Itemizers of the Ituilding Committee.
lI%Mom Tile. Esq. the Architect, with the plans and elevations.
Mr. Barelov. Chairman of the Finance Committee, with the I !tins.
Mr. J. 11. MAUI, Chairnum of the Building C 111111 l doe, with the
savor trowel On a crimson velvet cushion.
Mr. J. D. travid. Secretary to the Building Committee, with the
glass plate bearing the inscription.
Mr. 'William Hamilton, General Secretary, with the Holy Bible.
Sir Peter Laurie, one of the Shen% of London.
The ftillosing Eldvis of the Church. viz —Rev. John Marshall,
Rev. Edward Irving, A!.:1. Rev John l'rotoblie ; Rev. Doctor
Myth.

The Procession moved along Ilatton-garden, Liquor
Pond-street, King's-road, John-street, Doughtey-street,
Uuilil rd-sleet, Laustlown•plave, Brunswick-square,
Hunter-art:et, and tompton-street East.
A great number of noblemen and gentlemen's carriages
brought up the rear. The concourse of permit's assa•tnblel
at the place was incredible. At three o'clock the proces-
sion reached the site of the new church. The area was
inclosed, and platforms erected Oil one side of the ground,
' with scats for the aeoommodation of ladies, who were in
attendance in great hers. The fineness of the day
••:eve full elf et to the elegant appearance of the company.
'file foundation-stone was saspa•ndhd by a suitable appa-
ratus previous to its being deposited.
A• soon as the principal personages had taken their re-
spective positions, they all stood uncovered, and a Psalm
was given out, which was sung by the children in attend-
ance.

The stone being in readinetia to be la4l, Mr. Alarm, the
Chairman of the Building t Mninittee, made a isti ad-
dress. and introduced Mr. TM., the arrhiteet, to the Earl
of Itri adallianti, who was proxy for his Royal flightier's,
with the plans fiir his inspect
The Rev. Dr. Alanuel, of I, lon-wall, then pronounced
al I diluent prayer, invoking the divine blessing upon the
work in al ich they were engagt d, and un all those as-
sisting in its 1-x,ssitiott.

Rey. Edward Irving then delivered a suitable
altru.s.

Mr. Hamilton, ti, cretary to the General e ' tee,
then read the inscription on the plate, and exhibited it,
with the vase and bottle, and prevented them to his Lord-
ship, who consigned them to their place in the following
surav :—The glass bottle, hermetically sealed, contain-
ing an account of the church, with the moms of the tars-
ier, elder, titmice unit gen, ral committees, and a baulk• of
the subscribers to the present time.
This pert of ~he ceremony being con:lulled. the stone
was lower d to its prover plats•, and the trowel presented
ui the Earl of Bread:alb:me, who repeated the formula of
nomination, having spread 14011111: mortar, and ascertaining
that it was in its right position, gave it three strata with a
wooden mallet, and a. ..darer! it to be fixed.
A Psalm was afterwards sung, in which the children
joined.

The Rev. Dr. RlvOi, 3hallerator of the Pro‘hytery of
Lndon, then oin.rea a short thanksgiving, and the Rev.,
Edward Irving concluded with the benediction.

.1 tent was erected over the stone, which was placed in
the centre of the area, which was griivelle.l and railed
round. The ground, as well a: the scaffolding. was
crowded with eoniiiativ, who wire cdmitnd by tickets,
1,;011 of which were iN:med.

The glass plate bore the following inneription
1 Kings. Bth I hunter, 27th Verve• lin Hebrew) -•• Itto will tlod
inde•erl dwell On to coal; behold. the Heaven with !leaven et'
11..avens cannot o ntam Thee, how tiluelt less thus how.o that 1
have budded."

I Petri% 2.1 Chapter. l'eh Verse (in Greek)—" Pcla•lil I lay in
Sion a chic f corner stone. elect, precious; .uid he that believe.h ua
I shall not he
The tiro stone or this 11!hureli Ines laid nn the first day of July,
11124, by his korai Highness Ilenry Duke ot Clarence
and St. Andrew's. Falward Irving. A. 31. Alinirter.
Dinwiddie, Elder. Killian' Tice, .Ireliitert.

At the conclusion three cheers wive given, and the band
struck up " Cod save the The Kiri of Breads!.
hatie, on taking have, exprt:s‘ll the delight and gratifica-
tion he felt at the insulter in which the w ha: Ct tellanly
had 114141 c

A suinptuotrs dianer W 25 afterwards given at the Fa cc.

Imavens' Tavern, Gleat Qneen-f;tract, to the gentlemen en-
gaged in the labour' of the day. The children were ciao
entertained. The eilMi Will great throughout the day,
but not the least accident occurred ; und owing to the
vigilance of the llAnon-garden police, the light-fingered
gentry were prevented front retying a plentiful Hardest.

ANECDOTES.

'From tha ndgmah.s n f o V.. just p51,1411,..d.

1100,1ItT11.

A few months before Iltigarth was seized with the
mulad; which deprived society of one of it■ brighcst
. ornaments, he proposed to his matchless pencil the
work he has entitled the Till The first idea of
this picture iv said to have bet:. skoched in company,
while the convivial gloss was circulating round his own
table. "My next undertaking (add Ihr,tarth) shall be
, the End ‘yl. All Things." "If that is the caw• (replied one
of his friends), your business will he finished, for there will
be an cud to the painter." " There will be so," answered
llogartli, sighing heavily ; " and therefore the sooner my
work is done the better." Accordingly he began the next,
day, and continua his design with a liligence that
seemed to indicate an apprehension he should not live to I
complete it. This, however, he did, and in the most iu-
genious manor r, by grouping every thing that could
de-
note the end of all things—a broken bottle, an old broom
worn to the stump, the butt-end of an old musket, a
cracked hell, a bow unstrung, a crown tionhleil in pieces,
towers in ruins, the sign-pest of a tavern, called the
" World's End," falling, the moon in her wane, the map
of the globe burning, a gibbet falling, the body gone, and
the chains which held it dropping, Phn•bus and his horses
lying dead in the clouds, a vess,d wrecked, Time with his
hour-glass and scythe, a tobacco pipe' with the last whirfl
of ke going out, a ploy-loo!. ()veiled with exeunt smilers
stamped on the cover, an empty purse, and a statute of
bankruptcy taken out against Nature.—" Si far sic good,"
said llogarth, on reviewing his performance; "nothing
remains but this"—taking his pencil, end sketching the
resemblance of a painter's pallet broken. " Finis"—he
then exclaisned—" the deed is done; all is over." It is a
very remarkable fact, not generally known, that llogarth
never again took the pallet in his hand, and that he died
in about a month after he had finished this Tail Piece.