The National Register.
London, England, 1808-11-27 00:00:00

7'66

-


Opportunity .0 %tr. D'Egville's pupils to display their own
and the taste and science infused into it by the
skilful mstroctions of their master. Miss Gay tun, parti-
cularly distinguished herself. A scotch Keel, however, by
Miss ! . Bristow, cos more generally applauded than the
lucre scientific efforts of the nimble heel t for what all
atfect to understand, all will admire. Laurent's exhibition
in the was not happy, nor in it* proper place. It
only afforded a butt to the ridicule of the House. The
inutile, by Bishop, is exeeedingls, pretty and appropriate 3
and there was also in the scenery what excited very general
and well-deserved apulause. The house overflowed before
the dance began.
•

POPULAR PREACHERS.
No. XVI.

'Yes, I am proud ; I Inuit be proud,, to set
Nen not afraid of Goo—afraid ante.
Port's L•'pitugue to The Satires.'

REY. ISAAC JACKMAN,

OF TILE
PHIL.4NTEROPIC SOCIETY•

COMPELLED as sometimes am, in the prosecution of '
these clerical criticisms, to animadvert on deficiences
which, since they cannot escape my observation, demand
my censure, it is with unfeigned pleasure that 1 approve,
all any occasion, whatever I find to be equitably entitled
to general support. Public duty alone dictated my obser-
vations on The Foundling Hospital, however severe they
might seem to those who were unacquainted with the
causes in which my remarks originated, or unpleasing as
they might prove to those who understood the force of
their application ; but public justice now calls upon me
to perform something infinitely inure satisfactory to my-
self, and, let me hope, not less beneficial to others. I
have now to speak of a civil establishment, which claims,
and will authorize, my applause ; and of a religions in-
stitution, as connected with it, which seems to deserve the
encouragement it experiences.
The PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY was first formed during
the year 1788, and was incorporated, by an act of the le-
gislatur4., in 1806: its CnApc.b, one of the most spacio
to-
us
and elegant of modern edifices, was reg pened
wards the close of the latter year. Both the Society and
the Chapel, I am happy to repeat it, are entitled to esti-
mation. Without entering into the details on which this
()pinion is founded, and which would not properly assi-
mutate, particularly as referring solely to the Philanthro-
pic institution), with the immediate object of my present
pursuit, perhaps, incidentally at least, I shall yet suffi-
ciently substantiate the truth of what 1 have just asserted.
Scepticism itself would be perplexed in endeavouring to
start one solid cavil against the views or conduct of this
Society ; and it becomes my province to ascertain in what
manner it ought to be appreciated, as affecting the into-
rests of Religion.
The REV. ISAAC JACKMAN, alternate Licensed
Preacher at the PHILANTHROPIC CIIAPEL, is from Catherine-
Hall, in the University of Cambridge. Ile formerly preach-
ed in one of the mast respectable chapels at Bath, I believe
in All Saints' ; where he was fashionably and numerously
attended, and whence his pulpit fame ultiraately introduced
bim to the metropolis. Mr. Jackman Is also the alternate
Morning Preacher at Berkeley Chapels and promises, if re-
port be correct, speedily to obtain other professiogia!
situations. It has bean told me, that he was once designed
for the Bar; and, UtiliTtiS recollection misleads me, I thi:c.tc
be formerly attached ininiself to the cultivation of Litera-
ture, and was author of some publications which, howetcr
in their nature evanescent, rettucted honour on his exerthlns
without discrediting his .abilities. bas linkte 1 artlej4
and has clAflren.

TILE NATIONAL UEGISTER.

NOV. 27.

....
If, as stated in my hearing, Mr. Jackman, when onr,,i
the candidates for tie pulpit of the philanthropic SOCiC!VI
was preferred before the Heir. S'idneY Synith, the circuin.
stance must be considered ai Cotnplimentai'y to hiMself as
it Was ceeditalile to the jedtment, of thoge by Whom he was
elected. Let him always reedited, however, what are un-
derstood to have been the grounds Of this honourable pre-
ference. Let him never si:bstittite morality for christionity.
sever let tht dread of being branded With hypocrisy, dis-
courage him in the career of spirit:Wily! ,While we sup.
plicate its atsistsuce, shall we; at the sante instant, prespuu
to dispute the operations of the Holy Ghost ? Let us trem-
ble profanely to.deride what we atiect religiously to desire.
II the Lord be indeed God, then Serve we heat ?
Mr. Jacktnau, as a preacher; is both intelligent and im-
pressive ; and it is because the valtte of these qualities
strikes mein him; and, ais6 because he appears most tau&
bly auscotrs 'tee adorn the sacred profession in which he has
engaged, that 1 am eareettly solieitous es:Mon-nine his pro
gress in the church: lle has, .indeed, evidently improved
duritig the last four `cars: His preaching is bight/ re-
' spectenle ; and he is capable of making cousiderable
advAnces towards perfection.
His person is intereititig. nig riiiiiiS goad; yd ittiscep.
tible of ;treater variety of intohation. His action it agree-
able 1 and, when he is animatedly patiletic, is attractive ar,l
energetic. Sometimesi however; 1 have thought his man.
net of delivery-too authoritative. He is accustomed often
to address himself personally, or colloquially, to any of hit
audience,--a difficult attempt, in which; nevertheless, he
generally acquits himself successfolly. He knows the con-
stitution of the human heart. - Hence his descriptions rea-
dily etreite attention, while his fervour cominunicates itself
to leis 'hearers.
There is a commeudable negligence. I think Mr, Jack-
man would excel more, if he leas laboured the attainment
of excellence. He euumences too high in voice; which
not onl weaken 4 the effect of the subsieqdent parts of hit
sermon, y but, towards the close of it, induces symptom of
exit:ins-tic/v.
Iris language ought to be. noticed. lliss words are select,
without being pedantic; his sentences correctly constructed,
and, with respect to length, judiciously intermixed? hit
stile is elegant without being affected, and elevated without
being declamatory. He could satisfy the peers
without
perplexing the peasant.
w.___ is
W lith so much to approve in him; h, while Com.
mending his sermons, as to their literary composition' lkt
Mr. Jackman would abandon the phrase .4 By tray of* l'A.-
!lodation," When he is proposing the arrangement of 104
subject. Preachers would gain In effect,
were they wholly to discontinue the practice of formally
dividinr, their discourses under different heads, and at-
, pouncing them to the congregations. If, however, the!
I am persuaded,
must retain this custom of distributiod, let theiri keep the.
secret to themselves. It interrupts a good sermon, the.
secret renders a tedious sermon more tireioire, What is. ably
delivered from the pulpit, will always be retained in
110
closet ; but it is painful, it is almost insufferable,
.to
of
.
roused', division after division, by the angry mouth
his nii:4c.
that he has merely. gone through the first act of ,
some stupid pulpiteers for the express purpose of b. esr.in:
, ruble performances . Why do our Preachers per.rita in '
practice that is discarded by every
Public Orators' rf the
I would exhort the subject of
my prevnt ripe
...I
Rev, li4ac JACKMAN, to attend to the suggestwas of. lit
other description et
Town understanding, and to consult the dlctates of Or
..ce23:
tif34ll decision. He is qualified to retied elm% arit.let
'irk of estimating 4 the situation in which he is 1"" fore the
him disdain the judgment of men, lltintbled b,_
Creator; but bold before the creature,
" he bear'
his sacred office, arid " knowing whose a.uli!°. riPf.„,,,, ofili
lot WO)! before
eth," lot him " live, and move and bare eis.uw,iii Po.
in and for the destination to *bias he .is orilaineu r___.
vidence has vouchsafed to hitt ttiklitti tet him, thei°l"l°